Page 21 - Jan-Feb 2021 Reporter - web optimized

"The stress of adapting to the new reality in early 2020 with curbside pick ups, phone orders
and the health and safety protocols in place by the different levels of government, certainly
caused stress for employees in areas such as daycare and health concerns."

Dwayne & Lloya Sprague - Owners, Morrisburg Home Hardware

during one of the most difficult midsized manufacturing.
years in sourcing inventory such The stress of adapting to the new
as paint (paint cans being in reality in early 2020, with curbside pick
limited supply for their supplier) ups, phone orders and the health and
as well as other staples such safety protocols in place by the different
as hardware cloth, fasteners, levels of government, certainly caused
etc., and consumers had no stress for employees in areas such as
complaints about pricing! 2020 daycare and health concerns. Dwayne
was a good year overall! and Lloya ensured that all employees
Going into the second phase were recognized for their dedication to
of the lockdown in 2021 proved the business through employee support
to be less stressful as all the programs and bonuses. After all, the
protocols developed in the store was doing well so the team should
early part of 2020 were still as well!
being implemented in the store These interviews provide a sample
and adapting to curbside was of how our sector managed in 2020
seamless. Dwayne and Lloya and their thoughts on going into 2021.
also said that it’s been easier We wish all of our members and their
to source PPE equipment for employees a safe and healthy 2021!
their staff; and
to sell to their
customers.
2021 appears
to be tracking
toward a
strong sales
With a background in the building
supply hardware sector in eastern and margin period (as
Ontario, this couple made the decision experienced in 2020)
to buy their own business in 2011 in with sales up in January
the community of Morrisburg. Through over last year, even with
their expertise in hardware and the lockdown in place.
management of a retail business, they They are pleased to
took this business from $400,000 in notice an influx of new
sales in 2011 to $2,136,000 in 2020. A customers who might
significant increase! Dwayne, a past have previously shopped
Chair of the LBMAO, provided some in the larger cities Real Cedar: it has a long life while
interesting insight on the past year and close by. Dwayne feels improving the quality of yours.
the challenges of the pandemic. that this will continue
2020 proved to be an exceptional as people recognize You may be aware that Real Cedar is naturally resistant
year once the initial lockdown in the that the selection and to rot and decay, making it very long-lasting, but did you
early part of the year eased. Overall, competitiveness of their also know recent studies show that wood like Western Red
Cedar in the built environment reduces stress and stress-
sales were up by about 20% over the community retailers related diseases? Pretty impressive given Real Cedar’s also
previous year, as well as a sizeable bump can match the larger incredibly attractive and completely sustainable.
in margins. Dwayne indicated that urban centres. As well,
sales transactions were down; however their community has not
the sales per transaction enjoyed a experienced the same
sizeable increase. He also noted that level of unemployment,
the turns on inventory were up in each with much of their 800 263 2445 | nuforest.com realcedar.com
department of the store. customer base being
This increase was accomplished retirees and small-to- Cos design | cosdesign.com.au. Photography by Patrick redmond.

www.lbmao.on.ca LBMAO Reporter - January-February 2021 21