41 records – page 1 of 3.

Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20285
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser M…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewees: Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy Location of Interview: Residence of Harry Toy Interview Date: September 25, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:01:13 Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser Merchants’ Association and Harry's daughters, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy's memories of growing up in Burnaby. 00:00:00 – 00:23:53 Harry Toy shares biographical information about himself and his ancestors. Harry provides information about his migration to Canada and his life in Manitoba, attending school, working at the family restaurant and teaching high school. 00:23:53 – 00:41:16 Harry talks about moving his family to Burnaby and his experiences owning and operating the Canada Way Food Market. 00:41:17 – 00:54:19 Harry talks about his involvement with the Fraser Merchants Association (FMA) and provides some history about the organization. 00:54:20 – 1:22:44 Harry talks about running the Canada Way Food Market and the alterations that he made to the store over the years. Harry and his daughters comment as they look through photographs of Harry and his store and the Fraser Merchants Association. 1:22:45 – 2:01:14 Beverley and Christina talk about their early childhood in Manitoba and growing up in Burnaby. They recall what it was like growing up and working in the family owned store.
History
Interviewee biography: Harry Wee Koon Toy was born in February 9, 1936 in Taikong, Toisan county, Guangdong, China. Harry's father William Toy came to Canada in the early 1920s when he was ten years old. Harry arrived in Vancouver, Canada on September 9, 1950. After staying in Vancouver for one night, he joined his father in Neepawa, Manitoba where the family operated a cafe business (Royal Cafe). Harry grew up in Neepawa and graduated from the University of Manitoba and teacher's college. He became a high school teacher and worked at schools in Minnedosa and Gladstone, Manitoba teaching various subjects including, science, business, geography, history and physical education. Harry and his wife, had three daughters, Melinda, Beverley and Christina who were all born in Neepawa. When the family decided to move to the west coast, Harry was introduced to the grocery store business through an uncle who was a store operator. Around 1970, Harry purchased a grocery store at 4694 Canada Way in Burnaby which he named "Canada Way Food Market" and Harry and his daughters made their home at the back of the store. Harry owned and operated the store for approximately 40 years between 1970 and 2010. Around 1986, Harry purchased the butcher shop next door (4692 Canada Way) which was no longer in operation, expanding his store and adding a second storey to use a residence. Harry's children helped him operate the store throughout their childhood. In the early 1970s, corner stores were threatened by the spread of small chain-operated convenience stories from Eastern Canada to Vancouver. Formed in April 1972, the Fraser Merchants’ Association was established to protect the rights of corner store operators. With no paid legal help, the association was incorporated in Victoria, BC for the cost of 56 cents. The benefits of being a member of the association included warehouse and group purchasing, common advertising and other advantages of being part of an association. Founded by Gary Lee Ling and five others, Fraser Merchants’ Association’s first member was Graham Grocery. By 1978, the association represented over 200 corner stores in the Lower Mainland (Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Coquitlam, and New Westminster) and Fraser Valley. The association remained active into the 1980s and 1990s. Harry has served as President of the Fraser Merchants' Association from 1992 to present. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Education
Migration
Occupations - Teachers
Occupations - Grocers
Organizations
Organizations - Business Associations
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Social Issues
Social Issues - Racism
Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores
Names
Toy, Christina
Toy, Harry Wee Koon "Harry"
Babey, Beverley
Canada Way Food Market
Fraser Merchants' Association
Responsibility
Fong, Denise
Geographic Access
Canada Way
Street Address
4694 Canada Way
Accession Code
BV023.16.19
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Related Material
See also: BV023.25 - Harry Toy fonds
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy, [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023

Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy, [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0019_002.mp3
Less detail

18th Annual Christmas Toy Run

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport6856
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
5846
Meeting Date
21-Oct-1996
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Manager's Report No.
27
Item No.
8
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
5846
Meeting Date
21-Oct-1996
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Manager's Report No.
27
Item No.
8
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Less detail

20th Annual Christmas Toy Run

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport5393
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
61753
Meeting Date
19-Oct-1998
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Manager's Report No.
26
Item No.
10
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
61753
Meeting Date
19-Oct-1998
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Manager's Report No.
26
Item No.
10
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Less detail

21st Annual Christmas Toy Run

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport4764
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
62378
Meeting Date
13-Sep-1999
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Manager's Report No.
23
Item No.
8
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
62378
Meeting Date
13-Sep-1999
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Manager's Report No.
23
Item No.
8
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Less detail

32nd Annual Christmas Toy Run

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport57471
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
78292
Meeting Date
30-Aug-2010
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
7
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
78292
Meeting Date
30-Aug-2010
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
7
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Less detail

33rd Annual Christmas Toy Run

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport57995
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
90149
Meeting Date
29-Aug-2011
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
17
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
90149
Meeting Date
29-Aug-2011
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
17
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Less detail

34th Annual Christmas Toy Run

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport58526
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
90602
Meeting Date
30-Jul-2012
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
9
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
90602
Meeting Date
30-Jul-2012
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
9
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Less detail

35th Annual Christmas Toy Run

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport59060
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
99006
Meeting Date
22-Jul-2013
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
1
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
99006
Meeting Date
22-Jul-2013
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
1
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Less detail

36th Annual Christmas Toy Run

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport59621
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
99563
Meeting Date
25-Aug-2014
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
7
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
99563
Meeting Date
25-Aug-2014
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
7
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Less detail

37th Annual Christmas Toy Run

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport60347
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
100655
Meeting Date
24-Aug-2015
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
4
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
100655
Meeting Date
24-Aug-2015
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
4
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Less detail

38th Annual Christmas Toy Run

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport61083
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
101182
Meeting Date
29-Aug-2016
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
2
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
101182
Meeting Date
29-Aug-2016
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
2
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Less detail

39th Annual Christmas Toy Run

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport81418
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
84810
Meeting Date
28-Aug-2017
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
4
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
84810
Meeting Date
28-Aug-2017
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
4
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Less detail

40th Annual Christmas Toy Run

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport81927
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
92529
Meeting Date
17-Sep-2018
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
1
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
92529
Meeting Date
17-Sep-2018
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
1
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Less detail

41st Annual Christmas Toy Run

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport82313
Repository
Legislative Services
Report ID
92938
Meeting Date
9-Sep-2019
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
9
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
Legislative Services
Report ID
92938
Meeting Date
9-Sep-2019
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
9
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Less detail

Comprehensive Development Plans - Bylaw No. 10868, Rezoning Reference # 98-35 (Grand and Toy)

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription84434
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1998
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
Architectural drawing
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1998
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Series
Bylaws series
Physical Description
Architectural drawing
Description Level
File
Record No.
55777
Accession Number
2013-28
Media Type
Architectural Drawing
Less detail

Harry Toy business records series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20340
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1970-1990]
Collection/Fonds
Harry Toy fonds
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
Series consists of business records relating to Harry's store, the Canada Way Food Market and the Fraser Merchants' Associaton.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Harry Toy fonds
Series
Harry Toy business records series
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
Series consists of business records relating to Harry's store, the Canada Way Food Market and the Fraser Merchants' Associaton.
Creator
Toy, Harry Wee Koon "Harry"
Names
Fraser Merchants' Association
Canada Way Food Market
Accession Code
BV023.25
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1970-1990]
Media Type
Textual Record
Related Material
See also BV023.16.19 - Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy
For associated artifacts from Canada Way Food Market see Accession BV023.17
Notes
Title based on contents of series
Less detail

Harry Toy fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20339
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[197-]-2023
Collection/Fonds
Harry Toy fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
.5 cm of textual records + 6 photographs + 2 photographs (jpg)
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of business records and photographs relating to Harry Toy's store the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser Merchants' Association and his family.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Harry Toy fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
.5 cm of textual records + 6 photographs + 2 photographs (jpg)
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of business records and photographs relating to Harry Toy's store the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser Merchants' Association and his family.
History
Harry Wee Koon Toy was born in February 9, 1936 in Taikong, Toisan county, Guangdong, China. Harry's father William Toy came to Canada in the early 1920s when he was ten years old. Harry arrived in Vancouver, Canada on September 9, 1950. After staying in Vancouver for one night, he joined his father in Neepawa, Manitoba where the family operated a cafe business (Royal Cafe). Harry grew up in Neepawa and graduated from the University of Manitoba and teacher's college. He became a high school teacher and worked at schools in Minnedosa and Gladstone, Manitoba teaching various subjects including, science, business, geography, history and physical education. Harry and his wife, had three daughters, Melinda, Beverley and Christina who were all born in Neepawa. When the family decided to move to the west coast, Harry was introduced to the grocery store business through an uncle who was a store operator. Around 1970, Harry purchased a grocery store at 4694 Canada Way in Burnaby which he named "Canada Way Food Market" and Harry and his daughters made their home at the back of the store. Harry owned and operated the store for approximately 40 years between 1970 and 2010. Around 1986, Harry purchased the butcher shop next door (4692 Canada Way) which was no longer in operation, expanding his store and adding a second storey to use as a residence. Harry's children helped him operate the store throughout their childhood. In the early 1970s, corner stores were threatened by the spread of small chain-operated convenience stories from Eastern Canada to Vancouver. Formed in April 1972, the Fraser Merchants’ Association was established to protect the rights of corner store operators. With no paid legal help, the association was incorporated in Victoria, BC for the cost of 56 cents. The benefits of being a member of the association included warehouse and group purchasing, common advertising and other advantages of being part of an association. Founded by Gary Lee Ling and five others, Fraser Merchants’ Association’s first member was Graham Grocery. By 1978, the association represented over 200 corner stores in the Lower Mainland (Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Coquitlam, and New Westminster) and Fraser Valley. The association remained active into the 1980s and 1990s. Harry has served as President of the Fraser Merchants' Association from 1992 to present.
Creator
Toy, Harry Wee Koon "Harry"
Names
Toy, Harry Wee Koon "Harry"
Fraser Merchants' Association
Canada Way Food Market
Accession Code
BV023.25
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[197-]-2023
Media Type
Photograph
Textual Record
Related Material
See also BV023.16.19 - Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy
For associated artifacts from Canada Way Food Market see Accession BV023.17
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Less detail

Harry Toy photographs series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20341
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1970-1990]
Collection/Fonds
Harry Toy fonds
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
6 photographs + 2 photographs (jpg)
Scope and Content
Series consists of photographs relating to Harry Toy's store, the Canada Way Food Market, his involvement with the Fraser Merchants' Associaton and his family.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Harry Toy fonds
Series
Harry Toy photographs series
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
6 photographs + 2 photographs (jpg)
Scope and Content
Series consists of photographs relating to Harry Toy's store, the Canada Way Food Market, his involvement with the Fraser Merchants' Associaton and his family.
Names
Fraser Merchants' Association
Canada Way Food Market
Toy, Harry Wee Koon "Harry"
Accession Code
BV023.25
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1970-1990]
Media Type
Textual Record
Related Material
See also BV023.16.19 - Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy
For associated artifacts from Canada Way Food Market see Accession BV023.17
Notes
Title based on contents of series
Less detail

Fraser Merchants Association annual dinner

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20346
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[199-]
Collection/Fonds
Harry Toy fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : col. ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Fraser Merchants Association (FMA) annual dinner at Pink Pearl Restaurant in Vancouver. Members of the assocation are identified from left to right: FMA Directors Bing Wong, Henry Lau, Michael Chow (secretary), Benny Kwok (owner of Cariboo Hill Grocery in Burnaby), Howard Lam, Keith C…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Harry Toy fonds
Series
Harry Toy photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : col. ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Fraser Merchants Association (FMA) annual dinner at Pink Pearl Restaurant in Vancouver. Members of the assocation are identified from left to right: FMA Directors Bing Wong, Henry Lau, Michael Chow (secretary), Benny Kwok (owner of Cariboo Hill Grocery in Burnaby), Howard Lam, Keith Chu, Jim Howe (treasurer), Harry Toy (president). Red sign hanging behind group reads "FRASER MERCHANTS' ASSOCIATION BANQUET [Chinese characters beneath]. Harry Toy is speaking from a podium with the sign "PINK PEARL".
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Organizations
Organizations - Business Associations
Events
Events - Parties
Names
Fraser Merchants' Association
Toy, Harry Wee Koon "Harry"
Wong, Bing
Lau, Henry
Chow, Michael
Kwok, Benny
Lam, Howard
Chu, Keith
Howe, Jim
Accession Code
BV023.25.9
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[199-]
Media Type
Photograph
Related Material
See also BV023.16.19 - Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy
For associated artifacts from Canada Way Food Market see Accession BV023.17
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-12-01
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Fraser Merchants Association annual dinner

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20347
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[199-]
Collection/Fonds
Harry Toy fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : col. ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Fraser Merchants Association (FMA) annual dinner at Pink Pearl Restaurant in Vancouver. Members of the assocation standing in front of sign are identified from left to right: FMA Directors Bing Wong, Henry Lau, Michael Chow (secretary), Benny Kwok (owner of Cariboo Hill Grocery in Bur…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Harry Toy fonds
Series
Harry Toy photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : col. ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Fraser Merchants Association (FMA) annual dinner at Pink Pearl Restaurant in Vancouver. Members of the assocation standing in front of sign are identified from left to right: FMA Directors Bing Wong, Henry Lau, Michael Chow (secretary), Benny Kwok (owner of Cariboo Hill Grocery in Burnaby), Howard Lam, Keith Chu, Jim Howe (treasurer), Harry Toy (president). Sign hanging from ceiling reads "HAPPY NEW YEAR" and red sign with gold lettering on wall in background reads "FRASER MERCHANTS' ASSOCIATION BANQUET [Chinese characters beneath]. Harry Toy is speaking from a podium with the sign "PINK PEARL".
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Organizations
Organizations - Business Associations
Events
Events - Parties
Holidays - Chinese New Year
Names
Fraser Merchants' Association
Toy, Harry Wee Koon "Harry"
Wong, Bing
Lau, Henry
Chow, Michael
Kwok, Benny
Lam, Howard
Chu, Keith
Howe, Jim
Accession Code
BV023.25.10
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[199-]
Media Type
Photograph
Related Material
See also BV023.16.19 - Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy
For associated artifacts from Canada Way Food Market see Accession BV023.17
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-12-01
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

41 records – page 1 of 3.