A longtime Kehler business in Steinbach will soon be demolished. Jake’s Husky, on Highway 12N at the Loewen Boulevard corner will cease to exist, after Husky Oil made a final decision to close down operations of the 60 year old business. Jake’s Husky Service was started in 1955 by Jacob Stoesz Kehler, and has been a family owned business ever since. Many Berliner Kehlers and Steinbach area patrons alike will recall fueling up at the corner location. While the business was built on auto repairs, it was a busy gas bar with over 100,000 litres of gas sold in a month, in its’ prime.
The name, Jake’s Service AutoCare will live on at a new location at 15 Keating Road, Steinbach, in the former Technix Auto building. Jake’s sons, Wayne and Murray Kehler, will continue with providing auto repair service, in a fashion familiar to them both.
I remember getting to go to the husky station and then next door to buy nips and chips for our supper. They were so good.
I was surprised on my visit to Steinbach on Dec 7, 2014 when I was going to gas up at Jake’s Husky but there was nothing but a bare parking lot! I drove around the block to make sure I hadn’t missed it. I usually stopped to get my gas there when I came in from Ontario. 🙁
Please advise that Jakes service is not dead ! Only the affiliation with Husky oil and the location are dead; We’re pleased to continue the tradition of keeping your vehicle running since “1955” at 15 Keating Road with the same phone number, 204-326-3509.
I am sorry to see this tradition leaving, we were always so proud of cousin Jake – a living legacy in Steinbach. I personally enjoyed visiting everytime I had an opportunity to come back and visit wonderful memories and I am sure his sons will carry on in his memory.
Don Kehler
Anchorage, Alaska