I bought the store at 930 -17th Ave West in 1949 from Oscar Levant it was a convenience store and we put a full line of groceries and cooked and cured meats in and ran it as a family grocery store.

I had a small chest for frozen goods, a produce counter, did some flyer advertising and delivered and had charge accounts. We were open 7 days and evenings a week and did a fairly good business. Had two boys going to Western Canada high school so we had built in help. We had an apartment up stairs and parking in back of the store.

We joined the Associated Grocers and joined their advertising programme which helped a lot. Our best customers were the charge accounts, they generally bought most of their groceries from us and paid either once a month or every 2 weeks. We bought our eggs direct from a producer and had people coming from different parts of the city because they liked our eggs.

The Mt. Royal Customers were the poorest customers. They would give you an order to be delivered, and then you would have to clean out their garage of all their return bottles, which they had gathered from all over.

There were some very good sales people that called on us and were for the most part very important. The customers became good friends, and as a family business you also absorbed many of their family problems and circumstances, there were some odd ones too. Had one lady that came in and wanted to use the phone, which was a common practice. This lady got out her list to phone her order in Jenkins groceteria, so you met all kinds.

The job of manager for the Associated Grocers Wholesale came up and I applied for the job. I took over as manager in 1952/53. There was one girl on staff and myself. They had decided to build their own warehouse which was over on 1802 -10th Ave S W. I sold the store and took the job on. Our first year I think we did almost a half million dollars worth of business with myself, a truck driver, and a bookeeper.

We never looked back! I might add as an independent, being able to buy on a competitive basis, was always a problem. It was only through joining with a group such as A.G. was it possible to survive and make any money.

But the food business is one of the best in the world. I met a lot of wonderful people, and I never ever went to anyone for help and/or advice when it wasn't given freely and honestly. The most honorable and honest group of business and sales people I have ever met, and been associated with.