CBS honours its golden businesses

Some 13 businesses from Conception Bay South were recognized by the Town last month for providing residents with service for more than 50 years.  Among those on hand for the event held at the S.S. Meigle Lounge in Seal Cove were, starting in the back, from left: Avalon MP Ken McDonald, Conception Bay South MHA Barry Petten, Darin Steeves of Dawe’s Plumbing & Heating, Scott Parsons of Parsons & Sons Transportation and the S.S. Meigle Lounge, Stephanie Parsons of the S.S. Meigle Lounge, Corey Jefford of Jefford’s Enterprises, Harbour Main MHA Helen Conway Ottenheimer, and Topsail-Paradise MHA Paul Dinn; in the front, from left, are: Kristen Dwyer of Seal Cove Grocery, Marion Kennedy of Foxtrap Automotive, Richard Gosse of Sun Construction, Ruth Taylor of Taylor’s Fish, Fruit & Vegetable Market, Lee-Ann Andrews of Denver’s Fine Foods, and Jim Hickey of Hickey’s Timber Mart. Chad Feehan Local Journalism Initiative Reporter photo

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Last month, the Town of Conception Bay South hosted the 50th Anniversary Business Recognition Celebration, in which 13 local businesses which have operated for 50 years or more were honored for their service.
Representatives from the mostly family-owned firms were present to receive commemorative plaques. Many of them in turn took the opportunity to thank the community for continuing to support them after all these years.
Councillor Christine Butler said local businesses aren’t just about supply and demand, but also meaningful relationships.
“When you walk through their doors, they know your name,” she said. “Inside their walls have become places where we make memories, where we make friends, where we share stories. Tonight you are recognized as more than a place of business, but as welcoming enterprises, well-known trusted advisors, and true neighbors and friends.”
Ward 4 Councillor Melissa Hardy presented the awards, noting that while each business has its own individual story, they each share a similar dedication to the town.
The first award of the night was given to Foxtrap Automotive, which has been in operation since 1971. Since its early beginnings on the Conception Bay Highway the business has grown and expanded, eventually joining forces with NAPA Auto Parts, with three generations of the same family working with the business, which is now located on the Foxtrap Access Road.
Next to be recognized was Taylor’s Fish, Fruit, and Vegetable Market, which began operations as a mobile shop in 1962. The business began to lay physical roots in the mid-1970s, eventually settling down into its well-recognized location on the main road in Foxtrap in 1988. Its dedication to providing traditional, local food with excellent customer service was noted.
Parsons and Sons Transportation began serving the community in 1962 with three high school bus routes. It expanded to include motor coaches in the 1990s, having since evolved into a prominent provider of motor tourism in the province. It was honored for continuing its commitment to safety, service, and reliability after all these years.
Denver’s Fine Foods was recognized for serving its well-loved, time honored fish and chips since 1974. It continues to use its original batter recipe that its customers have come to rely on for familiarity and comfort.
Dawe’s Plumbing and Heating has been around since 1969, serving the community for over 55 years. Hardy commended the business for its commitment to quality service, community engagement, and a forward-thinking approach. In 2013, new owners Darin Steeves and David Hurley took over the reins, expanding operations with residential and commercial clients in the region.
Jefford’s Enterprises were honored for providing fresh produce, homemade preserves and agricultural supplies since 1971. Jefford’s is yet another CBS business managed by three generations, and continues to support farmers by offering vegetables, preserved meats, and some of their own produce. It is known for having an old-school approach, largely known by word of mouth.
Seal Cove Grocery was also recognized for having supplied customers with essential grocery items and specialty treats since 1970. In recent years the store has expanded to include a Canada Post and NLC Liquor Express and is well known for homemade sub sandwiches.
Sun Construction has been shaping the landscape of CBS, literally, since 1968, having constructed a great many homes, as well as bridges such as those found on Dunn’s Hill Road and Fowler’s Road. Co-founder Richard Gosse can still be found on worksites to this day.
Mary and Jim Hickey started Hickey’s Timber Mart in 1973 by selling windows and doors out of their garage in Harbour Main. Since then, they’ve expanded to four locations on the Northeast Avalon. They still operate their business to this day with their children Ashley, Jay, and Brad Hickey.
Hardy lauded Smith’s Furniture & Appliances as being an integral part of CBS since 1960. The business began as a shoe and variety store and evolved into a “one-stop shop on the shore.” Smith’s shifted into retail furniture in 1970, growing to become one of the premiere furniture locations on the island and operating now in three locations.

Eric Taylor entered the construction industry in 1973, doing odd jobs in the evenings and weekends with his modest assortment of construction equipment. The business grew from its immediate area of Foxtrap, and now employs 32 people all from the town of CBS. Eric Taylor Limited was honored for its years of dedicated service to the community.
Eagle Construction, established by Earnest Caines in 1972, is similarly a CBS institution. Caines is known for being part of the original CBS Town council upon its incorporation in 1973. Eagle Construction was recognized for representing quality workmanship and building lasting relationships and being able to adapt to customer needs in a changing environment.
The location for the night’s ceremonies, the S.S. Meigle Lounge, was also recognized for its long history as an establishment in the community since 1951. Still in the family of the original owners Richard and Annie Parsons, the bar is included in the book Bottoms Up: A History of Alcohol in Newfoundland and Labrador. Its name is in commemoration of Richard Parsons’ maritime service, and is decorated accordingly.
Guest speaker Helen Conway-Ottenheimer, the MHA for Harbour Main District, which includes the west end of CBS, said small businesses are the key to the success and economy of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“The respect that you’ve given the people in the community that you really are in partnership with has been returned to you by their support,” she said.
The Town of CBS intends to make the event an annual one, as more businesses age into the golden bracket of consideration.