1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Huge crowd attends Tom-Boy opening

FEBRUARY 5, 1960 – Traffic almost came to a halt along Steinbach’s Main Street, as hundreds of cars proceeded to the official opening of Steinbach’s new Tom-Boy store. In spite of the wet snow, hundreds of people stood out in front of the new super-market to await opening ceremonies at 10 a.m., Thursday.

Proprietor Jac A. Penner welcomed the guests and well-wishers who, made this venture possible. He introduced Roy O’Neil, manager of Western Grocers, and Jack Rempe[, who had acted in an advisory capacity in building the new store.

“Steinbach has become known as the Automobile City,” said Jack Rempel in his remarks. “Cars with Steinbach labels can be seen in every part of the province. Steinbach transport trucks reach out to every part of the North American continent. Millwork from Steinbach is sold all over western Canada. The opening of Jac Penner’s new store will help to provide still another service in Steinbach.”

Rev. Henry Rempel dedicated the building to the community.

“Profit there must be, but let the motivating spirit always be that of true service to the community.”

Steinbach Mayor L.A. Barkman, who performed the ribbon cutting ceremony, said the community could expect to gain more and better services, better facilities, and following Penner’s Tom-Boy’s past record, still more competitive prices.

“We are privileged in buying, not necessarily only groceries, on a more competitive basis than any other place in Manitoba or maybe even in all of Canada.”

Penner started with a small store in Steinbach about 15 years ago. Since that time he has doubled and redoubled his floor space, culminating in what by 1960 is now Canada’s largest Tom-Boy store. Ably assisting him in serving Steinbach and area customers will be his two sons, Reg and James.

The total floor area of the store is 11,500 square feet, including the warehouse and a selling area of 8,200 square feet. Six automatic doors, electronically operated, and a complete parcel pickup service, are accessible to drivers entering or leaving the parking area.

Another special feature of the new Penner’s Tom-Boy store was a home delivery room, where a special bank of telephones is situated to accept telephone orders. Orders are taken, made up, and then delivered, four times a day.

Also there is a 12×24-sq-ft meat preparation room connected by a beef rail directly from the receiving department so that all meats are moved straight from the delivery trucks.

To make sure that there is no spoilage , fresh produce is received direct into cold storage and never comes in contact with fresh air. This is an obvious benefit, particularly in the warm summer months.

There is 134 sq.ft. of refrigerated space in the store, 36 feet for self-service meats, 10 feet for meats served by the butcher department, 20 feet for dairy display, 36 feet for produce refrigeration, and 32 feet for frozen foods.