Q. How long have you been in this industry?
Elaine Forsyth: We both started when we were about 15 years old. Brad started in Brandon and I started at the Dairy Queen here in Swan River. We both worked at various businesses.
Brad Forsyth: I used to work at a restaurant on the highway in Brandon, Harry’s Ukrainian Kitchen.
EF: We moved to Flin Flon in 1991 and worked there at the Victoria Inn for just over seven years. Then, we moved here and started here June 1, 1996.
Q. What do you like about working in and running the Timberland?
EF: The people and the staff are like family.
BF: Running bars, room and restaurants and overseeing all of that is a lot of work. This is more fun, working with young people.
We know everybody that walks in the door. Some people give you a wave and some people give you the finger, but it’s a small community and it’s all fun. We have so many regulars, seeing the same faces twice, three times a day.
Q. What were some of the challenges in running this business?
EF: COVID was the biggest one, as well as prices and inflation.
BF: Since COVID, meats are up at least five percent. When we were selling a box of chickens from the freezer, we were selling them for about $48 and made about eight or nine dollars. Now that same box costs me $57.
Another challenge was the maintenance of the building. When we bought it, it wasn’t in great shape. We’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years.
EF: Finding staff can be challenging as well during certain times of the year, such as when the students go back to university.
BF: And, that affected us especially during COVID because usually we have a couple of high school students that could bring their friends, but nobody was going to school and we couldn’t pick up any extra people. A staff of 35 turned into 15.
EF: When we made it through COVID, that was also a staffing challenge because we were instantly busy, sales coming back almost instantly.
Q. What will you miss about running the Timberland in your retirement?
EF: All of the regular customers and staff. They’re family.
BF: Lots have been around long enough to see them have children and bring their babies in. Everyone starts at the Timberland when they’re about four months old.
Q. What are some highlights of the last 24 years?
EF: I think it’s rewarding daily to see people so happy and thankful.
Q. What are your plans in retirement?
EF: Haven’t made many plans yet. We’ll definitely do some travelling. Eventually we’ll probably get some part-time jobs.
BF: I’ll get to see some of my grandchildren.
Q. Anything else you’d like to add?
EF: We’re thankful for the community support. We’ve been very fortunate.
BF: It’s nice to see how many regulars come back here all the time.
EF: And staff too. Many started when they were in high school and they still come back for summer when they go off to university or work a little on the weekend if they have a different job.
BF: They have fun together. It’s a fun place to work.
Q. Switching gears to you Ramandeep, are you new to the community? Where did you come from?
Ramandeep Singh: Yes, originally I’m from India and I came to Canada in 2015. I started studying here. Post-graduation, I moved to Thompson and started working in the hotel. I’ve been running that hotel for the last five years.
I decided I wanted my own business, so that’s how I found Brad.
Q. Do you have any plans for changes to make this place your own?
RS: Right now, I’m just learning things, so maybe down the line I will put my things in, especially with the hotel. I think the restaurant is running great. Brad is here to help me with that. The hotel part, I have another friend coming in so we’ll start looking at that later down the line.
Q. What’s your family like?
RS: I brought my family to Canada this year only. Right now they are in Ontario. They will join me soon this month whenever I get settled here. I have a wife and 10 year old son.
Q. Anything you’d like to say to your new customers and community?
RS: I’m looking forward to building my relationship with the community, for the best.
