By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
Osoyoos Home Hardware kicked off three days of celebrations around its 40th anniversary yesterday (Aug. 14) with owner Frances Sologuk paying tribute to the staff, the customers and the community for making the iconic local store what it is today.
In a short speech to the gathered crowd in front of the store before a cake cutting Sologuk was nearly overcome with emotion more than once as she introduced former and long running staff, sharing humorous anecdotes about each and emphasizing the importance of community.
“When we bought the store 40 years ago, we had no idea where we were going to go with it, and if it weren’t for the amazing staff that were part of our journey and the amazing customers and the amazing community we would never have reached it.”
The crowd gathered early waiting for the opening as the first 400 people received gifts.
Sherani Theophilus photo
She urged the crowd to enjoy the photo display from over the years on the window along with a colourful mural that has been painted on another window reflecting various events that took place over the last 40 years around the store.
“I want you to enjoy our windows. I want you to sign our guest book. I want you to please celebrate what a small town business and a community business means. I want you to think big, shop small, shop local.
“We care about you, we care about our community, and we care about our staff,” she said. “We’re closing a chapter on this 40 years. I want to introduce you to the next 40 years,” she said gesturing to her daughter Carla, and son David who have both been integrally involved in the store for quite a number of years.
Frances Sologuk (left) with former “sidekick” Dave Hartman (right).
She then went on to highlight staff from over the years, starting with Dave Hartman who was her “sidekick” for 23 years after joining at age 16. “He was so excited to come and work at the store, and I remember saying to him, ‘Dave, I don’t think you can come and work until you have a driver’s license.’
“The day he turned 16, he got his driver’s license, and he came to the back and started assembling bikes and started watering plants, because at one time we had a full blown garden centre where the warehouse is. I really can’t thank Dave enough, he absolutely is a cornerstone of where we are.”
“Then I want to thank Keith and Mervin. Both came to me when they were ‘young jocks’. Both these boys joined our team and joined it wholeheartedly, Keith and his brother, Merv were with us from day one, and they were an integral part.
“I saw them get married. I saw their children born. I even babysat their kids for them so they could work at the store,” she laughed.
Frances Sologuk relating some fun anecdotes about Evan’s time at the store where he had convinced Sologuk to hire him despite being only 11 at the time. Don Urquhart photo
“I love my Home Hardware family, immensely,” she added before introducing Trish Marcotte who was one of the very first student cashiers that she hired. “Trish worked all through high school, even worked through university, and I am going to hire her son next year that I promise!”
Over the course of the last 40 years, Sologuk said the store has employed over 300 students. “That’s pretty remarkable,” she observed, adding that these students “make you proud and the students I have today make me proud,” to applause from the crowd gathered in front of the store.
She aso introduced Red Quintal, “the first employee I had, so when I gave her her paycheck, she owed me more than I gave her,” to much laughter from the crowd. “Every week I gave her $200 but told her you owe me $400!”
“Her daughters literally came in and said, ‘Francis, I don’t think she can afford to work here. We don’t know where we’re going to put anything’,” to more laughter from the crowd.
“I was a very studious, proper young lady until I met TJ,” Sologuk (left) laughed. TJ on right. Don Urquhart photo
She then introduced TJ who was with her from day one. “I can tell you I was a very studious, proper young lady until I met TJ.” she laughed, adding that TJ “made our store fun.” Handling the bookkeeping, answering the phone and placing special orders was integral to the store, Sologuk said.
Sologuk then turned to Evan who came to the store at 11 years old and eager to work. “He begged me for a job but was told he was too young. But perseverance paid off and he finally convinced her that she should hire him.
“Evan was so full of enthusiasm at 11 that it made me realize that 11 year olds that want to work and are allowed to work, should be allowed to work. And we had so much fun with Evan,” she said adding that she wanted to share one story in particular about an incident when he was 12.
“Evan comes running up to the office, and he goes, ‘Francis, do we sell proprietors?’ Evan, do you know what a proprietor is? He said, ‘I don’t know, but I got a guy that wants to see a proprietor,” to much laughter.
Going out front she met the gentleman who was from England and he told her: “When I walked into the store, I knew that there was a proprietor, that it wasn’t just about selling products, it was about being part of the community.”
Larry Sologuk (rear) and former Osoyoos Mayor, Tom Shields (front) cut the anniversary cake.
Don Urquhart photo
And last but certainly not least, Sologuk introduced her husband Larry whom she jokingly said she had to fire “because he was the only employee that wouldn’t listen to her. I would say black and he would say white,” she laughed.
Larry was keenly involved in the store for at least 30 of the 40 years before finding what Frances said was “a life other than Home Hardware”. He too left his impression on the business with the infamous train that winds its way around the ceiling, being keenly involved in the street dances back in the day, cutting cakes for 30 years and being on the floor with all the staff virtually everyday.
Dale MacPherson (third from left), Senior Director at Home Hardware Canada presents a plaque in honour of the 40th Anniversary to the family team. (l-r) Francis Sologuk, Carla Jorgens (née Sologuk), Dale MacPherson, Jon Jorgens, Larry Sologuk and David Sologuk.
Don Urquhart photo
Also on hand from the corporate head office was Dale MacPherson, Senior Director who said he has the special opportunity to be able to travel across Canada and visit Home Hardware stores. “And frequently I get asked, ‘have you ever been to the Osoyoos Home Hardware?’ Yes, I have, that store is awesome,” is his reply every time.
“I know Francis, Larry, David Carla, you have a store to be proud of. [For] 40 years you’ve provided inspiration to your team and also to the community.
“Thank you so much for promoting Home Hardware the brand. I often say in a lot of presentations, Home Hardware is just the engine behind it, it’s really the owners, the independent dealers and all the staff that are here to promote it. So congratulations,” he said, presenting a plaque in recognition of the 40th Anniversary.
The festivities celebrating 40 years of community continue Friday Aug. 15 and 16 with special deals, a yard sale, activities for kids, photo ops, giveaways, draws, popcorn and SnoCones, and more.
