Vance Badawey paid a visit to Henderson’s Pharmacy last week to celebrate the family and staff’s 80 years of success and contributions to the community.
“It’s a privilege to be here to recognize the Hendersons—both John and Cathy—for what you have done here, but ultimately, what you have done through the community,” said the Niagara Centre MP.
The MP also came from a family business, he told them.
“Built in 1922, we supplied ships with food in the Canal for generations.”
Badawey hailed the entire Henderson team as a shining example of a local small business continuing to thrive while improving the health and quality of life for Niagara residents through their philanthropy.
Commending them for their strong work ethic and many “contributions to sponsoring sports teams, donating to different causes, and really setting the stage of what Canada is all about,” the MP presented them with a congratulatory certificate, before weighing himself on the pharmacy’s iconic Toledo scale.
“The scale has been here—and free—since 1924,” said owner John Henderson. “Whenever we do changes or renovations, people say, ‘Please, whatever you do, don’t move the scale.’ Kids use it to weigh themselves on the way home from school.”
Mayor Terry Ugulini said that in his youth, he was one of them.
“I remember growing up, coming to Henderson’s to weigh myself on the scale, on the way home from the “big pool” at McMillan Park, mused the mayor.
The Henderson’s have been celebrating their milestone throughout the month of May. Customers have entered contests and prizes won each Friday, including a $100 restaurant gift card, a $100 garden store gift card, an Apple iPad Air, and an oak clock from Steadman’s Jewellers, since oak is the traditional 80th anniversary gift, said John Henderson.
The final grand prize will be drawn on Friday, May 31, for a weekend getaway to Niagara-on -the –Lake. The draw takes place at 11 a.m. and cake will be available to the public afterwards.
