Red Deer in Red Deer County, Alberta — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)

Home Grill

— Red Deer Historical Walking Tour —

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2022

1. Home Grill Marker

Inscription. In 1935, Mrs. Sadie Collins made the local newspaper when she offered cash to purchase this property on Ross Street. It was unusual for a woman to start a new business venture in the middle of the Great Depression, so Collins made the news several more times over the following months.

With years of experience operating refreshment stands at Sylvan Lake, Collins wanted to open a cafe in Red Deer. The original building at this site was the North West Mounted Police barracks. Collins replaced the barracks with a new building — the one in front of you today. In late October of 1936, after months of work, the Home Grill opened its doors. Customers were welcomed into a cafe decorated in the Tudor style, featuring a large stone fireplace along one wall. Hungry patrons could enjoy lunch service or sodas at the counter, or they could dine at tables in the centre of the restaurant.

Collins sold the cafe in 1947. Her influence remains, as the brick and stone exterior with its ornate boomtown roofline is the same as when she first had it built.

Erected by City of Red Deer.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1936.

Location. 52° 16.151′ N,

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113° 48.82′ W. Marker is in Red Deer, Alberta, in Red Deer County. Marker is on 50 Street just east of Gaetz Avenue (50 Avenue), on the right when traveling west. Marker is located along the sidewalk, directly in front of the subject building, at the left/west corner of the front façade. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4942 50 Street, Red Deer AB T4N 1X7, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Maurice Shoe Shop (a few steps from this marker); Horsley Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Farthing Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Rollis Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Reverend Dr. Leonard Gaetz (within shouting distance of this marker); Brumpton Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Greene Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Snell-Dodds Block (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Red Deer.

Also see . . .
1. Home Grill.

Sadie Collins operated the Home Grill restaurant until the early 1940s when she sold it to John and Doris Leedham. They in turn sold the restaurant to a business syndicate from Calgary and Innisfail. The business syndicate completed extensive interior renovations, including the installations of booths and a new long seating counter, and reopened the restaurant in
Red Deer & District Archives (P217)

2. Marker detail: Home Grill, ca. 1947
1947 as the Ritz Café. The Ritz Café was a well-known meeting place until it closed in 1960. Since then the building has housed a series of retail stores including the Elna Sewing Centre, Shores Credit Jewellers, Mark Realty Ltd., Cyclops Clothing, Clowes Jewellers, and Guys and Dolls Hair Studio.

(Submitted on September 27, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Home Grill Building — Statement of Significance.

The Home Grill Building is valued for its distinct design, incorporating stone detailing into its vernacular commercial architecture. The Home Grill’s most prominent character element is its false front façade, a commercial building feature that created a more dynamic street-front façade than its true flat roof. Built by J.H. Murdock at a cost of $4,275, large stones were incorporated directly into the brick along the buttresses and roof crest. The display windows provided ample natural light for patrons and created an inviting space for the public.

(Submitted on September 27, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2022

3. Home Grill Marker

(marker is located at the left/west corner of the front façade)

Home Grill Building (<i>south/front elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2022

4. Home Grill Building (south/front elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 59 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 27, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.