960 Richmond St.
Chatham - ON N7M 5K6
Tel: (519) 354-4470
Fax: (519) 354-4791
Cell: (519) 401-5351
Owner: Pat Patrick
.MONDAY to FRIDAY
6 A.M. - 3 P.M.
SATURDAY
6 A.M. - 12 P.M
About US
How it Began:
In 1915 Peter and Renee Prodenchuk emigrated to Canada from Ukraine, through Austria, together with their seven (7) children. Having come from a farming background, Peter did what he knew best and opened a produce and general store in Sault Ste. Marie.
Two of their boys, in search of their own work, hopped a freight car in 1919 heading south. Dan stopped in Kitchener where by 1925 he was able to open a produce and general store of his own. John continued onto the Chatham area, where at age 17 he farmed and by 1924 began his own business operated off his first truck which donned “John Prodenchuk Farm Produce” on the door.
Soon after, John married Lena Spargalo of Jeanette’s creek, whom he had met through farming and marketing of his produce. Together they farmed land on Park Avenue West in Chatham andcontinued to sell produce out of their truck. In 1930, their first and only son William (Billy) Walter Prodenchuk was born. Billy grew to know the meaning of hard work while he laboured alongside his parents on the farm.
It is our mission to provide the highest quality freshest produce to our wholesale and retail customers while building strong long term relationships with farmers by stocking locally grown produce first, whenever possible, and only the safest and best imported produce when necessary. Superior customer service through no compromise food safety policies and procedures, and competitive pricing based on long standing family business traditions form the foundation of our mission. Dignity for the employees who hold this mission dear through fair wages and respectful working conditions. Conducting business in a gainful manner permitting our company to function as a productive part of our community, with the ability to give back has been, and always will be the long term goal of our mission.
Mission statement
Decades of Growth:
In 1948, John’s first store front was on Market Square, operated by John, Lena and Billy. The following year Billy married Ida Haines of Chatham and together they had eight (8) children. Billy decided he wanted to work toward taking over the family business. In 1950, John opened a general store on Park Ave West next to their family home and then on August 11th, 1951 Billysecured a loan for $1,500, purchased his father’s pick- up truck and took over the family business on Market Square. John continued to operate his general store for nine years until his retirement at age 57.
In 1961, Billy decided to move his operation to Jahnke Street and again because the business had grown, he moved in 1967 to the former CP Rail warehouse on Richmond Street, located between Raleigh and West Street. Here he operated his business for almost 25 years.
In 1992 Billy decided to purchase the current location at 960 Richmond St.
The Beginning
The Tradition Continues...
Over the years, Pat Patrick, husband of Billy’s daughter Jennifer had assisted in operating Billy Prodenchuk Produce and then in 2006 he and Chris Brady, husband to Billy’s daughter Sherry took over running of the business to assist Billy as he moved into full retirement.
Billy passed away in October of 2012, at which time, Pat and Jennifer purchased the family business. Pat runs the operation and he continues to run it the way he hopes Billy would have liked. “Service and Quality are key to this business,” says Pat, “it’s the only way we compete”. Pat makes himself available day or night for his customers, the same way Billy and John did with their customers.