Chamber honours long-term members

“These businesses have continued to remain constant through many periods of economic slowdown and growth. The commitment to their business, employees, customers and community is much appreciated.”

— Corey Werner, Chamber president

Times change, and with them so do the businesses that make up a town, so continuity over long periods of time is significant.

The Yorkton Chamber of Commerce, itself in existence since 1898, recently honoured long-term members, those that have maintained continuous membership in the Chamber for 50-plus and 60-plus years.

“These businesses have continued to remain constant through many periods of economic slowdown and growth,” said Corey Werner, Chamber president. “The commitment to their business, employees, customers and community is much appreciated. We are honoured to have these businesses as members. They provide valuable insight to the Chamber, which continues to give us a purpose to serve them.”

Inspiration for the celebration came with the discovery of two old membership lists, from 1955 and 1963. The lists from 1956 to 1962 are not available.

Chamber president Corey Werner presented certificates to 18 businesses that have been Chamber members for more than 60 years and 10 that have maintained membership for more than 50 years.

“These businesses have continued to remain constant through many periods of economic slowdown and growth,” Werner said. “The commitment to their business, employees, customers and community is much appreciated. We are honoured to have these businesses as members. They provide valuable insight to the Chamber which continues to give us a purpose to serve them.”

It took a little bit of work to figure it all out as not all the companies have retained their original names.

“Some of the businesses, such as Auto Electric Service and CJGX have the same names in 2016 as they did in 1955,” explained Juanita Polegi, Chamber executive director.  “Some of the other businesses, although they have experienced a name change, have maintained membership in the Chamber, regardless of the name.  Examples of these are Key Chevrolet, which was formerly Korb Motors and Scotiabank which was formerly Bank of Nova Scotia.”

The 60-plus year members included: Auto Electric Service; Christie’s Funeral Home & Crematorium; CJGX; RBC Royal Bank; Morris Industries (formerly Morris Rod Weeder Company); Logan Stevens Construction (formerly Logan Black); Park’s Jewellery (formerly NR Park & Sons); Collins Barrow PQ LLP (formerly ParkerQuine); Sask Power Corporation; Royal Ford (formerly Carnduff Motors); BMO Bank of Montreal; Key Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC (formerly Korb Motors);  TD Canada Trust (formerly Toronto Dominion Bank); Yorkton Co-op; Yorkton Exhibition Association (formerly Yorkton Agricultural & Industrial Exhibition); Yorkton This Week (formerly Enterprise Publishing Co.); Scotia Bank (formerly Bank of Nova Scotia); and Western Financial Group (formerly Independent Agencies).

Receiving recognition for 50-plus years were: Atlas Aggregates; CTV Yorkton; Brown’s Leisure World; Leland Campbell LLP (formerly The Morris Law Firm); Ruff’s Furniture; A & W Broadway; DQ Grill & Chill (formerly Dairy Queen); Bailey’s Funeral Home & Cremation Care (formerly Bailiey’s Funeral Home); and Maple Farm Equipment.