Last week's SCBEX big reveal was about more than nominations, as a pair of local businesses took home hardware in chamber-member exclusive prize categories voted on by last year's winners.

Voth's Brandsource, the long-standing furniture store, took home the Hall of Fame award for their long-time commitment to the community and their nearly 30 years of business.

Mark and Thom Voth, the third generation to take the reins of the business, spoke about what the award means to them and how doing business in a small community is changing.

"We've had opportunities to go into other cities to do things. We have a very loyal customer base and so when those opportunities were coming up, some of those discussions that Thom and I had with our dad is we don't particularly know how to compete with some of those cutthroat things that go on in the cities. We are nothing without our customers for sure, and we know that Swift Current is very well locally minded."

Locally minded has been the watchword of the business since the beginning as a general store in Herbert back in 1954. Moving up from hardware to electronics and televisions as technology marched forward, the second generation, Abe and Lorne Voth (Mark and Thoms Uncle and Father respectively) would expand into plumbing and heating and then eventually make the move to Swift Current; first in the old MCC building and later to the current location.

Partially retired now, Mark and Thom take care of the daily operations, but thank their father for much of their success.

"He was the brainchild behind coming into Swift and also moving down to this store. We haven't had to take that risk that he's taken so we have him to thank for a lot of what goes on and a lot of the basic stuff that we've done around here."

The second business honoured during Thursday's SCBEX big reveal was Pharmasave Swift Current, which took home the hardware for Member Business of the Year, another prize voted on by last years group of winners.

Jahnaya Mann, the long-time Pharmacy Operator; Shar Nickol, the Front Store Manager; and Tenille Gering, who has recently taken over the position of Pharmacy Operator, joined Karla Wiens and assembled media to talk about the award.

Mann said that they were humbled by the honour.

"There are so many people that have come together to make this happen. Our team is huge and it seems to get bigger every year. It takes a multitude of people to be successful at this and we've been so fortunate to have just a gifted group of people."

From the beginning in the 1960s, Mann spoke of the foundation of a customer service-based business that was focused entirely on taking care of the community that takes care of them and puts much of the store's continued success on keeping that ethos moving forward as each new person takes the helm.

"Tenille was actually a part of the team years ago and then just rejoined us recently, so it's wonderful to see the legacy of the store continuing."

Swift Current, she added, is an entrepreneurial city, almost by necessity, being in the heart of the southwest and the largest centre for a number of kilometres in all directions.

"This little corner of southwest Saskatchewan has its own little unique culture and I love watching the new little businesses open and grow."

 

Both businesses will receive their physical awards during the SCBEX Gala presentation on October 29, 2021.