Van and Dan's celebrates 75 years in Glenwood

Front of store and new sign July 2014
contributed photo

Bruce Lybbert

This year Van and Dan's store celebrates it's 75th anniversary.

This story hits close to home. In my last year of Junior High my family moved to Glenwood, where I lived for over 8 years. I have been in the store many times before and since.

In February 1939 Brothers Van and Dan Lybbert bought a store and restaurant owned by Low Hong, located where the Glenwood Village office now sits, and opened Van-Dan's Meats, Eats and Groceries. From 1942 until Jan 25, 1945 during the second world war Dan served in the air force. While he was gone, brother Rae worked with Van.

Van and Evelyn with Dan and Grace - mid 1980s
Photo used with permission of  Jolane Shipley

In February 1945 construction began on the new store at its current location. Later that same year, in June 1945, the new store opened. In 1948, after realizing that the store couldn't support three families Van and Rae left.

Van Lybbert 1942
Photo used with permission of Jolane Shipley

Dan Lybbert 1945
Photo used with permission of Jolane Shipley

Rae Lybbert 1945
Photo used with permission of Jolane Shipley

Throughout the years the store housed a number of things like the telephone office, which closed down in 1964 to make way for direct dial calls. The store phone number went from 10 to 403-626-3212, which it is today. At another time the scouts used part of the store. March 2004 Dan worked his last shift at the store, and on September 24, 2004 he passed away. Today the store is run by Dan's family, Jolane Shipley and Cheryl Lybbert, along with local employees. In 2006 a long term renovation began, in 2006 a new roof put on the store, in 2012 the ceiling replacement was begun and would be completed in 2013, other improvements like a metal door, new windows and some work on the floor were completed by 2014.

Dan circa 2000
Photo used with permission of Jolane Shipley

Cheryl Lybbert at the till July 2014
Lloyd Lybbert photo 

Jolane Shipley circa 2000
Photo used with permission of Jolane Shipley

Van Dan's Float 2014
Lloyd Lybbert photo 

As I write this story I realize that this is not just a story of a building or a business it also includes the people that it touched.

As a child living near Marwayne I remember all of our holiday trips to southern Alberta included a stop at the store in Glenwood to visit my Great Uncle Dan and get ice cream and penny candy. A tradition we still carry on.

Many people I have talked to over the years know two things about Glenwood the Cheese Factory and Van-Dans store. For a village of between 3 and 4 hundred people I have meet people all over Alberta and as far south as Utah and Rockingham North Carolina that have visited Van Dan's. They all know it as the friendly little store that has EVERYTHING from the staples milk and eggs to bolts, shovels, and even the odd part for a plow.

Photo used with permission of Jolane Shipley

Antique till
Photo by Lloyd Lybbert

Ration Book 1945
 Photo by Lloyd Lybbert

Ration Book 1945 (name removed)
Photo by Lloyd Lybbert

Some of the other things people remember about the store are the many people that have worked there. One of these was my mother.

Dan and the store helped out many different people who experienced disasters in their lives - injuries, house fires, and others that were in need.

Dan dealt fairly and curiously with anyone and everyone who came into his store.

Dan spoke fluent Blackfoot, enabling him to speak with even the senior members of the Blood band. Dan also learned how to use some sign language as well.

75 years so far, let's see where it is in 75 more.