The interior of Wiebe's Deli in Coaldale. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Wiebe’s Deli celebrating 100th anniversary in Coaldale in 2019

Jul 4, 2019 | 11:21 AM

COALDALE, AB – Although it was not always known as Wiebe’s Deli, the store has been around in one capacity or another for a full century and has established a legacy in Coaldale like few others could have.

Back in 1919, the original deli only operated on Fridays, but expanded to a full-time butchering business three years later.

Fast forward 22 years and 163 meat locker boxes were added to the business.

“People didn’t have enough storage at home, like freezer space, and then they’d have a key and everything. In the back, we had lockers where they’d have all the meat and everything and [we’d] slice it up or whatever they wanted,” says Wiebe’s Deli’s Manager Margaret Froese.

The original meat lockers that were installed in 1941. (Lethbridge News Now)

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After another 135 lockers were added in the 1950’s, the store’s ownership changed a few times before long-time employee John Wiebe took over in 1983.

“With the help of his grandmother, he perfects the Mennonite sausage recipe and renamed it Wiebe’s Deli and Sausage Works,” adds Froese.

Wiebe retired in 2015, leaving the current owners to assume full control.

Froese says it is remarkable to look back at the history of the business, and while it has changed hands and changed names more than once, Coaldale’s is still thriving 100 years after its inception.

While they are looking to introduce new products and expand their reach across Southern Alberta, she wants to focus on continuing to perfect the products they already offer.

Co-Manager Suzanne Guenther preparing sausages. (Lethbridge News Now)

1919 was also the year that the Town of Coaldale, then known as the Village of Coaldale, was formally established. They are putting on a “Once in a Lifetime” Settler’s Day festival from Friday, July 5th to Sunday, July 7th. More details here.

The former storefront of the Coaldale Meat Market. (Supplied by Town of Coaldale)

The storefront of Wiebe’s Deli in 2019. (Lethbridge News Now)