When Dickenson Stamp Works opened on 6th Avenue in 1903, Calgary was a much different place. Then known as the Sandstone City (even the Calgary Stampede was yet to be), this was a town on the rise with schools, banks and mansions popping up all along the Bow River valley. It was a great time to be in stamp business as new companies and organizations began to serve to burgeoning city – and Mr. Dickenson was committed to serving them.

One hundred and ten years later, the company, now known as Calgary Stamp and Stencil, has gone through more than a few changes. New locations, new ownership and new technology have kept the business growing and evolving over the decades and while lead typesetting has been exchanged for digital imaging and laser technology has replaced Bakelite plates, some things never change.

“We’ve always had that customer service piece,” says Calgary Stamp and Stencil’s current owner Dave Bell from the shop in northeast Calgary. “That is one thing our company has been known for throughout its history.”

Providing excellent customer service starts with having excellent staff. Bell, who bought the company six years ago, says he’s always amazing at the people who make Calgary Stamp and Stencil they city’s largest provider of rubber stamps.

“There is very little turnover,” he says. “We have staff who have been here nearly 30 years. The previous owner worked here for 45 years. We love what we do and we love serving our customers.”

Calgary Stamp and Stencil customers are returning time and again not only for rubber stamps but for daters, corporate seals, name badges, stencils, metal tags, signage and more. Bell says catering to this niche helps keep the company competitive and well positioned to meet customer needs quickly.

“When you’re dealing with custom products, you have to be very good at what you do to get it right every time,” he says. “Our goal is to continue to accommodate our customers’ needs innovatively and reliably.”

This kind of specialization and innovation coupled with a customer service strategy aimed at turning customers into raving fans allows Calgary Stamp and Stencil to offer the best of both worlds – a fast-paced, state-of-the-art shop with 110-year-old roots supporting good old-fashioned values that nurture loyal customer relationships.

“When you run a business with this kind of legacy in the community, you feel an obligation to protect it and strengthen it,” says Bell. And he and his team are doing just that. Most of Calgary Stamp and Stencil’s customers have been with them for years – some going back decades.

“We don’t have salespeople,” he explains. “Our business comes from repeat customers and word of mouth. We are focused on building customers for life and we’re very proud of that.”