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Wholesale and Manufacturing:

Britalta Drugs in Downtown Vancouver Store

Britalta was managed by Peter Lynch for many years. The company provided prescription drugs for all stores in BC and Alberta. Fast service for special orders was provided by the office box service from the data processing department. Offices and warehouse were on the seventh floor in the downtown Vancouver store.

J. R. Phillips, tobacco wholesaler in Vancouver Gastown

J R. Phillips provided tobacco products and associated gadgets to all stores in BC and Alberta. They were among the first users of the grocery order processing system which provided a complete ordering, billing, and inventory control for thousands of items. Offices and warehouse were in the MacLean building on Powell Street.

Supply Department

            The supply department purchased, warehoused, delivered, and billed supply items for all of Woodwards’ departments. The department was managed by Ernie McBratney and later by Jim Tennant. There were close to 2500 items, office supplies, food containers, wrapping, bags, and Woodwards’ product labels. These items were held initially in the Grandview warehouse but later in a 60,000 foot warehouse on Borden Street. Turnover of these items was about twelve which meant that within a month, most of the items would be in the garbage.

Department office was located in the downtown Vancouver store, which housed the manager and clerical staff (Margaret Jackson, Grace Pedro, Jill Zudunich, Margaret Spratt, Renatta Rossi, Nancy Streamer, Terris Dyck & Mae-Lee Wong). The warehouse had an additional four men and one woman.

DelPak foods

Peanut butter, coffee roasting, and bakery in Downtown Vancouver Store.

Drapery Manufacturing in Downtown Vancouver Store.