Bredy’s Country Store has served Eatonia for 30 years

By Joan Janzen

EATONIA - After thirty years of faithfully serving their community, Joanne and Dale Bredy are beginning a new chapter. This month’s closing out sale at Bredy’s Country Store was met with a mix of sadness and excitement for the couple’s future years.

“It’s pretty emotional,” Joanne admitted. If the walls of Bredy’s Country Store could talk, there would be many stories to tell. Every antique they had collected through the years seemed to have a corresponding story.

Dale, Joanne, and their family opened Bredy’s Country Store in 1995. They have served their customers in Eatonia and the area for 30 years and will be dearly missed.

The couple is thankful for all the support they’ve received over the past years. Now their store, which they have owned and operated since 1995, is flanked by a realtor’s sign and closing out sign.

Dale manned the butcher shop, and Joanne provided sumptuous baking. They also provided a lottery service, groceries, catering, lunch specials, frozen meals, fresh produce, and a liquor service for 27 years.

In addition to running the store, Dale has driven school bus since 1982. When I asked when they find time to sleep, she admitted they “sleep well, and they sleep hard.”

“You put a lot of sweat and tears into your family business,” a local resident posted. Their heartfelt service was provided seven days a week.

The comments continued to pour in. “You will be missed by everyone; you were the main hub for Eatonia,” a former employee noted.

Joanne said they have had so many employees throughout the years. One lady worked for them well into her 70s and still comes for coffee. Although their customers will miss coming to the store, Joanne and Dale will also miss serving their friends.

“It’s a wonderful store and a great family,” someone else added. A long-time resident recalled how excited Dale and Joanne had been when they first opened the store thirty years ago.

The list of homemade food and fresh meat offered at Bredy’s Country Store is extensive. It includes their famous jerky, freshly cut ribeye steaks, smoked sausage, homemade burgers, pork tenderloin, pork ribs and sliced roast from Dale’s butcher shop. Meanwhile, Joanne was baking daily, making homemade pizza, chili, soup, pork bites, spaghetti pie, cabbage rolls, lasagna, meatloaf, muffins, pies, cakes and cheesecake.

A repeated comment heard was: “You make the best food! Your lasagna is amazing!”

“We are honoured to be part of such a caring community,” Joanne said. And the community has been more than honoured to have enjoyed the services they have provided throughout three decades.

“At least now you can release that jerky recipe,” someone quipped. However, Joanne and Dale said the orders for their famous jerky just don’t stop coming in from as far as Medicine Hat, so they plan to sell it online, along with their antiques. It looks like their secret recipe will continue to remain a secret.

Although their jerky, lasagna and other products have become famous, it’s more than evident that it’s Dale and Joanne who have made Bredy’s Country Store such a popular hub in the town of Eatonia.

Dale, Joanne, and their family opened Bredy’s Country Store in 1995. They have served their customers in Eatonia and the area for 30 years and will be dearly missed.