Tim Hortons was busier than usual on Dec. 6 because of their grand opening.
Jackie and Bryan Rowland took over the business at the beginning of November. Before that, the couple lived in The Pas, and prior to that, Calgary. “My husband was a millwright and we decided we wanted to do something together. I’ve been in the catering industry since I was 18. We got employed with the North West Company, and we went to The Pas and managed the Burger King there. We had the opportunity to start at this store and we were very honoured that they offered us this position,” says Jackie Rowland.
After the Rowlands went to the Tim Hortons University to learn how to manage the store, they took it over on Nov. 9. The Thompson store held a grand re-opening to welcome residents into the store to meet the owners, and win some prizes. Santa even stopped by to say hello to the children. Jackie Rowland says they’re been getting a lot support from the community. “It’s absolutely amazing. Even yesterday [Dec. 5] the amount of support we got from Thompson residents. They were coming in, sitting and chatting, and it just felt like such a homey atmosphere.”
Jackie Rowland says she wants the Thompson store to get back to the roots of what Tim Hortons is known for. “You should be able to come in with your friends, have a coffee, have a talk with my husband Brian and I, or even Diane, our manager. In respect to the staff, they’ve had a hard time, and now we’re hoping with our guidance, it will make the staff feel more at home.”
Currently Tim Hortons employs 63 people, but Rowland says they have hired more staff. The staff will be undergoing extensive new training, to get them up to the standards they’re supposed to meet.
Jackie Rowland says with the renovations, the new owners, and a new outlook, residents will be seeing a change in how Tim Hortons is operating in Thompson.
