The most ordinary moments can become the moment when our lives change.
For Adelard and Doreen Perras...a decision to to make a quick stop at a grocery store in Glenavon would set the course of their lives for the next 40 years.
“Adelard just stopped by at the 'Farmer's Supply' one night. The man that was running it asked him if he was interested in buying the store. We didn't have any experience running a store. But, we had been looking at one in Montmartre. So, when Adelard came home with this...we talked about it...and we decided to give it a try. We took over the store, and changed the name to 'Perras Lucky Dollar'. We had our grand opening on February 01, 1977. Now...40 years later...here we are!”
Doreen notes that the community looked quite different in 1977.
“There were 3 stores operating in Glenavon when we started...a Co-op...a Locker Plant...and us. Our store is the only one of those three still operating.”
Over the years..as the community went through various changes...so did Adelard and Doreen's store.
“We've actually been at three different locations in Glenavon. We were in our first small store until 1995. Our second location...which we were in from 1995 – 2007...was a little bigger. We came to this location in 2008, and changed the name to 'Perras Family Foods'. This store was a little bigger again, and there the gas pumps came with it. That's part of the reason why we decided to move to this location. We wanted to keep that service in the community. If people start going someplace else to buy their gas...they take a lot of business there with them. We wanted that business to stay here.”
Through all of the changes that came with each new location, Doreen notes that all of the couple's children...and many grandchildren...helped in the store.
“We have 4 children...3 boys and 1 girl. All of our kids worked in the store. At our second location, we had the meat processing area. Our boys were involved in that. Our daughter worked in the grocery area. We've had quite a few of our grandchildren helping in the store too...stocking shelves...helping at the check-out...that sort of thing.”
Although she knows that there are people who choose to do most of their shopping in Regina, Doreen says that the couple have seen their core support remain strong.
“When we first started, people generally supported the stores that were in their community. Now, it's so enticing to go to the city...or to do your shopping on-line. But, there is a solid group of people that support us...from this community and from other communities close by like Candiac. There's actually a lot of people that stop on their way back from Regina as well. They find they forgot to pick up something so they stop here because they know we'll be open and we'll have it. A lot of people actually depend on us as much as we depend on them.”
As the 40th Anniversary of their opening came closer Adelard and Doreen thought about doing something to celebrate.
“We started thinking that we should do something. So we decided to have cake and coffee and invite people to drop by and reminisce. I put some mementos out for people to see. And, I had a kind of 'Trivia Challenge' set up for people to try.”
She notes that the couple were pleased with the number of people that dropped by to help mark the occasion.
“We had quite a few people come in. It was fun to listen to people talking about the trivia questions. It's surprising how hard it can be to remember simple things...like who was the Prime Minister in such-and-such a year! There were a lot of people who looked at photos...and said that they remembered the person...but couldn't remember their name. Those questions really made people think! We have a history book, and I'm actually going to spend some time in it tonight. There were some questions that even I didn't know the answer to!”
Many long-time customers commented while having coffee and cupcakes:
“We have more choices to pick from and they are friendly people,” says Kathy Bank.
“It's a very, very clean store...it's excellent,” says Olga Cross.
“If you ask for anything they'd have it in the next week!” Jean Kotylak.
So...how long will the couple continue to operate their business?
“Well...we do have the business up for sale. It depends on what happens with the economy and who is interested in buying. But, as long as our health stays good, we'll be here for a while yet. We would like to retire someday. There are some things we'd like to do. But, we wouldn't want to leave the community that's supported us for so long...without a store. So, we'll see.”
