Samuel Steinberg

Samuel Steinberg

Samuel Steinberg, grocer (b in Hungary 1905; d at Montréal 24 May 1978). In 1909 the Steinberg family immigrated to Canada and established a small grocery store in Montréal. Samuel and his 4 brothers began working in it in 1917 and turned it into one of Canada's largest supermarket chains. In 1934, under Samuel's management, Steinberg's opened Québec's first self-service store in Montréal. Five years later Samuel opened a branch at Arvida, Qué. In 1959 Steinberg's bought the 38 Ontario stores of Grand Union Ltd. When Steinberg died, the company was grossing over $1 billion a year from its Steinberg and Miracle Mart stores and other enterprises. At that time it was the largest supermarket chain in Québec and was owned completely by the family. Steinberg was also a director of Petrofina, Ivanhoe and Pharmaprix.