We know you’re invested in your wedding day being everything you’ve dreamt of one thousand percent, a day full of intentional planning and personal details, the kind of results that only some determined work and ingenuity can produce. This sums up our entire story too! Read on to learn just how we understand the best things in life are the things we create ourselves.
We’re so glad you found us. Freddy’s on Main is a family-run labour of love owned and operated by Derick and Pam Heggie and our five children. We met in 1999, married in 2004, and we’ve always had a partnership marriage in every way, and running Freddy’s together has been no exception!
In 2007, we lost Pam’s brother, Boyd, very suddenly. In 2013, we met and within days said goodbye to our perfect identical twin boys Shepard and Deacon. And in early 2018, Pam’s dad Fred Lacey was diagnosed with terminal cancer, passing away just before Christmas.
When the opportunity to purchase this incredible building came along in early 2020, naming it after Fred was the easiest decision we ever made. Fred was a pillar in our community known for his decades in construction and renovations that shaped much of Main Street and Cardston. But even more than that, he is most remembered for his easygoing nature, both lovable and pestering humour, and generous qualities, especially with his time.
Though we can’t say it’s good advice to make sentimental commercial business purchases, Freddy’s on Main is our way of keeping that spirit alive. We all continue to feel his absence deeply.
We care very deeply about restoring this 120-year old space for many other reasons as well. Mostly, We are passionate about contributing to our community through bringing back the interior/exterior of the building and contributing to a better aesthetic on our once-thriving small town Main Street.
In addition to providing a historical event venue for all, Freddy’s has also become a local hub for artisanal markets featuring local makers, fitness classes and photography sessions, community events and creative gatherings. Supporting other businesses in the community and fostering new opportunities for others through the events that are drawn to our venue is one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
In 2021, we opened Freddy’s once a week for free community lunches, welcoming guests from the Moses Lake Shelter. Our hope was to help foster better relationships between Cardston and our neighbouring Indigenous communities all while creating space for Truth and Reconciliation in action.
A year later, we expanded to offer lunch twice a week. These meals were initially made possible thanks to generous support in the past from the Town of Cardston Food Fund. Mid 2024, the Town of Cardston quite literally saved the viability of the program by supporting our cause at $400/month to help create a stipend in the way of rent for the program. Sadly this support was withdrawn at the end of 2025.
We regrettably had to announce the program wouldn't be able to continue, but almost immediately we became very thankful to have found support through a local town member who stepped forward and raised a generous amount of money online! Tanner and Kylee Tolman and your supporters, thank you forever!! The immediate willingness of your followers to give to our cause without question speaks volumes of the kind of trust and relationship you've built through your beautiful brand, and we couldn't be prouder to be aligned with such a wonderful online mission to uplift and keep going, especially with a little whimsy and a strong hammer backbone!
In 2022/2023 respectively, we were lucky enough to have the Cardston Alberta and Cardston West Stakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on board. They have generously provided reimbursement of all groceries purchased and used for our incredible meals our townspeople step forward and provide. It has been a journey, and we are learning as we go!
Underneath it all, our desire has been to align with community members and large players to engage in a combined cause of offering these meals of friendship and love as a way to provide truth and reconciliation within the bounds of Cardston. It is our hope to work with the Town of Cardston again in this regard in the future. It is our strong belief that only together and in complete tandem can we change hearts, outlooks and perspectives that will truly bring the healing connections we are all deeply craving.
This program is close to our hearts, but is also a challenge to sustain. If you, or your business, or anyone you know would like to support our Freddy’s Drop-In program especially in thew ay of volunteering, please email freddysdropin@gmail.com. We’d be incredibly grateful as battling constant burnout from our volunteers is one of our biggest obstacles.
The pandemic made it even harder, and there have been plenty of times we’ve wondered if it was time to let it go.
But thanks to your support, we’re still here — and more excited than ever about what the future holds for this space. Someday, we even hope to restore the original two bowling lanes hidden under the main floor!
Freddy’s has a magic that only comes with age, history, and the stories it wants to keep telling — but with that history comes a few extra quirks, steps, and rough edges. Thank you for understanding as we continue working to preserve its charm while creating the best possible experience for everyone who steps through our doors.
Your support — whether you’re booking a wedding, attending a market, or simply appreciating this beautiful old building — means the world to our family. We can’t wait to welcome you to Freddy’s on Main.
