Kitchener family keeping spirit of Stampede Corral alive

A piece of local history now has a new and perfectly fitting home. 

Steve Martin and his wife Shannon recently purchased the sign that spent many years afront the now closed Stampede Corral. 

“It's pretty special. My wife was pushing me for us to have it,” Martin tells KitchenerToday.com “It's pretty neat. I met her there.”

The couple first met at the Corral about a decade ago. Martin's roomate pressured him to go out one night. It was then that Shannon recognized him from campus at Conestoga College. Purchasing the sign is a very symbolic move for the couple. 

34-year-old Martin now runs his own business as an arborist. He said he's heard of numerous stories similar to his. 

“The biggest thing that comes around is how many people have actually met there and how many couples and families have started from just meeting like minded people at that bar.”

Attending high school in Elmira, Martin said the venue had a special meaning to him and his friends. 

“Growing up in a rural setting country music was definitely a big part of growing up, so that was kind of our go-to place. So to have a piece of history like that, it's still a little bit shocking that somehow, someway I ended up with this sign.”

The couple, who now have three kids, recently purchased a property of approximately 4 acres. They plan to celebrate their story and new momento with family and friends. 

“The whole thing was keeping that spirit alive, keeping the Corral spirit going. We're going to have a 10 year anniversary party. We're going to be at our new house, established. We're hoping to have the sign up and we can enjoy it.”