A new Home in Canning
Canning’s TIM-BR Mart is now Maple Leaf Home Hardware.
Owners of Rafuse Home Hardware in Wolfville and Palmer Home Hardware - Ray and Donna Bishop, Sandra and Garnett Gould, Andrew and Melissa Bishop, Charlie and Kim Smolenaars, Brian Veal and Jyl Bishop-Veal – bought the store in early February.
Maple Leaf began in 1947 as a fruit packing business before shifting into farm supplies and then hardware under former owners Bill and Sue Lyons.
Wolfville store manager and shareholder Brian Veal heads up the conversion.
“We felt it was an opportunity for us to grow and serve the customer in this area better.
“There’s no question we’re in a recession, but the opportunity came along and we felt it was right for our business.”
While no major staffing changes are planned, at least one new position in the paint department has been advertised, a new sign and new shelving are in process. Of course, more Home Hardware label products are en route.
Providing products to local customers is key, Veal says, and he hopes greater product selection will keep Canning and North Mountain shoppers coming to the 9767 Main Street store.
Prize company
It may have been tight financial times, but 2009 was a big year for people’s investments in pets.
Invisible Fence Brand of Annapolis Valley was named 2009 Canadian Invisible Fence Brand Dealer of the Year and 2009 Most Improved Dealer of the Year. This designation is awarded annually to the dealership showing extraordinary strength in areas of customer service, marketing and sales.
“I expected a very subdued year, and we doubled our business last year,” says owner Pam Murray.
“I think it’s careful spenders who have done their homework. People had a need but were cost conscious. They put their investment somewhere where they have a money-back guarantee. Since we are in the smallest area of all the dealers in Canada, I think it is a pretty amazing award. Three are so many other dealers with so much more volume.”
Murray says positive customer feedback helped earn her and partner Peter Andresen the honour.
“It comes from our clients.”
Those positive client experiences and word-of-mouth helped double her installations from 58 in 2008 to more than 100 in 2009.
“It’s the feel good product of the year. You’re not just not keeping pets safe in the yard, you’re changing the household environment.”
The Hantsport resident knows how much peace of mind her product brings first hand.
“I had the fence installed by the first dealer in Nova Scotia. I just loved it. I became a huge advocate of the product,” Murray says.
“A couple of years later, I was looking for a business I could do here in the Valley when I saw in the paper they were looking for a dealer.”
Ever since, Murray and Andreson - along with Ben the poodle - have been installing fences and training cats and dogs throughout the Valley. Valentine, a rescued pet bull, holds the fort at home from his perch on the sofa.
WEBLINK: www.invisiblefence.com
Cheers for Country Stores
Co-op Country Stores in Atlantic Canada won Co-op Atlantic’s CEO Award during the annual retail managers’ conference held recently in Moncton.
The CEO Award recognizes the area, or group of stores, that has shown the best improvement in its financial results for the past year. Peter Harrison of Scotian Gold Co-op in Coldbook was on hand to help accept the honour with his fellow Co-op Country Store managers.
Learn to apply
The Nova Scotia Community College- Kingstec Campus is putting on a series of workshops designed to help participants prepare for the Michelin hiring process.
The two-day session aims to help people gain an understanding of Michelin’s hiring policies and procedures, prepare for the Workplace Skills Inventory (WSI) assessment used, an understanding of the behavioral interview process and how to prepare for the interview.
Completion of the workshop series will not guarantee participants success on the WSI, behavioral interview or employment with Michelin.
Workshops run April 10 and 17, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a thirty-minute lunch break. Cost per participant is $30 plus HST. Register in person at any NSCC campus or call 679-7359 or 679-7361 with a major credit card.
For more additional information contact Dwayne MacLeod at 690-2429.
Know of a prize worthy business? Email Kings County business news to jhoegg@kentvilleadvertiser.ca or tweet @KingsNSnews
