On Friday October 4, Janzen’s Paint and Decorating and the community celebrated the grand opening of their original location in Winkler, a major milestone after the devastating fire that reduced the building to ashes in February 2023. The business which had been operating out of a temporary location since the fire, has now returned to a new and improved building at its original site.
Founded by Doug Janzen in 1992, Janzen’s grew into a five-store chain across Manitoba. Today, under the leadership of Doug’s widow, Constance, and General Manager Sandy Demke, the company continues to move forward despite significant setbacks, including Doug’s passing in 2021 and another fire at their Steinbach location in 2022.
Reflecting on the grand opening, Sandy Demke shared, “This day means so much to us. I think Doug would be very proud of what we’ve accomplished. We’ve worked every day since the fire, and it’s amazing to see where we are now.”
A year of perseverance
After the fire destroyed the original Winkler location in 2023, Janzen’s continued operations out of a temporary space generously offered by Rempel Excavating. During this challenging period, the staff showed incredible resilience. “Every day, our team came in and found ways to keep the business running. We leaned on each other and the support of our community,” Demke explained. The company even expanded their temporary setup across the street during the Christmas season to meet customer needs.
The reopening of the original site marks a significant return to normalcy for Janzen’s Paint and Decorating, and Demke emphasized the importance of community support throughout the process. “This is an amazing community. It’s not just Winkler, but the surrounding areas that have rallied around us. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to rebuild,” she said.
Mayor Siemens praises resilience
Winkler Mayor Henry Siemens, who was in attendance, expressed admiration for the perseverance shown by Janzen’s. “This business went through unimaginable tragedy, not just once but three times. They lost Doug, their Steinbach location, and this store, yet they never gave up,” Siemens said. “Now, they’re back with this beautiful building that will serve the community for many years. Their resilience reflects the spirit of Winkler, and we are so proud to have them back at their original location.”
A fresh start with improved functionality
While the new building sits on the same site, the layout has been designed for better functionality. Demke noted, “Everyone thinks it’s bigger, but it’s actually 1,000 square feet smaller. The retail space is the same, but the warehouse is much more efficient. We’ve learned a lot from the challenges we faced before.” She also reflected on how they kept Doug Janzen’s legacy at the forefront of their rebuilding efforts, saying, “I always ask myself, ‘What would Doug do?’ and that’s been our guiding principle throughout this process.”
The store remains true to its roots as more than just a paint store. With a wide selection of hobbies, games, RC cars, and Lego, Janzen’s offers something for everyone. “It’s incredible how much Lego we sell now,” Demke noted with a smile.
Looking forward
With their original location opened and a new chapter beginning, Janzen’s Paint and Decorating is ready to serve the Winkler community for years to come. Their journey of recovery stands as a powerful testament to the strength of both local businesses and the communities that support them.
“This business shows the type of community Winkler is,” Siemens said in closing. “We persevere, we strive, and we work forward. We are so proud to have Janzen’s Paint and Decorating back where they belong.”
Janzen’s Paint and Decorating is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.