Page A7
THE STETTLER INDEPENDENT ADVERTORIAL
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
John’s marks 50 years in clothing business One of downtown Stettler’s oldest businesses, John’s, celebrates 50 years this spring. “It’s definitely a challenge and an honour to carry the vision of my grandfather,” said Ryan Stratulate, grandson of John Stratulate, who opened John’s Men’s Wear in March 1963. Even long after John passed away in 1998, the family tradition has carried on. “John would be proud of Ryan,” said Edith Stratlulate, wife of the businesses founder, who was active in the operation for the first 35 years. The clothing business has come a long way from its beginnings in the premises consisting of about 1,000 square feet in the current Hauck’s Vision building. John’s has grown with the community and demands of customers. The
store now features more than 12,000 square feet of retail space. “Last fall, we expanded and added women’s clothing and shoes and clothing for girls and guys,” said Wayne Stratulate, who was 11 years old when he started to help his father in the business. “We provide quality and service.” That philosophy has been a part of the success of the business. “Community support and staff have been great over the years,” Wayne said. John’s attracts shoppers from not only the Stettler area, but even beyond central Alberta, said Wayne, who has worked at the store fulltime since 1975. “We draw customers from as far away as Calgary and Edmonton and from the Saskatchewan border,” Edith said.
The family legacy at John’s includes (from left) Ryan, Shelley, Edith, Laurel and Wayne Stratulate.
“We use to get customers from England every second year when they would visit family here,” Ryan said.
John’s now has a staff of 14 emplyees. Employed with Lawrence’s Department Store in Stettler and another
men’s store in Red Deer, John Stratulate was eager to start his own business in downtown Stettler. “He knew the manager
The staff at John’s includes (from left) Amy Roste, Heather Thiessen, Amy Stratulate, Shelley Stratulate, Ryan Stratulate, Laurel Stratulate, Wayne Stratulate, Amanda Churchill, Vivian Finlay and Froukje Coenen. Missing from the photo are Gwenda Gravely, Cole Bailey, Kennidy Fisher, Ronni Burrows, Carsen Wiebe and Olivia Zuk.
of McLeod’s and asked him if he knew if there was any space open to for a business to let him know,” Edith said. “Then he got the call and soon opened the new business. When we started, we sold only men’s wear in dress and casual.” About three years after opening, John’s moved to larger space in the former Red Onion, now a martial arts centre, and added shoes and cowboy boots and boys’ wear. Since serving the community at its current location in 1977, John’s has expanded many times. “I was always Mrs. John,” Edith said. Now with Ryan and his wife expecting a child, the Stratulate family looks to the fourth generation to carry the tradition.
John’s
S ALE 50 ANNIVERSARY May 15 - 25 th
Buy any regular priced item get any 2nd item INCLUDES EVERYTHING IN THE STORE!
es s s Dre Sui
ts
s
e Sho
50% off *equal or lesser value
...and many more!
Nixon Watches
$50 Off
Ladies T’s Tanks & Sweaters
$5.00 each
Come for refreshments on May 24 & 25 and enter our draw.
Downtown, Stettler
Over $2,000 worth of prizes to give away
403-742-2211