Manleys Basics celebrates 125 years with a historic find and community celebration

Sarnia's long-standing business, Manleys Basics, is celebrating a significant milestone: its 125th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the company is hosting a public celebration on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at […]

Sarnia's long-standing business, Manleys Basics, is celebrating a significant milestone: its 125th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the company is hosting a public celebration on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at its location at 152 Kendall Street, Point Edward.

The event will run from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will feature complimentary hamburgers, hot dogs, and refreshments, as well as exclusive in-store specials. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to commemorate the historic moment. The company, which has been a part of the Sarnia Lambton community since 1900, is inviting customers, partners, and friends to join in the festivities. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by September 15 to [email protected].

The celebration comes on the heels of a remarkable discovery at the store. While searching through the rafters, Carolyn Leaver-Luciani, a third-generation owner, found a "treasure trove" of dusty photo albums and memorabilia. The collection, carefully preserved by her great-uncle Fred Leaver, serves as a time capsule spanning over a century of local history. The artifacts include photos of the 1953 Sarnia tornado, wartime gas stamps, and invoices dating back to the early 1900s.

The find highlights the company's deep roots in the community and its growth alongside Sarnia Lambton. Some of the discovered photos, including those of the tornado aftermath, are being shared with the Sarnia Historical Society, while others are being posted on the company's Facebook page.

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