'Absolutely adore her': This Edmontonian has worked at the same location for 50 years
Capilano Mall in east Edmonton has seen a lot of changes over the last half century, but one of the reasons for coming in has remained constant: retail worker Donna Batiuk.
Batiuk started at the Woolco location there, before it became a Walmart in the 90s. She still remembers her first day.
"Sept. 21, 1971," she said proudly. "They haven’t changed me. I have not changed."
At first she took the job because she needed one, but eventually grew to love retail.
"You’re always doing something different, like every season is different and you’re changing all the time," she explained.
So Batiuk never left. She still works the cash register, helps customers find things, whatever they need her to do.
Donna Batiuk points herself out in a staff photo from the 1990s.
"She’s become someone that the customers and associates relate Capilano Walmart to," said store manager Bart Caputo.
"She has all of this experience behind her, she has all these people that come through the doors that absolutely adore her and have for the last 50 years," said department manager Cheyanne Nichols.
In September, the store had a celebration where Batiuk was given a 50 year service badge. She wears it proudly next to her name tag.
"I look at it and I think I've accomplished something over the years," she said.
Her advice to younger employees that come and go: embrace change, and appreciate every day.
"And I hope that I can pass that on to every associate that comes in here. Enjoy what you’re doing today, OK? And enjoy today."
Batiuk still has no plans to retire. She hopes to help keep Capilano Walmart running for at least five more years.
"Somebodys got something they’ve gotta get done? Well, they ask Donna. And Donna does it," she said.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jessica Robb
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
What a U.S. farmworker’s case of bird flu tells us about tracking the infection
A U.S. farmworker who caught bird flu after working with dairy cattle in Texas appears to be the first known case of mammal-to-human transmission of the virus, a new study shows.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.