Page 21 - Nov-Dec 2020 Reporter

"This huge retail business with
all its costs was just sitting there

ready to go with no customers
allowed into the store. The first
week was marked by curbside
pickup. Then, in early April...
consumers had the time and the
money to start upgrading their
homes and properties. BOOM!

Business just took off!

decreased for wooden barrels, they started
manufacturing cedar shakes and selling
building materials just after World War
II. Art Kingdon started manufacturing
wooden roof trusses in Lakefield in 1959
(believed to be the oldest truss plant in
Canada).
Don and his wife bought the business
from Art in 1986 and opened a retail outlet
in Peterborough. Over the years, the
business flourished under Don’s direction
and became a strong contractor supply
outlet. Recognizing that they were missing
the retail component, as well as having a
desire to increase sales to their contractor
customers, the decision was made to open
a new 46,000 sq. store in Lakefield. The
location was close enough to Peterborough
to attract customers from the city as well
as supply the cottage and tourist trade.
This store is well positioned and in a high
traffic corridor.
Construction of the building finished
up in February of 2020 and the interior
of the store was being merchandised
when the full impact of the pandemic hit.
March, as we all know, was a time of great
uncertainty. This huge retail business
with all its costs, was just sitting there
ready to go with no customers allowed
into the store. The first week was marked
by curbside pickup. Then, in early April -
once the government support programs
started to kick in - consumers had the time
and the money to start upgrading their
homes and properties. BOOM! Business
just took off!
Don and Kevin were quite candid about
the challenges. Dealing with curbside was
a challenge but also allowed them to work
on the interior of the stores while still

Pictured from top: Kevin and Don; Don
practices social distancing in the Lakefield
Store; pristine displays make shopping a
delight for their customers

www.lbmao.on.ca LBMAO Reporter - November-December 2020 21