440 4th Avenue was built as a corner store in 1975, according to BC government records. Those records are incorrect and we will do more research on the construction date of this building.
Here is a map showing the location of 440 4th Avenue:
Here is a Google Street View image of 440 4th Avenue:
In July 2020 the LDHS put 440 4th Avenue on its Facebook group as a daily feature. Many readers left some very interesting comments on the history of 440 4th Avenue.
Bill Verchere wrote:
“I was a toddler in the late 1930s and it was known then as the Food Centre, operated by Bill Pettit.
I remember Fred Wilson, a good 10 years older than me, telling me that as a youth he delivered groceries for the Food Centre, so I’m guessing that Pettit has the business since the early ‘30s, and possibly earlier.
Pettit sold the business in the 1940s and using the name The Fuel Centre began delivering firewood which he obtained from the Mayo mill. I rode with him every Saturday morning when I was about 13 and he paid me $2.00 for the company.”
Sharon Mackie wrote:
“The store was certainly there in the 40s but I can’t remember the name of the owners then (senior moment). The McKenzie bought it in the 50s. They had a great butcher shop..i remember seeing a wheel of cheese that they would cut up. In those days if you were out if work they would “carry” you until you were back and could pay your Bill. No interest charged either!”
Karen Wright replied to Sharon Mackie:
“the meat from the butcher shop was so good! My mother in-law’s Sunday dinner roast was delivered to her home in Saltair every Saturday along with her other groceries.
After retirement from the Mill Grandpa Wright delivered groceries for the Food Center….he loved that job!”
Don Mackenzie wrote:
“That [store] was [owned by] my parents, MAC and Helen MacKenzie. The store was called the Food Center….. My parents bought the store from a Mr. Ron Aktin. I believe. In 1953.”
Danielle Guerard wrote:
“My parents live down the block to this store . I think in the 70s it was called Stacy’s? Anyhow the 80’s it was owned by the Godlontons, at one time the back of the store was an ice cream window , and Darlene McMurtrie Wright and I spent ridiculous amounts of money for the best penny candy there for years . In the 2000’s it was owned by the Bravo-Franks and there was a fabulous slush machine there as well…”
We will add more historical information in future.