Leong’s Food Store
Here’s a faded sign from long ago, oddly left behind when the business it was connected to closed decades back. Hidden away and only visible from the alley, we suspect few people even notice. We’re at a place once called Leong’s Food Store in Calgary’s Southwest and they operated out of here from the time the building was new in the mid-1950s to about 2000. Here’s their entire legacy after some forty five years and this ghost the only reminder they ever existed. Well, that and old phone books, the research fodder used for this piece. There the business is listed as Leong Food Store but in the sign there’s clearly a possessive tense.
Corner Stores like this were once commonplace and it’s here you could grab the paper, a pack of smokes and maybe a loaf of bread on the way home. They we’re close, convenient and usually operated by a family with each member taking a shift. You knew them by name and they you and in a pinch might extend a little credit during hard times. There’s still stores like this in a sense, the local mini-mart (aka junk food heaven) but they’re otherwise faceless and non too personal in comparison.
When we last passed the Leong’s sign a few months back, it looked like some work was being done to the building so perhaps it’s not long for this world. Since the grocery moved out a series of businesses have occupied the place, including recently an Italian food store and coffee shop.
From the same day, another old school grocery, but this one’s still open…
Little Green Mart.
Short Subjects: reports that are short and sweet in nature. This is stuff that’s interesting enough in itself, but not deserved of the full on BIGDoer.com treatment. It’s silly little snippets, vignettes and likewise things of that sort. You’ll be in and out in no time.
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Date of adventure: September, 2019.
Location: Calgary, AB.
A ghost sign for Leong’s Food Store.
My Dad was George Leongs best friend George ran many stores , my dad was the manager of Old Dutch Potato Chips, they had a fabulous friendship that brings back many fond memories 🙏
What a cool connection!
I used to frequent this store as a child. Very good memories. 😊
Such awesome memories!
I see those flowers are gone now.
Yes, drove past the other day and they’re no more. I think the guys at Pi Squared or what ever that pizza place is there saw me pass and gave a dirty look.
I worked there stocking shelves in 1968. Along with the work it was a great place to people-watch. George was my boss and his second in command was a guy name Ceasar.
I was in the coffee shop that now occupies the space with a childhood friend and we were sitting there confused about what we were feeling about the space. It hadn’t clicked that it was Leong’s. A day or so later I walked down that alley and saw the sign.
Wow, how cool!
I went there everyday after school at Killarney Elementary for penny candy and comic books
Candy and comics…it got no better than that.
Wonderful! Bring back corner stores!
We second that!
Was this photo taken in Bridgeland? I think I have seen this building before in one of my dad’s old photos. My parents lived in Bridgeland for a short time in the late 40’s.
No, but a lot of these stores were similar in look and signage.
George was an old school Grocer, he had produce along with the penny candy and other staples . He wore a white smock and watched like a hawk that nobody stole any candy. Many days spent there and it was a Killarney staple, as were the family. Also Marshall Wells hardware that had a toy department in the basement, was down a couple of doors, and the second Toms House of Pizza on the 33rd st end of the plaza.
Marshal Wells…wow it’s been a while since we heard that name. Thanks for sharing your memories of Leong’s.
…a couple of blocks from our house. It was next to the hardware and drug store.
Yes, the hardware store – forgot about it.
Spent many $$ there on penny candy. We lived just up the block…
Back when penny candy was a penny.
I spent a lot on penny candy there.
A kid and their money are soon parted if there’s a corner store nearby.
I hung out there many times as a child.
The local corner store was the hang out for many.
My friend Colleen (Leong) worked their all through high school (Viscount Bennett).Her dad Gordon Leong is still going strong and lives in the neighbourhood.
That’s awesome!
Spent a lot of money on penny candy there too! Mojos, string licorice, grape and orange bubble gum just to name a few. Good memories of living in Killarney!
Mojos ruled! And Black Cat gum too!
I spent my allowance in that store back in the 60’s. George let me put out the new comics and magazines once a week and then I could read all the ones that would go back next week to United News in the back.
United News…now there’s a memory (long story). Thanks for sharing!
My favorite little store for many years, such a nice family owned it.
We’re hearing from a lot of folks who remember the place and who speak well of those who owned it.
I lived across the street from George and Gee Leong for many years… they’re both sharp and healthy !!
Awesome to hear!
Smoked my first cigarette purchased at Leongs. We smoked out front & thought we were so cool. I got sick shortly after & never smoked again thankfully. Leongs was a great corner store. Lovely family
It was a right of passage!
I knew Leongs and George and Gee well from my days at Holy Name School. Walked by every day and still get my hair cut at Nick’s barber shop a couple of doors away. I guess it was the mid to late 60’s. Fantastic picture and post. Thank you! You know, you kind of forget the great stuff you found walking down the alleys when you were a kid.
Wonderful memories and we’re so happy we stirred them up.
Pls attach an address of these places All the work you do and you don’t put in an address let’s complete the story
If something like the location is left out it’s by design. This could be due many reasons but most often it’s to help protect the site from trouble. That we have to take these steps is sad and on that you’ll get no argument, but such is the world today.