THUNDER BAY – Business Now – The Retail Council of Canada (RCC) honoured eight independent retailers as the 2012 inductees into the Canadian Retail Hall of Fame including Diane Petryna of Take A Hike in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
“The induction was a complete surprise and although the retail industry is personally honouring us in this way, by doing so it’s also making the important statement that independent retailers contribute enormously to local communities and the country as a whole. I’m very proud to be part of this exciting and multi-faceted industry,” commented Petryna.
Typically this award is presented to an executive who has demonstrated leadership in advancing and promoting retail and retail as a career in Canada. However, this year RCC recognized a group of leaders who exemplify the spirit of this special award.
The 2012 Canadian Retail Hall of Fame inductees are:
Sandra Avery, Owner/Manager, A Special Touch Inc., St. John’s, NL.
Bob Ianson, Co-Owner, Heirloom Linens, Victoria, BC.
Misti Mussato, Co-Owner, Toy Jungle Enterprises Inc., Vancouver, BC.
Diane Petryna, President, Take A Hike, Thunder Bay, ON.
Ron Pradinuk, President, Journeys Travel & Leisure SuperCentre, Winnipeg, MB.
Fred Pritchard, Vice-President, Golda’s Kitchen Inc., Mississauga, ON.
Paul Simmonds, President, Robert Simmonds Inc., Fredericton, NB.
Betsy Thomas, Owner, Boutique Bummis, Montréal, QC.
Diane J. Brisebois, RCC President and CEO said, “On behalf of the retail industry we are proud to honour this outstanding group of retailers for their vision and commitment to entrepreneurship. As members of RCC’s Independent Retailer Task Force, this group enabled us to chart a course that – at its core – focused on providing community involvement, leadership development and lifelong learning opportunities for independent retailers and their employees across Canada.”
The 2012 inductees join a notable list of past recipients including John Stanton, Running Room Canada Inc. (2011); Paul Straus, Home Hardware Stores Ltd. (2010); Fred Singer, Henry Singer Fashion Group (2009); Stephen Bebis, Golf Town (2008).