A historical building in Assiniboia, where the Morin’s Jewellers business was once located, was torn down on May 8. Morin’s Jewellers, owned by Francois (Frank) and Aimee Morin, had been a mainstay of Assiniboia’s business community for over 60 years, opening in November, 1952. Even the demolition crew had sentimental memories of the shop having purchased wedding rings there.
Frank Morin was one of eight children born to Noe and Leonie Morin of Gravelbourg and he followed his father into the jewelry business.
In 1929, his father Noe Morin and brother Dominique opened the Morin Brothers Jewelry store in Gravelbourg. Frank Morin would later buy the store in 1979 when his father passed on and closed it in 1995 after 65 years in business in Gravelbourg.
Frank Morin’s road to Assiniboia’s jewelry business began with a 2,809 km bicycle ride to Toronto in 1948 to study with a renowned watchmaker from Switzerland at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute. His trip was notable for a three-day delay because of snow in June.
After graduating with a horologist degree in jewelry and watchmaking, Morin returned to Assiniboia, bought McAdams Jewellers and married Aimee Fiset from Val Marie. The two settled down to operating their jewelry store business and raising a family.
