Celebrating 45 years serving Chesterville and area
While co-owner of Mike Dean Local Grocer Julie Jeaurond looks on, Orlan Crump, left, receives a $45 gift certificate from Gordon Dean. Ten $45 store gift certificates were provided to customers in celebration of the 45th anniversary of the Chesterville store on May 11. Thompson Goddard Photo

CHESTERVILLE – Forty-five years ago, on May 11, 1976 Mike Dean opened the doors to his grocery store in Chesterville and began a tradition of committed service to the people of the village and the organizations in the community.  He had begun working at Laflamme’s Grocery located on King Street in Chesterville and a short time later purchased the store from owner Adrian Laflamme.

Dean had worked for several years as a meat manager in Dominion stores, and his son Gordon explained how his father had set up and ran the meat department in many of the new Dominion stores in Eastern Ontario before moving to Chesterville.  Gordon and his sister Julie Jeaurond own and manage the stores now. Gordon commented how his father was significantly committed to the Chesterville area, noting how donations were made to local organizations on an ongoing basis and in a quiet manner.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions currently in place, Gordon mentioned the celebrations on May 11 were relatively low key.  The store’s Facebook page had an anniversary slideshow, created by Julie’s husband Daniel, playing throughout the day and ten lucky customers received a $45 store gift certificate following a game of “rock, paper, scissors” with either Gordon or Julie.  He expressed the hope that in the summer there can be a bit more of a community-oriented celebration, but of course this is dependent on pandemic precautions.

Information on their website located at www.mikedeans.com describes how the company has expanded to include additional stores in Bourget and Sharbot Lake, as well as providing “grocery and logistics service to Canada’s far North”, a central warehouse and online sales channel.

Mike Dean Local Grocer is a family run business, which has grown from its local beginnings to provide consistent quality grocery goods along with a strong commitment to the community it serves.