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STRATFORD VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 18
18
MAY 17, 2024
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Stratford police deem $1.5-million Beer Store fire suspicious The Beer Store on Huron Street in Stratford will remain closed for the foreseeable future after an overnight fire May 6, which Stratford police has deemed suspicious, caused $1.5 million in damages. According to the Stratford Fire Department, the fire was called in by a passerby shortly before 1 a.m. Upon arrival, the fire captain at the scene called for a second alarm, bringing a total of four trucks, two utility vehicles and 16 firefighters out to help quell the blaze, which fire Chief Neil Anderson said is believed to have started at the rear of the store in the storage and loading-dock area. Fire department and police officials say flames were observed inside the store and the building was full of smoke. Staff from the neighbouring Tim Hortons were evacuated for safety purposes and the area was closed to traffic as firefighters fought the fire. "At this stage, until the investigation is concluded, we are unable to provide specific details regarding the cause or extent of the incident," deputy fire chief Chris Van Bargen said in an emailed statement. "However, based on initial assessments, we estimate the cost of structure and content loss to be around $1.5 million." Investigators said The Beer Store suffered extensive physical damage, including to the roof and storage areas. Smoke damage is also apparent throughout the entire building. CONTINUED TO PAGE 3
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
(GALEN SIMMONS PHOTO)
Flanked by his children and co-award winners, Breen Bentley delivers his show-stopping acceptance speech after being presented with business leader of the year at the Stratford and District Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards gala May 2. Pictured from left are Tanner, Breen, Brooklyn and Breen Jr. Bentley.
Breen Bentley leaves audience in stitches at BEA gala
GALEN SIMMONS Regional Editor
Breen Bentley, winner of this year’s business leader of the year award, delivered perhaps the funniest and most memorable keynote address in the Stratford and District Chamber of Commerce’s history at the 2024 Business Excellence Awards gala May 2. Bentley, who was helped on stage at the Best Western Arden Park Hotel by his three children and co-award winners – Breen Jr. Bentley, Tanner Bentley and Brooklyn Bentley – spoke candidly about his and his family’s
40 years running the popular Stratford eatery, Bentley’s Bar Inn and Restaurant. “It’s been a hell of a tough journey. I should have opened a shoe store,” said Breen Bentley. “I get pissed off all the time and I tell myself, ‘You were nuts.’ I can’t even believe it myself. It’s been 40 years. You’ve got to be nuts to do it for 40 years. It’s 50 staff seven days a week 17 hours a day for 40 years except Merry Christmas – and COVID. COVID gave us a break and it slaughtered us. CONTINUED TO PAGE 7
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