Dignitaries, friends and fellow business leaders helped John and Cathy Henderson cap off a month of 80th anniversary giveaways and celebrations at Henderson’s Pharmacy last Friday morning.
Regional Coun. Tim Whalen remarked that the Henderson family “opened their doors during the end of the Great Depression,” and still managed to maintain a successful business, from 1939 to the present.
“You don’t survive this long in business without excellent customer service,” said Mayor Terry Ugulini, “and customer service here is number one. On top of that, John and Cathy always give back to the community, and people appreciate that and respect that.”
Niagara Centre Board of Trade and Commerce Chair John D’Amico said he and his family “have been associated with Cathy and John since our family came here from Italy in 1960. Thank you for faithfully serving the Thorold area.”
Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey, who had given the Hendersons a certificate from the federal government last week, trumped that this week with a plaque signed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“I recognize that success in business comes from how you treat your customers,” noted Badawey, “but equally, how you treat people in the community. The values of your business apply throughout the community, and it has grown because of you.”
On behalf of the Downtown Thorold BIA, Biscotti Café owner Nick Dell’omo presented the couple with a plaque, then John Henderson thanked everyone for attending, beginning with Paul Carfagnini, who has “done all our P.R. for 30 years.”
“It’s an honour for me to be associated with Henderson’s, this phenomenally, locally-owned and operated business in this historic facility,” said Carfagnini, the store’s long-time marketing and communications manager.
“For all of you who came, I appreciate your support very much,” continued Henderson. After thanking staff for all their hard work through the years, he mused, “Behind every reasonably successful person, there’s a lady who’s pushing them out the door. I want to publicly acknowledge Cathy for everything she’s done—I think the pharmacy has become part of her DNA—and for everything she’s done to support my family and the community over the years.”
Staff handed out pieces of 80th anniversary cake, and Rev. Ken MacQuarrie of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church drew the final ballot for the month, with Nettie Wuerffel winning the grand prize of a Niagara-on-the-Lake weekend getaway, including accommodations and Shaw Festival tickets.
