Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 34

2015 ERA AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

INDEPENDENT RETAIL AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR

AWA R D S P O N SO R

RIDING HIGH

Vancouver BC retailer, Paul Dragan, honoured with the 2015
Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year Award
BY SEAN C. TARRY
LAST summer, Paul Dragan, owner of Reckless
Bike Stores in Vancouver, BC, made national
headlines when he was near-fatally shot on
the sidewalk outside his store. As a result of
the shooting, Dragan lost almost 80 per cent
of his blood volume and flat-lined twice during transport to the trauma unit. In short, it's a
miracle that he's still alive.
"I'm lucky," says Dragan. "But, I feel even more
blessed to have the support of the amazing community that I'm involved in."
His story is a testament to how loved Dragan
is in his Yaletown community, which rallied
around him after the shooting, hosting a community ride and a barbecue in a show of support. In lieu of donations collected for Dragan, Paul Dragan, owner of Reckless Bike Stores and Stephen Mandzak, VP of
those at the barbecue were asked to sign up to relationship management service, Chase Paymentech Solutions.
donate blood, in recognition of the blood that
was donated to save the retailer's life.
"Paul's involvement in local initiatives and events
It's a story that exemplifies the close relationship that independent retailers enjoy with the demonstrates real leadership. He truly is an ambascommunities that they serve, something that sador and we've seen firsthand how his community
Dragan has always taken very seriously since appreciates his dedication and passion for both the
he opened his first store nearly 30 years ago.
retail industry and community as a whole."
It was just after completing hwigh school
when Dragan decided to spend some time cyc- DIANE J. BRISEBOIS, Retail Council of Canada
ling in Europe. The trip opened his eyes to a
career in the bike business, and he started selling tires out of contributions of a local independent retailer to
the trunk of his car in Atlantic Canada. Shortly after, he moved his or her community. And there isn't a more
to Vancouver where he worked at a cycling store. And in 1t986, deserving recipient than Dragan and Reckless
he opened the original Reckless location on Fir Street. Today in Bike Stores.
Vancouver, the company's three stores continue the tradition of
Dragan and his store are involved in severexceptional service and quality work.
al local organizations and events such as The
"Our mission is to bring cycling to people who aren't enthusi- Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition, Slow Food
asts," says Dragan.
Ride, fundraising rides to fight cancer and the
In addition to the impressive selection of brands offered, in- Rotary Bike-A-Thon for the hearing impaired.
cluding DeVinci, Brodie, Raleigh and Marin, Reckless has also
"Paul's involvement in local initiatives and
been designing and building its own bicycles since 1990, al- events demonstrates real leadership. He truly
lowing the company to sell a "made in Vancouver" transporta- is an ambassador and we've seen firsthand
tion solution.
how his community appreciates his dedication
The Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year Award, and passion for both the retail industry and
sponsored by Chase Paymentech, recognizes the outstanding community as a whole," said Brisebois.

34 |

CANADIAN RETAILER | STORE 2015



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Retailer - Store 2015

Publisher's Desk
Retail Currents
Under the Banner
Success Starts Everywhere
Technology, the Economy and Cyber-Crime: Harnessing Disruption
Top 5 Takeaways From Store 2015
Honouring Retail Leaders
ERA 2015—the Best of the Best
Top Grocery Rookies Showcase Hunger for Innovation
Advertiser's Index
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - cover1
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - cover2
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 3
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - Publisher's Desk
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 5
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - Retail Currents
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 7
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 8
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 9
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - Under the Banner
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 11
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - Success Starts Everywhere
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 13
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 14
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 15
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 16
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 17
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - Technology, the Economy and Cyber-Crime: Harnessing Disruption
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 19
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 20
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 21
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 22
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 23
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 24
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 25
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - Top 5 Takeaways From Store 2015
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 27
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 28
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 29
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - Honouring Retail Leaders
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 31
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 32
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 33
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 34
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 35
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 36
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 37
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 38
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - ERA 2015—the Best of the Best
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 40
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 41
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 42
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 43
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - Top Grocery Rookies Showcase Hunger for Innovation
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 45
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 46
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 47
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 48
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 49
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 50
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 51
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 52
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 53
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - Advertiser's Index
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - cover3
Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - cover4
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