1. Royal Alberta Museum Renewal Project Stage 1: Story Briefing Notes – CONCEPT
Stage 1: Story Briefing Notes – CONTENT
Wing: Human History
Gallery: Transforming Society
Story Code: 5210C
Story Title: Radway “Red and White” General Store
Key Message:
The Radway Red and White Store is representative of the numerous rural stores
throughout Alberta that were essential to the sustainability of the local community they
served.
For over 30 decades, the Prockiw brothers, Ukrainian immigrants, served their
community. This story provides a brief history of the Red and White Store brand and the
brothers’ journey to operating a Red and White Store.
Story Description:
What is the story these objects have to tell?
In 1926, John W. Semeniuk opened the “Red and White Store” in the predominently
Ukrainian community of Radway, Alberta. “Red and White” Stores were well-known
throughout western Canada during the second quarter of the 20th
century. Each shop was
individually owned rather than a chain or franchise. In 1940, when Mr. Semeniuk decided
to relocate to Manitoba, brothers Tom and Bill Prockiw purchased the store. It was the
start of a long and successful business.
The original “Red and White” brand began in 1908 when Smith Michael Flickinger
opened his first grocery store in Buffalo N.Y. In order to compete with the larger grocery
chain A&P, Flickinger decides to create his own brand of coffee. The coffee was an
instant success and the “Red and White” brand, inspired by the colour of Flickinger’s
store shelves, was established. His success drives him to help small community retail
stores succeed amidst competion from the larger retail chains. He establishes a
“Voluntary Group System” and becomes a “Red and White Store” franchise-like
operation. However, he soon realizes that his membership would be better served if he
became the central distribution warehouse. Canadian wholesalers were eager to
replicate Flickinger’s success. They received permission to set up similar operations in
Canada which quickly spread from coast to coast.
In 1908, on the other side of the Atlantic ocean, Hrynko (Harry) and Maria Prockiw, along
with their children, 11 year old Magda, 10 year old Wasyl (Bill) and 7 year old Tymko
(Tom), prepare to immigrate from their village of Shavaikivtsi, Western Ukraine to Pretty
Hill, Alberta (now Myrtle Creek) in the vicinity of Radway. Maria’s parents and siblings
had immigrated to Canada seven years earlier. Since the two families missed each other,
the Prockiw were encouraged to join Maria’s family.
The Prockiw’s new homestead was primarily a crop farm. Harry began sowing his seeds
by hand and harvesting using only a sythe. As farming technology evolved and became
affordable, Harry and his sons Bill amd Tom, purchased a tractor, a plow and a thresher.
The family prospered and were one of the first households to own an automobile, a 1926
Chev Sedan.They also owned a cabinet model Crosley radio purchased at Mersky’s
Redway Hardware Store. Their home was opened to family and neighbours every

2. Royal Alberta Museum Renewal Project Stage 1: Story Briefing Notes – CONCEPT
Sunday afternoon to listen to music and world news.
When Bill and Tom decided to purchase the Red and White Store, Tom moved to
Radway to operate the business. Bill and his mother stayed on the farm for a few more
years before joining Tom.
The store was stocked with clothing, footwear, fabrics and notions, groceries, and farm
supplies which served the needs of the community of Radway and surrounding area.
They were open everyday except Sunday. The doors were opened at 9:00 am and
closed between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm depending on how busy they were. Local
residents remember the brothers as generous men. They extended credit and cash loans
to customers in need of financial assistance. The Livestock Buying Station had an
arrangement where farmers selling livestock would receive their money from the Red and
White Store. The store would then be reimbursed by the Livestock Buying Station.
The brothers did have to serve as their own security guards since break and enters did
occur. They owned a .22 caliber firearm and only used it once to scare the perpetrator.
When asked what they most remember about the Radway store, longtime residents state
the shoes. As a new bride in the 1950s, “I remember buying a pair of red shoes” recalls
Lena Chykerda while Tom Fedyna remembers, “…a large table with piles of overalls,
work shoes – lots of shoes” and “often after harvest time, people would go buy new
shoes…”.
Further to attending to the operation of the store Bill and Tom participated in and
supported Radway’s community activities. As amateur musicians, who enjoyed Ukrainian
folk music, they played for weddings and dances. Tom was known as a good fiddler and
Bill played drums. Both loved curling and supported their local curling club. Bill was also a
volunteer fire fighter with the Radway village fire brigade.
The bachelor brothers operated the store from October 1940 until September 1972 when
Bill was tragically killed in a car accident and Tom severely injured. For over three
decades Bill and Tom served their community in many ways.
Key Object(s):
These objects are those ones upon which the Story Display will hang – those which are
essential to convey the key message.
Object Name Accession
Number
Object
Group
What do you want to say
about this object?
This must relate to the key
message)
Cash Register H83.36.1181 The cash register was used in
Radway’s Red and White Store
from 1926 until 1972 when the
store closed.
Counter H83.36.1394 On the day the Radway Red &
White Store opened its doors in
1926, this counter graced the
left hand side of the store
against a backdrop of wall

3. Royal Alberta Museum Renewal Project Stage 1: Story Briefing Notes – CONCEPT
shelves displaying canned
goods.
1940s Merchandise
by Theme
Pennant of Hitler
chased by a bulldog
Calendar – image of
soldier coming home to
family
H83.36.623
H83.36.1302
Both the pennant and the
calendar sold in the Radway
Red & White Store provide
context for the 1940s display.
“The End is in Sight” and
families will soon be reunited.
Christmas
Box of Xmas Ribbons
Banner/Santa on horse
Santa Sign
Garland
Tinsel (8)
Lights (2)
Advertising Card for
Hankies
Children’s Hankies (8)
Advertising Card for
Boy’s Ties
Boy’s gift tie set (2)
Advertising Card for
Handbags
Purse
Purse
Advertising Card for
Toys
Xmas book
Colouring books (4)
Spinning Top
RCMP Bank
Rolly Doll
Scissors (2)
Pillow Cover
Slippers (man’s)
Slippers (boy)
Slippers (girl)
Slippers (woman’s)
Striped Pyjamas (2)
H83.36.748a,b
H83.36.1449/1452
H83.36.1331
H83.36.1483
H83.36.671-.703
H83.36.905-.906
H83.36.1522
H83.36.323-.329
H83.36.1524
H83.36.39a-e
H83.36.1519
H83.36.3
H83.36.33
H83.36.1520
H83.36.776
H83.36.778-.781
H83.36.725
H83.36.726
H83.36.724
H83.36.728-.729
H83.36.893
H83.36.1286a,b
H83.36.1223a,b
H83.36.974a,b
H83.36.1146a,b
H83.36.441-.442
The first half of the 1940s was
grim due to the War. Christmas
was both a joyous occasion but
also a sad one. Many families
were celebrating Christmas
without their loved ones, family
members serving their country
overseas or worst, casualties of
war.
The Red and White Store
inventory provides a glimpse of
what was available at that time
for gift giving.
Sewing Notions
Buttons on cards
Box of bias tape
Box of Trim
H83.36.919
H83.36.920
H83.36.921
H83.36.923
H83.36.1037
H83.36.1038
H83.36.1039
H83.36,945a,b
H83.36.740a,b
Access to fabric and sewing
notions would have been
important to the women of
Radway. In a culture of “Make,
Mend and Do”, women were
mending or altering clothes.
Women were also likely to
make their own clothes since
the choice of clothing in a small
community was limited. The

4. Royal Alberta Museum Renewal Project Stage 1: Story Briefing Notes – CONCEPT
Box of Trim
Roll of Ribbon
Roll of Ribbon
Box of Yarn
Box of Yarn
Bolts of Fabric (3)
H83.36.901a,b
H83.36.720
H83.36.1375
H83.36.687a-c
H83.36.690a-c
H83.36.966-.968
Red and White Store inventory
indicates that more than needle
and thread was available for
purchase.
Footwear
Shoes
Shoes
Shoes
Shoes
Shoes
Shoes
Shoes
Shoes
Shoes
Boot
Boot
Boot
H83.36.1078a,b
H83.36.1105a,b
H83.36.1101a,b
H83.36.1135a,b
H83.36.1147a,b
H83.36.1134a,b
H83.36.1079a,b
H83.36.1285a,b
H83.36.1159a,b
H83.36.1197a,b
H83.36.1254a,b
H83.36.1258a,b
According to some long time
Radway residents, the Red and
White Store was the only store
in town that sold shoes. People
remember the abundance of
shoes available at the store.
The 1940s shoe inventory
indicates that shoes had to be
well make and practical. Shoes
were not overly fancy or
colourful.
1950s Merchandise
by Theme
Banners/Alberta’s
Jubilee
Poster/Queen is
Crowned
Ukrainian Movie Poster
Calendar with girl
wearing jeans, plaid
shirt and cowboy hat
H83.36.1371-.1372
H83.36.1343
H83.36.1367
H83.36.1304
The 1950s offers some things
to celebrate. Queen Elizabeth II
is crowned and Alberta
celebrates her 50th
Anniversary
as a province.
The movie poster and calendar,
both bilingual (English and
Ukrainian), demonstrate the
strong Ukrainian influence in
Radway, a small rural
community in central Alberta.
Clothing for the
Family
Dress (girl)
Dress (girl)
Dress (woman)
Skirt (girl)
Skirt (girl)
H83.36.104
H83.36.136
H83.36.233a,b
H83.36.133
H83.36.123
The Red and White Store
catered not only to the adults,
but also to the children.
Although a selection of winter
clothing are represented,

5. Royal Alberta Museum Renewal Project Stage 1: Story Briefing Notes – CONCEPT
Pants
Pants
Jeans
Jeans
Jeans
Jeans
Jeans
Shirt
Shirt
Shirt
Shirt
Shirt
Shirt
Shirt
Shirt
Coat (girl)
Coat (boy)
Coat (toddler)
Mittens (blue)
Mittens (red)
Head Scarf (blue)
Head Scarf (red)
Cap (red)
Cap (red and blue)
H83.36.80
H83.36.89
H83.36.60
H83.36.65
H83.36.58
H83.36.64
H83.36.61
H83.36.126
H83.36.251
H83.36.182a-c
H83.36.581
H83.36.561
H83.36.109
H83.36.112
H83.36.154
H83.36.466a,b
H83.36.475a,b
H83.36.465a,b
H83.36.361
H83.36.296
H83.36.544
H83.36.545
H83.36.264
H83.36.278
clothing was available for every
season.
Plaid was all the rage in the
1950s as the inventory
suggests: plaid pants, plaid
shirts, plaid dresses, plaid
skirts.
Notice the prevalence of the
colour red and blue in the
garments. Red has always
been a predominant colour
within the Ukrainian culture.
Whether the red was
accompanied by the colours
black or blue depended on what
part of the Ukraine one came
from. The Prockiw brothers
came from Shavaikivtsi,
Chortkiw in the northwestern
part of the Ukraine. Red and
Blue were the predominant
colours. This undoubtedly
influenced their choice of
garment colours ordered for the
store inventory.

6. Royal Alberta Museum Renewal Project Stage 1: Story Briefing Notes – CONCEPT
Footwear
Shoes
Shoes
Shoes
Shoes
Shoes
Shoes
Shoes (red)
Rubbers
Rubbers
Rubbers
Rubbers
Rain boots
Rain boots
Boots
Boots
Boots
Boots
Boots
H83.36.1231a,b
H83.36.1158a,b
H83.36.1157a,b
H83.36.1123a,b
H83.36.1285a,b
H83.36.1150a,b
H85.736.2a,b
H83.36.1240a,b
H83.36.1244a,b
H83.36.1247a,b
H83.36.1261a,b
H83.36.1210a,b
H83.36.1274a,b
H83.36.1267a,b
H83.36.1268a,b
H83.36.1226a,b
H83.36.1273a,b
H83.36.1285a,b
The iconic white and blue
saddle shoe paired with bobby
socks was all the rage by the
1950s. But saddle shoes were
not new. They were first
developed in the early 1900s as
a golf shoe for men. By the
1920s women were wearing
them. A walking heel was
added to the normally low-
heeled shoe. In the 1930s men
were wearing them as part of
their business attire. By the late
1940s, every teenager was
wearing them. It wasn’t until the
1950s that the saddle shoes
reached movie star status.
To protect one’s shoes when

7. Royal Alberta Museum Renewal Project Stage 1: Story Briefing Notes – CONCEPT
the snow turned to slush, black
rubber overshoes were used.
They were available for men,
women and children. They even
accommodated the different
heel heights of shoes.
Miscellaneous
Linoleum advert. Sign
Seeds sign
SHur-Gain Animal
Feed sign
Trainload Sale Sign
Memorandum
Box of Quaker Oats (2)
Box of Sugar Pops
H83.36.1332
H83.36.1336
H83.36.1342
H83.36.1404
H83.36.1578
H83.36.1349-,1350
H83.36.1351
These items give further context
of what the store provided.