Arlene at the original Saffies General Store
Nestled in the heart of Albert Beach, Manitoba, just a short distance from the beautiful shores of Lake Winnipeg, stands a little general store with a big history.
For generations, Saffie’s General Store has been more than a place to buy groceries.
It has been a gathering place, a familiar face, and a cherished part of life at the lake.
The story began in 1921, when Nicholas Joseph and his wife, Elizabeth Hampton, built the area's first general store. In 1933, Nicholas and Alice Saffie, whose family roots were in Lebanon, took over the business and began a legacy that would become woven into the history of the East Beaches. In those early days, Saffie’s was a true old-fashioned general store. Its shelves carried everything from everyday groceries and fresh meats to barrels of apples and horse harnesses. It was the kind of place where neighbours gathered, stories were exchanged, and customers were greeted by name. Then, in 1935, disaster struck. A fire destroyed the store. But the community wasn't about to let its little gathering place disappear. In the middle of a Manitoba winter, neighbours came together to help rebuild. That spirit of generosity and determination became part of the Saffie’s story.
As the years passed, the store became a familiar part of summers at the lake. Generations of families stopped in for groceries, treats, and supplies, creating memories that would last long after the summer holidays ended. Eventually, the Saffie family passed the business to the next generation. Their son Leonard took over, renaming it Len’s Fine Fare. Later, their daughter Jeanette continued the family tradition until 1985, when the store was sold to Herb and Jan Harbour, bringing 52 years of Saffie family ownership to a close.
But the story was far from over.
In late 2006, Lise and Jerry Bourassa purchased Saffie’s General Store with a vision of preserving everything that made it special. In 2007, they replaced the aging building with a new store, creating a fresh chapter while honouring the history behind its name. They understood that Saffie’s was never just about what was on the shelves. It was about the people who walked through the doors. Over the years, the business grew to include the Victoria Beach Store, Le Goûter Crêperie & Grill, and Grand Beach Campground Store. Through it all, Saffie’s remained a place where local residents, cottagers, and visitors could feel connected to the community.
Year-round convenience, Saffies offers Hillside Beach residents grocery deliveries on Tuesday’s and Friday’s all year round!
Today, Saffie’s continues to welcome customers year-round. Whether it's stopping for a morning coffee, picking up fresh baking, grabbing something for dinner, or enjoying a conversation on the patio, the store remains part of the everyday rhythm of life at the lake. For longtime cottagers, it brings back memories of childhood summers. For newcomers, it offers a warm introduction to the East Beaches. And for local residents, it remains an important part of the community they call home.
More than 90 years after the Saffie family first took over, the heart of the store remains the same.
Because some places are more than businesses.
They're where neighbours become friends, where generations share traditions, and where the simplest moments become treasured memories.
Saffie’s General Store isn't just part of Albert Beach. It's part of its story.
