NB Day Merit Award Presented to Louis & Roberta George

Fredericton, NB (August 9, 2010) – Long time Downtown Fredericton merchants, Louis and Roberta George have been recognized with a 2010 NB Day Merit Award in the Business category for their years of service to the business community.

“The GE George store has been in Downtown Fredericton since 1916. Louis has run the store for almost 60 years and Roberta has helped since 1973,” said City of Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside. “That kind of commitment and dedication to business deserves recognition, especially as the Georges retire.”

“Quality service and support to others is exactly what the NB Day Merit Awards are intended to recognize,” said Hon. Rick Miles, Minister of Environment and MLA for Fredericton-Silverwood. “Over the years, Louis and Roberta have definitely contributed to the growth and development of Fredericton.”

Louis George was born on Oct. 17, 1930 in the apartment above his father’s dry goods store on Queen Street. He was the oldest son of George E. and Isabel George's seven children. His father, a Lebanese immigrant, opened the store in 1916 on the north side, moving it to its present location in 1926.

Louis learned how to run the store and buy inventory at his father’s side. He was 13 when he first sat down to negotiate a contract with a supplier. He took over the store in 1951 when he was 20 years old, after the death of his father.

Louis met Roberta Tims when he was 42. They married on September 1, 1973 and Roberta George started working at the store, helping with the books and other responsibilities. Louis credits her support with helping him keep the store running so long. Roberta is a long time supporter of the SPCA.

Louis often vouched for people hunting for jobs, lent a hand to local struggling merchants and helped less fortunate families. Donating food, clothing, footwear and even providing people with a place to live were things he did willingly without any expectations of something in return.

The George's Clothing and Footwear store closed for good on June 26, 2010. About $20,000 worth of unsold merchandise went to charity, with 1,800 pairs of shoes going to Haiti. Shoes also went to the Fredericton Anti-Poverty Organization and Salvation Army.