Brian Chute says he has been working retail since he was a teenager.
The owner and pharmacist at Algonquin Pharmasave, has been doing that job for more than 40 years in North Bay.
He believes a big key to his success has been the way he treats his customers.
“In retail, you have to be friendly and helpful to everyone or you are not going to be successful. If you are in a service industry that has to come second nature,” said Chute.
“I think maybe I was born with it. My mother was a hairdresser and she was very outgoing and friendly to our customers and you gain that experience from life experiences.”
Chute’s kindness as a pharmacist and his generous nature to help others was recognized today as he was named the Kiwanis Citizen of the Year at a luncheon this afternoon.
“If you can lead the community and be recognized for what you do, so hopefully I will encourage other people to step up and do some of the things that I have done, by donating and being active in community events,” said Chute.
Chute has been a loyal financial supporter of the arts community and he also has helped recruit doctors to the area.
Caleb O’Connor is the local Kiwanis Club President. He believes Chute stood out among the other dozen nominations this year.
“This is not the first time his name has been brought up,” said O’Connor.
“I don’t think Brian has ever said no. This is a giving guy, he is a true-blood community guy and is definitely community first. He jumped off the page, everyone who was nominated would have been considered an excellent candidate for the citizen of the year but this year it was certainly, undoubtedly the right call.”
Chute and the Kiwanis Club will celebrate during the 35th annual Kiwanis Citizen of the Year banquet which will take place on May 23 at the Ramada Inn.
