The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The face of the Flin Flon business community changed again yesterday when the new Canadian Tire store opened its doors. Hundreds of shoppers crammed the aisles of the 21,500 sq. ft. of retail space, having heard through the grapevine that the much-anticipated store would hold an unpublicized soft opening. "It's been unbelievable," said owner Phil Smethurst of the response. "We've had a jammed parking lot and lots of people browsing around and taking a look. It was beyond our expectations. We didn't think we'd be as busy as we have been." The opening at about 1 p.m. yesterday came six days before next week's grand opening with Canadian Tire brass and local dignitaries set to be on hand to mark the occasion. An enthusiastic response came from shoppers exiting the store. "It's the young people that need this," said one elderly woman. "They won't feel like they have to go out of town to do their shopping." "I think the availability is nice Ñ keeping money in Flin Flon," added another. "It's nice to have everything right here." Smethurst, who hails from Victoria, B.C. and has worked in the Canadian Tire chain for the past 16 years, believes his new store is in "a phenomenal market." "It's a huge financial investment, but one that I think over time will work out for both the community and hopefully the business as well," he said. "From a community standpoint, this is going to do nothing but draw traffic into Flin Flon, so it's going to be great. "We're just looking forward to being part of the community." The new store sells a wide range of wares, including automotive equipment, tools, electronics and yard ornaments. See 'Opportunity' P.# Con't from P.# On the south end of the facility is a six-bay automotive service centre that was already getting some use yesterday. A garden centre is also included but, of course, won't be open until after winter. The store not only presents an opportunity for shoppers, but also for job-seekers. With a workforce of some 60 people Ñ about 40 full-time and 20 half-time Ñ the store becomes one of the largest local commercial employers. Smethurst praised his employees, all but four of whom were hired locally, for their dedication. "I can't say enough about the efforts that they've put in to get this place open," he commented. "The talent that we found in the community is just phenomenal." The store owner said the workforce is "a very eclectic mix" of people. Retirees, students and people who sought new careers are among those wearing the red Canadian Tire employee shirts. Smethurst said he is excited about being a part of the local business scene and is looking at how his store may give back to the community. "Now that we've got the doors open Ñ and that was our main focus until this point Ñ we can start focusing some of our efforts on what charities we will support in town," he said. Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd. operates more than 1,000 stores and gas bars in an inter-related network of businesses engaged in retail, financial services and petroleum. More than 45,000 Canadians work across the Canadian Tire organization from coast-to-coast.
