Fenelon Falls IGA: More than 30 Years of History
September 24, 2026
The meat counter at the grand opening of the IGA, Fenelon Falls, Claude Bellwood Photograph, 1957
By Karen Hogg
Originally Published in the Fenelon Falls Gazette, September 26, 1990
On March 7, 1957, Reeve Jim Curtis cut the ribbon, at the opening ceremonies of Fenelon Falls’ first IGA store. With 1365 square feet of space, the store was owned by John Sobko. It was located in what was Sider’s Specialties, now the Stokes Gift Shoppe [The Lil Wee Quilt Shoppe]. They started with just five employees.
The store dealt with the Fenelon Falls Creamery, located beside the locks, and had their own label for butter. The store operated there for nine and a half years. In 1964, property was purchased from Gerald and Anne McCallum for $9000. There were three businesses, including McCallum’s Men’s Wear, and Don & Martha Bigley’s store. In May 1965, the McCallum building was sold to Cliff Styles for $25, plus the materials from tearing it down. The fire department set a controlled fire to rid of the remaining lumber and water for this was pumped directly from the lake.
The second store had 3387 square feet and went from two to four cash registers, and sixteen employees. They moved in 1967, Canada’s centennial year. In February 1974, the Frazer Building was purchased from George W. Cowan (Fenelon Albion Ltd.). It had previously been owned by Jim and Beulah Patterson. That building had also housed Murchison, Sangster & Folkes, Bell Canada, the library and a ladies’ millinery. The purchase price was $60,000.
By this time, additional staff parking was required and property (60 ½ by 130 feet) owned by Goldie and Annie Hallock (the Welding Shop) was purchased. In September 1983, an additional pie shaped piece of property was purchased from Frank and Jaqulyn Bailey, for $700 to square off the property and give a clear access.
Tenders went out and in June 1983, Mortlock Construction (1978) Ltd. began work on an expansion. The store opened December 15, 1983. During 1982-83, the Lock Centennial Year, they had 22 employees with double employees, mostly students during the summer. There was 10,000 square feet total, with 6,600 feet of retail space, five registers and a courtesy bar.
Mr. Sobko sold the store on October 23, 1989, after 32 and a half years, to Stan and Jennie Pilat, saying “Fenelon is the best place in the world to make a living and raise a family.” The store is now being operated by the Pilat’s son, Mark and his wife Tracy. Mark and Tracy moved to Fenelon from Brampton. Mark manages the store, while Tracy is a Mortgage and Loans Officer with the Toronto Dominion Bank in Minden. Mark’s father, Stan Pilat has been an IGA associate for over 35 years in various locations, most recently in Bramalea and Bolton. Coincidentally, when Stan Pilat sold his IGA on Yonge St. in Toronto some 30 years ago, the buyer was John Sobko.
