When you think of iconic Prince George landmarks – Mr. PG, the Nechako River cutbanks, the CN Rail Bridge - there’s one other prominent object that has stood the test of time.
It’s the horse in the sky at Spruce Capital Feeds.
For the better part of 50 years, that trusty steed has been drawing customers to the store on Quinn Street where they can buy livestock feed, tack equipment, farm fencing, seeds, fertilizers, pet food, jewelry, workwear, Western wear and cowboy boots.
Aside from a few new product lines, what they sell won’t change now the store has been purchased by Four Rivers Co-op, and the horse that stands high atop a pole at the front of the store is not going anywhere.
“Yes, we are committed to keeping the horse in the sky,” said Four Rivers Co-operative CEO Allan Bieganski, from his office in Vanderhoof. “Everybody knows where it is.
“We’re going to have the same great staff, same great selection, same great pricing, the only thing that changes is it’ll be owned by Four Rivers Co-op."
Greg Parker, who currently owns the store in partnership with his wife Velma and Harold Giesbrecht, says the horse likely dates back to the early days of Spruce Capital Feeds, which was started by the Short family.
“The horse in the sky on our advertising started when we were doing a radio remote (broadcast) probably 28 years ago and Randy Seabrook from CKPG, who is now retired, said, ‘Just come and look for the horse in the sky,’ and from that day on it stuck,” said Parker
The Parkers will stay on as managers of the store, which has 14 employees, all of whom have agreed to job offers from the new owners.
Four Rivers Co-op takes over the store on Jan. 5.
