Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers, centre, cut a ribbon Tuesday to open the new downtown Station Auto & Lube in the old Firehall #1 building, with business owners Moe Ahmad, left, and Darryl Sims welcoming guests and customers. Geoff Lee Meridian Source
Downtown redevelopment got a boost during small business week with the opening of Station Auto & Lube in the repurposed Fire Hall #1 building.
Business partners, Moe Ahmad and Darryl Sims invited Mayor Gerald Aalbers and members of the Downtown Area Redevelopment Committee to a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“We are very thankful to the City of Lloydminster. They helped us on each and every step going through to start this business,” said Ahmad.
“Also I would like to thank the downtown committee members for encouraging a small business downtown.”
The new business located at 5013-49 Ave. has morphed into a full-service shop equipped with six service hoists and eight bays, offering everything from oil changes, tire changes and wheel alignments to repair diagnostics.
“We are specializing in Japanese and domestic vehicles, but we do carry original parts for all makes and models,” said Ahmad.
Sims worked as a technician for Silverwood Toyota in Lloyd for more than 15 years and says it was important to him and Ahmad to keep the name station with their business identity.
“The city has worked with us a lot trying to get this in. They’ve helped us with lots of things. We got the name passed,” said Sims who loves the location too.
“We can help all the people who work downtown. They can drop their vehicle off and they can walk back to work and we can serve all of their needs,” he said.
Sims says the old fire station was in good condition when they bought it which saved on renovation costs.
“We’ve got good floors in. It’s all covered concrete. We do not need to paint the floors, we painted all the walls, all new lighting, electrical,” he said.
“It looks good outside and with the city doing the improvements on 50 Street, it’s looking good.”
Aalbers says it’s exciting for the downtown to have a new business in a repurposed building.
Downtown Lloydminster recently got a boost with the opening of Beauty By Ayden, a new beautification, cosmetic and personal care business started by former model and Lloydminster resident Ayden Kosko.
“I’m doing esthetics right now, which includes lashes, facials, tinting, lash lifts, brow lamination, manicures, and a couple of other things to go along with that,” said the 20-year-old.
The official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Sept. 20 at Beauty By Ayden, located at 4616 44 St. above Trophy Gallery, with Mayor Gerald Aalbers doing the honours.
“The ribbon cutting was on Sept. 20, but I’ve been open since Sept. 6,” said Kosko.
“Business has been good since I opened; it’s been really exciting.”
Kosko has been involved in modelling and beauty pageants since she was 12. Having always been interested in the make-up and beauty side of things, she decided to take a leap of faith with her own business.
“This is something I’ve always really enjoyed doing and being able to open a business here is very special.”
