Description of Historic Place

L. A. Roy Groceries is a brick 2-story early Art Deco commercial building. It is located on the corner of North Street and Mountain Road in Moncton.

Heritage Value

L. A. Roy Groceries is designated a Local Historic Place for being a good example of early Art Deco commercial architecture. It is also recognized for its role as a commercial property.

In 1922, Joseph A. Roy had this store built by the Moncton Builders Company for use as a grocery store to be occupied by Lawrence A. Roy. The store would service the new Garden Hill subdivision being developed in the area. Art Deco, with its influence geometric design details, was a good choice for a commercial structure on this site. In order for a business to capitalize on street frontage, an odd geometric layout would be necessary to follow the property line created by Mountain Road’s non-perpendicular trans-section of its side streets. Since the massing was irregular, elaborate crenellated parapets were added to continue with the emphasis on geometry. Art Deco elements, such as the soldier bond stringcourses, exist today.

The interior of the first floor has been renovated several times by previous owners. However, the office and apartment areas of the second floor still retain the original hardwood floors, wide entablatures over doors and windows and brick fireplace.

L. A. Roy Groceries was also designated for role as a commercial property in this community. The flatiron design of the building inspired future business owner to follow suit. Many businesses along this stretch of Mountain Road are of similar irregular layout, though not as ornately detailed. United Book Exchange has occupied this building since 1968 after a more than 10-year tenure by Vaughan’s Grocery at this same location.

Source: Moncton Museum, Moncton, New Brunswick - second floor files – “347 Mountain Rd. - L. A. Roy Groceries/United Book Exchange”.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements relating to location and context include:
- one of the first retailers in the Garden Hill subdivision.

The character-defining elements relating to the exterior elements of the structure include:
- asymmetrical “flat-iron” massing;
- red brick stretcher bond walls;
- concrete block foundation;
- elaborate crenellated parapets;
- soldier bond stringcourse;
- soldier bond window and door headers;
- moulded cornice;
- irregular fenestration of 1 over 1 windows;
- canted bull header window sills;
- corbel brick chimney.

The character-defining elements relating to the interior elements of the structure include:
- original woodwork;
- original hardwood floors;
- tongue and groove plank flooring under 1st floor hardwood;
- lath and plaster walls and ceilings;
- stretcher bond brick fireplace with tile hearth;
- panel doors with original hardware.