About
About Trek 2000 Corporation
Trek 2000 Corporation is a holding company that was formed in 1986, when Gord and Maureen Haddock brought The Body Shop® franchise to Saskatchewan. Prior to this, Gord and Maureen had owned several businesses, both franchise and independent.
The Body Shop® experience was unique because entrepreneurial thinking was encouraged within franchise limits. For twenty years, Trek 2000 Corporation pioneered ideas here in Saskatchewan. The Body Shop at Home, a home party concept, was one such project. The Haddocks also developed and tested products like the popular Saskatoon Berry Pie range.
During their two decades with The Body Shop, Gord and Maureen also pursued other business endeavours. They developed a souvenir company, owned the Saskatoon franchise for Roots Canada, and became partners in the development of The Belly Button Buddies™, which led them to create an entertainment division. Towards the end of their time with The Body Shop, they brought lululemon athletica® to Saskatoon.
Gord and Maureen began their journey away from retail In April of 2006 when they parted ways with The Body Shop Canada. In the summer of 2010, Lululemon athletica® chose to remain a corporate company, and Trek 2000 Corporation sold its franchise back to the parent company. Maureen and Gord said farewell to retail after decades in the field. Trek continues to engage in the development of land and buildings.
Gord and Maureen are passionate about the entrepreneurial way of life and enjoy supporting young people with interests like their own. For years, they have awarded a scholarship to an entrepreneurial student at the University of Saskatchewan, Edwards School of Business. Maureen and Gordon have also established a scholarship in the College of Education. They believe the best way to make the world a better place is to help people reach their full potential.
John Haddock graduated from pharmacy at the U of S in 1938. He went to Montreal to find work. There, he met and married Marjorie Fredricks. The Haddocks moved to John's hometown of Rosetown SK in 1951, to open Rosetown Pharmacy. This store provided Gordon with many of his first business lessons.
Photo1951Gordon Haddock's father, John, owned and operated his own pharmacy, which he opened in the early fifties. By the time Gordon was six, he worked in the store. He washed windows, took out garbage, and dusted shelves. The jobs he was given grew more complex as he aged. It was a good place for a young boy to learn business basics.
Photo1951In 1972, Ralph and Gord started booking bands and decided to sell instruments and accessories at fair prices. Their journey led to many memorable moments, including working with local bands like Old Scratch. Gord sold his share to Ralph in 1976, and Ralph expanded the business, wisely purchasing a building for H.E.L. on Broadway Avenue. Over the years, H.E.L. gained recognition, even making the cover of Canadian Music Trade Magazine in 1995. When Ralph sold the building and retired, Gord was there to celebrate, marking decades of friendship and music industry success.
Photo1972-1976In the mid-1970s, Gordon Haddock and his brother, Roy, were delighted to rename and relocate the family drug store into the larger corner building. A couple years later they renovated, adding an extension to one side of the building. Their father, John, worked every day in the new pharmacy. He worked the day before he died, in June of 1980.
Photo1977Gordon enjoyed creating promotions and ads for Haddock Drug Mart. He built this jail himself. He and his brother participated, enthusiastically, in Rosetown's Jamboree days, and this seemed to be a fitting promotion for their wild west theme.
Photo1977In the mid-seventies, Gordon and his brother Roy opened a Captain Scott's Fish and Chips store, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was an immediate success, but soon circumstances beyond Gord and Roy's control led to a rather large financial loss. As Gordon says, "Always expect the unexpected."
Photo1978Captain Scott's was Gordon's first Franchise experience. All that remains of this experience is a size 2 tee shirt that belonged to Gordon and Maureen's first daughter, Michelle. It is known as their $150,000 shirt, and they still have it.
Photo1978The opening of Haddock Drug Mart in the Kindersley Shopping Centre was exciting and busy. Preparations had gone on until four am. After Marjorie Haddock, mother to Gord and Roy Haddock, had cut the ribbon, Kindersley Mayor Norm Ritchie said a few welcoming words. Royal Bank representative Bill Reynolds shook hands with everyone. Then it was time for the entire Haddock family to get to work. Guests from Rosetown, Kindersley, and many surrounding communities were ready to shop.
Photo1983This building was the home of the original Rosetown Pharmacy. A card and gift store seemed like a perfect business for the tiny building. It was located a few doors north of the new, and, much larger, Haddock Drug Mart.
Photo1986In May 1987, Gordon and Maureen opened The Body Shop in Midtown Plaza, occupying a small 400-square-foot space. Despite the size, it became a hit, with long lines forming during the Christmas season. In 1988, a kiosk was added to help with the crowds, and by January 1989, the store expanded. The team was passionate about community involvement and The Body Shop’s campaigns.
Photo1987The first kiosk for The Body Shop Saskatchewan was built for Midtown Plaza, in 1988, to alleviate the Christmas lineups at The Body Shop store. It also enabled a smooth expansion of the tiny store, into the empty stall which had, previously, been The Awl Shop.
Photo1988The Body Shop opened in Southland Mall in Regina, SK on September 30, 1989.
Photo1989The Body Shop kiosk in Cornwall Centre in Regina operated as a store until a space to build a shop could be attained. This efficient and large kiosk was designed and built by the talented Ritz family from Rosetown, Saskatchewan.
PhotoGordon Haddock is dressed as Super BS Man, a character he developed and took very seriously. This event was to celebrate the Body Shop Saskatchwan's 10th anniversary.
PhotoTwo months after opening The Body Shop in Southland Mall in Regina, the Haddocks opened The Body Shop in Cornwall Centre. Mall management initiated this tight schedule, which, although undesirable, was accomplished thanks to the Ritz family, who built all the Haddocks' stores. Gord sent Maureen flowers on opening day with a note saying, "I'll be home for Christmas."
Photo1989We created a delivery system for The Body Shop during the 90s, but the service was short-lived. Logan Wilson did a great job delivering the few orders we received. We were sure we had thought of everything, but this idea bombed. The Haddock's cherished 1968 Chrysler 300, which was their ride to grade twelve graduation, received damage from a big truck, bearing a winch on its back end. The impact took a chunk out of the grill of the Chrysler and did some hood damage. That, coupled with very few requests for delivery, ended the project.
Photo1990'sThe Body Shop at the Centre at Circle and Eighth opened in October 1992 after a six-year search for a location. Two months later, Margo Franssen, The Body Shop Canada's head franchisee, visited Saskatchewan, toured all four stores, and volunteered with staff on community projects. She particularly enjoyed the endangered species promotion.
Photo1992Roots Canada approached Gord and Maureen in 1994, asking them to open a franchise operation in Saskatoon. The existing Roots store had been on the second floor of Midtown Plaza. The upstairs store was dismantled, and work began in October 1995 on a new store directly across from The Body Shop.
Photo1994/95The first lululemon store in Saskatchewan opened in May 2003 at Lawson Heights Mall, at a time when there were only a few lululemon stores and none in malls. The brand was unfamiliar to Saskatoon customers, so the store offered yoga and Pilates classes, alongside radio ads to build curiosity. A year later, the store relocated to Second Avenue.
Photo2003Trek 2000 Corporation parted ways with The Body Shop Canada in 2006. A huge warehouse sale of TBS products brought shoppers from across the province, and people still remember it today.
Photo2006Mary Harelkin Bishop has written five books about the tunnels of Moosejaw. Trek Publishing published the fifth one in the series, titled Next Stop - Chicago.
Photo2007Lululemon’s third location was 21st Street, near Midtown Plaza. Trek 2000 Corporation sold the store back to the parent company in 2010, marking the end of their involvement in retail.
Photo2010It was with heavy hearts that we announced the passing of our partner Rob Wurzer on Novmber 4, 2016. A celebration of Rob's life was held on November 11, 2016, which was also Rob's birthday. He would have been 58. The celebration was live-streamed and had more views than anything previously live-streamed from TVTruck. It was wonderful to know that our television partners in Birmingham were with us during this celebration.
Photo2016This timeline shares just a glimpse of the experiences that have shaped Trek 2000. From bold ideas to lasting partnerships, our story continues. Click the button below to explore our past and present businesses.
Explore past and present businessesGord and Maureen are passionate about the entrepreneurial way of life. For years, they have given a scholarship to an entrepreneurial student in the College of Commerce. More recently, Maureen and Gordon have set up a scholarship in Education. They enjoy supporting young people with interests similar to their own. They believe the best way to make the world a better place is to help people develop to their full potential.
Trek 2000 Corporation
We believe in working hard, having fun, making money, and doing good things.