45YearsofServingGrandePrairie CanadianTire
ReachingNewMilestones
Thatgrowthhascontinued.Today, theGrandePrairielocationproudly holdsthedistinctionofbeingthe highest-volumeCanadianTireinthe country,aremarkableachievement
thatreflectsboththestrengthofthe businessandtheloyaltyofthe communityitserves.
GivingBack
Communityinvolvementhasalways beencentraltoCanadianTire’s success.Givingbackisacorevalueof thebusiness,andovertheyearsthe teamhassupportedcountlesslocal initiatives,organizations,andevents. FromservingasTitleSponsorofthe HospitalFoundation’sFestivalof TreestopartneringwiththeCityof GrandePrairietohelpbuildthenew inclusiveplaygroundatLionsPark, CanadianTirehasmadealasting impactbeyonditsstorewalls.
ALong-StandingChamber Connection
Thecompany’slong-standing Chambermembershiphasalsobeen animportantpartofitsjourney.Over
“Givingbackisatenetof ourbusiness”
theyears,theChamberhashelped advocatefortheneedsofbusinesses atthelocal,provincial,andfederal levels,whilestrengthening connectionswithinthecommunity. AsCanadianTirecelebrates45years asaChambermember,itsstoryis oneofgrowth,communitysupport, andcontinuedcommitmentto servingGrandePrairie.Through changingtimesandagrowingcity, CanadianTirehasremainedatrusted name,amajoremployer,andan importantpartoftheregion’s everydaylife.
ProudChamberMembersince1991
LocallyOwned,Regionally Connected
NationalCarRentalinGrandePrairie ismorethanavehiclerentalprovider —it’salocallyownedandoperated businessbuiltonservice,flexibility, andcommunityconnection.Offering short-andlong-termrentals, warrantyandinsurance replacements,andapubliccarwash, theteamsupportsbothindividuals andbusinessesacrossthePeace Country.
WithlocationsinGrandePrairie, PeaceRiver,Whitecourt,Dawson Creek,andFortSt.John,thebusiness hasgrownintoaregionalpresence whilemaintainingastronglocal focus.Mostrecently,theteamhas begundevelopingaleaseprogram tailoredtosmallandmedium-sized businessesneedingreliablefleet solutions.
GrowingThroughRelationships
SincejoiningtheChamber,National CarRentalhasexperiencedthevalue ofconnectionfirsthand.Through networkingevents,socialgatherings, andopportunitiesliketheChamber golftournament,thebusinesshas builtmeaningfulrelationshipswithin thelocalbusinesscommunity. Thatsenseofcollaborationhas playedanimportantroleingrowth, reinforcingthebeliefthatwhen businessessupportoneanother,the entirecommunitybenefits.
ALegacyofLeadership
Thebusinesscontinuestoevolve undertheleadershipofManaging PartnerJonathanWrzosek,who steppedintotheroleafter15years withthecompany.Hefollowsinthe footstepsofhisfather,Danny Wrzosek,whoseleadershiphelped shapethebusinessintowhatitis today.
companycontinuestostandout throughexceptionalcustomer serviceandastrongcommitmentto localsupport—provingthat community-focusedbusinessescan thrive.
Thistransitionreflectsboth continuityandarenewedfocuson growth,service,andcommunity engagement—carryingforwarda familylegacybuiltonhardworkand localconnection.
CommunityattheCore
Givingbackisacentralpartofthe business.Fromsupportinglocal sportsteamsthroughsponsorships anddonationstoworkingwith organizationsliketheMuskwa MedicalCenter,NationalCarRental remainsactivelyinvolvedin strengtheningthecommunity. Inacompetitivemarket,the
“Weareproudtosupport
localteams,organizations, andinitiativesthatstrengthen ourcommunity.”
30YearsofGrowth&CommunityConnection
“Reachingthe30-yearmilestoneisareflectionoftheloyalty,
support,andconnectionsthathavehelpedshapeourstory.”
FromSmallBeginnings
URBNLiquorhasbeenpartofthe GrandePrairiebusinesscommunity formorethan30years.Since openingin1994andbecominga Chambermemberin1996,the businesshasgrownfromasmall liquorstorewithjusttwoemployees intoamodernretaildestination knownforitscarefullycurated selectionandcustomer-focused service.
Today,URBNLiquoroffersawide varietyofwine,spirits,beer,coolers, andpremiumcraftproducts designedtomeettheneedsof customersforbotheveryday occasionsandspecialcelebrations. Theircarefullyselectedinventory reflectschangingtastesandtrends, whilestillofferingthefamiliar favouritescustomersreturnforyear afteryear.Whethersomeoneis pickingupafavouritebottleforthe weekend,planningadinnerparty,or searchingforauniquegift,theteam workstoprovideawelcoming shoppingexperienceandabroad selectionofqualityproducts.
GrowingAlongsideGrandePrairie
Overtheyears,URBNLiquorhas evolvedalongsidethecommunityit serves.AsGrandePrairiehasgrown, sotoohasthebusiness.Whatbegan
asasmalloperationwithtwostaff membersisnowsupportedbya dedicatedteamoffourworkingina modernretailspace. Thatgrowthhasbeenshapednot onlybycustomersupport,butalso bytherelationshipsbuiltthrough theChamberandthelocalbusiness community.Watchingthebusiness evolveovertheyearswhile maintainingstronglocaltieshas beenoneofthemostrewarding partsofthejourney.Throughoutthe years,Chambermembershiphas providedvaluableopportunitiesto connectwithotherbusinesses,stay engagedwiththeregion,and strengthentieswithinthe community.
ACommitmenttoCommunity
AspartoftheMinhasGroup portfolio,URBNLiquorremains committedtosupportingGrande Prairieandcontributingtothe continuedgrowthandsuccessof localbusinesses.Theteam recognizestheimportanceof communityinvolvementandvalues therelationshipstheyhavebuilt overthepastthreedecades. ForURBNLiquor,reachingthe30yearmilestoneisnotonlya reflectionofbusinessgrowth,but alsooftheloyalty,support,and connectionsthathavehelpedshape itsstory.
ALocalConnectiontoProvincial Government
For25years,theGrandePrairie–WapitiConstituencyOfficehas maintaineditsmembershipwith theGrandePrairie&District ChamberofCommerce,reflecting along-standingcommitmentto accessibility,collaboration,and communityinvolvement. Today,undertheleadershipof RonWiebe,theofficecontinues toserveasanimportant
connectionpointbetween residents,businesses,community organizations,andtheprovincial government. Theconstituencyofficehelps residentsaccessprovincial programs,services,andresources, whilealsoassistingpeoplein navigatinggovernmentsystems andaddressingconcerns.For manyconstituents,theofficeisa valuablelocalpointofcontact andsupport.
EvolvingAlongsidetheRegion
Overthepast25years,the GrandePrairie–Wapitiregionhas experiencedsignificantgrowth andchange.Asthecommunity hasevolved,sotoohasthework oftheconstituencyoffice. Theofficeworkscloselywith localbusinesses,organizations, andcommunityleaderstobetter understandregionalprioritiesand challenges.Thisongoingdialogue helpsensurelocalvoicesare representedattheprovincial level.
MaintainingChamber membershipthroughoutthattime hassupportedstronger relationshipswiththebusiness communityandcreated opportunitiesforcontinued engagementoneconomicand communityissues.Through
networkingevents,advocacy efforts,andcommunity involvement,theofficehas remainedconnectedtotheneeds oftheregion.
AContinuedCommitmentto Community
WhileindividualMLAshave changedovertheyears,the office’songoingChamber membershipdemonstratesa sharedcommitmenttosupporting theregionandbuildingstrong communityconnections.
Reachingthis25-yearmilestone isareflectionoftheimportant roletheGrandePrairie–Wapiti ConstituencyOfficecontinuesto playinservingresidentsand contributingtothesuccessofthe region.
“TheofficeservesasakeypointofcontactbetweentheMLA,local organizations,businesses,constituents,andcommunitystakeholders.”
BuildingStrongerCommunities
Formorethan75years,theRotary ClubofGrandePrairiehasbeen makingadifferencebothlocallyand aroundtheworld.Guidedbythe principleof“ServiceAboveSelf,”the clubbringstogethercommunitymindedindividualswhoare committedtocreatingpositive changethroughvolunteerism, fundraising,andleadership.
TheRotaryClubsupportsawide rangeofinitiatives,fromlocal projectsfocusedonhealthcare, housing,foodsecurity,youth development,andthearts,to internationaleffortsaimedat improvingeducation,health,and qualityoflifeindeveloping communities.Attheheartofitswork isastrongcommitmentto empoweringyouththrough leadershipopportunities,education, andpersonalgrowth.
GrowingThroughPartnership
SincebecomingaChambermember 15yearsago,theRotaryClubof GrandePrairiehasgrownintoan evenmoreconnectedandvisible organization.Chambermembership hashelpedtheclubstrengthen partnerships,expanditsreach,and enhanceitsabilitytoservethe community.
Thoserelationshipshaveallowed Rotarytoworkalongsidelocal businesses,organizations,and leaderstocreateagreatercollective impact.Throughcollaborationand innovation,theclubhascontinuedto evolvewhileremainingfocusedon itscoremissionofservice.
“Communityinvolvement isn’tjustonepartofRotary’s work—it’sthefoundation thatdrivesitsmission.”
CelebratingaLegacyofImpact
OneoftheRotaryClub’sproudest milestoneswascelebrating75years ofservicein2026.Sincereceivingits charteronJanuary22,1951,theclub hascontributedmorethan$12 milliontoprojectsandinitiatives thathavehelpedshapeGrande Prairieandbeyond.
Communityinvolvementisnot simplyoneaspectofRotary’swork— itisthefoundationofeverythingthe organizationdoes.Astheclub continuestobuildonitslegacyof service,leadership,andpartnership, itremainscommittedtocreating lastingimpactforgenerationsto come.
NotYourTypicalGallery
GrantBergdidn’topenagalleryto followaformula—becausethere isn’tone.
Tenyearsin,GrantBergGalleryhas becomeoneofGrandePrairie’smost recognizableculturalspaces,builton originalCanadianart,strong opinions,andabeliefthatart shouldn’tfeelexclusive.Thegallery representsmorethan50artists,with overhalffromthePeaceRegion, alongsideworkfromacrossCanada. Customframing,giftware,pottery, clothing—it’sallthere,butthegoal hasalwaysbeenbiggerthanjust sellingart.
It’saboutgettingpeopleinthedoor, startingconversations,andmaking
artfeellikesomethingyoucan actuallylivewith—notjustlookat fromadistance.
NoStraightLineHere
Ifyou’relookingforaclean“growth story,”thisisn’tit.
Thegallerystartedouthigh-end. Thatdidn’tlast.Itdidn’ttakelongto realizethatifartisonlyforasmall groupofpeople,you’remissingthe point.Sotheshifthappened—artfor everyincome,everywall,everykind ofbuyer.
Thereweresomebigswingsalong theway.Asecondlocationin Kananaskis.Amovedowntownin January2020…followedbyaglobal shutdowntwomonthslater.Not idealtiming.
Butthat’skindofthetheme— nothingaboutthelastdecadehas beenpredictable.Andhonestly, that’spartoftheappeal. Onesurprise?Tourism.Turnsouta lotofpeopledoexactlywhatGrant doeswhentheytravel—seekout localart.AforgottenTripAdvisor pageeventuallyrevealedthegallery asthetop-rated“ThingtoDo”in GrandePrairie,andatonepoint,the highest-ratedgalleryinAlberta. Notbadforsomethingthatwasn’t partoftheplan.
WhatActuallyMatters
Here’sthepartthatdoesn’tshowup onabalancesheet—relationships. Theproudestmomentsaren’t numbers.They’rethefriendships. Theartistsyoucancall.The customerswhokeepcomingback. Thepeoplewhosupportwhatyou’re building—andtheoneswhodon’t (younoticethattoo). After29yearsinradio,Grantwalked awaywithonegoal:stopholding backoncreativeideas.That’sledto books,new projects,andagallery thatkeepsevolvingbecauseithasto.
AllInonCommunity
Smallbusinessdoesn’texistwithout community.Fullstop. Thegallerygivesbackwhereitcan— donations,fundraisers,lending artwork,supportingevents,and stayinginvolvedinthelocalarts scene.Notbecauseit’sexpected,but becauseitmatters. Becausehere’sthereality:local businessesinvestinthecommunity. Onlinedoesn’t.
After10years,GrantBergGalleryis stillhere,stilladapting,stilltaking risks—andstillbettingontheidea thatifyoubuildsomethingreal, peoplewillshowup.
“Theproudestmilestones aren’tnumbers. It’sthefriendships.”
SpecializedSupportforaChanging Industry
DropTheShopAutohasbuiltits reputationbyhelpinglocal automotivebusinessessolve problemsthataretoocomplexor timeconsumingtomanagein-house. Specializinginadvanceddiagnostics, moduleprogramming,andADAS calibration,themobileautomotive servicesupportscommercialshops andfleetsthroughoutGrandePrairie andthesurroundingarea.
Originally,thebusinessfocusedon generalmobilerepairservicesfor individualcustomers.Asdemand increased,however,theteam recognizedagrowingneedwithin theautomotiveindustryitself.More localshopsandfleetoperatorswere dealingwithincreasinglycomplex vehiclesystems,butmanydidnot havethespecializedtools,software, orexpertiseneededtohandlethose issuesefficiently.
ThatrealizationledDropTheShop Autotoshiftitsfocusentirelytoward commercialclients.Today,the companypartnerswithautomotive shopsandfleetstoimprove efficiency,reducedowntime,and helpthemdeliverbetterserviceto theirowncustomers.
GrowingThroughConnection
Overthepastfiveyears,Chamber membershiphashelpedDropThe ShopAutostayconnectedtothe localbusinesscommunitythrough networkingopportunitiesand events.Thoseconnectionshave increasedthecompany’svisibility andcredibilitywhilesupportingits continuedgrowth. Oneofthebusiness’sproudest milestoneshasbeensuccessfully transitioningfromconsumerservices toaprofitablecompanyfocusedon strengtheningotherlocalautomotive businesses.Bysupportinglocal shopsandfleets,DropTheShopAuto ishelpingbuildastronger,more reliableautomotiveindustryacross theregion.
“Bysupportinglocalshops andfleets,we’rehelping strengthentheautomotive industryinourregion.”
HonouringServiceandPreserving History
Forthepastfiveyears,theCanadian MotorcycleTourismAssociationhas beenaChambermemberdedicated topreservingmilitaryhistory, supportingveterans,andcreating meaningfulcommunityspaces throughVeteransMemorialGardens &InterpretiveCentre.
Sincesteppingintocarrytheproject forwardin2017,theassociationhas helpedtransformVeteransMemorial Gardensintoaplaceof remembrance,education,and communityconnection.Thesitehas becomeanimportantgatheringplace whereveterans,families,schools, andcommunitymemberscancome togethertohonourmilitaryservice andpreservestoriesthatmight otherwisebelost.
Today,theGardensfeature memorials,ceremonies,workshops, andyouthprogrammingdesignedto educatefuturegenerationswhile recognizingthesacrificesmadeby Canadianveterans.
“VeteransMemorialGardensismorethanalocalmemorial—itisa placeofremembrance,education,andcommunityconnection.”
LookingAhead
ThenextphaseforVeterans MemorialGardens&Interpretive Centrefocusesondevelopinga permanentcollectionsmanagement andstoragefacility.Thisclimatecontrolledspacewillhelpproperly preservemilitaryartifactsand historicalitemsentrustedtothe organization’scare,ensuringthey remainprotectedandaccessiblefor yearstocome. Theassociationisalsopreparingfor itsupcomingVeteransMemorialGolf ClassiconAugust18atSpruce MeadowsGolfCourseinSexsmith. Thefundraisingeventwillbring togetherbusinessandcommunity leadersinsupportoftheGardens anditsfuturegrowth.
