“Business-wise, I always think it’s good to have some new blood, some new ideas. Tradition never goes out of style,” he said.
Fred has been at the store since 1986 and, reflecting on the past 100 years, acknowledged there have been many challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, but even when his competitors and other retail stores called it quits, he stayed open.
When asked about the secret to the store’s success, which has also been acknowledged through multiple business awards, he credited the hardworking staff as well as advice he received from associates in the industry across Canada.
“I think it’s good to talk to people. I don’t think any business person knows everything about their business. I always learn, and I’ve been learning for 40 years, so I respect the fact that I’ve made some mistakes, but I’ve learned from those mistakes,” he said.
Matheson’s daughter, Emilie Wells, who works as a civil engineer with Clunie Consulting Engineers, said she takes great pride in becoming a fourth-generation business owner.
“We want to continue providing the same customer service that my dad and previous generations have been providing to Prince Albert and area.”
Wells said she has many fond memories of being in and around the store as a young girl, and recalled coming in to vacuum after school. Going forward, she plans to keep up family traditions, including a staff celebration on Christmas Eve and selling popcorn during the street fair.
“I guess there is confidence that if times do get tough in the next 40 or 50 years, this business has leaned on our friends and family and leaned on the community to be able to come back from it,” she said, adding she also knows her father will always be close by if she needs advice.
And when asked if there was one piece of advice or lesson she has taken from her dad over the years, she said it’s to keep on persevering.
“There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel, and never quit.”
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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com
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