BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT: ARMSTRONG'S 1908 |
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Armstrong’s
919 2nd Ave Wainwright, AB T9W 1C5
(780) 842-3154
“Our Family Serving Yours”
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A.C Armstrong General Store first opened its doors on August 22, 1908, after Adam C. Armstrong had come to Wainwright from North Gower, Ontario. The original store was located on the east side of Main Street about halfway between 1st and 2nd Ave.
In the fire of 1929, this store was burned to the ground, as were most of the other buildings in this business section of town. Carmen Coleman came to Wainwright with his mother Viola, two brothers, and two sisters in the spring of 1911. To maintain her family, Mrs. Viola Coleman operated a boarding house in a two-story building that was located on the site of the present Wainwright Public Library. She was also a very accomplished Milliner and seamstress and together with her daughters graced the heads of many of the women of the town and district with the latest fashions in ladies’ headwear.
In the later years of her stay in Wainwright, Mrs. Coleman devoted all her time to the manufacture and sale of lady’s hats from a small shop next door to the A.C Armstrong store.
In November 1915 Carmen Coleman (Viola’s son) took a job as a delivery boy and helper in the A.C Armstrong Store. In 1922, Carmen married A.C Armstrong’s niece and decided to follow the career of merchant. This began the family legacy that would travel through over 100 years and 5 generations.
After the fire of 1929 A.C and Carmen decided to rebuild the store on the southwest corner of Main Street and 2nd Ave, where Toy’s and Treasures is currently located. Carmen continued to work with A.C until 1933 when A.C Armstrong suffered a severe heart attack and retired from the business. This left Carmen as the manager in which capacity he remained until 1946 when he became proprietor of the business.
Carmen had two son’s William and Adam and one daughter Margaret. Carmen and his children operated A.C Armstrong Co. until 1965 when Carmen Coleman passed away from a heart attack.
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After two expansions to the main street location in 1938 and again in 1952 William and Adam moved the grocery section of the business to a separate location in 1966. The grocery department then became known as Tom Boy Groceteria and was located directly behind the current Toy’s and Treasures store. William (Bill) and Adam (Addie) operated the two locations until 1976 when Norm and Allan, Bill’s two sons joined him as partners after purchasing the shares of their uncle Addie.
In 1978 the decision was made to expand once again and a new 25,000 sq ft building was built in the current Armstrong’s location on 2nd Ave. Half the building was groceries and the other half operated as a department store. In 1980, the grocery side of the business was leased to Horne & Pitfield and was operated as an IGA food store. In 1982 William Coleman passed away leaving Norm and Allan Coleman as partners owning and operating Armstrong’s Department Store, until 2008.
In August 2008 Norm’s daughter Margaret, and her husband Marty joined him as partners, purchasing Allan Coleman’s shares. It was at this time they opened new Armstrong’s Home Furnishings store where the IGA was. Norm and Margaret currently manage Armstrong’s Home Furnishings and Connie (Norm’s Wife) manages Armstrong’s Clothing and Sports.
Currently Armstrong’s sells Men’s and Ladies clothing, Sporting goods, BBQ’s, Appliances, Mattresses and Home Furnishings to Wainwright and many surrounding areas. Armstrong’s has 15 employees and prides itself on being family owned and operated for over 113 years. Many of our Full-time staff have been with the business for 5+ or 10+ years making them extremely knowledgeable and pride themselves on offering exceptional customer service. We carry many products that are Canadian made and even some that are made right here in Alberta. We offer services such as home delivery for furniture/appliances/mattresses, skate sharpening and fitting.
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Please include the below:
- A little about your business's history
- The products/services you offer
- What makes your business stand out from others like it
- The bottom of the article needs to contain contact information to help new customers reach you
Please write a minimum of 6 sentences and include a photo of your business.
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CANADA DAY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY |
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As things are opening back up, PSP Wainwright on Base is starting to work on plans for in-person festivities for the annual Canada Day event. PSP is switching things up a bit with the family portion happening in the late afternoon from 3-6PM and a variety of bands for the evening portion.
PSP is looking for is local businesses interested in participating in the event; this would include interacting with attendees, providing some type of entertainment throughout (e.g. games or crafts for kids) all while advertising your business.
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If you are interested and want to run your idea by the organizing committee please reach out to Community Recreation Coordinator Jessica Robichaud by either phone 780.842.1366 ext. 1734 or email robichaud.jessica@cfmws.com
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ACCELERATE THE GROWTH OF YOUR MARKETING |
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ECRIN is excited to launch the "Getting to Growth" Marketing Accelerator!
ECRIN has a limited number of sponsored seats available, so if you're ready to get going on your growth, please email rin@startuplloyd.com for the promo code. This will reduce your Getting to Growth Accelerator seat from the full price of $1,599.00 to zero dollars!
Facilitated by 321 Growth Academy, this Marketing Accelerator is an in-depth course for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
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The course runs from April 6 to June 8, 2022. Sessions are held every Wednesday from 2-3 pm
- Participants will learn the fundamentals of marketing, key messaging, the basics of branding, running marketing campaigns and more.
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Click below to learn more or email rin@startuplloyd.com to see if you qualify for FREE registration!
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APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN UNTIL MARCH 2023
This program is a free platform that helps small businesses identify and adopt the right digital tools and technologies that can help reach more customers and boost sales.
ECRIN has a limited number of sponsored seats available, so if you are ready to get going on your growth, please email rin@startuplloyd.com by April 5th for the promo code. This will reduce your Getting to Growth Accelerator seat from the full price of $1,599.00 to zero dollars!
To be eligible for the Digital Economy Program, businesses must fit the following criteria:
- be registered in Alberta;
- have zero to 49 employees (this includes self-employed business owners with no employees); and,
- be a home-based or commercial business.
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Alberta’s government is helping more women and men train for good-paying jobs in the commercial trucking and transportation industries.
Annual commercial driver training grants include:
- $6 million for the Driving Back to Work grant program to support unemployed Albertans
- $3 million to support women returning to the workforce and underemployed Albertans
- $1 million towards developing online and virtual reality simulator training
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OPEN FARM DAYS REGISTRATION NOW OPEN |
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Registration is now open for farms and ranches to be part of the 10th annual Alberta Open Farm Days occurring on August 13th & 14th.
The weekend showcases Alberta's agriculture industry and growing the agri-tourism sector.
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Are you new to Wainwright? or a local looking to meet new people?
Join us for our April Out of Office event.
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LOCAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES |
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In order to assist local business in gaining information on business opportunities with local municipalities, Wainwright Garrison etc., the Wainwright Economic Development Office will periodically send out business opportunities featured on merx.com and buyandsell.gc.ca that pertain particularly to Wainwright and area.
These are systems used by the Government for procurement of goods and services over $25,000.
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UPCOMING BUSINESS EDUCATION |
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BUSINESS LINK PROGRAMS
April 6 11:00am
April 7 1:00pm
April 13 10:30am
April 21 1:00pm
COMMUNITY FUTURES
April 6, 13, 20, & 27th evenings
$50
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ALBERTA WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
12:00 - 1:30pm
4:30 - 6:00pm
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
April 26 12:00pm EDT
STARTUP LLOYDMINSTER
April 27 11:30am - 4:30pm
Lloydminster Exhibition Grounds
$99
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ADDITIONAL FUNDING PROGRAMS |
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DOWNLOAD THE TOWN OF WAINWRIGHT APP |
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While every effort is made to ensure the currency, accuracy and completeness of the information provided, The Town of Wainwright (Wainwright Economic Development) is not liable for any loss, claim or demand arising directly or indirectly from any use or reliance upon the information provided. |
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