By?Christopher Gooding
The Record
SPRINGHILL This year's Springhill and Area Chamber of Commerce's businessperson of the year award was three generations in the making.
During its annual general meeting, chamber president Frank Likely announced this year's recipient, highlighting the dedication and service the Atkinson family name has brought to Springhill since the family plumbing and heating business first opened it's doors in 1924.
While today the pipe fitting wrenches have been retired for all terrain vehicles and motorcycle, business owner and award recipient Charles 'Charlie' Atkinson continues to bring a level of service to the community and abroad through Central Powersport that you can only get from a family organization.
"A few years ago as economic times chaged [Charlie] changed and established a business that sells Yamahas," Likely said. "Despite the economic turmoil over the number of years...he's continued to operate that business to make a success of it."
Atkinson's Plumbing and Heating was first opened by Charlie's grandfather and namesake. While Charlie went on to earn his higher education, he returned home to help run the family business and the lessons he learned at university paled to the words of his father, Herbert.
"A father and son team can certainly have it's challenges but it's one I'll cherish," Charlie said. "Whenever something is challenging I try to think of what he would do and it's never steered my wrong."
That insight lead Charlie to make a tough decision.Atkinson's Plumbing and Heating closed it's doors five years ago and when they reopened Central Powersport was born. Taking on a business partner, Jim Skidmore, the Yamaha dealership has help top ratings for the franchise's customer satisfaction index here in Canada and given offroad enthusiasts a place to turn to for hometown service.
Atkinson awarded Chambers top honour
-
Published on
February 3, 2010
- Published on March 8, 2010
-
Staff ~ The Record
- Rate
- Top of the page
