Stone’s Meat Market

• 6507 112th Avenue

• Constructed: 1930

By the time Stone’s moved into this purpose-built store in December 1930, they were a known Highlands name. The business, run by husband-and-wife duo Lawrence and Alice Stone, dated back to 1919, and built a solid reputation as one of Edmonton’s best “high-class” butchers and bakers. A community-minded couple, Lawrence and Alice also frequently hosted displays for charity groups — bake sales put on by St. Mary’s Ladies Auxiliary were a common feature of their storefront.

As the Edmonton Journal wrote, however, “increased business from their premises at 6403 118 ave.” forced the Stones hand, and they moved to a more central Highlands location. Their new stucco and brick building became “one of the most modern meat markets in the city," and featured electrical refrigeration. Everything used, from timbre to tile, were “made-in-Edmonton products” reflecting its owners “[belief] in the future of this city.” Outside of their business, it also doubled as the Stones’ personal residence — a well-appointed bedroom sat at the rear. 

The business prospered until March 13th, 1934, when “a cash box containing $240, mostly in currency, was stolen.” According to the Edmonton Bulletin, “Lawrence… discovered the theft when he returned home after a short absence.” Detectives Murdo Munro and Frank Kingzett described it as “a carefully planned affair.”

Apparently, “Stone was lured away… by a fake telephone call from an unknown man, who stated that two persons had been seriously injured in an accident and that Stone was needed to identify them. Stone rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital only to find that he had been duped.” Two boys, Jack Green and Allan Craig, later found the discarded cash box under a small bridge at Ada Boulevard and 66th Street. No arrest was made.

Regardless, the Stones and their little store persisted — they finally closed in May 1946. A series of small neighbourhood grocers occupied their building into the new millennium.

Sources:

• “Notice: Eastwood Meat Market No.2,” Edmonton Journal, October 9, 1919.

• “Highlands Store In New Location,” Edmonton Journal, December 12, 1930.

• “Burglars Get $240 In Highlands Store,” Edmonton Journal, March 14, 1934.

• “Meat Market Cash Stolen” Edmonton Bulletin, March 14, 1934.

• “Meat Market Robbery Was Well Planned,” Edmonton Bulletin, March 15, 1934.

• “Find Empty Cash Box,” Edmonton Journal, March 19, 1934.

• “St. Mary’s Auxiliary will hold…,” Edmonton Journal, March 10, 1938.