   Through the many changes that have taken place over the last century, Leggett's has remained a solid and reliable pillar in this community.
   Len Leggett notes that although the business actually began in a neighboring community; it was after the move to Kipling that his family's business really began to thrive.
   "Fred Leggett, my Grandfather, had the store in Bender. My dad Cal was born in Bender in 1910. But in 1917, my Grandpa bought the General Store in Kipling (that is now the Home Hardware Store) from Dermody Brothers. He sold his interests in Bender, and they moved here. So, Leggett's has actually been in business right here in Kipling for 100 years!"
   As the community and the Leggett family grew, so did the business.
   "My Dad, Cal Leggett and his brother Rip both grew up and went to school here in Kipling and Regina. Uncle Rip Leggett eventually took over and was running the grocery store that my Grandfather had bought. Dad ran a store that our family owned in Inchkeith for a while. Then, he came back to Kipling and operated the Hardware Store that was purchased from Bill Smith right across the street."
   In 1964, Cal and Rip Leggett decided to bring their two businesses together into one location. Len notes that the move foreshadowed a trend that many other businesses would follow years later.
   "The building that is now Leggett's Grocery Store was built beside the original store in 1964. At the same time, the 'breezeway' was built that linked the two buildings together. All of the merchandise that had been in our original store and including groceries dry goods and even clothing ñ were moved over to the new Solo Store. And all of the Hardware was moved into the original store. So, this really became a place where people could find 'one-stop shopping'!î
Shopping at the store was an important part of the social life of the community.
   As Len notes: "In the early years, we were open late on Saturday nights. There were a lot of people who were only able to come in that one day per week. This was especially true for farmer's wives. Their husbands were busy on the farm throughout most of the week, and a lot of the women didn't drive. Saturday night was their only chance to come in and shop. And, there were also people that came in on Saturdays to go to the show. So, they would do their shopping on Saturday night as well. In order to let people do their shopping, Leggett's would stay open late. For a while, the store was actually open until midnight! Later on, it stayed open until 9 pm."
   Ron and Joan returned home in the mid 1960s and joined dad in the hardware side of the business.
    Len and Marilyn (Doka) Leggett were married in 1970 and worked with Rip in the grocery side of the business. Both Ron and Len, over the years growing up, worked in the business.
   In 1978 Ron and Joan and Len and Marilyn bought the business from Cal and Marg, Rip and Ethel and continued on undergoing many changes to the business that followed, over the years with each of their children working in the family business as well.
   Over the years, Len says that the family worked hard to adapt their business to the changes that took place; even incorporating innovations such as on-line shopping into their operation.
   "On-line shopping has never been a part of the grocery side of the business. But, it has certainly become a part of the Home Hardware side. Customers are able to order their merchandise on-line, and come right here to our store in Kipling to pick it up."
   Len and Marilyn were glad to have the opportunity to continue running the business as a family, although the couple admit that there were challenges.
   "We were busy," Marilyn remembers. "I was the one that usually went to the hockey games with the boys. Although Len did have a chance to coach. The grandparents on both sides were also a big help. As the boys got older, they helped out a lot in the store. And I remember one Christmas, we were short-staffed, and we had our grandchildren helping out."
   "We have had some excellent people working with us as our staff over the years,î says Len. ìThere are too many good people to mention. But every one of them have been wonderful people to work with."
   Moreover, Len and Marilyn say that they have been honored to be able to watch other families grow up as well.
   "We have had so many fabulous, loyal customers over the years,î says Marilyn. ìWhat's been wonderful, has been seeing them come in here with their children and watching those children grow up and have families of their own. It's been so nice to be able to be a part of that."
   "That's true," Len agrees. "We've literally been able to watch three generations grow up right in front of our eyes!"
   Their 100th Anniversary will mark a huge transition for both the Leggett family and for the community; as the couple have decided to retire and sell the business. Both Len and Marilyn say that there will be things that they will miss.
   "I have had to step back from the business during the past couple of years," says Marilyn. "And, it's been the people that I've missed most. I always really enjoyed being able to spend time with our customers when they came in."
   "For me, it's going to be the everyday challenges that I'm going to miss most," says Len. "Every day is different. You never know what you're going to have to deal with when you come here in the morning. I'm really going to miss that."
   However, the couple say that they are also looking forward to the opportunities that retirement will bring.
   "We're going to be able to spend more time together," says Marilyn. "We were together when we were both working in the store of course. But, this will let us have a different kind of 'together'. And, we'll have the chance to spend more time with our family. That's something that we're both looking forward to."
   "We've also built a new home,î adds Len. ìThere's a lot of things that I want to do with the house yet. So, the new owners are probably going to see me quite a bit!"
   Ultimately, Len and Marilyn find that this milestone had given them an opportunity to look back and celebrate being part of the Kipling community.
   "We have seen a lot of good times in this community,î Marilyn notes. ìThere were some hard times too. I remember a few years ago and we had that huge snowfall. And then the power went out for 56 hours. We lost a lot of stock, though Len managed to save some."
   "I remember that! I was using toilet paper to try and insulate groceries and keep them frozen!" Len laughes.
   "That's right ñ you did!" Marilyn says, nodding. "But, after it was all over, everyone came together. We helped each other out. I'll never forget that. We are so glad that we live in this community."
"Yes, this is a great community. We've had some fantastic customers over the years, from here in Kipling and the surrounding area. I've really enjoyed being in this business. There are no dull days on Main Street in Kipling!"
