1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Budala buys downtown mall

JULY 2, 2015—The former Extra Foods location in downtown Steinbach will become home to a different business come this fall, but it won’t be a new grocery store, which has often been touted since the grocery store closed its doors in February, 2013.

After 30 years in business – 25 years at its current location alone – Solomon’s Furniture is making a big move.

The time has come for a change, but he is going to miss his current location across the street from The Carillon, Solomon Budala says.

Over the years, the business has expanded to acquire much of the nearby property.

Budala says that he was interested in acquiring a newer building and the 18-year-old Extra Foods building fit the bill. He says he’s happy to be remaining in downtown Steinbach, where business all began for him.

Budala said he has also purchased the adjacent Shoppers Plaza and hopes to attract a few more tenants to the units in the small strip mall.

The face of downtown has changed during his time in business, but Budala points to examples like Shoppers Drug Mart and the new Steinbach Credit Union building as reason why the downtown is still the place to be.

“I’m a downtown person because this is where I started,” he says. “People supported me here.”

Acquiring the vacant property was a slow process. Budala says the talks extended over two years before a deal was finally signed.

There was one key requirement for Loblaws in agreeing to the sale. There can be no grocery store on the property until July 1, 2055.

Budala is pleased that his son, Mark, has taken an interest in taking over the business. His son and manager Jason Stubbington, who has been with the business for 16 years, are expected to run the business after its move into its new location.

Renovations are expected to begin soon, with plans to open its new doors in fall.

What will become of the Main Street properties that Budala has already accumulated remains to be seen.

He looks forward to seeing the support for the business at their new location and will treasure the memories made at their old building.

“This is the best community for me,” he says. “Forever from my heart, I say thanks.”