Page 18 - LBMAO - May-Jun 2020 REPORTER - web optimized
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"You tell us what meat cutters, welders, horse groomers
and hot tub installers have in common!"
2020: year of the virus
s we moved into the fourth month of and some took advantage of the Canada declines in April and into May. Although the
Amanaging our personal and business Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). Ontario government recently announced
lives being impacted by the COVID-19 Stephen and his management team split that it was okay to open, Greg did not feel
pandemic, we took the opportunity to duties. Stephen was working from home comfortable to do so until his staff and
interview several of our members to find and monitoring all the various government customers could be managed in such a way
out how this unprecedented occurrence has announcements daily, ensuring that the as to ensure a safe environment. They will
affected their operations; as well as how this other members of the team who were do a gradual opening of their retail walk-in
has impacted their employees and how they operating the store were aware of their traffic.
are managing. requirements. With sales declining and costs remaining
Traditionally, the Victoria Day holiday At the time of this interview, Stephen the same, Greg had to reduce his staff and
weekend in May is a nightmare; traffic indicated that their business would initially laid off some of them; however, with
moving north on Highway 400 - stop and go not qualify for any of the government business picking up he has been able to
all the way to cottage country! NOT THIS subsidy programs except for the ones rehire those who were laid off. The business
YEAR! accessed by their employees. Overall, he has taken advantage of the wage subsidy
Stephen Collins, part of the management suggested that the response at both the and loan programs offered by the federal
team at Gravenhurst Home Building Centre federal and provincial levels have been government. This will ensure that they
in this iconic cottage country community in good considering that this pandemic move into the summer in a good financial
the Muskokas, indicated that it was a much is something that none of us have position, as all indications are that their
slower pace in the store this long weekend. experienced in our lifetime. His biggest contractor trade is starting to pick up.
Bob Collins, now retiring after many years challenge is ensuring the wellbeing of their Greg pointed out that sales transactions
in the Beaver organization and with Home employees as they manage the anxiety and are up; however, the average sales per
since 2004, has handed the business over stress of these times. Life as we know it will transaction is down considerably which
to his son Stephen. Stephen commented return but it will take time and will look a lot is contributing to overall sales declines.
that March sales were good and April was different in cottage country! Going into late May and June, a noticeable
slightly off last year’s, but May and into Target Building Materials Ltd, a vibrant increase in contractor activity was noticed;
June will see significant slowdown as their and well-established family business in and as the economy opens up, Greg and
seasonal cottage trade is not happening this Windsor that caters to specialty contractors, his team are optimistic that business will
year. has also experienced the challenges of improve but with a totally different way of
Adapting to the new reality, they adapting to this new era of doing business. interacting with customers.
closed the store on March 23rd to offer Greg Drouillard, who was frank and open Greg commented that one of the biggest
only curbside pickup and delivery for their about their ability to stay in business while challenges is helping staff to cope with the
customers. A few employees took layoffs; only providing curbside sales and delivery stress of handling the challenges - both at
however many stayed on at reduced hours to their customers, has experienced sales work and at home; daycare being an issue
18 LBMAO Reporter - May-June 2020 www.lbmao.on.ca