- TERRACE STANDARD. ~ Business Review ~ ~Jeans North to close as Rupert- based Universal chain collapses AN ORIGINAL Skeena Mall tenant closes next month as one of the northwest’s oldest and best-known retail] chains goes out of business. Jeans North will shut its doors Sept. 27 after 29 years in Terrace, putting six employees out of work manager Phylis Hull said. Its. Prince Rupert-based parent “company, The Universal, is also going out of business. Another 14 staff at The Universal ~ Jearned last week the landmark Third Ave. store will be closing _ down, signalling the end of the road for the company, a family-owned bu- “ siness that spanned four generations and operated for 77 years. At its peak, The Universal! chain boasted two divisions and nine Stores, including two in Campbell River. The company has been struggling ‘+ for the past few years, despite efforts ‘to keep afloat. | Optometrist receives nod The company was forced to close its other Terrace clothing store, Uni- versal Work Wear, two years ago as part of company-wide downsizing ef- forts brought on by a sagging north- west economy and cther challenges. - The consolidation left just Jeans North in Ferrace and Prince Rupert's The Universal, a store that had operated in the same location since 1926. “It’s not a shock because I’ve seen it coming,” Hull said. While the ongoing saga of Skee- na Cellulose played its part, she sus- pected “a huge combination of fac- tors” effecting the northwest econ- omy shares responsibility for the im- minent closure of the company’s last two stores, After Sept. 27, any unsold stock and fixtures from Jeans North will then go to The Universal in Prince Rupert, which is expected to remain open until Oct, 18. The company hearkens back to an. earlier lime; turnover is exceptional- ly low, Hull confirmed, Employees stayed with the com- pany for years — some their entire * working lives — a tribute to the loy- alty inspired by owner Jack Payne and his wife, Cindy, Hull said. “The last time I hired somebody was three years ago,” Hull added, She has worked for the Paynes for 16 years. The company never lost touch with its small town roots. “You watch kids kind of grow up in your store,” she said, “T can probably greet half of my . customers by name. [t's a very per- sonal business when it’s a small town.” The company expanded one de- cade ago, opening Jeans North stores in Smithers and Campbell River. Fifteen years ago, it founded Uni- versal Work Wear, with stores in Terrace, Smithers and Prince Rupert. The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - Al3 GRIMEIAL OsS-IPS Charlie has 30 seizures a day a" Research may heip change his llfe STOPPERS Effective: August 25, 2003. _ Starting Monday, August 25, there’s more direct service for transit passen- gers. Visit the website for details or pick up a Rider’s Guide on board your bus. * School service has been adjusted to meet the hew bell times, * New school service: to Uplands Elementary from the Mountain. 7 Vista/Bailey. neighbourhood. cee aed « Friday. evening service ends slightly earlier due t to low ridershi IC Transit “of Kitimat-sitkin A TERRACE optometrist has been named Optometrist of the Year for her work in helping to keep unsafe drivers off the road. The B.C. Association of Optometrists says Dr, Rebec- ca Counts helped bring about legislation that protects . the province’s-doctors from being sued for reporting pa- tients they deem unsafe to drive. The association says she played a leading role in convincing health professionals and the motor vehicle branch to support new legislation on reporting drivers who don’t meet criteria for maintaining a drivers licence. Counts said changes to B.C.’s Motor Vehicle act will make it easier for health practitioners to report unsafe drivers, something she says will protect the health and welfare of everyone in the province. _- The association, which represents 360 optometrists in 93 B.C. communities, also honoured Counts for her con- tinuing efforts to promote cye health awareness. Counts came to Terrace in 1997 after graduating from ‘the University of Waterloo. :Prior*to“earning her doctorate in optometry, Counts~ earned a PhD in plant genetics, She was a biology pro- fessor at the University of New Brunswick for five years. Airport boss stays on THE PERSON brought in to be the temporary manager of the airport here while a permanent one was sought is « Staying on. -. Laurie Brown has signed a three-year contract, said Fraser Mackie, chair of the airport society, “He certainly has the knowledge and he loves the area,” said Mackie of Brown who, in a past job, was the manager at the Victoria airport. Brown replaces Rick Reed who left this spring to be the manager at the Abbotsford airport. @ A fresh look TONY MATIAS, a maintenance worker from Best Western Terrace Inn, puts some finishing touches on window construction there. AUT Feo ces I bcc | TE) | Bocas ROYAL LEPAGE COME ON DOWN... IT’S FREE! eee Ei Li Li ees vet Royal LePage Terrace congratulates VANCE HADLEY on obtaining the National Royal LePage Now’s A GREAT TIME 10 BUY et PERL MB xeccecocis SE D8 ee ee QUICK TICKETS Big Beilieh Gotanble Cotiery Corporation = “President's = ” 635-4295 en phone: 250-635-2411 www hawk ir ca i All Realtors at Royal LePage contribute to the RLP Shelter foundation. : Fax: 250-635-7882 ° alr. = 5 Jackpot info. Line Ext. 27 (Convenience and Value : 635-2404 : 4410 Legion Ave., Terrace, B.C. More & more people are coming to Royal LePage era | LLL Meeeeceeees LLL Li eeeecaetn (LEY excuse LETT UZ In parinarship wilh nT SaEONOA IWV9 Fd © YIHDNOA SWVD JIad- © WIHINOA IWVO 3sIad ‘What's For Dinner! Check this exciting feature each week for easy, delicious dinner ideas! a Honey Dijon Glazed Ribs Makes 4 servings 3-4 pounds back ribs 1 cooking onion (chopped) 1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar 1 stalk celery (chopped) 1 bay leaf 1 tsp. peppercorns Honey Dijon Mustard Line of Credit* * Rates as low as Prime+1 * No principal payment repaid until after graduation Place ribs in a large pot and add onion, vine- gar, celery, bay leaf peppercotns and enough § water to cover ribs. ‘Bring tibs to a boil and then reduce heat co a simmer. Continue to simmer ff ribs for 45 minutes. Drain off liquid and remove the ribs. Start barbeque and when hot, start grill- § ing ribs. Baste with Maille Honey Dijon mustard for 10-15 minutes and watch carefully to make sure che mustard does not get to scorched, Custom cutting freezer packs, great nricing, incredible selection and above everything else, the best quality in Terrace 2891 Clark Street 635-6624 Drop off your favorite recipe by July’ 30th, 2003. One entry will win. $99.00 Meat Freezer pack!