Page 8 — THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Saturday, September 15, 2012
Finethy family buys Gilford Agway, which is now Gilford True Value By AdAm drApcho THE LACONIA DAILY SUN
GILFORD — Bill and Lisa Finethy started the Gilford Home Center 26 years ago, purchasing a former roller skating rink on Gilford East Drive and building a reputation as a lumber yard of choice for local contractors. The couple had started discussing the purchase or founding of a second store in the region, but the right circumstance didn’t appear — until this summer, when the perfect opportunity popped up right under their noses. After the closing on September 4, Bill and Lisa Finethy are now owners of the property and business formerly known as Gilford Agway, also located on Gilford East Drive and just a short walk from Gilford Home Center. The newly-acquired store will be known as Gilford True Value and will be managed by Corey Lofblad, who had previously worked at the Home Center. Lisa said the two will be acting “hand-in-hand” to serve the local clientele. The Home Center has tended to attract contractors, while she expects the typical True Value customer will be homeowners. The True Value store will stock seed, animal feed and pet food, gardening supplies, plants and other homeowner needs. The Home Center specializes in building supplies and contractor-grade tools. The Finethys bought the business from Jeff and Tracy Gould. Customers of the Gould-run business should find themselves familiar with the store under its new ownership — the same employees will staff the store, with the addition of Lofblad, and they plan to continue offering the same types of products as before. “We’re keeping everything they had, adding paint and hardware to the mix.” This winter, the True Value building will undergo a complete renovation, though will remain open throughout. The two businesses will have integrated inventory systems, explained Lisa, so that a customer may, for example, buy paint at True Value and a sprayer located at the Home Center in one transaction, then drive to the nearby Home Center to pick up the sprayer. “It’s exciting,” Lisa said about the acquisition. “For from preceding page in the Middle East along with a failed economy. In September 2011, Romney referred to Russia as our country’s “# 1 enemy” (Washington Post). Perhaps Romney,also, “can see Russia from his house”! Pamela Cote Gilford
The Finethys, who have operated Gilford Home Center for 26 years, recently purchased the nearby Gilford True Value, formerly known as Gilford Agway. Here, left to right, are True Value employee Pete Byram, Lisa Finethy, and Corey Lofblad, who will manage the new store. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Adam Drapcho)
us, the time is right. We’re feeling good about it.” After several years of difficult times for the construction industry, and those who supply it, Lisa said 2012 has been a welcome upswing in business, capped by an especially strong August. Being in business for better than two decades, Lisa said she and her husband have been through tough stretches before. One thing which hasn’t affected their business, though, is the opening of a Lowe’s home improvement center a couple of miles away. She cited customer service and a higher quality of products as reasons why independently-owned
stores like hers can survive in the shadow of “big box” stores. “It’s a different quality of things that we sell,” said Lisa. They carry Carhartt clothing, Honda power equipment, Stihl power tools and Poulin Grain products, none of which can be had through their larger competitors. As Lofblad sees it, their recipe for success, which has worked at the Home Center and will be employed at the new store, is to offer top-quality products with “hometown service.” “Our whole goal is to be a destination store,” he said.
Laconia man arrested for DWI after hitting parked cars on Weirs Blvd.
LACONIA — City police arrested a local man and charged him with driving under the influence of alcohol after they said he struck two parked cars in the parking lot at Karen’s Gifts on Weirs Blvd. on Thursday night. The store is a part of the Naswa Resort complex.
Police said Jeromy Woodey, 29, of 27 Centenary Ave. was headed north on the roadway when he crashed into the parked cars. Woodey female passenger was treated at the scene and released. Woodey was uninjured and left in police custody.
CITY OF LACONIA BOARD & COMMISSION VACANCIES The following Boards and Commissions either have current vacancies or terms of current members* will be expiring and up for renewal at the end of October 2012:
Building Code Board of Appeals Heritage Commission Board of Assessors Laconia Housing Authority * Personnel Advisory Board * Planning Board Zoning Board of Adjustment If you are interested in applying for one of these positions, please contact the City Manager’s office at 527-1270 (or by e-mail at brownn@city.laconia.nh.us) for further information or to request an application. Applicants must be residents of Laconia. Service on more than one Board or Commission is acceptable as long as it is a non-conflicting Board. The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday, September 28, 2012.