Leanne Saline is one of many Zellers employees who are now out of work.

But unlike many others Saline is not hunting for a replacement job yet.

"I'm lucky enough that I don't have to worry about struggling," she said on Feb. 20 at Zellers' good-bye party about losing her job at the department store when the company was sold to U.S. giant Target.

"I never took this job because I needed it," she said.

Saline moved to Maple Ridge from up north 10 years ago with her husband Bill Dougall and two sons, Billy and Travis, now 21 and 17.

Six and a half years ago she started working at Zellers.

"I was the toy lady and I loved it," Saline explained, adding that she will now try her hand at writing romance novels.

"I write smut, not 50 Shades of Grey smut, but smut. I want to see where it takes me," she said.

It's a different experience for Virginia Oskam, who worked for Zellers most recently as a hard-line supervisor.

Oskam worked at Zellers for 20 years and she "liked it."

"The best part about the store is the people - both the customers and the staff. That is what has kept me here," Oskam explained.

Target and Zellers are working together as far as job placement. Oskam explained that Zellers' former employees can go on Target's website, enter their employee number, and get a listing of the available jobs and when to apply.

Oskam would like to apply to Target, which is due to open in the November.

"I've heard good things about them, but they are not hiring for Maple Ridge yet," she said.

Meanwhile, Oskam said she's watching for anything new that comes along.

"You are sad because you want longevity within a company, but life goes on and new opportunities arrive," she said.

SUNNY DAYS AHEAD

Sun's Teriyaki just opened its doors a month ago at #3-20306 Dewdney Trunk Rd., and so far they have had a steady stream of custom ers.

Ping Sun told me that his most popular dish has been, yup, you guessed it, chicken teriyaki.

This is the first restaurant for Sun and his wife Sophie Tian. They are open from Monday through Sunday 11 a.m. till 8 p.m.

Chamber hosts Hub Cap Cup

The first annual Maple Ridge Chrysler Hub Cap Cup is happening on March 22, 23, and 24.

It is a recreational hockey round-robin tournament for players 35 years old or old er. The tournament will be held at the Pitt Meadows Arena Complex.

Each team is guaranteed three games, and there will be a top-teams playoffs. Register by March 1.

Send any local tidbits on business to: smclaren@mrtimes.com

For information call 604-460-1531.