Two long-time Gibsons businesses are celebrating decades of service to the Sunshine Coast community this week.
Len Wrays Moving and Storage has been moving Coasters and storing their belongings for 50 years, while Gibsons Building Supplies had its start in Gibsons 70 years ago.
Len Wrays was started in 1967 out of Len Wray’s dining room, where his wife and children helped answer calls, packed items to be moved and provided cleaning services.
Their original storage facilities were in several locations in Gibsons and housed an assortment of items including, temporarily, an elephant that appeared in The Beachcombers TV series.
In 1973 Len Wrays made its way to its current location on Gibsons Way where it has stood ever since.
Gibsons Building Supplies was launched in 1946 when Dick Fitchett and Arthur Hill started barging building materials to the Coast. People took notice and wanted some space on the barge for their own items, which gave Fitchett and Hill the idea for a storefront.
They built a small shed on Seaview Road in Gibsons Landing and hung their first Gibsons Building Supplies sign over the door.
Over the years the business grew, and in 1971 it was moved to its current location on Gibsons Way. In 1984 a second location was opened on Wharf Street in Sechelt to serve the community in that area.
With 70 years of service under their belt, Gibsons Building Supplies plans to celebrate the milestone at both the Gibsons and Sechelt locations on Saturday, June 3 with food and refreshments from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., prizes and 10 per cent off non-delivery purchases.
