May 2024 - Volume 7 Profiles Southeast & Surrounding Area
Sleep Suite Motel draws on strong community roots
Local businesses invite you to hear their story
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Profiles
I n a world where automation and efficiency seem king, we have begun to notice a shift. Maybe it’s part of living in a post-pandemic world as we recover from the isolation of everything being online, but people are craving human connections and authenticity more than ever. People don’t want perfect; they want real. Genuine. Approachable. Personal. They also want this from the businesses they frequent. In a world of endless options for consumers, the businesses that are growing and thriving are the ones that prioritize people and experiences. You will notice with each of the Profiles this year and the businesses within, how people-oriented they are. From the options in the services they offer for your family, to the lighting and atmosphere chosen for their space, their focus is on YOU and how they can serve you to the best of their ability. This is what sets them apart. When you read about their care and intentionality, you won’t be able to help but be impressed and want to stop in and check it out for yourself. Please do! They will take the time to attend to your needs, and get to know you personally. I’m so excited for you to read this year’s Profiles magazine and hear the heart behind each of the businesses here. They are truly wonderful. I hope after reading this you visit them or book their services. You won’t be disappointed. Cheers to real community and real, authentic connections. - Desiree Barkman Personal touches make all the difference
Profiles
Publisher The Carillon General Manager Laurie Finley laurie.finley@thecarillon.com
Advertising Sales Desiree Barkman desiree.barkman@thecarillon.com Editor Greg Vandermeulen greg.vandermeulen@thecarillon.com
Design Christian Jade Sicat Front cover image: The staff of Sleep Suite Motel
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Profiles
Evangeline’s Flower Hut where flowers bloom from the heart
N o gift can share emotion like flowers. They can express romantic love, thankfulness for those in our lives and show care in difficult times. Couple that with a shop and staff who are dedicated to personalizing those gifts for any occasion and you have something truly magical. “Flowers are always welcome,” Evangeline Loewen, owner of Evan- geline’s Flower Hut said. “They bring cheer, they show love and they model care for other individuals in their lives.” Since 2006, Evangeline’s has been an important part of sharing that love, and it’s a role they take seriously. Loewen said they create a variety of unique, modern and specialized designs ranging from traditional classics to contemporary, whimsi- cal and woodsy. Whether it’s for funerals, sympathy, weddings, anniversaries or any other special occasion in life, flowers are an important way to show love. Evangeline’s prides themselves on offering customers the very best. They work with the highest grade of roses, carrying Ecuadorian roses and the highest grade of other flowers as well. Quality is not something that will be compromised, and Loewen recalls when she first started out a local competitor sold roses for the same price that she had to pay just to bring them to her shop. Years later, that competitor is gone, and she said repeat customers notice the difference. What sets Evangeline’s apart is not just the quality of their product. It’s also the way they interact with the public, offering a personal
experience. “We want to really connect to our customers in a way that they feel cared for in this world where everything seems to be online,” Loewen said. Customers soon learn that Evangeline’s is a place where customized work is performed to the highest standards with creative arrange- ments carefully handcrafted and not prepared from a template. “The arrangements I want to create are intentionally designed and created… literally,” she said. A visit to the shop is also an opportunity to get something unique. One of the products they’ve added along the way are European hand tied bouquets, a technique adopted after an employee brought the knowledge with them from Europe. After nearly 20 years in Steinbach, they also continue with a strong commitment to community, featuring local artwork and hand-made products. They also offer honey and fresh strawberries in season from Frie- densfeld Honey and Berry Farm. Staff are all hand picked to offer innovative workmanship and design and also love to engage with customers. “Nowadays it’s such a cold world and to find loving human beings that serve you is special,” she said. Because customers come with a wide range of desires, Evangeline’s Flower Hut can help fulfill them all. Some may come in knowing exactly what they want, but often, Loe- wen said, they come in with photos, a budget or a simple idea.
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EVANGELINE’S FLOWER HUT
and the recipient doesn’t have to make space for another permanent item. “It just brings life,” she said. “It speaks of human life even. You’re blooming, you’re fresh and then you fade.” “There’s something that we really connect to in flowers, and they bring their beauty and joy and all their diversity,” she added. “It’s so amazing that they can bring joy and comfort.” For Loewen, who said she’s always been creative and fascinated by flowers, owning Evangeline’s has proven to be fulfilling job. And it’s a dream come true for a woman who still recalls being a little girl riding in her dad’s semi and asking him to pull over so she could pick a flower she saw in a roadside ditch. “To me, I always thought it was a privilege to be able to express my creative ability through this,” she said. “How many people are creative but sit somewhere behind a computer and are never able to express it? They have to do all these hobbies at home.” She admits that not every aspect of working in a flower shop is the way people would picture it. Some staff over the years have been shocked to find out that creating beautiful arrangements is only part of the job, while the decidedly not creative roles of cleaning and bucket washing are also essential. But Loewen would have it no other way and said coming to work remains the highlight of her day. “I think the combination of the interaction with people and the expression of creativity… it is an awesome thing,” she said. Evangeline’s Flower Hut offers floral designs for any occasion and people can book a consult through their website or by coming into the store at their Main Street location in Steinbach. A tagline on their website sums up their message. “Our passion is to make unique creations,” she said. “Let us help you bring joy to the people you care about.” For all your flower needs, stop in at 261 Main St Steinbach or visit evangelinesflowerhut.com
“We can help to imagine, create and design,” she said. “But the customer still brings their vision and dreams to the table. We bring it to life.” Like many creative people, staff at Evangeline’s can visualize the end result before even beginning the work. “We see it before it happens,” she said. There are trends that come and go in flower arranging. Loewen said for a while eucalyptus was big. Greenery has changed colouring over the years, and the new trend is for minimal greens, as many want to focus on flowers and fillers. As seasons change, different flowers become the style, and many found at Evangeline’s are produced locally as well. Loewen said she’s not alone in her reaction to the beauty of flowers nor the wonderment that they can suit so many occasions. “I think it’s something that God has made that will never clutter a place,” she said. Unlike so many other gifts, flowers are a beautiful way to show love,
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Profiles
COLLECTA CO.
Collecta Co. builds community at Clearspring Centre
A passion for community is immediately apparent when one walks into Collecta Co. Located at Clearspring Centre, the store features Hitch + Boler as well as hundreds of locally crafted products by more than 90 artisans. For Marsha McMullin, the founder of Collecta, it’s a place of calm, a place for people to meet and an opportunity to connect while giving local artisans a place to showcase their products. McMullin, a Steinbach native who spent almost 20 years living and working in Vancouver returned and started the business. An artist herself, she knows the importance of having a location like this. “I thought there has to be a better way than going to markets con- stantly, where there’s a permanent location for artisans to sell their products and build community around that,” she said. Many of the vendors are young moms with young families and Mc- Mullin said spending every weekend attending sales can be a lot. McMullin’s husband Pete and brother-in-law Dave operate Hitch + Boler Coffee Roasters and Café, an important part of the space. The two support each other and help create the community feel she had intended. The store opened in June 2023, but it took months to prepare a busi- ness model they thought would work. “We want to be as accessible as possible, for the most amount of mak- ers that we can, without this costing a fortune for them,” she said. That’s why the business model they chose was one that isn’t intended to earn a profit. “We look at this as a non-profit in a way because the point of the store is not to be profitable,” she said. “We aim to break even.” The variety of items is staggering. A casual look at their website re- veals a range of products including things like a highchair footrest, epoxy trays, pacifier clips and teethers, bath products, plant pots, fidget toys, art supplies, coasters, coffee, food, beard oil and beauty products, and so much more. While the range and quality of products is impressive it’s only a part of who they are. McMullin said they consider building community one of their goals. They do that by supporting local makers, teaching and inspiring, of- fering unique goods, bringing awareness for local arts and connecting consumers with the artisans.
“We want to share our passion for high quality, hand made, unique artisan goods with our local community, but more importantly we are here to build relationships and restore a sense of local community.” Collecta Co. has hosted book swaps (with the next one planned for early June 5), and is planning events like an open games’ night, live music, workshops and artisan demos. Details can be found at collec- taco.ca. This year their Christmas Village Market is teaming up with the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce and Summer in the City to host a new family friendly winter event called “Christmas in the Village” on the first weekend of December at Clearspring Centre. It will include an artisan market, carnival for kids, community activities and live music. McMullin said everyone involved has a stake. “We’re all in this together, we all need each other to survive but we all bring different things,” she said. McMullin said people in the area want to support local businesses and makers, but don’t always know where or how to do that, especial- ly for smaller vendors. “It’s giving the community an opportunity which they wouldn’t have had before,” she said. And Clearspring Centre was the ideal place for all this to happen. The thriving mall is expanding, and unique businesses are common. “There’s a lot happening here,” she said. McMullin who has a background in marketing, church leadership and is a therapist, said the store quickly became something more than she expected. “The store has given me an opportunity to reach into people’s lives that as a therapist I never could,” she said. Her faith is important to her and also has motivated her passion to give back and to connect with people in the community. She keenly feels the responsibility and desire to connect in a mean- ingful way. “I am a believer that everything I have is only by the grace of God so I will use everything I have to further his kingdom and his purposes,” she said. “That’s my guiding light.” Visit Collecta Co in store at Clearspring Centre for your next cup of coffee, to support your local artisans and find incredible goods. You can also go to collectaco.ca for more information.
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PET VALU
Expansion doubles Pet Valu’s commitment to community N othing is more important than community to the staff and ownership at Pet Valu. One of more than 30 businesses in Clearspring Centre, the Pet Valu works closely with Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue by holding monthly adoption events, selling their merchandise and housing foster cats. “We really are trying to support them and help the pets that don’t have homes yet in the community,” Freynet said.
store and mall are undergoing an expansion to offer a wider range of products to their devoted pet lovers and allow them to continue giving back in a big way. Locally owned by Barry and Joyce Peters since 2001, the store has been part of Clearspring Centre since 2013. Manager Shanna Freynet said they’ve seen their customer base get larger as people respond to their dedication to providing quality products and providing a family atmosphere. “We try to bring in products we know are really good for pets,” she said. “If it keeps the animals healthy it keeps the pet parents happy.” Shaelyn Wiens, one of the store’s assistant managers has been on the job for over 16 years. She said they work hard to assess new products, responding to customer feedback and research. It’s a responsibility felt keenly by the store’s staff who are continually educating themselves to allow them to offer sound advice. Freynet, who’s been at Pet Valu for almost nine years, says the learning never stops. And while accurate information is important, customer service goes far beyond the sharing of that information or the offering of advice. “We really do try and focus on building a relationship with the customer, instead of them just coming in, grabbing what they need and leaving, we try and build that rapport,” Wiens said. “We try and make sure that we’re focussed on their wellbeing as well as their pets.” In fact, Freynet said they often see their clients around the community and staff will often recognize the pets by name. Those same customers will share stories of triumph such as the adoption of a new puppy or kitten, steps gained in training, and will also share in times of grief, stopping by to tell staff when a family pet has passed away. “We cry with them,” Freynet said. “They’re more than just customers. They’re family.”
Wiens agreed. “It’s not just about sales for us, it really is caring for the community and the animals,” she said. “We really do want to better their lives and the lives of those around us.” In June, all 700+ Pet Valu stores across Canada celebrate their annual “Pet Appreciation Month.” Throughout that month, various events and fundraisers are being held such as adoption events and a barbecue. Local companies, along with pet supply companies have donated items to be used as prizes for the month long raffle. Freynet said the community responds in a big way when it comes time to donate those prizes. All of the proceeds get donated to Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue. Customers who enter the store are often greeted by one or more of their resident cats. Junior, Mr. Floyd Pickles and Sydney were all originally adopted from Steinbach Animal Rescue. “We have a lot of customers who stop by just to pet the cats,” Wiens said. They welcome everyone to drop by, whether it’s to purchase from their wide array of products, ask for advice, or simply get a little one-on-one time with their favourite store cat.
Visit Pet Valu at Clearspring Centre for top quality service and all your pet related needs or call 204-326-6600
When the expansion is complete, the store’s footprint will double which will allow them to offer a wider variety of products. Two dog wash stations will also be added, a convenience that has long been requested by customers, and one that is common to most of the 700-plus Pet Valu locations across Canada. The wash stations will have everything that customers will need to wash their pets in store, Freynet said it will make things much simpler than using the bathtub at home as so many do. And while the extra space is something all staff are looking forward to, it’s not just the product lines that will benefit. Freynet said they will continue their strong commitment to the community and will be able to help in an even bigger way with more space available.
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Profiles
SLEEP SUITE MOTEL
Sleep Suite Motel clean, comfortable, friendly, price-effective
I t’s something of a hidden gem in Steinbach, but owners of the Sleep Suite Motel say it’s a great place to enjoy a night’s sleep. Locally owned and operated, the motel has seen renovations over the last couple of years, and Kaely Dyck , vice-president of operations, said they pride themselves on being clean, comfortable, friendly and price effective. The motel is located at 150 Park Road West and is owned by Robert and Arlene Dyck and Brian and Valerie Funk. Kaely Dyck and her brother-in-law Chris also own Smitty’s in Steinbach and several Winnipeg locations, businesses they bought from Robert Dyck. “People would know it as the same ownership of Smitty’s in Steinbach and Winnipeg,” she said. That local ownership makes a difference. “I think the benefit of that is we know the community very well,” she said. “We live in the community. We understand the community. The success of Steinbach, the people of Steinbach are all intertwined with our lives.” As business people, they also understand the needs of the local business community. “Their success is our success,” she said. “The success of the community is our success as well.” They partnered with Chez Koop for a new design logo and website, Print Studio One for their billboards and printables, Creative Print All for uniforms and pens, Plett Custom Windows for the blinds and Schalla Landscaping. The local ownership group has owned Sleep Suite Motel since 2021. Since then, they’ve been working hard to update the facility. They’ve made the reservation process simpler by improving the online component. Now finding out more about the motel and booking can be done at sleepsuitemotel.com. But renovations have also occupied much of their time. Infrastructure has been upgraded, flooring and bedding has been replaced, new curtains and draperies will be installed over the coming month. In each room amenities such as towels, coffee makers and even lamps have all been updated. And that’s all working to the goal of remaining clean, comfortable, friendly and price effective. Dyck said the exterior, which will be upgraded in the future, does little
to indicate what can be found inside. “If the only thing you know about the Sleep Suite Motel is from driving past it, you’re seeing the exterior of it, you’d probably be quite surprised at what the inside is like,” she said. Being locally owned and operated has its challenges. “Sometimes people know what to expect from chain hotels,” she said. “If you stay in one you know what to expect in the next city that has that same hotel.” She said sometimes people are surprised when they stay in the motel for the first time. All are impressed however, and Dyck said they constantly receive positive feedback. “We get a lot of feedback from people who are really impressed with the cleanliness, the convenience and the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff as well,” she said. Situated in easy walking distance from local amenities such as Smitty’s Family Restaurant and Lounge, and Clearspring Centre, a few minutes drive takes one to the local aquatic centre, golf course and the Mennonite Heritage Village. “We are a convenient location for those visiting Harv’s Air, Quarry Oaks or in town for sports tournaments,” she said. “You definitely can’t beat the location in terms of closeness to amenities. The motel is home to 49 rooms of eight room types ranging from single to family suites. “It can offer a lot more on the inside than the outside makes it look like,” she said. Rooms feature bathtubs with showers, coffee makers, complimentary Wi-Fi, free continental breakfast HD television, in room climate control, microwave and mini fridge. The motel also includes a barbecue area and boardroom. Catering is also available for the boardroom with breakfasts, lunches, coffee break and appetizers brought in from Smitty’s. Having a lower price-point is important for many who are visiting Steinbach for work, to visit family or to take part in sports tournaments or other activities around town. A staff of 24 helps operate the motel and are open and friendly. “We are always open to talking about what options we have,” she said. “If you haven’t checked us out in the last couple of years, I would encourage you to do that.” “People are surprised at how big it is, how nice it is on the
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SLEEP SUITE MOTEL
inside, compared to what they see on the outside or conclusions they have drawn.” Weekly rates are also offered, and accommodations can be made for extended stays. Potential guests can simply inquire at the front desk, call 204-326-1324 or email frontdesk@smittysmb.ca and talk to one of their friendly and knowledgeable team members. “We are locally owned and operated and pride ourselves in cleanliness and a quiet environment at a reasonable price,” Dyck said. Customers have taken note. Online reviews note the comfortable beds, clean rooms and friendly staff as well as the convenience of the location.
“We will be back,” one writer noted. “We were visiting family and (it’s) perfect to stay in the heart of Steinbach.” “I had a great experience. The rooms were clean and spacious, and I liked the free breakfast,” another noted. To book your comfortable stay and experience their welcoming hospitality, go to www.sleepsuitemotel.com or call 204-326-1324
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Profiles
GREEN VALLEY GARDEN
Quality and affordability cornerstones for Green Valley Garden Centre
M aintaining a Grunthal area tradition of offering the best plants for the best possible price is continuing and owners of Green Valley Garden Centre say there is nothing they’d rather do. Sheldon and Carrie Enns operate the garden centre which they purchased in 2009. It operated as Reimer’s Greenhouse for 22 years and before that was Driedger’s Greenhouse then located south of Grunthal. For the Enns family, operating and expanding the greenhouse from the 7,400 sq. ft. facility it was in 2009 to the 14,000 sq. ft. facility it is now has been a dream, one that comes with a lot of hard work and diligence. Taking on the responsibility of operating the greenhouse was a big one. Sheldon was working in downtown Winnipeg at the time, while Carrie was a teacher (and still is) in Grunthal. But as they considered the purchase, they realized they made a great team. “I like the business end of things and she likes the creative part of things,” Sheldon said. “She can envision what all the plants are going to look like when they’re fully grown.” A commitment to quality sets this greenhouse apart. More than 80 percent of their stock is planted from seed in their greenhouse. That gives them the opportunity to include more varieties. That selection coupled with exceptional service helps continue the longstanding tradition set by previous owners. “We’re both quieter more shy people inside but we deeply care about people and so when we first came to visit the Reimers here what was really neat was that they knew all the customers,” Carrie said. They’ve quickly felt like family and Carrie said their customers have watched their family grow. Their oldest was a baby when they started and now works the till and helps customers. “He’s grown up in here and they’re all his aunties and grandmas, uncles and grandpas,” she said. “They know the kids by name. It’s really special.” Customers will often drop by even when they’re not purchasing anything. “They come to visit, and they come to breathe the air and see which flowers are blooming,” Carrie said. “It’s a really uplifting place to be. It’s become a very special place, far more than just a business. Customers typically come from the Grunthal, St Malo, St Pierre, Kleefeld, Steinbach, and Vita areas, but the pair say they also get people who come from as far as Winnipeg. Every year the couple starts by planting up to 500 seeds in a tray, all of which are carefully transplanted into communal packs. They still use the open style of packing, which allows the roots to grow into each other and encourages growth when those plants are put into the garden.
They also use coco-fibre and peat moss pots whenever possible, despite the price difference. A plastic container costs as little as four cents while the higher quality fibre pots ring in at closer to 25 cents. “It’s easier for us because they retain water,” Carrie said. “They’ll absorb some water and give it back when the plants need it.” Those pots are compostable and come from renewable resources, but even then, they are often used for several seasons. Plastic packs are single use and not recyclable, though the greenhouse does wash and reuse plastic trays and pots. “We reuse everything we can,” Carrie said. “This is partly to keep costs down but also our feeling of responsibility.” Even the boxes that arrive with greenhouse supplies are reused, cut down to work as trays for customers loading up on plants. The greenhouse carries a wide variety of flowers, bedding plants, perennials, shrubs and fruit trees. All shrubs and trees are grown in Manitoba which Carrie said increased the likelihood they’ll thrive in our climate. They are also one of the few greenhouses that offers plants in nine and 12-packs, which brings down the cost per plant. In fact, they said a supplier told them the cheapest six-pack he’d seen was $4.69. Green Valley Garden Centre offers 12-packs for $5.19. The 140 new annuals this year include some new spicy peppers, grasses that grow in shade, and petunias in a vast array of new colours. They also carry Heirloom tomatoes that are unique to their greenhouse because they’ve been harvesting seed and planting them every year for generations. They even have a “no name” tomato that is very popular. “Somebody had brought the previous owner tomato seeds and said they really liked the tomato but didn’t know what it’s called, so we just called it the no name tomato,” Sheldon said of the large, low acid tomato. Green Valley Garden Centre also maintains a website which has photos of products with light requirements. People can order online, but many use it as research tool before coming into the greenhouse. While they take pride in the product they produce, both Sheldon and Carrie said running the greenhouse is about far more than that. “We sell plants, but we develop relationships,” Sheldon said. “We’re in it to serve our community and surrounding communities and to make a positive impact on the area.” “Our heart is to help people and care about them and meet their needs,” Carrie added.
Get the garden of your dreams by stopping in store at 28061 PR 216 or call 204-434-6347
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Profiles
CINDY-RELLA
Cindy-rella’s offers peace of mind
T here’s only one thing better than a clean house, and that’s arriving home with the hard work already done and the opportunity to enjoy it while escaping what to many is an unpleasant weekly chore. That’s because a clean house is far more than just spotless surfaces, good smells and the joy of having everything in its place. “It’s giving clients time to relax, spend time with their families,” Cindy Friesen, owner of Cindy-rella’s Cleaning Services said. “It’s more than just cleaning homes.” Finding extra time is hard these days. With two parents working and children involved in after-school activities, time is increasingly valuable. That’s why Cindy-rellas’s clients prize the weekly, bi-weekly or monthly visits. Cindy-Rella’s has existed as a company since 2021, but Cindy Friesen has been cleaning homes for far longer than that. For her, cleaning up is not a chore, but a fulfilling way to make a difference in a physical way but also in people’s lives. “I’ve always enjoyed cleaning,” she said. “I like to see the difference between the dirty and the clean.” But it’s after she, or members of her 16-person staff leave the home, that Friesen said makes the biggest impact. “It’s more so knowing how the clients feel when they come home after a busy day of work or with their kids after whatever they’re doing that day,” she said. “They can sit down and relax.” As a busy mother who herself has taken advantage of her own cleaning crew from time to time, Friesen said there’s a big difference between coming home to more work or coming home to a clean home. “You can relax,” she said. “You can put your feet up and you don’t have to worry about cleaning your toilet or your shower or whatever.” Cindy-rella’s Cleaning Services can be booked by anyone on a recurring basis, but Friesen said many of their clients are those two- income families with children who struggle to find meaningful time with their family between after-school activities and bedtime. “You only have a few hours every day so why would you want to spend your time cleaning?” she asked. “Let’s spend time with our families.” As time goes on, more people are waking up to the realization that they don’t have to feel guilty for sharing the workload by hiring a cleaning service. Cindy-rella’s takes on recurring clients only and Friesen said that
allows them to become an important part of their client’s lives. They also don’t focus on attracting the most clients, instead maintaining a manageable number of clients so they can continue to offer quality above all else. “We take that extra time and make sure it’s done right the first time,” she said. Employees complete each cleaning with an inspection where they walk around together and check on each other’s work. Cindy-rella’s also offers a satisfaction guarantee. “If the client’s not happy we’re going to come back and fix it for free,” Friesen said. That seldom used guarantee helps employees take pride in their work as well, and Friesen said they do their best to ensure it’s an extremely rare occurrence. To become a client, people can either call the company at 204-712- 5979 or go to cindyrellascleaningservices.ca. A free estimate will be provided. Friesen said she always asks new clients why they want their home cleaned as that helps them understand the homeowner’s goals. “Just knowing how many bathrooms you have or how many square feet you have is only a start,” she said. “It helps me to understand what’s really important to them.” Feedback from clients has been invaluable. Friesen said she often hears from clients who share how big a difference having a clean house has made. Often that’s expressed in time gained with family such as stories of how families are enjoying Saturdays together rather than using that time for cleaning. Other times it’s expressed in terms of mental wellbeing, in one case from a woman who was suffering and said having that extra time to work on herself was life-giving. “It’s more than a clean house,” Friesen said. “We’re giving them their time back, their sanity back, their peacefulness.” Cindy-rella’s uses a variety of cleaning products and can cater to those wanting natural or scent-free products used. Friesen said she recommends clients book a weekly or bi-weekly cleaning for maximum benefit to their busy lives. And she’ll continue to measure success not only by the way the homes look after the cleaning crew is done. “It’s the satisfaction of how they feel afterward,” she said.
For a free cleaning estimate call 204-712- 5979 or visit cindyrellascleaningservices.ca
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Profiles
PHARMASAVE
Pharmasave strives for good old-fashioned pharmacy feel
I f you had to condense Scott Penner’s mission for Pharmasave in Steinbach, it would be to provide a “good, old-fashioned pharmacy.” That’s not to say it isn’t as modern as any other pharmacy of course, but Penner said it starts the moment a customer walks into the store. “It doesn’t have this cold corporate feel where everything is white and glaring,” he said. “It’s a warm inviting store.” And the service he offers at his location in the Victoria Plaza Mall located near the corner of Brandt Avenue and Highway 52, demonstrates that commitment. “Good old-fashioned service means to me it’s relational, not transactional,” he said. “It’s ongoing continual care, not only for them but for their whole family. We do that day in and day out here.” After spending many years working what he calls a corporate pharmacy environment, Penner saw an opportunity to introduce this type of store to Steinbach. “I saw that there was a need especially for an independent pharmacy to really shine,” he said. Working in a corporate environment was tough. “I just couldn’t be the pharmacist that I wanted to be, nor could I help people as effectively as I thought they could be helped,” he said. He opened his first pharmacy in Niagara in 1999 and lived there for 25 years. But the organic growth of Steinbach and surrounding areas convinced him it was time to come home, to the community where he grew up. Pharmasave opened in Steinbach on Sept. 1, 2022, and roughly 18 months later Penner said it’s gone extremely well. “We are as busy in this store as I was after five years in my first pharmacy,” he said. “The people have responded. Me being from the area originally, I still have a lot of connections and Steinbach, despite its growth is still a very tight-knit community. After starting out in Steinbach in 1992, Penner moved to Ontario hoping that the band in which he played bass would make it big.
That never happened, but life has led him back to Steinbach where he said the great location with ample parking presented itself. And he’s never looked back, providing that “good old-fashioned pharmacy” feel since the beginning. It’s a commitment that has been eagerly embraced by his staff as well, many who come from the same corporate environment that he experienced. “They feel like when they come to work, they’re not even at work, they’re having a good time,” he said. “They’re helping people at the same time. They’re not stressed out. They’re not overworked, and they’re appreciated.” While Pharmasave is a well-known brand with more than 900 locations across Canada, it’s not structured like a corporation. Starting off as a buying group it is now a cooperative which is member owned by the independent pharmacy owners. A bottom-up organization, the CEO and board of directors are selected by the store owners, and are there to support the stores, not tell them what to do. “We don’t work for them, they work for us,” Penner said. That allows them to benefit from buying power of a larger entity while maintaining local control. That means Penner controls his pricing, hiring, salaries and store hours. Much has changed in the industry since Penner graduated in 1992. Pharmacists these days are able to do injections, extend prescriptions and work collaboratively with doctors and nurse practitioners. Change has come more slowly to Manitoba than many other provinces such as Alberta and B.C. where pharmacists can also initiate anti- hypertension therapy, addressing blood pressure issues. “We could do more,” Penner said. “We probably should be doing more, but the legislation isn’t in place yet for us to be able to do those things.” Pharmasave still manages to offer a wide variety of services. They fill
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Profiles
PHARMASAVE
prescriptions and can give injections for vaccines, B12 shots, hormone shots and some birth control. They also offer health related travel advice, and information about diseases such as diabetes, showing people how to manage sugars, insulin and offering nutritional advice. “Especially with the current health-care professional shortage, doctors and nurse practitioners, we are getting more and more people all the time asking for advice,” he said. “We spend a lot of time guiding people into the right choices or at least pointing them in the right direction where they can get the help that they need.” And that help is close at hand with no appointment needed. Penner and his staff are available by text, phone or simply coming in. People are also coming in with more knowledge than ever before, often dropping by to ask questions about something they learned online. “The hardest part for us though, is to assess the credibility of the information that they’re bringing to us,” Penner said, adding often the goal of those websites is to sell something. “Especially with the current health-care crunch people are having to be their own advocates a little bit more and again that’s where we come into play, where we can help with that.” Currently Pharmasave employs four full-time and three part-time employees, and Penner said he wants to ensure that customers can be served in a timely manner. “I’d rather be slightly over-staffed to allow us to handle the growth a bit better than playing catch-up.” In fact, the time it takes to fill a prescription at many corporate stores is one reason people have flocked to Pharmasave. Too often he hears stories from people who needed immediate pain control, or lived out of town and wanted to head home being told it was a six-hour wait or being asked to come back the next day for their medication.
“How is that acceptable?” he asked. “This is the level of service that has somehow become acceptable, and I don’t get it.” “Here most prescriptions are filled in 10 minutes and you’re on your way.” Learning is constant for pharmacists who must continue their education, something that Penner said makes his job exciting and fulfilling. “We’re always up to date as much as we can be, with continuing education plus our own learning above and beyond that,” he said. Satisfaction also comes at the end of the day when Penner says he knows he’s helping and making a difference. He also makes attempts to give back to the community, in one example, hosting Steinbach Community Outreach’s Soap for Hope event in April. “I tell people this goes both ways,” he said. “You’re supporting me in the business, and I will support you in your health, in your family’s health but also give back to the community. That’s also a philosophy of Pharmasave.” Pharmasave is located in Victoria Plaza Mall next to Dollarama. They carry M&M Meats products, all the health and beauty aids, cough, cold and pain medication, first aid supplies and more. They also offer free delivery, an E-Care app, and blister packing. Their landline is text enabled to offer customers convenience. Switching pharmacies for prescriptions is also very simple. Customers simply need to contact Pharmasave, and they will do the rest. They are available in store from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. They can be reached by phone or text at 204-326-2334.
Come experience the difference Pharmasave brings at 20 Brandt St Unit 10C in the Victoria Plaza Mall
Profiles 13
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