Northern Hardware and Furniture and Co. officially said 'goodbye' to the community this past Saturday (Feb. 22), shutting its doors after 100 years of business.
Today (Feb. 25), one of the store's most iconic figures, and perhaps in Prince George, was taken to his new home.
Champ took his last lap around the Northern Hardware store this morning (Feb. 25) as he was loaded into a moving truck to be moved to the Exploration Place, where he will be one of more than 100 artifacts given to the Museum and Science Centre.
But don't worry, he will still be rideable.
“Champ has a unique story and we are excited to be part of it,” Exploration Place Curator Alyssa Leier said, “Just because Champ is coming to The Exploration Place, doesn’t mean that families will not be able to continue to make new memories with him. Once we do a full assessment of condition and mechanics, we will determine how we can best protect him and allow the public to continue to enjoy him.”
The Moffat family approached Exploration Place and donated Champ along with artifacts and boxes of historical photos to the museum.
“Our community museum is the home to many of our collective treasures and Champ certainly qualifies,” said Tracy Calogheros, CEO of the Exploration Place.
“Connecting to our past, sharing stories today and looking to the future together is the highest and best purpose for a facility like the Exploration Place; creating that sense of place that is Prince George and region.”
He is safe + sound in the #ExPlace vault. #ChampTheHorse will be back to visit with the community as soon as his check up is complete! Stay tuned + a big thank you to Bowmac Truck Rentals for the loan of a truck to transport this community treasure. #cityofpg pic.twitter.com/nogrUio4eW
— Exploration Place (@ExplorationPG) February 25, 2020
Another Prince George company, Bow Mac Truck Rental, also stepped up and donated a truck to help move Champ and other articles that needed assistance being taken away.
“We will go over Champ with a fine-tooth comb and see what shape the mechanical workings are in,” John Calogheros, Facility Manager at the Exploration Place added.
“I haven’t had a chance to look at the workings yet, you’ll have to check back with me later for an update.”
A temporary exhibit will also be on display in 2021, focusing on the history and impact of Northern Hardware in the Prince George community.
Northern Hardware and Furniture Co. announced this past November they would be closing permanently.
The business was founded in 1919 when Alex Moffat and Frank Witmore bought out the Northern Lumber Company on George Street.
In 1940, the store then moved to its current location on Third Avenue.
The store was operated by the Moffat family, including former Prince George Mayor Harold Moffat (1969-1979).
"I want to say thank you [to Prince George]," President of Northern Hardware Kelly Green said on Feb. 22.
"This provided an amazing life for me and it provided work for my dad and my grandpa, lots of generations. It also has provided retail for many generations of Prince George residents and the community has been amazing to us. Just, thank you."
