Windsor Business October 2024 Issue

5 HE SAID/SHE SAID: The news and views of area executives on pertinent business issues of the day.

12 CORPORATISM: Jim Blasingame says to build a community around you in which you are a unifying force.

whoisoscarbravo.com

OCTOBER 2024

W I N D S O R ’ S F O R E M O S T B U S I N E S S N E W S P U B L I C AT I O N

INSIDE TRACK

Chris Parent, left, and Jeff Smith recently purchased Ernie’s TV in Essex. They will move it to a former warehouse on Lansdowne Avenue in what will become a superstore.

PHOTO BY JOE SYMCHYSHYN SYMCHYSHYN PHOTOGRAPHIC

By Ron Stang

<<

E

2

AT A GLANCE A look at what Canadians most want in a future home purchase.

8

PRIME HOME A look at recent residential property sales in Windsor and Essex County.

2

CROSSWORD Take a coffee break from work and challenge yourself with our crossword.

10 BUILDING PERMITS A compilation of construction activity in the Windsor and area market.

3

ESSEX ECONOMICS A series of guest columns by business executives on various trends in the region.

11 START UPS Newly incorporated firms launched in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent.

6

PRIME PROPERTY A look at recent commercial property transfers in the city of Windsor.

11 WORLD OF WORK: A career advice column by two workplace consultants and career coaches.

rnie’s TV, a venerable Kingsville retailer for almost 50 years, was recently sold and is moving to a new location in town to open a superstore. The retailer, which also sells furniture and appliances, will vacate its Main Street location, with its awkward layout over two floors, for 197 Lansdowne Avenue. It is set to open next summer.

This will expand the retailer’s showroom from 18,000 to 28,000 square feet, and “most importantly, be all on one floor,” said partner Jeff Smith, also owner of Jeff Smith’s County Chevrolet in Essex and Grove Brewing Co. in Kingsville.

His partner is Chris Parent.

The original owners were Ernie and Donna Demarse, who have recently retired.

“We bought Ernie’s TV and so we’re finishing out the lease there. When the lease is done in June, we’ll be opening the new location,” Smith said.

Continued on page 4

AT A GLANCE SURVEY REVEALS WHAT CANADIANS MOST WANT IN A FUTURE HOME PURCHASE.

JUST THE FACTS:

1.

The Great Canadian Dream Home for buyers in the next five years:

• A recent survey found, despite affordability challenges, many potential Canadian homebuyers anticipate buying a new home within the next five years.

• Canadians home buyers continue to prefer renovated single-family homes in the suburbs.

• Nationwide, the single-family home is preferred most, with 64 percent of potential home buyers opting for this housing type, which includes detached and semi-detached properties but excludes townhomes.

• Potential home buyers also preferred larger, renovated homes (64 percent) with a three-bedroom being the leading choice (43 percent).

• Suburban and urban properties (at 38 percent and 34 percent respectively) are preferred over rural neighborhoods (at 28 percent).

• While just one in five Canadians currently reside in rural areas, that share increases to 50% in Atlantic Canada.

Source: National survey by real estate platform Wahi, May 2024.

SIMPLY THE BEST! HOSTED IP TELECOM SOLUTIONS NETWORK CABLING APARTMENT ENTRY/ACCESS CONTROL ULC ALARM MONITORING TWO-WAY RADIOS SECURITY ALARM SYSTEMS SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS NETWORK VIDEO RECORDERS SOUND SYSTEMS CUSTOM APPLICATIONS COMMUNICATION & SECURITY EXPERTS SINCE 1961 CALL US TODAY Windsor: (519) 948-5595 | London: (519) 667-4047 | Toll Free: (800) 265-9605 unique@uniquecomm.com • www.uniquecomm.com FREE SITE SURVEYS • FREE DEMOS • ONE COMPANY. ONE CALL.

Business-to-Business Marketing at its Best For ad rates and information email info@windsorbusiness.net

2

WINDSOR BUSINESS

ACROSS 1 Occasional office worker 5 Henry – Lodge 10 Injury result 14 See cover 15 Battleground 16 Sharpen 17 Type size 18 – wave 19 Commedia dell’– 20 Spook sessions 22 Nut center 24 Counterweight 25 Roam far and – 26 Greek island 28 Unlikely thing (2 wds.)

32 Burned brightly 33 Goad 34 “Born in the –” 35 Ship’s record 36 Boat 37 Knock 38 “All About –” 39 Grow weary 41 Actress Shields 44 Like a ghost town 46 “– Doone” 47 Matches a bet 48 Well-behaved 49 Bread spread 52 Earns lots (2 wds.)

56 Yearn 57 Allow

60 Deception 61 Inform (with “in”) 62 Grayish color 63 Oil mogul – Haliburton 64 Damage 65 Stopped 66 Act DOWN: 1 Hits gently 2 Canal in a song 3 Isinglass 4 Box for flowers 5 Provided food 6 Happen 7 Four-poster 8 Puppet – – string 9 “Look Who’s –” 10 Allotments 11 Maize 12 – meridiem 13 Film spool 21 Actress – Blanchett 23 Advantage

25 Function properly 26 Garlic piece 27 Storms 28 Enticed 29 Great Lake 30 City in Japan 31 First aid kit item 32 Ran away 36 War god 39 Sapling 40 Say again 41 Puffed out 42 Chess piece 43 Well-organized 45 Honor 48 Complaint 49 Great German composer 50 Sch. On the West Coast 51 Calendar abbr.

53 “Of course!”

54 – of Wight 55 Requirement 58 Actor – Akroyd 59 As clear as –

September 2024 solution

Email info@ windsorbusiness.net for this issue’s crossword answers

CARTOON

THE EDITOR’S DESK NADIA H. SHOUSHER

CARTOON BY PAUL MARCH

Oh, the irony in day-to-day life

I

HELLO, I.T. DEPARTMENT? I’VE RE-BOOTED MY COMPUTER, BUT IT STILL DOESN’T WORK.

BUSINESS BOOST “Many salespeople are too preoccupied with the short-term goal of getting the order, rather than working toward the long-term goal of being of service to a growing number of clients.

“For instance, the other day I had a meeting with the chairman of the board of a large bank. He emphasized that many bankers have problems with applying good listening skills. He said there are a lot of bank execs who listen very carefully to people who are coming in for the $100,000 loans, but don’t devote too much time to the person who comes in for the $1,000 loan.

“His point was the executive who is a long-term thinker will look at every person who comes in as a potential $100,000 piece of business in the future.

“The biggest obstacle is most people never think about the importance of listening, and so don’t work at improving their skills and abilities. A second barrier is many salespeople think selling is primarily a job of persuasion, and persuasion means talking.

“The typical poor sales rep is one who is eager to deliver a canned sales pitch. Many times he is insensitive to what the customer wants to hear, and therefore antagonizes the prospect.”

Gerhard Gschwandtner in The Psychology of Sales Success, McGraw-Hill.

W I N D S O R ’ S F O R E M O S T B U S I N E S S N E W S P U B L I C AT I O N

VOLUME 28, ISSUE 6 • OCTOBER 2024 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Nadia H. Shousher

ART DIRECTOR

David Cowx

CONTRIBUTORS

Jim Blasingame, Dale Dauten, Paul March, Devan Mighton, J.T. O’Donnell, Ron Stang, Joe Symchyshyn

Windsor Business is published monthly by The Page Publishing Corp. and is distributed through Canada Post to every business address in Windsor and Essex County and Chatham-Kent. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher. Copyright The Page Publishing Corp., 2024.

THE PAGE PUBLISHING CORP. 552 PITT STREET WEST, SUITE 101 WINDSOR, ONTARIO N9A 5M2 TEL: (519) 255-9775 info@windsorbusiness.net • www.windsorbusiness.net

love irony. So much so, I tend to jot down random examples of the irony witnessed in day-to-day life. I have the somewhat vague intention of one day publishing them in book form. (You’ve heard of my future book, since I mention it so often on this page, usually preceded by some profanity sanitized for print.) The working title of the book is: What on EARTH Were They Thinking? Dispatches From the Rubber Room. Here are some of the chapter headings: Don’t Call Me; I’ll Call You: How about those company execs who are always complaining that business is “slower than molasses,” but never answer their phones? They don’t even have voice mail, an answering service or even that old relic, the answering machine. Perhaps they’re waiting for your smoke signals to separate from the general miasma of pollution wafting over Windsor?

Whining without Weight: Let’s all sit on our buttocks and complain about something incessantly, but God help you if someone else has the get-up-and-go to actually do something about it. Whether it’s littering, noise pollution, poor service, slow business or bad attitudes, one’s willingness to stand up and speak gets them labeled “Pollyannas,” “show-offs” or “city slickers.” You’re just asking for trouble. Better to stay quiet and follow along. We all know how well that affects change.

It Ain’t My Fault if You Can’t Prove It: How about the guy who got caught with his pants down in a lawsuit?

“I never took payment for services I didn’t actually provide. Oh, you have a copy of the cancelled cheque?

I was authorized to cash it. Oh, I have no paper trail to prove this? I had something but it was destroyed in the last tsunami. Oh, we’ve never had a tsunami in Essex County? It must have been Emailed, and that was three computers ago.” You see where I’m going with this. Huge judgment rendered against the perp, with lots of irony on the side.

Presumption is My Middle Name: I heard a story of a former commercial tenant who moved out two years ago, yet still has not redirected the mail to his new location. I’m not talking the regular flyer or oil change notice, but regular invoices, credit card bills and government documents. Why pay the post office a hundred bucks for a Notice of Address Change? Apparently, his old landlord has nothing else to do but collect and store his mail. And for free, no less. The best part is, the guy stiffed the landlord on the rent the last few months of his lease.

You see how I’ve got unlimited fodder for my book, perhaps even a series of them. The stories abound and yet, there’s just no time to put them together. Ironic, isn’t it?

Nadia H. Shousher is Editor-in-Chief of Windsor Business, a division of The Page Publishing Corp.

ESSEX ECONOMICS JULIE GOWTHORPE

How to solve employee conflicts

M

anagement goals commonly include maintaining harmonious work environments that make employees happy and motivated, but how do you achieve this when people don’t get along?

As teams grow and turnover happens, a variety of personalities and experiences become part of the landscape. In other words, conflict between people is inevitable. How do you, the manager, approach disputes between employees?

Some steps to resolve conflict: Identify the anxiety that blocks resolution. Until you think about who you are managing and then, what they have coped with throughout their lives, you will be unprepared. Talk with employees about who they are, before wading into the issue at hand.

Think like your employee. This effort can be proactive, so when conflict arises, you already know your employees. Ask questions like: What do weekends look like for you? Are they busy with obligations or do you get downtime? This genuine interest builds trust, so when you intervene in an employee dispute, they see you care about their overall wellbeing.

Cool your jets before taking off into problem solving. Let’s face it, most managers, owners and leaders find dealing with conflict between employees uncomfortable. This prompts a reactive response: we want the conflict resolved, and fast! Unfortunately, this approach leaves people feeling unheard, dissatisfied and vulnerable to further conflict. Instead, slow down. When your reaction is to quell your own anxiety with a quick solution, like separating them, it’s placing a tiny Band-Aid on a gaping wound. Take time to meet with them individually. Consider whether the experience has made them feel unvalued or unsafe (physically, emotionally or financially) and what would need to happen to lower this anxiety.

Keep the Relational Goal Paramount. The goal is to heal the relationship between employees. Unless they can work in complete silos, it is helpful to think of this relationship as a necessary elastic cord that must be flexible and intact for the relationship to work. Even if you can establish distance between the two, keep in mind unresolved conflict can ripple across teams. Shift from individual meetings to everyone meeting together. As the manager, take the lead with a calm, assertive and compassionate tone. Reiterate that you understand each of their experiences, and the purpose now is to find ground for resolution. Highlight the positives you have heard, and that you are pleased with the effort they have made to engage professionally.

Finally, with resolution, reinforce the collaborative direction of the company.

Julie Gowthorpe, PhD, RSW, has a private practice, a weekly radio broadcast and forthcoming book I Hate People. Visit www.gowthorpetherapists.com.

OCTOBER 2024

3

RETAIL

COVER

BY RON STANG

BY RON STANG

Private investors group Long-time Kingsville retailer sold, buys grocer property expanding into area superstore

A

rea investor Darwish Alami and a group of investors have purchased the Zehrs store property on Main Street East in Kingsville.

Chicago-based Oak Street Real Estate Capital LLC, sold the property for $13.6 million. Oak Street, which did not respond to requests for comment, owns numerous grocery stores across Ontario, mostly in smaller communities.

Alami said the buy represents “diversification” within his group’s portfolio, as the team has often purchased facilities of a medical nature or retail plazas. He called Kingsville “a stable, very growing area. To me, it’s a gem in WindsorEssex. It’s a prime location.”

He also said Zehrs’ parent company Loblaws was “welcoming to have a smaller group own the property, and we love to have them as a tenant.”

The store is 60,000 square feet with the interior recently renovated. There is also a retail plaza next door with LCBO, Shoppers Drug Mart, FreshCo and McDonald’s on the town’s burgeoning east side shopping hub. More retailers are across the street.

The purchase of the single 5.2acre property, including a big parking lot, is similar to other recent stand-alone retail purchases by this group, represented by an Ontario numbered company.

Last year the group purchased the Shoppers Drug Mart property at 1760 Huron Church Road in

Windsor, with plans to add a clinic to a vacant upper floor. Alami’s group also owns the Applebee’s plaza on Huron Church, and the LaSalle Town Centre on Malden Road.

In other area sales, Leamingtonbased Carlos Martens purchased a farm from Keepsake Plants Ltd. at 268 Seacliff Drive in Leamington for $1.62 million. Martens could not be reached, and Keepsake did not return requests for comment.

“KINGSVILLE IS A STABLE, VERY GROWING AREA. TO ME, IT’S A GEM IN WINDSOR-ESSEX. IT’S A PRIME LOCATION.” U.S.-based Keepsake is a division of Aris Horticulture, a centuryold company which produces “finished and container” plants such as hydrangeas, azaleas, poinsettias and ferns at two locations in Kingsville and Florida.

Finally, Casabella Clothing Boutique has purchased a small retail building at 119 Erie Street North for $1 million. Leamington Taxi, which operates from there, is relocating, according to a staffer.

The seller was a Leamington-based numbered company.

WB

CUSTOM DESIGN • FABRICATION • INSTALLATION

Continued from page 1 Parent, the store manager, has also partnered with Smith in the Chevrolet dealership. “The idea of an iconic business closing just due to Ernie’s retirement was a shame. When we got involved, we were able to make some sense out of it and it’s really worked for all of us.”

He said the store move “makes tons of sense” as Ernie’s was also renting storage space outside of the store.

The partners paid $2.45 million for the site between Mettawas Station Restaurant and Lake Erie, next to the Chrysler Greenway. Smith said renovations will cost about $1.5 million.

“We’re going to miss the traffic in town,” Smith said. “But it is two stories and difficult to navigate for logistics, for shipping in and out. We managed to secure this property, which sits on five acres with the opportunity for expansion down the road.”

A full renovation is being carried out on what was previously an historical warehouse, including new siding and front windows. Once open, more staff will be hired.

The building dates back from when MacDonald Tobacco ran it; more recently it hosted Action Hobbies.

“It has some incredible floor to ceiling brick inside, some really cool rafters. We’re going to

REVAMP

BY RON STANG

Canadian-family-owned funeral home chain sells two area locations

A

rbor Memorial has recently sold off two area funeral homes, as it renews its portfolio with updated facilities to meet contemporary needs.

One is the Morris Sutton Funeral Home at 68 Giles Boulevard East, which it sold to the City of Windsor last August

for $2.2 million. The city has selected the site for a new fire station. The 1.1-acre property is strategically located on the northwest corner of Giles and Goyeau Street, two blocks from its current headquarters on Goyeau.

But the fire department has indicated it will be 10 years before construction actually

NEED MORE STOCK ROOM?

GOURMET OUTDOOR KITCHENS

4

RUSTPROOF STAINLESS STEEL! Up to 20 colours available, including dark wood, marble or granite.

CALL TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE!

CSR PROVIDES DISCOUNTED SEASONAL SHIPPING CONTAINER RENTALS FOR BUSINESSES AND CONTRACTORS.

2910 Walker Rd. Windsor, Unit B rjsteel99@gmail.com | rjsteel.com

519-791-4066

SALES@CSRCOXONS.COM

WINDSOR BUSINESS

enhance its roots and industrial feel,” Smith said.

The partners bought Ernie’s to diversify their business portfolio.

“Ernie’s is a wonderful institution. They’ve done a wonderful job with service over the years, and have an amazing customer base. When we got the chance to buy it from Ernie, we jumped at it,” Smith said.

The Lansdowne property’s seller, Southern Matrix Corp., had owned it since 1985.

Owner Brian Brandner said he divested because he is semi-retiring. He also leases retail space on Walker Road in Windsor for Brandner Farms Organics, which has been in business for more than a decade.

WB

begins.

Fire chief Stephen Laforet said the delay is due to the long-term “budgeting process” and the “availability of an appropriate property.”

The department had been unsuccessfully searching for a site “for a long time.” Get the property now and secure it, otherwise in 10 years when we have the money we may not have a suitable place,” he said.

Laforet said the building will be demolished and the site secured against vandalism.

“We’re going to have it taken down as soon as that’s feasible.”

Arbor also sold the Marcotte Funeral Home in Tecumseh to Re/Max Care Realty broker of record, Goran Todorovic, who did not respond to requests for comment.

But Toronto-based Arbor’s VP of marketing Dustin Wright said the sales are “part of the same strategy. What we were finding is, we were outgrowing our facilities and families were looking for more space.”

In 2022 the firm acquired three Windsor Chapel funeral homes, which increased their funeral homes locally to nine. Consequently, older funeral homes near those locations would be sold. Arbor also owns a combined funeral home and cemetery, Victoria Greenlawn, on Highway 3 in Oldcastle.

WB

HE SAID/SHE SAID NEWS AND VIEWS FROM AREA EXECUTIVES: QUESTION: If you could choose your own bonus, would you prefer additional pay, paid time off, or gifts-in-lieu such as trips, stocks or gift certificates?

“Always more time. You can find ways to earn more or align your material wants with your needs. BUT, time is truly a luxury.”

“When I was young and starting out, extra money in my paycheck would have been welcome! In my 40s, extra time with family would have been appreciated. Now, if someone offered me a wonderful all-expenses paid trip, I would be ready to go tomorrow!”

“People differ vastly in the value they place on time, money, tangible items and trips et cetera.

Personally, I believe time is our most valuable resource, and to me, it's priceless! Money and gifts are great bonuses, but you need to have the time to use them.”

“As a business owner I would definitely want time off, paid or not. Time is the only thing you can’t get more of. There are only 24 hours in a day.”

“I would absolutely take the trip. It would give me an excuse to get away. There would then be no possible way to procrastinate, because the plans would be made, location and time fixed. And maybe to a place I wouldn’t have chosen myself, so even better!”

Fadi Bidawid, Co-Owner, Nuts4Dates.

Georgina Burns, Owner, Catering by Georgina.

Matt Drury, Co-Owner, Pareto Business Solutions.

Jay Armeland, Owner, Armeland Law Firm.

Dean Kral, Sales Representative, Buckingham Realty.

Swing Out/Swing Down Propane Tank Bracket Convenient, easier handling of propane tanks

Eaton Steering For tough, reliable use

Dash Well laid out with controls in the right place

Hydraulic Hoses Guard

® Member, Tatro Group of Companies

Grammar Suspension Seat Increased protection and comfort • LPG/GAS • DIESEL • ELECTRIC

QUALITY RELIABILITY STRENGTH

Suspension Models

7620 Seventh Line W. off 401 & Bloomfield, Chatham Tel: 519-351-9501 Toll Free: 1.844.938.4826 info@titanlifttrucks.com

HIGH QUALITY FORKLIFTS YOUR BUSINESS CAN COUNT ON | www.titanlifttrucks.com OCTOBER 2024

5

PRIME PROPERTY THE FOLLOWING, PROVIDED BY REALTRACK.COM, REPRESENT SOME OF THE TOP COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRANSFERS IN THE WINDSOR AREA:

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Address: Conc. 1, Part Lots 96 & 97, Walker Rd. Selling Price: $1.7 million Vendor: 2486311 Ontario Inc. Purchaser: Danzig Group Ltd.

Address: 68 Giles Blvd. E. Selling Price: $2.2 million Vendor: Arbor Memorial Inc. Purchaser: The Corporation of the City of Windsor

Address: 7775 Wyandotte St. E. Selling Price: $1.145 million Vendor: Riverside Medical Pharmacy Ltd. Purchaser: 1000945775 Ontario Inc.

Address: 1377 & 1395 Lauzon Rd. Selling Price: $1.715 million Vendor: 2844918 Ontario Ltd. Purchaser: Vishwakarma 57 Ontario Inc.

SOLD

SOLD

Address: 1807 & 1813 Meldrum Rd. Selling Price: $1,851,434 Vendor: Bayside Homes Ltd. Purchaser: Meldrum Square Inc.

Address: 2490 Central Ave. Selling Price: $1.1 million Vendor: TJ Watson Land Development Inc. Purchaser: FPS Holdings Inc.

NOW LEASING 2820 DODGE DRIVE

UNDER CONSTRUCTION Spring 2025 Occupancy

SOLD Address: 5795 Tecumseh Rd. E. Selling Price: $1.085 million Vendor: 2705285 Ontario Inc. Purchaser: Karavansaraj Ltd.

Contact Tony Rosati

519.734.6511

88,000 SF INDUSTRIAL FLEX SPACE 2 MIN DRIVE TO CHRYSLER WINDSOR ASSEMBLY PLANT

Space Subdividable • 10 Loading Docks • 32’ Clear Height • ESFR Sprinklers • 60’ x 65’ bays • Zoned MD 1.7 • BROKERS WELCOMED AND PROTECTED

ROSATIGROUP.COM

6

6047 Rosati - Windsor Business Ad.indd 1

WINDSOR BUSINESS

2024-09-26 12:50 PM

PRIME PROPERTY THE FOLLOWING, PROVIDED BY REALTRACK.COM, REPRESENT SOME OF THE TOP COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRANSFERS IN THE ESSEX & CHATHAM-KENT AREAS:

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Address: 13009 Walker Rd., Essex Selling Price: $1.5 million Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: 1000033594 Ontario Ltd.

Address: 10800 Lakeshore Rd. 303, Lakeshore Selling Price: $1.13 million Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: Randy Chevalier Agricultural Ltd.

Address: 1780 6th Conc. Rd., Chatham-Kent Selling Price: $1,098,879 Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: 2732446 Ontario Inc.

Address: 14340 Henderson Line, Chatham-Kent Selling Price: $2.4 million Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: Moravian of the Thames (Delaware Nation)

CHATHAM-KENT

• WHEATLEY

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD Address: 3045 Arner Townline, Essex Selling Price: $1.95 million Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: 2743848 Ontario Inc.

Address: 197 Lansdowne Ave., Kingsville Selling Price: $2.425 million Vendor: Southern Matrix Corp.

Purchaser: 1000906070 Ontario Inc.

Address: 300 Main St. E., Kingsville Selling Price: $13.6 million Vendor: LOCA Properties (AB-ON) Inc. Purchaser: 1000112999 Ontario Inc.

SOLD Address: 1002 Township Rd. 4, Leamington Selling Price: $1.2 million Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: Great Lakes Greenhouses Inc.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

3027 WALKER RD.

400 ERIE ST. E.

350 ERIE ST. E.

1220 LYONS AVE., LASALLE

FOR SALE. INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY OF 24,968 SF BETWEEN TWO BUILDINGS, DIVIDED INTO 9 UNITS. BEAUTIFULLY FINISHED TWO-STOREY OFFICE ON ERIE STREET, WITH REMAINIG SPACE DIVIDED INTO EIGHT UNITS. CONTACT TAMMY WILLIAMS FOR FULL INFORMATION.

FOR SALE. FUTURE MULTI-RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL ON APPROX 0.8 ACRES IN THE HEART OF THE CITY. PROPERTY STRETCHES FROM WALKER TO TURNER RD. CURRENTLY 4 UNITS (ROWHOUSE-STYLE) OF 1,036 SF W/500 SF BSMT. CONTACT TAMMY WILLIAMS.

FOR LEASE. TWO UNITS AVAILABLE: 3,091 SF AND 1,432 SF OF WAREHOUSE AND SHOP SPACE WITH 14-FOOT CLEAR CEILING HEIGHT AND OVERHEAD DOOR. CALL TAMMY FOR MORE INFO.

FOR LEASE. THIS 2,862 SF PROPERTY WAS BUILT IN 1956

BY WINDSOR UTILITIES COMMISSION. OUTFITTED FOR ONE OCCUPANT, BUT CAN BE SUBDIVIDED FOR TWO. PERFECT FOR RETAIL OR OFFICE USE. BRAND NEW HVAC SYSTEM. PARKING FOR 40 CARS ONSITE. CALL TAMMY WILLIAMS.

FOR SALE. EXECUTIVE BUILDING LOT, LOCATED IN ESTABLISHED NEIGHBOURHOOD. APPROX 90’ FRONTAGE. CLOSE TO ALL AMENITIES SUCH AS THE U.S./CAN BORDER, WALKING TRAILS, GOLF, SHOPPING, WATERFRONT, MARINA, RESTAURANTS + SCHOOLS. CONTACT TAMMY WILLIAMS.

215 EUGENIE ST. W.

299 GOSFIELD TOWNLINE, ESSEX

435 SILVER CREEK INDUSTRIAL DR.

2950 DOUGALL AVE.

FOR LEASE. FURNISHED, PROFESSIONAL OFFICE SPACE AT 3,266 SF. EXCELLENT MID-TOWN LOCATION CLOSE TO E.C ROW. ON EUGENIE W. BETWEEN OUELLETTE AND DOUGALL AVES. HIGH TRAFFIC, HIGH VISIBILITY. AMPLE ON-SITE PARKING. PYLON SIGNAGE AVAILABLE. CALL TAMMY WILLIAMS.

FOR SALE. SECLUDED COUNTRY SETTING 2 MINUTES FROM TOWN OF ESSEX. 3,100 SF BRICK RANCH ON 3.3 TREED ACRES OF MATURE, PROTECTED TREES. HUGE 4 CAR GARAGE/ WORKSHOP. PROPERTY HAS PLAN OF SUBDIVISION FOR 16 TOWNHOMES. CONTACT JIM WILLIAMS FOR FULL INFO.

FOR SALE. 14,555 SF MANUFACTURING FACILITY W/12,155 SF PLANT + 2,400 SF OF OFFICES ON 2 FLRS, ON 1.166 ACRES. OPEN PLANT DESIGN W/65’ BAY, 23’ CEILINGS & 10-TON CRANE. ENTIRE SITE AIR CONDITIONED. ONLY MIN. FROM HWY 401 & E.C. ROW. CALL TAMMY WILLIAMS.

FOR LEASE. TWO UNITS: 1,820 SF & 868 SF RETAIL/OFFICE SPACE IN BUSY PLAZA. ANCHORED BY REAL CANADIAN WHOLESALE CLUB W/2,000+ VISITORS/DAY. OTHER TENANTS, PLENTY OF ONSITE PARKING, HIGH TRAFFIC & VISIBILITY. CALL TAMMY WILLIAMS.

OCTOBER 2024

7

PRIME HOME SALES THE FOLLOWING REPRESENT SOME RECENT RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SALES IN THE ESSEX COUNTY/CHATHAM-KENT AREA:

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Where: 385 Rosedale Ave. Property Size: 51’ x 100’ # Bedrooms: 3 + 2 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $3,415 Listed For: $499,900 Sold For: $485,000

Where: 345 Pierre Ave. Property Size: 30’ x 121’ # Bedrooms: 4 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $1,800 Listed For: $299,000 Sold For: $245,000

Where: 1528 Hall Ave. Property Size: 30’ x 118’ # Bedrooms: 2 + 1 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $2,215 Listed For: $399,900 Sold For: $385,000

Where: 949 Belle Isle Property Size: 42’ x 108’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $2,906 Listed For: $349,900 Sold For: $429,000

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Where: 4235 Longfellow Property Size: 60’ x 118’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $3,568 Listed For: $499,900 Sold For: $540,000

Where: 3115 Askin Ave. Property Size: 60’ x 104’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $3,699 Listed For: $499,900 Sold For: $540,000

Where: 1932 Pillette Rd. Property Size: 40’ x 101’ # Bedrooms: 3 + 1 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $2,950 Listed For: $399,900 Sold For: $380,000

Where: 1009 Dot Ave. Property Size: 56’ x 90’ # Bedrooms: 3 + 1 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $2,561 Listed For: $469,900 Sold For: $447,000

“We continue to hear that advertising in Windsor Business, as our team does, adds credibility to our Wealth Management Process in the minds of our clients and prospective clients. The feedback we receive from the community, clients, friends and even competitors in the business has been nothing but positive.”

MARK ABRAHAM

Vice-President, Investment Advisor & Certified Retirement Specialist TD Wealth Private Investment Advice “ t

t

8

WINDSOR BUSINESS

PRIME HOME SALES THE FOLLOWING REPRESENT SOME RECENT RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SALES IN THE ESSEX COUNTY/CHATHAM-KENT AREA:

SOLD Where: 312 Martine Lane, LaSalle Property Size: 70’ x 123’ # Bedrooms: 3 + 2 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $3,691 Listed For: $599,000 Sold For: $600,000

SOLD Where: 20 Marsh Ct., Amherstburg Property Size: 47’ x irr. # Bedrooms: 3 + 2 # Bathrooms: 3 Taxes: $4,464 Listed For: $699,888 Sold For: $685,000

SOLD

SOLD

Where: 248 Broadway St., Belle River Property Size: 70’ x 137’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $2,766 Listed For: $479,900 Sold For: $520,000

Where: 4015 Tecumseh Line, Tilbury Property Size: 61’ x 140’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $2,155 Listed For: $399,900 Sold For: $399,900

CHATHAM-KENT

• WHEATLEY

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Where: 572 Richmond St., Amherstburg Property Size: 52’ x 132’ # Bedrooms: 3 + 1 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $3,558 Listed For: $499,900 Sold For: $470,000

Where: 165 Kael Cr., Harrow Property Size: 87’ x 159’ # Bedrooms: 2 + 2 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $3,186 Listed For: $649,900 Sold For: $620,000

Where: 206 Bernath St., Kingsville Property Size: 44’ x irr. # Bedrooms: 3 + 3 # Bathrooms: 3 Taxes: $4,367 Listed For: $1.09 million Sold For: $995,000

Where: 342 Robson Rd., Leamington Property Size: 50’ x 182’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $4,645 Listed For: $489,900 Sold For: $420,000

Quality. Experience. Style.

Scott Martindale - 3rd Generation

2895 Kew Drive, Windsor | 519-944-8111 | 1-800-298-0832 | martindalewindow.com

OCTOBER 2024

9

BUILDING PERMITS THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTS RECENT CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY IN ESSEX COUNTY AND CHATHAM-KENT: MUNICIPALITY OF LEAMINGTON COMMERCIAL: • • Individuals are two agricultural structures on a property on Mersea Rd. 7. Values of construction: $10 million and $900,000.

• Individuals are renovating a commercial building on Erie St. N. Value of construction: $500,000.

• Individuals are renovating a retail store on Erie St. S. Value of construction: $925,000.

• Individuals are building an addition to a child care nursery on Maxon Ave. Value of construction: $5.35 million.

MUNICIPALITY OF LEAMINGTON RESIDENTIAL: • Individuals are building a duplex

•

•

•

dwelling on Robinson St. Value of construction: $800,000.

Individuals are building an addition to a single-family home on Point Pelee Dr. Value of construction: $200,000.

Individuals are building a townhouse dwelling on Eagle St. Value of construction: $1.2 million.

Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Pinehurst Ave. Value of construction: $1 million.

Individuals are building a singlefamily dwelling on Mersea Rd. 11. Value of construction: $685,000.

MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT COMMERCIAL: • Southwest Agromart Ltd. is building a storage facility on

LET US BRING THE STORE TO YOUR DOOR. We measure. We install. We do it all!

Steven Caruso

Michael Campoli

Sales Manager

Owner

Centre Side Rd. Value of construction: $2.3 million.

• Timbertec is erecting an addition to an agricultural business on Scane Rd. Value of construction: $400,000.

MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT RESIDENTIAL: • CCS Engineering & Construction is building an addition to a residence on Drake Rd. Value of construction: $300,000.

• Individuals are building an addition to a single-family home on Legacy Lane. Value of construction: $100,000.

• Individuals are building an addition to a residence on Devon Rd. Value of construction: $100,000.

• Agri Urban Buildings Inc. is constructing a single-family home on Dufferin Ave. Value of construction: $650,000.

• Individuals are building an addition to a single-family home on St. Clair St. Value of construction: $190,000.

• Individuals are building a singlefamily home on Thirteenth Line.

Value of construction: $350,000.

• Timbertec is building a singlefamily home on River View.

Value of construction: $700,000.

• Affinity Elite Homes is building two sides of a semi-detached dwelling on Keil Trail N. Value of construction: $215,000 each.

TOWN OF KINGSVILLE COMMERCIAL:

Buy Local.

100% Canadian Made

We Are The Factory!

www.madetoshade.ca

519-999-9898

• Ruthven Farms Inc. is building an addition to a facility on Road 4 E. Value of construction: $1.7658 million.

• The Grove Corp. is undergoing Part 3 of renovations of a commercial property on Wigle Ave. Value of construction: $100,000.

• Marcovecchio Construction is erecting Part 3 of a commercial building on Road 3 E. Value of construction: $375,000.

• GS Engineering Consultants is undergoing Part 3 of an addition to an industrial building on Wigle Ave. Value of construction: $250,000.

TOWN OF KINGSVILLE RESIDENTIAL: • Individuals are building an addition to a single-family home on County Rd. 8. Value of construction: $80,000.

• Noah Homes is building a single-family dwelling on Mucci Dr. Value of construction: $700,000.

• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on County Rd. 34 E. Value of construction: $850,000.

• Brady Homes & Construction is erecting a single-family residence on County Rd. 34 W. Value of construction: $488,000.

• Solid Rock Homes is constructing a single-family dwelling on Road 2 E. Value of construction: $650,000.

TOWN OF ESSEX COMMERCIAL: • Boudreau Construction is erecting a new commercial building on Roseborough Rd. Value of construction: $1.5 million.

• G.L. Smith Planning is building a new Wendy’s restaurant on

Talbot St. N. Value of construction: $850,000.

TOWN OF ESSEX RESIDENTIAL: • Individuals are building an Addition Dwelling Unit at a singlefamily residence on Levergood Dr. Value of construction: $390,000.

• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on County Rd. 50 W. Value of construction: $1 million.

• Individuals are building a singlefamily home on Sydenham St. Value of construction: $825,000.

• Nor-Built Construction is erecting a single-family residence on Bellcreft Dr. Value of construction: $525,000.

• Individuals are building an addition to a single-family home on Ferris Ave. Value of construction: $100,000.

• R&S Renovations & Construction is building a single-family home on Erie St. S. Value of construction: $815,000.

• Individuals are building a singlefamily home on Iler Rd. Value of construction: $1.85 million.

• Individuals are erecting an Additional Dwelling Unit to a residence on Jackson St. Value of construction: $400,000.

• BK Cornerstone is building a single-family residence on Graf St. Value of construction: $705,000.

• Individuals are building a singlefamily home on 14th Conc. Rd. Value of construction: $995,000.

• Individuals are erecting an Additional Dwelling Unit to a residence on 4th Conc. Value of WB construction: $1 million.

LET US FOCUS ON YOUR FINANCIALS, SO YOU CAN FOCUS ON YOUR BUSINESS YOUR BOOKKEEPING SPECIALISTS SINCE 1993

To increase up-time, boost process reliability, and improve tool life, contact Triumph Tool, your first choice for presetting solutions.

• Year-End Preparation for your Accountant • Monthly Income Statements • Short-Term Accounting Fill-Ins • All Government Remittances • New Business Setup • Payroll Services and T4s • Bank Reconciliations

RACHELLE'S BETTER BOOKKEEPING • FROM SMALL PROPRIETORSHIPS TO LARGE CORPORATIONS • ON-SITE OR OFF-SITE SERVICE

552 Pitt Street West, Suite 104, Windsor

T: 519-915-1210 F: 519-915-9119 • C: 519-980-0316 rachelledz@hotmail.com

SPEED PRECISION RELIABILITY

10

WINDSOR BUSINESS

www.rachellesbetterbookkeeping.com

THE WORLD OF WORK

START UPS

BY JEANINE “J.T.” O’DONNELL

Be strategic to increase your compensation

THE FOLLOWING WINDSOR, ESSEX COUNTY AND CHATHAM-KENT COMPANIES WERE RECENTLY ISSUED CERTIFICATES OF INCORPORATION UNDER ONTARIO’S BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT:

Callie: I have been at my company for five years and have only gotten one raise two years ago. I think I am worth more money. How can I ask for more without sounding greedy or having them fire me?

your motivations.

Remember, the key to a successful salary negotiation is preparation and confidence.

WB

J.T.: You’re not alone, but there are powerful strategies that can help you get paid more for the job you’re already doing.

The first is to validate and quantify your accomplishments. This means transforming the bullet points in your résumé and LinkedIn profile into powerful statements backed by numbers. Remember, it’s not about how you did something; it’s about the results you achieved and the impact you made.

For example, instead of saying “Improved customer satisfaction,” try “Increased customer satisfaction ratings by 25 percent over six months, resulting in a 15 percent boost in repeat business.” Numbers are incredibly valuable on a résumé, because they quickly and efficiently demonstrate the depth of your expertise. They provide concrete evidence of your contributions and make it easier for employers to understand the value you bring to the table.

The second strategy involves creating what I call a “Job Matching Matrix.” This is a tool that helps you align your skills and experiences with the specific requirements of your current role.

Start by carefully reviewing your job description. For each requirement or responsibility listed, match it with a quantified bullet point from your résumé that demonstrates how you meet or exceed that expectation. This shows you not only understand your role, but are also excelling in it.

Remember, companies hire you because you can save or make them money, or alleviate pain points. The more you can position yourself as the solution to potential problems, the more valuable you become.

The final piece of the puzzle is to adopt a targeted approach to your career advancement. This means moving away from the mindset of a desperate job seeker willing to take anything, which can make you a commodity and limit your earning potential.

Instead, create an “Interview Bucket List.” This is a carefully curated list of 10 to 20 companies you would genuinely love to work for. Instead of applying online, use your network to back-channel into these companies.

When you reach the salary negotiation stage, be clear about

J.T. O’Donnell is the founder and CEO of the job search career coaching platform Work It Daily.

Visit workitdaily.com to submit your questions.

**

• Anax Epoxy Solutions Corp.

• Austin Group America Holdings Corporation • Ayat Trucking Inc. • Bobaroma Two Inc. • Brad Thomas Investments Inc. • Canada Render Ltd. • Chatham Bowlerama Inc. • Congress Annual Services Inc. • Cooke Mechanical Inc. • County Powder Coating Ltd. • Dataguardian Inc. • Discerning Services Group Ltd. • Fastlink Distribution & Logistic Inc.

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Garreffa Software Solutions GJ Windows & Doors Ltd. Heatherbrenn Investments Inc. HSP Solutions Inc. Hypersphere Global Solutions Lariviere Mechanical Contractors Ltd. Lets Eat & Sweet Inc. Liquid Luxury Mobile Bartending Inc. McLean Property Assets Inc. MKF Trucking Inc. NMT Petroleum Inc. O & S Capital Investments Inc. Omega Star Construction Corp.

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Pack’d Inn K9 Services Inc. Polanco’s Art Media Inc. Pro-Fit Investments Ltd. Quality Flooring Solutions Inc. Rehab Therapy Solutions Inc. Revive & Thrive Centre Inc. Rhodes Business Center Inc. Robotic Technology Solutions Rx Staffing Solutions Inc. Safan Math Center Inc. Selects Auto Service Inc. Shlok Security & Investigation Services Inc. • Shoreline Group Holdings Inc. Continued on page 12

RELY ON GOYEA MECHANICAL BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE ARE RELYING ON YOU COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL HVAC & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

DON’T GET CAUGHT IN THE COLD. GET YOUR BOILER SYSTEM CHECKED TODAY! • Regular heating & cooling maintenance for furnaces, boilers and ductless HVAC • Specialists in the inspection, repair and replacement of hot water and steam boiler systems • Avoid equipment failure and down time • Prolong the life of your equipment

Full HVAC System Design & Installation

Boiler Installation & Service Specialists

Full Service Repair & Maintenance

24/7 Emergency Assistance

Refrigeration & Sheet Metal

On-Site Property Maintenance

THE LAST HVAC COMPANY YOU’LL EVER HIRE SERVING ALL OF WINDSOR-ESSEX COUNTY-CHATHAM-KENT

5480 OLDCASTLE COURT, TECUMSEH

www.GMSHVAC.ca

Call today for a free consultation

519-250-0116

OCTOBER 2024

11

CORPORATISM

BY JIM BLASINGAME

Build a community in which you are a unifying force

I

am a rock, I am an island.

Those lyrics are the theme of the 1967 Simon and Garfunkel song, “I Am A Rock.”

When it first came out and was being played on the radio, I remember telling a friend I liked the song, and asked if he did. His answer was something I will never forget: He said, “No, I don’t. I don’t want to be an island.” That was the first time I had ever thought about identifying with a lyric. My friend certainly understood Paul’s words and

took exception.

I never hear that song without thinking of my friend’s comment, and about how right he was.

Success in life can’t be found if you isolate yourself.

So, how do you make sure you don’t become an island? Build a community. Webster says community is “a unified body of individuals.” Now let’s take it to the next level by putting a possessive adjective in front, like this: my community. Not “my community” as in the

place where you live. I’m talking about the community of people who know, support and depend on you, wherever they may be.

A community that belongs to me. Have you ever thought about your friends, family, business associates and acquaintances that way?

Everyone you know is a member of your community.

And here’s a pivotal thought: in “my community,” I am the unifying force, as you are in yours. I use the word “pivotal” because there is

great power in recognizing the unifying influence you have, and exercising that influence.

It’s important to think about the power of “my community” as leverage in our effort to carve out a niche in the marketplace. Being able to create and “unify” a community that is available to you – and you to it – is essential to success as a small business owner.

In Masters Of Networking, coauthored by my friend Ivan Misner, I found this: “Successful people do

Uncovering what drives you can drive more in-depth wealth advice.

We’re redefining private wealth management

not achieve their success on their own. Instead, they surround themselves with a well-developed, sophisticated support network.”

So, how do you create your community? In terms of your personal penetration of the marketplace, the egg – networking – comes first, followed by the chicken – results. Networking is definitely the egg which, when done well, produces lots of different kinds of chickens: a customer, a friend, a partner, a center-of-influence, an acquaintance.

I like things with handles; especially things my brain uses. That’s why I coin phrases and acronyms, which become handles that help me remember an idea or concept to be handy for later and regular use.

A carpenter’s hammer and saw aren’t productive unless he is building something. Networking, as a lever, is a tool that is not productive unless you are consciously working on strengthening your community with it. You use a hammer and saw to build a house, and you use networking to move, build, unify and influence your community.

Recognizing you have a community, which you influence and unify, and identifying the profile of the members, will help you focus your future networking activity more productively.

Write this on a rock: Master carpenters build houses. Master networkers build communities. Get off of your island and start building “your community.”

WB

James Labiak (Client Service Associate), Mark Abraham (Senior Investment Advisor), Lori Seguin (Client Service Associate)

At TD Wealth Private Investment Advice, we’ll uncover what really drives your financial decision-making.

With our new proprietary discovery process, we’ll get to know you on a much deeper, personal level so you can make better, more informed wealth decisions. It’s private wealth management redefined at TD Wealth.

Mark Abraham, B. Comm. (Hons), CIM® Associate Porfolio Manager and Senior Investment Advisor

Abraham & Associates Wealth Management Group 156 Ouellette Avenue, Suite 300, Windsor, ON N9A 1A4 Tel: 519-253-2193 | Toll free: 800-287-1898 mark.abraham@td.com Abraham and Associates Wealth Management Group is a part of TD Wealth Private Investment Advice, a division of TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. which is a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ® The TD logo and other TD trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or its subsidiaries.

12

WINDSOR BUSINESS

Jim Blasingame is the author of The 3rd Ingredient, the Journey of Analog Ethics into the World of Digital Fear and Greed. Visit jimblasingame.com.

START UPS Continued from page 11 • • • • • • • • • • •

Star Windsor Auto Glass Ltd. Strada Inc. Super Rich Man Canada Inc. Techno Motors Auto Sales Inc. The Great Wall Restaurant Inc. The Rack Solutions Inc. Trinity Logistics Windsor Inc. Uppa Concrete Inc. V.I.P. Fresh Market Meats Ltd. Viavideo Communications Inc. Vic’s Plumbing & Mechanical Contracting Inc. • Virtuelectrical Inc. • Wedrive Transportation Inc. WB