Donna Coombs-Montrose
Eritrea-born Goitom “Tom” Fessahye and his wife came as refugees from Sudan to Edmonton in 1983. He refreshed his university education and completed his NAIT certification as a machinist but, after an industrial incident, he changed careers. He became a provincial civil servant until the ‘Klein Cuts’ destroyed his stability as his family’s sole breadwinner.
In the Jasper Place area, Fessahye’s Eritrean friend, Mulugheta (Lou) Mebazione, hired him for his bar on Stony Plain Road. Then, he joined the small black business community in Jasper Place, opening his own business ‘just across the street’ in 2003. His Edmonton Coin Laundry at 15239 Stony Plain Road served Indigenous communities from Enoch, Alexis, Alberta Beach, and Rocky Mountain House. They called him “Tom the Laundry”. His business thrived for over 20 years — among a variety of small businesses, groceries, and international banks — until the transition to personally-owned washing machines slowly eroded his business.
The pandemic and ongoing construction of the Valley Line West LRT further worsened his fortunes. Fessahye proudly and affectionately describes his personal connections to Indigenous and disadvantaged communities, his knowledge of successful area businesses, hotels and restaurants, and his links to the Stony Plain Road Business Association.
He is confident that his favourite part of Stony Plain Road will revive after construction of the LRT line is completed.
Donna Coombs-Montrose is a founding member and current board member of the Alberta Labour History Institute (ALHI). She holds a BA (History) and a MSLS. Donna served on the board of City festival CARIWEST from 1999 to 2017, including serving as its President for 10 years. She continues to be an active volunteer. Donna is one of a group of 5 women who started the Caribbean Women Network and is a past member of its board. She is a past Juror for the Edmonton Arts Council and other juries. Donna is a community activist who has supported and continues to support many other community organizations including Council of Canadians of Caribbean and African Heritage (CCACH).
