Longtime family businesses share St. Anne’s Road space

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/02/2017 (3484 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As a lifelong St. Vital resident, it amazes me how many people I run across who remain in or near the St. Vital area.

While there have been major changes to the area since I was young (we could start with the St. Vital Centre), some family-run St. Vital businesses have been around for a long time, too.

Two of them are now located in the same building. Southside Therapy Centre recently set up operations in 437 St. Anne’s Rd., which is also home to Borowski’s Health Shop & Day Spa.

Joe Borowski, a former NDP MLA, was a cabinet minister in Premier Ed Schreyer’s government. After politics, Joe opened the health food store and his daughter, Sandra, is the current owner. Granddaughter Jenny, who literally grew up in the store, also works in the business, which still thrives but is very different from when it began.

In addition to selling local and Canadian-made health food products, Borowski’s now offers day spa services such as reflexology, massage, foot detox… the list goes on. The surroundings are tranquil and satisfied long-term customers are abundant.

Borowski’s in itself is a nice story but about a year ago Southside Therapy Centre, another business with long-time St. Vital roots, moved into the location.

Southside is operated by lifetime St. Vital resident, Jaye Feener (née English), whom I remember from Dakota High School.

Over the years, we have reconnected on numerous occasions. Jaye was a host family for the Goldeyes when I was there. We also worked together on the Dakota Collegiate’s 50th anniversary and helped create the Ilchyna Scholarship Fund established in 2015.

Jaye has lived in St. Vital her entire life. She worked alongside her mom, Bette English, for many years and ran the business for 25 years on St. Mary’s Road near her old high school. Her daughter, Taryn, has also worked in the business.

She offers several services, including electrolysis and laser therapy to help customers quit smoking, lose weight and treat migraines, sciatica and sports injuries. Her number of long-time customers attest to her positive and gentle demeanour and the success of these treatments.

Jaye moved into the Borowski family business to continue working in a warm, family-friendly environment where her customers old and new love to come. She is very happy with her decision.

Two women who took over successful businesses from a parent is a nice story. The fact that both of them are in their 40th year in business is also worthy of note.

John Hindle is a community correspondent for St. Vital. Email him at john@johnhindle.com