In the 1980s, Ottawa-based grocery chain Loeb began expanding across Canada. It was 25 years ago, on Sept. 15, 1993, that their Bramalea location celebrated the first birthday of Loeb’s mascot, “Kookie.”

Russian Jewish immigrant Moses Loeb’s first store opened in the Ottawa area in 1912. The chain passed through Provigo, Loblaws and later Metro. The last Loeb stores in Ottawa were rebranded as Metro in 2009.

In this image, Kookie (squatting, right), is joined by Mr. Peanut, the Kool-Aid Man, Tony the Tiger, Popsicle Pete, the Alpha-Bits Wizard, and the red Munchies from Hostess Potato Chips, among others. The chain was very family-centric, even offering free cookies on Sundays and a supervised video centre, along with coffee and newspapers for adults.

The chain also operated stores in Mississauga at Parkways West (329 Central Parkway West, now home to a Wholesale Club) and Sandalwood Square (70 Bristol Rd. E., now home to a Value Village).