End of an Era: .C. Village Grocery Store Sold After 131 Years
In the heart of Midway, a small community in British Columbia's Kootenay-Boundary region, a landmark institution has changed hands. McMynn Family Foods, formerly known as Hardy and Co. General Merchants, has been sold to an Alberta-based grocery business, concluding a remarkable 131-year legacy that began in 1895.
A Family Legacy Rooted in History
Midway Mayor Doug McMynn recently reflected on his family's deep roots in the area, tracing back to the late 1800s when his great-grandfather James Graham McMynn and three brothers immigrated from Kirkcudbright, Scotland. The brothers initially pursued ranching, with William serving as a provincial police officer and gold commissioner. In 1912, James acquired the Hardy and Co. General Merchants store from Tom Hardy, who had established the business in 1895.
The original building, where McMynn now operates the family hardware store, still stands today. It houses a cluttered office once used by his grandfather Gordon and father James (Jim), who served as Midway's mayor for an impressive 35 years. This space is filled with historical artifacts, including a leather-bound family business diary from the late 1700s, the original glass top of a Shell gas bowser, and a 1950s commercial Coca-Cola cooler.
The Grocery Store's Evolution and Sale
In 1978, McMynn's father Jim opened the McMynn Family Foods grocery store three blocks away to create additional space for the family's hardware store and insurance brokerage. Located on a full city block in the center of the 620-resident community, just off Highway 3 east of Osoyoos, the store became the beating heart of Midway.
On an unusually warm March day, McMynn, alongside his wife Jolly, daughter Tia, and granddaughter Hadley, sorted through paperwork and curios from the recently sold grocery store. "It's a lot of history and I am a little sad," McMynn admitted. "But it's necessary, and we have found a new owner that is also a family business and has promised to keep on all the staff at the same wages with the same benefits."
Transition to New Ownership
The new owners, Hammy's Foods from Ponoka, Alberta, have been in operation since 1946 and are affiliated with the AG Foods independent grocery group. While the iconic McMynn signage has been removed, the store remains open during the transition, aiming for a seamless handover. This sale ensures the grocery continues to serve the community, which boasts amenities like an RCMP detachment, ice rink, new community center, library, curling rink, airport, and secondary school.
Community Context and Future Outlook
Despite the closure of Midway Elementary School by the local school board, there are positive signs for the community. Tia McMynn noted that an upcoming Easter Egg Hunt revealed 22 children aged five and under, a promising demographic shift unheard of in recent years. This highlights the town's resilience and potential for growth.
The sale of McMynn Family Foods marks a significant chapter in Midway's history, blending nostalgia with practical necessity. As the McMynn family steps back from the grocery business, they leave behind a legacy of community service and entrepreneurial spirit, now entrusted to another family-owned enterprise committed to preserving the store's vital role in this vibrant small town.
