Funks Supermarket
In 1955, the Funk family opened Funk's Grocery Store in Clearbrook, located at the intersection of Clearbrook Road and South Fraserway, which was then part of the old Trans Canada Highway. Three years later, a new store was constructed on the same property. In 1967, the sausage operation was moved from Yarrow to Clearbrook. The business gained a reputation for its sausages, cooked spare ribs, and other specialty items. Local hunters could bring their game to be prepared and stored in cold storage. The community of Clearbrook greatly appreciated the home delivery services and ethnic baking supplies, which became Christmas staples for many years.
As a tradition, Cornelius Funk would gather his dozen or so employees on the first working day of each new year for a Scripture reading and prayer. Although the Yarrow grocery store ceased operations in the early 1970s, the residents of Yarrow expressed their gratitude to Cornelius Funk by presenting him with a citation during Yarrow Days 1983, recognizing and appreciating his services to the community.
The store in Clearbrook was eventually sold in 2008, marking the end of a four-generation business for the Funk family.
As a tradition, Cornelius Funk would gather his dozen or so employees on the first working day of each new year for a Scripture reading and prayer. Although the Yarrow grocery store ceased operations in the early 1970s, the residents of Yarrow expressed their gratitude to Cornelius Funk by presenting him with a citation during Yarrow Days 1983, recognizing and appreciating his services to the community.
The store in Clearbrook was eventually sold in 2008, marking the end of a four-generation business for the Funk family.
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The Yarrow Mill
During the 1930s, Mennonite immigrants were establishing the community of Yarrow in British Columbia, Canada. Among them was Cornelius C. Funk, who had previous experience running a flour mill in Russia. Inspired by his past ventures, Funk wanted to establish a similar operation in his new homeland. After some unsuccessful farming attempts, he purchased equipment and building materials to create a modest feed mill. Funk involved his children in the business, and as it grew, they took on various responsibilities. To accommodate the increasing grain volume, Funk built an elevator near a railway siding in Majuba Hill, Yarrow.
The business expanded rapidly, prompting Funk to build a store on Main Street in Yarrow. In the 1940s, with the population growth in Clearbrook and Abbotsford, the Funks decided to establish a presence in that community. In 1964, a fire destroyed the Yarrow mill, and the opportunity arose to relocate the business to Abbotsford, where it thrived. The Funks sold the milling business in 2000. In 1955, Funk's Grocery Store was opened in Clearbrook, and it gained a reputation for its sausages and other specialties. The store offered home delivery services and ethnic baking supplies. Cornelius Funk, known for his religious practices, would begin each year with a Scripture reading and prayer with his employees. The Yarrow grocery store closed in the early 1970s, but the community expressed appreciation for Cornelius Funk's contributions in 1983. The Clearbrook store was sold in 2008, marking the conclusion of a four-generation business for the Funk family.
During the 1930s, Mennonite immigrants were establishing the community of Yarrow in British Columbia, Canada. Among them was Cornelius C. Funk, who had previous experience running a flour mill in Russia. Inspired by his past ventures, Funk wanted to establish a similar operation in his new homeland. After some unsuccessful farming attempts, he purchased equipment and building materials to create a modest feed mill. Funk involved his children in the business, and as it grew, they took on various responsibilities. To accommodate the increasing grain volume, Funk built an elevator near a railway siding in Majuba Hill, Yarrow.
The business expanded rapidly, prompting Funk to build a store on Main Street in Yarrow. In the 1940s, with the population growth in Clearbrook and Abbotsford, the Funks decided to establish a presence in that community. In 1964, a fire destroyed the Yarrow mill, and the opportunity arose to relocate the business to Abbotsford, where it thrived. The Funks sold the milling business in 2000. In 1955, Funk's Grocery Store was opened in Clearbrook, and it gained a reputation for its sausages and other specialties. The store offered home delivery services and ethnic baking supplies. Cornelius Funk, known for his religious practices, would begin each year with a Scripture reading and prayer with his employees. The Yarrow grocery store closed in the early 1970s, but the community expressed appreciation for Cornelius Funk's contributions in 1983. The Clearbrook store was sold in 2008, marking the conclusion of a four-generation business for the Funk family.