Belbin’s Grocery opened for business in September 1943. Robert George Belbin, grandfather to the present day owners, had gathered a lot of grocery experience while working in the grocery department of Ayre & Sons Ltd in St John’s. Due to poor health, he was forced to resign from Ayre’s, so along with his two sons, Edgar and Fraser, they renovated the front room of the family home to accommodate a small neighborhood grocery store. The store was immediately accepted by surrounding residents, and within a few years were attracting customers from all over the east end of the city. Old Mr. Belbin died in 1946, and the following year, his youngest son Douglas joined his two brothers to form what was the beginning of a forty three year partnership. In the early 1960’s, they renovated the store to a ‘whopping 1200 sq ft’ which now included a small meat cutting room, which became the cornerstone of a strong customer base for the store. In June 1986, the three brothers retired, at which time arrangements were completed for Edgar’s sons Robert & Peter, along with Doug’s son Chris, to purchase the business and continue on with what had become a family tradition. In 1988 minor renovations were carried out which gave the building a new storefront as well as an additional 300 sq ft of floor space. Exterior, as well as interior renovations were carried out, which gave the store its present storefront as well as an additional 300 sq ft of retail space. 1999 saw the biggest changes ever for Belbin’s. Over $500,000.00 was invested in building renovations and equipment. Shopping space was tripled and a new kitchen was included, which was to become the cooking headquarters for our own line of fully cooked meal replacements known as ‘Dinners Ready .. by Belbins’ Belbin’s Grocery is currently owned by cousins Robert & Chris, as Peter resigned in 2001 to pursue his own business interests. The business is completely independent and has many long term employees who are as dedicated to the overall success of the business as the owners themselves. Belbin’s continues to purchase quality products from reliable suppliers, and as always, put a strong emphasis on ‘old fashioned service’
Site Designed and Hosted by ISP Atlantic Inc.