Nutty Club building officially historic

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This article was published 06/06/2017 (3277 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The iconic Nutty Club’s Can-D-Man is now an official part of Winnipeg’s history.

The civic property and development committee agreed to place the Scott-Bathgate building at 149 Pioneer Ave. on the city’s list of historical buildings.

Coun. Jenny Gerbasi said there was no opposition to the listing, which preserves the building’s exterior — including the painting of the Can-D-Man — and some interior elements including ornamental tin ceilings.

“It is an iconic building. It is part of our Winnipeg identity,” Gerbasi said.

The five-storey building was constructed in 1905, two years after the company was founded.

A civic report says the building is an example of a Romanesque Revival style popular in North American warehouse districts from the 1880s into the 1900s. The architect was John Hamilton Gordon Russell, who is also responsible for designing Augustine, Westminster and Crescent-Fort Rouge United churches, the former J.H. Ashdown residence at 529 Wellington Cres., now the restaurant 529 Wellington, the YMCA building at 301 Vaughan St., and the Hammond Building at 63 Albert St.

Russell also designed the Child’s Building, which used to be on the northwest corner of Portage and Main before it was demolished to make way for the 201 Portage building, formerly known as TD Centre and CanWest Global Place.

The Scott-Bathgate building is actually two buildings connected as one — the east half was built in 1905, while the west portion, built identically to its twin, went up in 1907.

Brendan Noone, Nutty Club’s sales manager, said the main floor houses its accounts receivable, payroll and order desks while the second floor has the purchasing department. The upper three floors are vacant.

“We are still in the building. I’m looking south out a window right now,” Noone said.

“Winnipeggers should be proud this building has been listed historic. The icon of the Can-D-Man has been around for years.”

Noone said the company also still manufactures its candy and other products downtown, with its pink popcorn popped next door in a building on Portage Avenue East connected to the company’s offices by an overhead walkway; the pancake syrup and food colouring produced at a building at 80 Lombard Ave.; and the rest of its candies at the former T. Eaton’s Company warehouse at 130 Galt Ave. in the Exchange District off Waterfront Drive. 

With more than 11 decades in business, what are the company’s top sellers today?

“Pink popcorn — everyone loves it,” Noone said.

“And pearl peanuts. They’re peanuts with a candy shell on it. But also our three types of peanut butter, all natural. Our regular mustard and hot. And our blueberry pancake syrup.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca