Years ago, Darlene Hrechka took a look at the store front on the corner of Fairford and Main Street, and knew she wanted to run a business there.
“I really think it's the best location in town. It is prime real estate,” said Hrechka.
Hrechka and her husband were the owners and operators of Emerald Glass at the time, but the lure of a new venture drew Hrechka’s attention, so she took the plunge and made the ladies’ clothing boutique her own.
“The opportunity came and I thought it sounded like something I'd like to try,” said Hrechka. “When I took it over, I named it Gingerbread Square Ladies Boutique. It was April Fool's Day, and I remember my ad said, ‘I'm not fooling, I'm really opening.’”
It was hardly her first venture into clothing retail, as she had previously owned Hunter’s Menswear as well. In fact, Hrechka and her husband had a few ventures on their plate, but she made sure to give each business her due attention.
Between spending time at Hunter’s Menswear and Emerald Glass, Hrechka did all of the buying for Gingerbread Square — quality, Canadian-made merchandise, she is proud to say.
After closing Hunter’s Menswear and selling Emerald Glass about eight years ago, Hrechka devoted her time to Gingerbread Square.
“I was really happy to have Gingerbread Square because that gave me somewhere to go, and see still my customers and my friends,” said Hrechka.
Now, 15 years after opening, Hrechka is looking to retire, and Gingerbread Square will close with her. She is sad to once again put that prime storefront location up for grabs, but she feels like it’s time for her to take a step back.
“It's been a hard decision to make, but I've been here 15 years and I just think it's time,” said Hrechka. “I want to retire when I'm still healthy enough to enjoy life.”
The clothing boutique has occupied a corner of the Hammond Building for a number of years, which owner Darlene Hrechka feels is a fantastic location for business.“There really isn't a [clothing] store that caters to this age group,” said Hrechka. “It's a beautiful location. . . and I would like to see something else prosper here. It's been good to me.”
Hrechka has been a business owner here in Moose Jaw for more than 50 years and has also been deeply involved in the community. She credits her continuing success to her excellent staff and the support of her customers.
“The main thing is to give good service, quality clothing and keep up to date with what's happening out there,” said Hrechka. “The staff is so important. I've been very fortunate, because it's taken a lot of work off of me by having such good staff.”
Retirement, for Hrechka, will be filled with family and hopefully some travelling, although she does think she will miss being at Gingerbread Square each day.
“I know I'll continue to be busy. I kind of think of my life as a book and it's a very full book, and this is just closing up the chapter. It isn't the end,” said Hrechka. “I'm not even sure what I am going to do to fill my time, but I know I will miss it.”
She has not chosen a concrete date to close her doors, but she is hoping to be finished by the end of December — or, whenever her stock runs out. Her closing out sale is going on now, and she’s hoping to clear her inventory by the end of the year.
Hrechka had one final thing to say to Moose Jaw, after so many years as a business owner.
“I've always had believed in Moose Jaw and Moose Jaw's people,” said Hrechka. “I'd just like to thank all my customers for their patronage. They've been very faithful and I've made some good friends as customers, and I want to thank my staff.”
