Moose Jaw’s enormous new Canadian Tire opened officially at 7:30 a.m. on May 26 with participation from staff and help from local officials in cutting a ribbon around 15 metres (40 feet) long.
Rob Clark, CEO of the Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce, spoke briefly at the ribbon cutting, as did local MLAs Greg Lawrence and Tim McLeod.
Clark thanked owners Audrey and Ross Leckie for supervising the building of the building. The store could possibly be the largest single retail site now available to Moose Jaw customers and rivals the size of storefronts in larger urban centres.
“This store is going to be a catalyst for development both in Moose Jaw and for the surrounding area, so this is an exciting occasion for business here,” Clark said.
Staff and guests heard about the extensive regulatory hurdles that had to be negotiated over the last few years in order to build and open the new location.
The ribbon was diced into dozens of smaller pieces as staff and guests wielded numerous scissors in an inclusive opening ceremony.
Audrey Leckie said she was grateful to see the store open and that it took a team effort and a lot of work to accomplish.
“We’re excited to move forward now,” she added.
The Leckie family moved to Moose Jaw about a year and a half ago.
“We’re glad to be here,” said Ross Leckie. “We’re really enjoying the community. It’s been great, and we’re happy to have our new location open.”
Grand opening celebrations will continue for the next eight days. A grand opening flyer is available with deals and discounts while supplies last.
