Downtown loses longtime businessman

Well-known jeweller Jack Foster was long involved with city’s core

Long-time Lethbridge jeweller Jack Foster, 94, considered an anchor for the downtown business community, died this week surrounded by his family at Chinook Regional Hospital.

Jack had been working for Canadian Pacific Railways in Fort Macleod when he moved to Lethbridge to work for a time at Wheeler’s Jewellers. In 1949 he started Foster’s Jewellers, and over the years operated at three locations in the downtown core.

It was a family business from the start, including his wife Bea, and over time, all of his six children — three sons and three daughters.

Jack picked son Neil as his potential heir, sending him to Winnipeg to learn the watch business.

Jack retired in 1983, knowing the business was in good hands.

“He wanted it to be a real family business, and the best way to carry on a business was with family,” said Neil. “He believed a business is built on consumer trust built with quality merchandise and integrity. They are buying my trust. Dad always believed we must always do what is right when no one is watching.

“Dad never compared himself to anybody, living by his own standards, and he never spoke down to competitors because he realized competition was good for business for all.”

Traditional holidays were not part of the Foster family. Jack built a cabin at Rosen Lake in British Columbia in 1962, and it was a summer place for family activities.

All the children, and mom, worked at times at the store, and often Jack would put out the call to put the business to bed. All available hands would go to the store after supper to put precious display items in the store safe.

When Neil decided to build at the new site, he considered a mall location or in southeast Lethbridge. But he feared losing a business identity associated with the downtown core.

Customers often became friends with Jack, and one day then three-year-old Kristin Swihart entered Foster’s with mother Sharon. Jack’s wife, Bea, was working that day, and asked if she could help with anything. Kristin immediately said, “We want to talk with Jack.” It turns out his desire to chat with all ages had hit a chord with Kristin, especially since she likely was waiting for Jack’s patented “pop goes the weasel” sound with his finger and mouth.

Ted Stilson, executive director of the Downtown Lethbridge Business Revitalization Zone, remembers Jack as a businessman who relished the downtown core, a main reason

he launched Foster’s Jewellers there in 1949.

Today, Stilson still enjoys contact with the family — Jack’s grandson David, who is a partner with his father Neil in Foster & Sons Jewellers Ltd. across from Galt Gardens, is president of the BRZ.

The downtown location is ingrained with the Foster’s — when Neil decided to grow the business, he built on a prime corner at 622 3 Ave. S.

“It is that kind of dedication to community which helps keep the downtown alive,” said Stilson.