Sarah Hardy, the new owner/manager at the Quickie convenience store in Chesterville, says it is a bonus having her daughters working with her. Maybe one day when she retires, one of them can take over. From left: Sarah Hardy and her daughter Rozlynn Wall. Tinkess Photo

CHESTERVILLE – Located as it is pretty much dead centre in the community of Chesterville, it is not surprising that the Quickie Convenience store and MacEwen gas bar is often considered as a bit of a community hub. By their very nature stores like this strive to provide their customers with a quick and convenient way to pick up the things they need without having to drive out of their way for the little things that make life just a little bit easier.

Adding into that equation a local owner/manager who is not only known in the community, but who was already a current employee, well, that seems to make sense (and cents) regardless of which way you want to look at it.

Sarah Hardy became the owner/manager of the local business on June 29, 2026. A long-time employee, Hardy’s move into her new role was not only the best outcome, but it was also the most obvious one. The store’s previous owners were going to be out of the country for a prolonged period, which made it necessary to find someone to take over. Hardy expressed her interest, and quickly, the wheels were put in motion.

“I got my resume together,” said Hardy. The previous owner works the company’s head office so she was able to give my resume straight to the person responsible and told them they needed to get me because I would work my butt off. She showed them my past schedule, because they owned the gas station in Russell and Chesterville.  I was working Russell from like 8:00 in the morning till 2:00 in the afternoon. Then I’d come here, work the night shift from, like, 2:30 till 11:00 and I did that for, like, two years straight.”

As she speaks, it is obvious that Hardy truly loves what she does. “The best thing is interacting with the people,” says Hardy. “And in a community like this, you are going to interact. I know everybody’s life story!”

Hardy has a good support system as well, with both of her daughters working with her. “I would love to see when I decide to retire, she could take it over.” In a tight job market, that is a very nice option to have.”

Hardy says she won’t be changing very much as the companies have a solid set of procedures to follow, but she wants to improve the food choices and make them better known. In the meantime, customers old and new will be greeted with a smile from a person who understands the value her store brings to the community and appreciates the people she gets to serve.

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