Claude Landry looks at the 1975 yearbook for Miscouche Regional High School, where he completed Grade 9 and 10 before moving on to Three Oaks Senior High School.
Landry grew up in Miscouche. When he was in Grade 5, his family moved to Lahr, Germany. After moving back to P.E.I. for high school, he left the Island again to move to Moncton N.B. for his first job with Zellers. This is also where he met his wife Claudette.
He bounced around to nine different locations with the Canadian retail giant.
“I did 23 years with Zellers and then left Zellers to join Canadian Tire hoping to get back to Summerside some day,” he explained.
In 2002, Claude and Claudette decided to join the Canadian Tire team, working their way up, so they would one day be able to own their own store. They accomplished their goal.
“Being in retail I was always impressed with the success of Canadian Tire retail stores,” said Landry.
“With Canadian Tire you have to build your way up to a certain volume store before you can get this type of store, so that’s what I kept doing with my career … wait(ing) for this store to open up.
“Glen Puchniac, the previous owner, was here for over 10 years, so every time I talked to him I’m like, ‘When are you moving? When are you moving?’ because this was the store I always wanted to come back to.”
That day finally came on Feb. 19, when Landry took over ownership of the Summerside location.
“I‘m super excited, and still excited, we’ve been here now since Feb. 19, so for weeks I haven’t stopped smiling.”
Landry is excited to be back in Summerside, catching up with old friends, and planning for the future.
“I’ve always wanted to come back. The plans are to retire on P.E.I.”
