Windsor Business October 2026 by Windsor Business

13 WORLD OF WORK A career advice column by a workplace consultant and career coach.

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16 CORPORATISM: Jim Blasingame offers several steps to grow your business with quality referrals.

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OCTOBER 2026

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 2

AT A GLANCE A look at the U.S. states that will be hardest hit by Canada’s recent counter-tariffs.

CROSSWORD

PHOTO BY MIKE CHASE, WINDSOR AERIAL DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY

10 PRIME HOME

ESSEX ECONOMICS

12 BUILDING PERMITS

PRIME PROPERTY

A compilation of construction activity in the Windsor and area market. 15 START UPS Newly incorporated firms launched in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent.

he brunch bunch may want to consider an entirely new concept for Windsor. Local chef Charbel Boutros is bringing a “very unique” brunch menu that “you just can’t get somewhere else,” when his restaurant Char Craft & Comfort opens on Ottawa Street toward the end of October. “It’s not your basic bacon and eggs,” he said. While the eatery, located in the former Sonny Boy K BBQ and Mamo Burger Bar space, “is going to have that,” Boutros said it will offer much more. “You’re going to come here and get something so unique, it’s going to blow your socks off. And if this doesn’t, then try the next one, because there’ll be something on this menu for everybody.” Continued on page 15

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A look at recent commercial property transfers in the Essex and Chatham-Kent area.

A look at residential property sales in Essex County and Chatham-Kent.

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

Charbel Boutros at his newest iteration of a brunch spot on Ottawa Street, Char Craft & Comfort. By Ron Stang

PRIME PROPERTY

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

A series of guest columns by business executives on various trends in the region. 8

AT A GLANCE A LOOK AT THE U.S. STATES HIT HARDEST BY CANADA’S TARIFFS.

JUST THE FACTS:

1. States most impacted by Canada’s counter-tariffs

• Trade talks between the U.S. and Canada have broken down, with Canada responding to broad U.S. duties with dollar-for-dollar tariffs on key American products. • The data from BBC, Scotiabank and Statistics Canada shows the value of exports in each U.S. state covered by Canadian counter-tariffs, with figures in U.S. dollars. • The Great Lakes region stands out on the map, reflecting its central role in the roughly $870-billion bilateral trading relationship. • Ohio and Illinois have more exports covered by Canadian tariffs than any other states, at $2.3 billion and $2.1 billion respectively. These are followed by Pennsylvania at $1.8 billion. • New duties on dairy products such as milk and cheese are particularly relevant for Wisconsin, which has $1.4 billion in exports covered by Canadian tariffs. Canadian tariffs are now 25 percent on cheese and curd and 50 percent on milk and cream. • North Dakota currently has just $38 million in exports covered by Canadian tariffs. However, the state sends more than three-quarters of its exports to Canada, leaving it particularly vulnerable if the trade dispute escalates. Source: Visual Capitalist, September 2026.

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WINDSOR BUSINESS

ACROSS 1 Game birds 5 “ – Vice” 10 Stitches 14 Winglike parts 15 Daisylike flower 16 Hurry 17 Temperamental star 18 Campfire treat 19 Ethereal 20 Happenings 22 Combined 24 Punta del – 25 Work the soil 26 Take place 30 Invented 34 Toward a ship’s rear 37 Custom 39 “Toy Story” cowboy 40 Tal 42 French painter 44 Hawaiian goose 45 Ricochet 47 Ceremonial acts 49 Youngster 50 Unchanging 52 Do a jig 54 “Woe is me!” 56 All (prefix) 59 Town in Wisconsin 62 Faints 64 Operatic heroine 65 Kind of magical card 67 Snare

68 Elevator name 69 “A Night at the –” 70 Serf 71 Saucy 72 Prepare 73 Farming need DOWN: 1 Grow dim 2 Martini fruit 3 Ripples 4 Storage shack (Hyph.) 5 Bulk 6 Ideology 7 Unseen particle 8 Be worthy of 9 Promoting peace 10 Equine 11 Ohio lake 12 News 13 Animal enclosure 21 Part of MIT 23 Shine 27 Bounder 28 Rideshare service

29 Stiff 31 Holiday song 32 Krabappel of “The Simpsons” 33 Tinted 34 The basics 35 Level 36 Scarlett’s plantation 38 “Bye-bye!” 41 Plant expert 43 Japanese money 46 Venus de – 48 Cargo vessel 51 Star in Gemini 53 Overacts 55 Contour 57 Scandinavian 58 Lacking sense 59 Airborne toy 60 Arab ruler 61 Field 62 Remain 63 Hurried 64 Swab 66 Local law (Abbr.)

September solution

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

CARTOON

THE EDITOR’S DESK NADIA H. SHOUSHER

CARTOON BY PAUL MARCH

It’s collective chaos in the market

I’VE CONTACTED THE PERSONAL REFERENCES ON YOUR RESUME, AND EVERYONE SAYS YOU’RE A FUN GUY TO WORK WITH. THAT YOU’RE THE OFFICE CLOWN. I’M NOT SURE THAT’S A GOOD THING...

BUSINESS BOOST “If active investing is so illogical, then why do we adults practice it regularly? Traditional economics dictates we would act in a rational manner to increase our wealth. “Unfortunately, traditional economics fails to take into account that we are feeling animals who happen to think, rather than thinking animals who happen to feel. “Behavioral finance is a fascinating field of investing that is a combination of psychology and finance. It shows we consistently act in ways that result in lower economic gains. It shouldn’t be surprising that we are willing to dismiss common sense, and hold that the laws of simple mathematics don’t apply to us. Maybe they apply only to the average people, not those of us who are above average. “People usually have two things in common: They have absolutely no idea how much they are paying for their portfolio, and in at least 95 percent of the cases, their portfolio has vastly underperformed the comparable low-cost indexes.” Allan S. Roth in How a Second Grader Beats Wall Street, John Wiley & Sons.

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 30, ISSUE 6 • OCTOBER 2026 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Nadia H. Shousher

ART DIRECTOR

David Cowx

CONTRIBUTORS

Jim Blasingame, Dan Chase, Mike Chase, Dale Dauten, Paul March, Devan Mighton, J.T. O’Donnell, Nikita Prajapati, 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., 2026. THE PAGE PUBLISHING CORP. 552 PITT STREET WEST, SUITE 101 WINDSOR, ONTARIO N9A 5M2 TEL: (519) 255-9775 info@windsorbusiness.net • www.windsorbusiness.net

have resigned myself to the realization that I am destined to be poor. Quality-of-life rich, but cash poor. Besides the annoyances faced by all business operators in this country – including over-taxation and archaic labor laws – this country is not an environment conducive to self-employment. Some examples are changes to immigration and temporary foreign worker programs. It’s collective chaos, and it has wreaked havoc on the market. The argument for immigration cuts is there are not enough social service funds to manage the current population, let alone a boom. I get that. On the other hand, most immigrants arrive in Canada ready to work. Most pool their family’s resources and, in a relatively short time, are able to buy or open a business, buy a home, and spend their joint earnings within the community. The other day someone said Employment Insurance should depend only on the recipient being willing to pick fruits or vegetables on area farms, gut the fish or sweep the floors – a sad attempt to replace the overworked and underpaid migrant worker in the County. As if Canadian born-and-bred EI recipients would accept these jobs! It’s too easy to milk the system – funded primarily by beleaguered business owners – than to get off one’s arse and work. Why do you think these companies had to scout the global menial labor force for workers in the first place? Because such honest physical labor for non-union wages is every person’s path to future wealth? Having bemoaned the local labor market myself many a time, I am not so naïve as to expect such policies to improve the pool. We are a nation of spoiled brats. We were raised with the largesse of a publicly funded social welfare system that, over time, ceased to be a stop-gap or emergency measure and instead devolved into a lucrative way of life for those in its embrace. The average Canadian is taxed to death, and business owners are hampered by government fingers in the till. The rate of Canadian businesses failing to remit their taxes while subverting most of their income is higher than it’s ever been. And why not? Why should I work so hard to earn a buck, just to hand it over to The Man for employment benefits, income tax, WSIB, CPP and the love of my life, HST? Yet I cannot hire or fire whomever I want, lest I violate some inane labor law. I have to collect and remit taxes for the tax collector. And I am strong-armed into accepting sub-par work from sub-par people. It’s a great testament to the entrepreneur’s spirit that we haven’t all decamped en masse to greener pastures. If only we knew where they were … Nadia H. Shousher is Editor-in-Chief of Windsor Business, a division of The Page Publishing Corp.

ESSEX ECONOMICS NATHAN JAMAIL

Mandate it out of importance

n today’s politically correct business world, too many leaders are more concerned about not offending their employees than they are about helping them grow. One of the biggest issues keeping teams from achieving greater success is a leader’s fear of mandating the activities and behaviors necessary to win. Somewhere along the way, the word “mandate” became a bad word. Leaders are told to empower people, give them autonomy, trust them and avoid micromanaging them. But none of those things eliminate a leader’s responsibility to establish standards and hold people accountable to those standards. Don’t mandate out of power. Mandate out of importance. If a leader coaches their employees, it is not because they want to prove they’re the boss. They mandate coaching because they believe it is critical to the success of that employee. If weekly practice meetings are mandated, it is because teams that practice together perform better together. If it’s mandated that leaders spend intentional time working alongside their employees, it is because leaders cannot effectively coach people they rarely observe. That is not about power; it is about priorities. We love talking about “setting clear expectations.” But the problem is an expectation that is not mandatory, and does not have accountability or consequences, is not an expectation. It is merely a suggestion. Clear expectations are good leadership. Vague ones are just good intentions (or at worst, lazy direction). Imagine a football coach telling the team, “I expect everyone at practice tomorrow morning, but if you don’t want to come, that’s okay.” That would be ridiculous, yet we do the equivalent every day in business. We tell leaders we expect them to coach, but we don’t require coaching. We tell employees we expect them to prepare, practice, communicate and execute certain activities, but we don’t hold them accountable for doing them. Then we become frustrated when behaviors don’t change. As a leader, you may mandate that your leaders coach their employees. You don’t have to mandate exactly what they teach or script every word they use. You mandate the what because it is important. You give them ownership of the how, because you trust them to lead. That is not micromanagement – that is leadership. Great leaders create clarity around what matters most and then give their people the freedom, coaching and accountability to execute. If something is truly critical to the success of your people, your clients and your organization, stop being afraid to make it mandatory. Then give your people the freedom and responsibility to execute those expectations in a way that allows them to bring their own strengths, personalities and talents to the table. Don’t mandate because you have the power. Mandate because it is important. Nathan Jamail is a CEO, bestselling author, and Adjunct Professor in the MBA program at SMU’s Cox School of Business. Visit www.NathanJamail.com.

OCTOBER 2026

DEVELOPMENT

DOWNTOWN

BY RON STANG

Physician team eyes strategic Ojibway intersection for complex

husband-and-wife physician team has plans for a medical retail complex at a strategic intersection in west Windsor. Dr. Khyati Patel, a psychologist, and Dr. Sanket Patel, a family doctor, have purchased the open lot at the corner of Ojibway Parkway, Sprucewood Avenue and Marigold Drive. The seller was a numbered company associated with Coco Developments. Coco at one time had plans for a big box retail site on what was once Windsor Raceway lands, but never moved on it. There was considerable opposition from a local environmental group and, earlier this year, 50 acres of neighboring property were purchased by a provincial conservation group and turned over as part of a proposed Ojibway National Urban Park. However, this piece of property, abutting a bar, fast food restos and a gas station, was still available. The Patels, along with a silent partner, purchased the 2.2 acres for $850,000. The doctors, LaSalle residents, currently practice in Michigan within the ProMedica health system. But they want to repatriate their practice to Canada.

Local brothers snap up Chatham Street building

“We’re slowly starting to move our practice here,” Khyati said. “We are proud Canadians and we want to be practicing in Canada.” The couple have hired designbuild firm Rosati to construct the one-storey complex, a $7 to $8 million investment. Construction is expected to start next year and will last close to a year. The multi-building project will offer 20,000 square feet with a mix of professional, service and retail spaces. “We want to have our clinic there as well,” Khyati said. The idea is to have an “integrated” psychology and physical medical group practice. “This is one of a kind,” she said. “I believe in in-

tegrated practice, where physical and mental health are in the same place.” There would be 10 to 12 outlets from 1,200 to 1,500 square feet. Khyati said there already has been “a lot of interest” and they can design the units to tenants’ needs. Retail could serve the numerous workers in the nearby industrial park. “A daycare might be a good option,” she said. “We’re hoping for an optometrist and pharmacy, dental or any other specialist.” She noted the high-profile location near LaSalle, the Gordie Howe Bridge and traffic from Amherstburg. “They have less integrated care there as well.” WB

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couple of local investing brothers have purchased what looks like a spanking new office building in downtown Windsor on Chatham Street East. The Mansour brothers (Ali and Haidar) purchased the court-ordered sale for $700,000 of what has been a vacant 38-44 Chatham Street East, two-storey building across from old bus depot. The previous owner apparently filed for bankruptcy. The brothers have been investing in Windsor properties for more than 20 years, mainly small automotive-related sites. “We don’t have a plan for it yet. The plan was to find a plan for it,” Ali said. “We just found that it was a good opportunity downtown,” where they haven’t invested before. They’d like to be a part of a continuing downtown “turnaround.” “We have a couple of projects that we’re studying right now to do, nothing is set in stone yet,” Ali said. One option could be a new Middle Eastern restaurant, since Mazaar on Ouellette Avenue had closed. They want to repeat the success of their other investments, “so we have to do a proper business plan.” He said “It’s a beautiful building, that’s why we jumped on the opportunity,” although some renovations are needed. There is also a parking structure next door. Ali has also been meeting with the local city councillor as well as

other downtown businesspeople to get a feel what would work. “They know downtown more than I do.” Chris MacLeod, chair of the Downtown Windsor Business Association and a professional realtor, said the building has been vacant “for a long time. And whenever these buildings change hands, were hopeful that’s going to result in activation of an otherwise vacant space,”

“IT’S A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING, THAT’S WHY WE JUMPED ON THE OPPORTUNITY,” ALTHOUGH SOME RENOVATIONS ARE NEEDED. He said one of the problems downtown is the number of absentee landlords, and “speculative building owners who are not, in my opinion, working hard enough to activate their spaces. They’re holding out for rents that are not achievable,” although he admitted there are “things that are challenging downtown.” MacLeod called it “definitely a beautiful building” and “certainly stands out in terms of its curb appeal.” The building next door had had its façade redone “so that block is starting to see a transformation similar to what the investment group is doing on Chatham, west of Ouellette, with renovated offices. WB

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RETAIL

EDUCATION

BY RON STANG

Group invests in three high profile plazas

n investment group comprised of a few local dentists has acquired three more plazas to add to its growing commercial portfolio. Helmed by Matthew Duronio, the group paid $11.2 million for the high-profile side by side commercial strips at 1290, 1320 and 1350 Walker Road, opposite Ottawa Street and the former Market Square building. The market closed in 2023. All of the plazas are multi-tenanted, virtually filled and with some national retailers. There are 11 units altogether. The most northerly plaza has Pet Valu and Red Swan Pizza. Another plaza includes Circle K, LCBO, Subway, One Plant and Bar Burrito. A third, recently completed, has Dairy Queen, Shelby Shawarma and an upcoming nail salon. There is still one unit available for lease. The previous owner, identified by a numbered company, was based in Belle River. Duronio said the former owner was partners with another family that had owned the properties since the 1970s. The acquisition does not include a fourth plaza to the north that contains the well known Gilligan’s restaurant.

The group bought its first plaza in 2022. “We like commercial. We like good solid anchor tenants with good leases, so that is what we’ve been looking for,” Duronio said. He said increasingly some of these properties are coming up for sale because the previous ownership is reaching retirement age. “If you get the right property, there can be good buys.” WB

French public school to open next year

outhwestern Ontario’s French public school board is opening its first school in Chatham-Kent. The Conseil Scolaire Viamonde (Viamonde school board) paid $1.6 million to acquire the former Georges P. Vanier elementary school from the St. Clair Catholic District School Board. It was the last of that school’s board’s “surplus” properties to be disposed of, following a school reorganization in 2024.

The almost five-acre property is located at 20 Cecile Avenue in the southeast corner of the city. The school measures 25,000 square feet. It was built in 1967 with additions in 1992 and 1994. The school did not have a full daycare, only a before and after program for school students. The board’s 2024 restructuring saw the opening of two new schools – St. Angela Merici in 2020, and St. Teresa of Calcutta in 2024 – and the closing of other schools.

Meanwhile, the Viamonde board, which has schools as far as the GTA, as well as an elementary and a high school in Windsor, will reopen next fall and accommodate 215 elementary students, according to a release, and eventually a daycare center. An additional $4 to $6 million is being invested in upgrades. Regional board trustee David Paradis said the school will offer local families “a new choice in French education.” WB

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“We’re super happy to have them in our portfolio,” Duronio said of the three acquired. “We wanted national anchor tenants.” The sales follow another recent plaza purchase by the group, that one at the southwest corner of Cabana and Dougall in south Windsor. “So, we’re starting to get into some good properties with some good national tenants that we’re excited to have.” This brings to four the investment group’s commercial plaza ownership, the three on Walker Road counting as one property. They also own another Walker Road plaza further south containing Oven 360 and Whamburg restaurants. They bought a plaza on Tecumseh Road East a year ago that has Davies Financial and other tenants.

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OCTOBER 2026

RETAIL

SALE

BY RON STANG

Piroli Group Developments buys site Chain buys former of area’s largest Thai restaurant Amherstburg LCBO site

numbered company associated with the Piroli Group Developments has purchased the building hosting a well-known east side restaurant – the largest Thai eatery in the city – that used to be a church. The $2.8-million purchase of the property holding the Thai Palace restaurant took place in August. Attempts to reach owner Rob Piroli were unsuccessful. Leamington-based Piroli has a well-known track record of innovative commercial and residential development, including numerous mid-sized apartment buildings in Windsor-Essex.

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These include the LaSalle municipal building, River’s Edge apartments in Amherstburg, and the Seacliff Residential Complex in Leamington. It has developments as far afield as Mississauga. The design-build firm also has built commercial plazas. Thai Palace at 1140 Lauzon Road has seating for 120 people indoors and out. Owners Ray and Charles Anderson bought the property in 2012 and then sold it to another party in 2021, which in turn likely sold it to Piroli. But Thai palace isn’t going anywhere. “We still have a seven-year lease,” Ray said. “We’re still going

to be operating there.” She said the couple originally decided to sell when the market was “at the top.” She said the recent – unidentified except for corporate name 1140 Lauzon Inc. – seller “owns a lot of property around the area.” Ray believes it’s the largest Thai eatery in the area. “This is the biggest one because we have two kitchens,” she said, noting an expansion in 2019. The restaurant started in 2007 and leased across the street before buying the current site. And the couple has expanded their business by opening a second Thai Palace in Kingsville this past summer. WB

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major Canadian restaurant company, which operates three popular brands, has purchased the former LCBO store property on Sandwich Street, just south of the town’s core along a retail strip. Devcor Capital Inc., also known as the Obsidian Group Inc., paid $1.3 million in August for the just over one-acre site. Calls to principal George Karamountzos were taken by a receptionist, but he didn’t respond to requests for comment. Obsidian owns Crabby Joe’s Bar & Grill – “with attention on sports and humor” and has been in business more than 20 years. There’s also Coffee Culture Café & Eatery, which “resembles a European-style coffee house” serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. And Chuck’s Roadhouse Bar & Grill with steaks, lobster tail and premium burgers “offered at a fraction” of competitors’ prices. There has been much online speculation in Amherstburg that a Chuck’s is moving into town. Chuck’s otherwise covers the area with six locations – three in Windsor and three in the County. The closest Crabby Joe’s locations to

Windsor are in London; the closest Coffee Culture sites are in London and Sarnia. Restaurant industry analyst Jeff Dover, of fsSTRATEGY, said the location likely would be a Crabby Joe’s or Chuck’s. “Maybe Crabby Joe’s, as there seems to be a few in the area but a gap in Amherstburg.”

“THE LCBO IS ABOUT 6,000 SQUARE FEET, WHICH WOULD BE A LARGE CRABBY JOE’S OR CHUCK’S ROADHOUSE BUT NOT SIGNIFICANTLY SO.” Dover said Obsidian also has Union Burger, “but the footprint is too large. The LCBO is about 6,000 square feet, which would be a large Crabby Joe’s or Chuck’s Roadhouse but not significantly so.” Amherstburg municipal planner Sarah French said the site at 495 sandwich Street South is zoned for Commercial Highway (CH) businesses. These include everything from restaurants and home improvement stores to medical offices. There are requirements for lot sizes and frontages. WB

LAUNCH

COUNTY

BY NIKITA PRAJAPATI

BY RON STANG

Purple Vixen Beauty opens in Amherstburg

hen Heaven Cooper started Purple Vixen Beauty in 2023, she operated the business as a mobile spa, travelling to clients’ homes to provide beauty services. The mobile model was important to Cooper, as it allowed clients to receive services in their own homes, particularly when there were limited options for accessible self-care services in the area. Cooper always planned to eventually have a physical location. In 2025, she moved into Lavender Hair Lounge, where she rented a small room and continued growing her business. As it expanded, Cooper wanted additional space for services, retail products, workshops and events. That led to the opening of Purple Vixen Beauty’s storefront at 111 Sandwich Street in Amherstburg. For Cooper, Amherstburg was a natural choice. “I grew up here and currently call it home,” she said. “I love the sense of community and the support people show local businesses.” Purple Vixen continues to offer mobile services while operating

from its storefront, and serves clients in Amherstburg, LaSalle and Windsor. Cooper’s background as a personal support worker has also influenced how she approaches the business, particularly when it comes to accessibility. “For me, beauty services are about how people feel while they’re here,” Cooper said. “I want clients to feel comfortable, cared for and able to enjoy some time to themselves.” Amherstburg’s Economic Development officer also recognized Cooper’s progression, describing the business as an example of a local entrepreneur expanding from a home-service model into a storefront. Cooper plans to develop workshops and events, and hopes the space can be used by other local creatives for community events. The interior reflects Cooper’s personal interests with the color purple, plants, books and tea incorporated into the space. Her immediate focus is settling into the new location, and continuing to improve the space, including its accessibility. WB

Two auto businesses swap properties

ne chain-owned auto collision shop has sold one of its sites to an up and coming auto repair business in the Maple City. A numbered company, known as CSN Collision, has sold 70 Borrowman Drive to The Shop, owned by Travis Peters. The price was $775,000. The Shop has been in business for almost five years and is now expanding. Jason High, CSN Apex Autogroup general manager, said his firm has three stores in Chatham, Tilbury and Wallaceburg. While selling the 70 Borrowman site, CSN moved to a bigger location in Chatham at 300 Junction Avenue. CSN Apex is owned by Ryan Johnson and Chris Jones. High said they built a 20,000square-foot location, up from the 4,000 square feet on Borrowman. “We’re a collision center, specializing in accident repair, and we’re one of the most certified

L SA

shops between Windsor and London,” he said. CSN is a national cooperative with individually owned outlets with central billing for insurance. The owners started with the Tilbury site, then opened Chatham, and three years ago opened in Wallaceburg.

“WE HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR A NEW BUILDING FOR ABOUT A YEAR WHEN CSN LISTED THEIRS FOR SALE. IT WAS THE RIGHT SIZE AND A WELL MAINTAINED, CLEAN SHOP.” High said growth comes from more collision repairs due to the fact the firm is well certified with auto manufacturers that meet their standards. “And as part of this new endeavour (Junction Ave.) we’ve also

built our business out to include a full calibration center,” he said. “More and more vehicles have things like automatic braking and blind spot warnings, so we’ve made the investment so we can properly calibrate those vehicles back to OEM (original equipment manufacturer) standard after repair.” Meanwhile, The Shop now has two locations including the original on Grand Avenue East. “We were outgrowing our current shop, especially the parking lot and with only two hoists,” spouse Michelle Peters said. “We had been looking for a new building for about a year when CSN listed theirs for sale. It was the right size and a well maintained, clean shop.” The Peters, former foster parents, have long taken on co-op students and trained apprentices. “Travis really has a heart for young people, which shows in the way he is so open to accepting and training so many local youth in the trade,” she said. WB

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Call today for an evaluation of your insurance needs 511 Erie St. E., Windsor 226-216-5777 • 1-833-621-0744 www.TaboneInsurance.com OCTOBER 2026

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

SOLD Address: 459 Ouellette Ave. Selling Price: $650,000 Vendor: 1486093 Ontario Inc. Purchaser: 1001744615 Ontario Inc.

SOLD

Address: 581 Cataraqui St./ 800 Howard Ave. Selling Price: $2.1 million Vendor: Ontario Superior Court of Justice Purchaser: 581 Cataraqui Inc.

Address: 232 Drouillard Rd. Selling Price: $775,000 Vendor: WLW Property Corp. Purchaser: J&H Asset Management Ltd.

SOLD SOLD

SOLD

Address: 1360 Pelletier Ave. Selling Price: $2,565,100 Vendor: Reigns Custom Homes Inc. Purchaser: 9636650 Canada Ltd.

Address: 2814 Howard Ave. Selling Price: $2 million Vendor: 1903257 Ontario Inc. Purchaser: 2322272 Alberta Ltd.

FOR LEASE 5265 OUTER DRIVE 8 MIN DRIVE TO GORDIE HOWE BRIDGE

Address: 116-3817 Howard Ave. Selling Price: $679,100 Vendor: South Barbershop & Spa Inc. Purchaser: 1001674877 Ontario Inc.

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

SOLD

Address: 2050-2060 Fasan Dr., Tecumseh Selling Price: $3.9 million Vendor: Sernacon Holdings Inc. Purchaser: 971095 Ontario Inc.

SOLD

Address: 13281 Tecumseh Rd. E., Tecumseh Selling Price: $2.3 million Vendor: Vion Enterprises Inc. Purchaser: Ekbatan Corp.

SOLD

Address: 1814 Mersea Rd. 7, Leamington Selling Price: $1.1 million Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: 1001720835 Ontario Inc.

Address: 2-12 Main St. W., Chatham-Kent Selling Price: $1.55 million Vendor: Ontario Superior Court of Justice Purchaser: La Residences Ltd.

CHATHAM-KENT

• WHEATLEY

SOLD

SOLD Address: 485-495 Sandwich St. S., Amherstburg Selling Price: $1.35 million Vendor: Kings Capital Inc. Purchaser: Devcor Capital Inc.

Address: 2010 Seacliff Dr., Kingsville Selling Price: $1.4 million Vendor: Mastco Inc. Purchaser: 1001691932 Ontario Inc.

SOLD

Address: 429 County Rd. 14 E., Kingsville Selling Price: $2.4 million Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: CJ Bradley & Sons Ltd.

Address: 6 Iroquois Rd., Leamington Selling Price: $1.8 million Vendor: 1998239 Ontario Ltd. Purchaser: 2771878 Ontario Ltd.

4640-90 TECUMSEH RD. E.

2045 ASTOR CR.

FOR SALE – CHATHAM

4960 WALKER RD.

400 ERIE ST. E., UNIT 1

FOR SALE. 5 UNIT PLAZA. APPROX 9,550 SF AT ONE OF THE HIGHEST TRAFFIC LOCATIONS ON TECUMSEH EAST. EACH UNIT HAS SEPARATE UTILITY METERS. ROOF REPLACED APPROX 10 YEARS AGO. PAVED PARKING AT REAR FOR 11 CARS. CONTACT JIM WILLIAMS.

FOR LEASE. A 13,060 SF BUILDING LOCATED IN OLDCASTLE, WHICH INCLUDES 2,680 SF OF FIRST-CLASS OFFICE SPACE BETWEEN TWO FLOORS. ALSO OFFERS SHOP SPACE WITH TWO GRADE-LEVEL OVERHEAD DOORS, CRANES AND 18' CLEAR HEIGHT CEILINGS. CALL TAMMY WILLIAMS FOR MORE INFO.

GENTRY MANOR HAS BEEN A CORNERSTONE OF DOWNTOWN CHATHAM FOR 150+ YEARS. THIS 10,000 SF LANDMARK OFFERS A RARE FUSION OF ARCHITECTURAL GRANDEUR & MODERN VERSATILITY. A RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ASSET BUILT TO IMPRESS, & BUILT TO LAST.

FOR LEASE. TWO UNITS AVAILABLE: 3,230 & 2100 SF OF BEAUTIFULLY FINISHED OFFICE SPACE, WITH MULTIPLE OFFICES & BOARDROOM, ETC. VERY WELL APPOINTED AREA W/EASY ACCESS TO HIGHWAY 401, AND CLOSE TO E.C. ROW & BOTH US-CANADA BORDER CROSSINGS. PLENTY OF ONSITE PARKING.

FOR LEASE. 4,559 SF OF LOFT-STYLE OFFICE SPACE. BEAUTIFULLY FINISHED, TWO-STOREY, OPEN CONCEPT OFFICES. INCLUDES PRIVATE OFFICES, 2 BATHROOMS, RECEPTION AREA, BOARDROOM, KITCHEN & OPEN CONCEPT SHARED WORKSPACE. LOTS OF WINDOWS, NATURAL LIGHT.

980 McDOUGALL ST.

400 ERIE ST. E.

1329 OTTAWA ST.

370 ERIE ST. E.

3981 TURNER RD.

FOR LEASE. 4,840 SF BETWEEN TWO FLOORS OF WAREHOUSE/ OFFICE SPACE. SECOND FLOOR IS ACCESSIBLE BY ELEVATOR + STAIRS. COOL FLEX-SPACE W/ LOADS OF CHARACTER, PERFECT FOR OFFICE & WAREHOUSE USES. OVERHEAD DOOR. LOTS OF ON-SITE PARKING. CONTACT TAMMY WILLIAMS TO VIEW.

FOR LEASE. 1,550 SF OF WAREHOUSE / SHOP SPACE WITH 14 FOOT CLEAR CEILING HEIGHT. OVERHEAD DOOR. TENANT IS RESPONSIBLE TO PAY ITS PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF CAM CHARGES. CONTACT TAMMY WILLIAMS TO VIEW.

FOR SALE. OWNER RETIRING. APPROX 3,000 SF RETAIL STORE AT THIS LOCATION SINCE THE 1940S. OTTAWA IS ONE OF WINDSOR’S MOST BELOVED SHOPPING AREAS. WITH 80+ SHOPS, RESTAURANTS & SERVICES. VEHICLE COUNT OF 12,000+ CARS DAILY + BUSY WALK-BY TRAFFIC.

FOR LEASE. 16,215 SF OF EXCELLENT WAREHOUSE/ MANUFACTURING SPACE. UNIT HAS 3 LOADING DOCKS AND 2 DRIVE-IN DOORS. CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN & WINDSOR/DETROIT TUNNEL. APPROX 10 MINUTES FROM THE AMBASSADOR BRIDGE. VERY CLEAN W/PLENTY OF ON-SITE PARKING.

FOR SALE. 4,500 SF FIRST-CLASS LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, CENTRALLY LOCATED A BLOCK FROM CTY RD. 42, AND 5 MIN. FROM 401 AND EC ROW, AND APPROX 15 MIN. TO THE BRIDGES. TOTALLY UPDATED W/EXCELLENT FINISHES, 2 GRADE-LEVEL LOADING DOORS + ON-SITE PARKING.

JIM WILLIAMS

TAMMY WILLIAMS

519.257.9675

519.984.2960

BROKER, CCIM, SIOR

BROKER

OCTOBER 2026

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

SOLD

Where: 3647 Matchett Rd. Property Size: 81’ x irr. # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $1,843 Listed For: $315,000 Sold For: $310,000

Where: 2784 Alexandra Property Size: 70’ x irr. # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $4,675 Listed For: $629,000 Sold For: $620,000

Where: 1025 Esdras Ave. Property Size: 60’ x 151’ # Bedrooms: 4 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $3,813 Listed For: $399,000 Sold For: $410, 000

Where: 1739 Castleton Property Size: 31’ x 103’ # Bedrooms: 2 + 2 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $4,043 Listed For: $499,999 Sold For: $492,500

SOLD

Where: 1309 Chappell Ave. Property Size: 68’ x 104’ # Bedrooms: 3 + 3 # Bathrooms: 3 Taxes: $5,597 Listed For: $649,000 Sold For: $710,000

Where: 3483 Dougall Ave. Property Size: 60’ x 107’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $3,291 Listed For: $499,900 Sold For: $465,000

Where: 1163 Louis Ave. Property Size: 30’ x 106’ # Bedrooms: 4 + 1 # Bathrooms: 3 Taxes: $2,200 Listed For: $328,800 Sold For: $405,000

Where: 1437 Windermere Property Size: 34’ x 92’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $2,410 Listed For: $359,500 Sold For: $338,000

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WINDSOR BUSINESS

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

SOLD Where: 7165 Malden Rd., LaSalle Property Size: 81’ x Irr. # Bedrooms: 3 + 1 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $3,639 Listed For: $549,900 Sold For: $535,000

SOLD Where: 5 Atlantic Crt., Amherstburg Property Size: 41’ x Irr. # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $3,689 Listed For: $519,888 Sold For: $500,000

SOLD

Where: 204 Pearson Dr., Harrow Property Size: 57’ x 120’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $3,130 Listed For: $489,900 Sold For: $450,000

Where: 113 Queen St. N., Tilbury Property Size: 61’ x 123’ # Bedrooms: 2 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $2,310 Listed For: $369,900 Sold For: $358,000

CHATHAM-KENT

• WHEATLEY

SOLD

Where: 46 Brush Cr., Amherstburg Property Size: 64’ x 102’ # Bedrooms: 4 + 1 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $4,000 Listed For: $599,900 Sold For: $602,500

Where: 391 Erie Aire Beach Rd., Harrow Property Size: 55’ x 199’ # Bedrooms: 4 # Bathrooms: 3 Taxes: $5,600 Listed For: $749,900 Sold For: $835,000

Where: 568 Road 2 W., Kingsville Property Size: 99’ x 303’ # Bedrooms: 2 + 2 # Bathrooms: 3 Taxes: $3,900 Listed For: $1,199,900 Sold For: $1,115,000

Where: 21 Seacliff Dr. W., Leamington Property Size: 64’ x 173’ # Bedrooms: 2 + 1 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $4,658 Listed For: $649,000 Sold For: $563,500

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BUILDING PERMITS THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTS RECENT CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY IN ESSEX COUNTY AND CHATHAM-KENT:

TOWN OF ESSEX RESIDENTIAL: • Individuals are building a singlefamily home on Waters Beach. Value of construction: $740,000. • Individuals are building an addition to a single-family residence on Arthur Ave. Value of construction: $149,000. • Lakeland Homes is building a single-family residence on Ruth Ave. Value of construction: $768,000. • Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Roseborough Rd. Value of construction: $600,000. • Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Erie St. S. Value of construction: $150,000. • Noah Homes is building a singlefamily dwelling on Smith Rd. Value of construction: $405,000.

• Noah Homes is building five single-family dwellings on Susy Crt. Values of construction: $335,000 each. MUNICPALITY OF LEAMINGTON COMMERCIAL: • Contractors are renovating a retail store on Erie St. S. Value of construction: $75,000. • An agricultural business is erecting a new barn on Mersea Rd. 6. Value of construction: $300,000. • The Greater Essex County District School Board is renovating a public school on Mersea Rd. 1. Value of construction: $2.5 million. • A pharmacy is renovating its building on Oak St. E. Value of construction: $100,000. • An agricultural business is building a new greenhouse on County Rd. 14. Value of construction: $2

million. • Contractors are erecting a storage building to a business on Bevel Line. Value of construction: $494,000. • Contractors are renovating commercial offices on Oak St. E. Value of construction: $300,000. • An agricultural business is renovating a greenhouse on Seacliff Dr. W. Value of construction: $84,716. MUNICIPALITY OF LEAMINGTON RESIDENTIAL: • Individuals are building a singlefamily dwelling on Seacliff Dr. W. Value of construction: $1.25 million. • Contractors are building a singlefamily residence on Antonio Crt. Value of construction: $400,000. • Individuals are building an Ac-

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cessory Dwelling Unit to a single-family residence on Talbot Rd. E. Value of construction: $150,000. TOWN OF KINGSVILLE COMMERCIAL: • Contractors are building a singlefamily residence on Belleview Dr. Value of construction: $900,000. • Contractors are renovating a single-family dwelling on Lake Erie Dr. Value of construction: $40,000. • Brady Homes & Construction is building an Accessory Dwelling Unit to a single-family residence on King Ave. Value of construction: $280,380. • 1364674 Ontario Ltd. is building four semi-detached units on Sarkis St. Values of construction: $400,000 each. • Noah Homes is building two units of a semi-detached dwelling on Gaffan Dr. Values of construction: $700,000 each. • Contractors are building a singlefamily residence on Road 10. Value of construction: $900,000. • Contractors are building a singlefamily residence on County Rd. 20. Value of construction: $700,000. • Contractors are building an addition to a single-family residence on Simmers Ave. Value of construction: $75,000. • Contractors are building a singlefamily residence on Staddon Ave. Value of construction: $400,000. • Contractors are building an addition to a single-family residence on Lakeview Ave. Value of construction: $130,000 million. • Noah Homes is building a singlefamily dwelling on Gregory Ave. Value of construction: $1 million. TOWN OF KINGSVILLE RESIDENTIAL: • Marcovecchio Construction is doing alterations to a commercial building on Dimar Dr. Value of construction: $312,500. • Sunvalley Hydroponics is building a new greenhouse on Graham Sdrd. Value of construction: $22 million.

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MUNICPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT COMMERCIAL: • Contractors are renovating a restaurant on Victoria Rd. Value of construction: $394,000. • Jayden Construction is building a storage facility on Queens Line. Value of construction: $1.6 million. • Individuals are building a storage

facility on Fairview Line. Value of construction: $700,000. • The Municipality of ChathamKent is building an addition to a shop on Communication Rd. Value of construction: $1,042,000. MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT RESIDENTIAL: • Winmar Property Restoration is renovating a single-family residence on Devonshire Rd. Value of construction: $175,000. • Individuals are building an addition to a single-family residence on Sharrow Rd. Value of construction: $115,000. • Individuals are building a singlefamily dwelling on Middle Line. Value of construction: $475,000. • 2853623 Ontario Inc. is converting a single-family residence to a semi-detached on Wellington St. W. Value of construction: $30,000. • Individuals are building an addition to a single-family dwelling on Mint Line. Value of construction: $100,000. • Mi Cazza Construction is building a single-family residence on Rosewood Cr. Value of construction: $500,000. • Sunbuilt Custom Homes is building a single-family residence on St. Michael Ave. Value of construction: $1.8million. • Individuals are building a singlefamily home on Main Line. Value of construction: $116,000. • Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Talbot Trail. Value of construction: $1.2 million. • Timbertec is building a singlefamily residence on River View Line. Value of construction: $650,000. • Schatz Bros Construction is building an addition to a singlefamily residence on Island View Rd. Value of construction: $700,000. • Demall Group Ltd. is building two units of a semi-detached dwelling on Demall Dr. Values of construction: $700,000 each. • Maple City Homes is building a single-family residence on Ironwood Trail. Value of construction: $450,000. • Individuals are building an addition to a single-family home on Cemetery Rd. Value of construction: $130,000. • Timbertec is building a singlefamily residence on Fairview Line. Value of construction: $650,000. • Creative Touch Ltd. is building a single-family home on Paulus Rd. Value of construction: $700,000. Continued on page 13

THE WORLD OF WORK

BUILDING PERMITS Continued from page 12 • Paul Davis Systems is renovating community housing on Loren Ave. Value of construction: $100,000. • Campeau Custom Homes is building a single-family residence on Fenceline Dr. Value of construction: $455,000. • Individuals are building a singlefamily home on Alexandra Ave. Value of construction: $500,000. • Depencier Builders is constructing a single-family residence on Powell Lane. Value of construction: $600,000. • Individuals are converting a single-family residence into a duplex on Duke St. Value of construction: $125,000. • Individuals are building a singlefamily home on Talbot Trail. Value of construction: $515,000. • Individuals are building a singlefamily home on Indian Creek Rd. Value of construction: $500,000. • Depencier Builders is constructing a single-family residence on Kent Bridge Rd. Value of construction: $1.6 million. MUNICIPALITY OF LAKESHORE COMMERCIAL: • Contractors are erecting electrical substations at an industrial building on County Rd. 46. Value of construction: $ N/A. • Contractors are doing renovations to offices in a commer-

BY JEANINE “J.T.” O’DONNELL

cial building on Broadway St. Value of construction: $ N/A. • The Municipality of Lakeshore is building a new public library on Tecumseh Rd. Value of construction: $ N/A. • An agricultural business is building a new machine storage facility on S. Middle Rd. Value of construction: $ N/A. • Contractors are demolishing an accessory structure at a business on Lapointe St. Value of construction: $ N/A. MUINCIPALITY OF LAKESHORE RESIDENTIAL: • Contractors are demolishing a single-family dwelling on Renaud Line Rd. Value of construction: $ N/A. • Contractors are building two units of a semi-detached dwelling on Linden St. Values of construction: $ N/A. • Contractors are building two units of a semi-detached dwelling on Fletcher Cr. Value of construction: $ N/A. • Individuals are building a singlefamily dwelling on Veneto St. Value of construction: $ N/A. • Individuals are building an addition to a single-family residence on Pheasant Run Dr. Value of construction: $ N/A. • Contractors are demolishing a single-family residence on Lakeshore Rd. 211. Value of construction: $ N/A. WB

I got a counter offer; should I stay? Dear J.T.: I accepted a new job and gave my notice. My current employer responded with a counteroffer, more money and a better title to get me to stay. Now I am torn. The raise is significant and I do like some things about my current company. Should I take the counteroffer, or walk away as I planned? – Greg Dear Greg: Counter offers are flattering, and that is exactly what makes them dangerous. Before you let the bigger number do your thinking for you, let us look at what is really happening here. Start with the most important question: why did you start looking in the first place? People rarely go through the effort of a full job search, interviews and an offer because of money alone. Usually, money is the easy thing to name, but underneath it are the real reasons: lack of growth, a difficult manager, burnout, no path forward, feeling undervalued. A counter offer almost always addresses the symptom, which is your salary, while leaving the actual disease untreated. Ask yourself honestly whether the raise fixes the reasons you wanted to leave, or just papers over them. Then consider what the counter offer reveals. If your company can suddenly find more money and a

better title the moment you threaten to walk, why did it take a resignation to get there? It means the value was available all along and they were comfortable underpaying you until you forced the issue. That is worth sitting with. The raise is not a reward. It is a retention tactic. There is also a trust cost that people underestimate. The moment you accept a counter offer, you have told your employer that you were looking, that you were willing to leave, and that it takes a threat to keep you. In many organizations, that quietly marks you as a flight risk. You may find yourself passed over for the next big project or promotion, precisely because they now see you as someone with one foot out the door. The data backs this up. A large share of people who accept counter offers end up leaving anyway within a year. And the money is not always what it seems. Sometimes the raise in a counter offer is simply your next scheduled increase pulled forward, which means you have not gained much; you have just spent your goodwill to get it early. Now, I am not going to tell you to walk away on principle alone, because your situation is yours. If, when you are truly honest, the only reason you wanted to leave was

compensation, and the relationship with your manager and the company is genuinely strong, and you believe the title change comes with real growth, then a counter offer can occasionally make sense. But that is the rare case, not the common one. More often, the clarity you had when you accepted the new role was the honest version of your judgment. The counter offer is the emotional disruption. You already did the hard work of deciding. You searched, you interviewed, you chose. The counter offer is asking you to undo a careful decision in a moment of flattery and uncertainty. So here is how to decide. Set the money to the side for a moment and write down the real reasons you went looking. Then ask whether the counter offer genuinely solves those or just the dollar figure. Trust the version of you that decided to go. That person was thinking clearly about the whole picture, not just the paycheck. Decide on the why, not the number. The why is what you will be living with. WB *** 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.

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Investor snaps up another dental clinic as part of health care portfolio

n Oakville investor who knows Chatham well has purchased a dental building as part of his “commercial health care real estate” portfolio. Mohamed (Mickey) Sarhan, owner of ONREAL Properties, paid $1.17 million for the one-time restaurant in a house-shaped building at the corner of Grand Avenue West and Sandy Street, northwest of downtown. Sarhan buys dental clinic buildings, separate from practices. He took over ownership of another local dental building his dad used to own, and has another property in Ridgetown. “So, I’m quite familiar with the ChathamKent area.” The building is the home to Lighthouse Dental, owned by Toronto-based Dentalcorp. Its website says is Canada’s “largest dental network” and is “shaping the future of dentistry.”

One of the innovations is operating clinics seven days a week. Several years ago Dentalcorp. acquired several franchises, owned by Dr. Florina Gorsht, including this one, branded as Lighthouse Dental. “But she sold all of them to

”THERE IS A LARGE INFLUX OF PEOPLE MOVING TOWARD CHATHAM-KENT (FROM TORONTO OR WINDSORSARNIA) THAT ARE LOOKING FOR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES.” Dentalcorp,” Sarhan said. Sales records indicate this property was sold by a numbered company associated with Gorsht, who could not be reached. Said Sarhan: “My understanding

is, many years ago, this building used to be a restaurant.” The Gorsht family bought it and converted into a dental office “and it’s been operating as a Lighthouse Dental for quite awhile.” A receptionist there deferred calls to corporate, which didn’t respond. Sarhan said he has no plans to change the business. “I’m just an investor. I’m going to keep them in there for as long as I possibly can; I don’t plan on ruffling any feathers.” He said Chatham is a “wonderful” location compared to prices in the GTA. “I also think there is a large influx of people moving toward Chatham-Kent (from Toronto or Windsor-Sarnia) that are looking for business opportunities. “And it differs from the GTA, where the only new businesses you see now are vape and cannabis shops.” WB

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

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255 Cabana (Windsor) Inc. 4u Plumbing Inc. 5th North Excavating Ltd. A/G Express Logistics Inc. Abigail Taouil Optometry Professional Corp. AC Lawn Care Inc. Agile Iteration Manufacturing Inc. Ai Cleaning Plus Inc. Albbili Business Services Ltd. Alhalibi Business Services Ltd. Amigo Market Inc. Apex Groundworks Inc. B.K. Charlton Dentistry Professional Corp. Benchwise Mediation Corp. C.C.C. Kings Parish Ministry CA Global Logistics Inc. Canadian Safe Access Empowerment Hub Canadian Thai Massage Association Candy’s Convenience & Cards Inc. Cedar Creek Meats Inc. Corridor Creative Inc. Crown Asphalt Solutions Inc. DJ Luxury Beats Inc. Doorscan Inc. Doublerock Financial Management Inc. Dr. Angela Kerubo Workman Medicine Professional Corp. Elaf Construction & Home Renovation Inc. Elleboudi Business Services Ltd. Final Touch General Construction Ltd. First Class Group Of Companies Inc. Foundry Growth Partners Inc. Four Crown Luxury Cleaning Ltd. GF Construction Group Ltd. Great Lakes Parcels Inc. Greenhouse Produce Alliance of Canada Haf Construction Plus Inc. Helonk Auto Sales Inc.

• Hernandez Contracting Inc. • Hughes Growth Partners Inc. • Integrity Renovations By Lightstone Homes Inc. • J Vincent Electrical Inc. • John Of All Trades Inc. • JW Wholesale Inc. • Kaboom Sports Cards Inc. • Kaler Investments Limited • King Wright Ltd. • Lakeshore Data Systems Inc. • Land Holdings Inc. • LaSalle Diner Inc. • Lavstone Express Inc. • Maidstone Commercial Services Inc. • Markets By Deanna Inc. • MCR Holdings (Windsor) Inc. • Mecglo Global Services Inc. • Nextgen Mobile Care Inc. • O. Sabageh Dentistry Professional Corp. • PG Design Works Inc. • Pharmaceutical Peptides Inc. • Radwanov Investments Corp. • Red Ball Dock Systems Inc. • Riverfront Motors Inc. • Robbek Procurement & Trade Inc. • Ronda World Media Inc. • Rooted Solutions Windsor Ltd. • Royal Point Market Inc. • S. Sinasac Dentistry Professional Corp. • Tilbury Carriers Inc. • Tradepiko Inc. • Veloura Fine Cleaning Services Inc. • Venus Worldwide Immigration Services Inc. • Verityone Holding Inc. • Verone Barbershop Inc. • Walkerville Long Term Care • Wazny Auto Inc. • Windsor Life Sciences Ltd. • Windsor Property Holdings Inc. • Windsor-Essex Respiratory Services Inc. • Windsoressexdev Corp. • Yaish Business Services Ltd. WB • Yarnland Inc.

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COVER

LAUNCH

BY RON STANG

Area brunch aficionados get new concept dining destination

Italian resto specializing in “pinsas” opening soon

Continued from page 1

new Italian restaurant with a fanciful name is opening in the plaza at 2950 Dougall Avenue, immediately south of EC Row Expressway. Its name is Mangia E Zitta, which translates to “eat and shut up,” an old kitchen command by nonnas. “However,” says one online interpretation of the phrase, it’s also known as Mangia e Statti Zitto. “Its meaning extends beyond the literal interpretation, often used as a lighthearted admonition to enjoy a meal without complaining or engaging in unnecessary conversation.” The resto is spearheaded by Tania Sorge, well-known as cofounder of the Transition to Betterness charity, along with Doris Lapico, in 1997. The charity, started through personal experience with family members with cancer, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for hospital room refurbishments to provide greater patient

think people are starting to become more open to newer cuisines, concepts and styles.” But he also likes “meat and potatoes, big portions and getting my money’s worth,” and has spent most of his 15 years on breakfast and lunch menus. In terms of meals, Boutros says he thinks “brunch is the most fun meal you can go out for. What other

dining experience can you get bottomless mimosas, stuff your plate with meat and potatoes and share a big French Toast?” Ottawa Street BIA president Ettore Bonato thinks the restaurant is an “amazing addition” to the popular area. He said most storefronts along the throughfare are “taken up – all our storefronts are pretty well busy.” WB

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The cuisine will largely be inspired by Lebanese, Boutros’s family background, and Spanish culture. There will also be American-style comfort food to square the circle – “so, big portions,” he said. Brunch will be served 9 am to 4 pm in the renovated 60-seat space with an additional 25-seat second room for private events, which will also be a prime focus. Boutros has loved food and cooking since he was a teenager, and worked in several well-known local eateries. Char Craft did a pop up at Bacchus Ristorante down the street, where the two restos collaborated and cross-promoted one another. “We love to cook,” Boutros said. “The main focus was so we could get back in the kitchen.” Boutros, the sole owner and a Red Seal chef, has worked at a variety of local places, from St. Clair College to The Lumberjack, Erie Street eateries, and The Twisted Apron for six years “running the day to day.” He also played a major role opening its new location further down Wyandotte Street East. Now he decided to branch out on his own. “I love this industry and I’m going to be in this hopefully the next 50 years, so I better start now and I better figure it out.” Why brunch? Born and bred in Windsor, Boutros said he “knows the type of food this city likes.” He believes “the flavor profile’s been expanding, and I

comfort. Sorge, who is also principal at St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School, did not respond to requests for comment. But realtor Razvan Mag said the eatery is going into the former Pasta House space. “The Pasta House was there for several years, and they purchased their own manufacturing facility where they’re going to have their retail shop out of, as well,” he said. Mag said there is almost 1,700 square feet of space, and there had been “a lot of interest” in the unit. There are more than 10 units in the plaza, which doesn’t have an official name. Mag said an office space is still currently available. He said the restaurant’s renovations are “currently going on.” One of its features is it will specialize in “pinsas,” an Italian handpressed oval shaped flatbread with a complex dough. WB

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developers Jon is the goal of is a planned condos to Windsor center of that mission Avenue. ringing affordable Sciara. Front and land at 1567 OuelletteKadri and his Seguin and Gerry on undeveloped 10-storey high-rise by local immigration lawyer Eddie a proa sign showing purchased the lot sported The land had been in launching busiLtd. Until recently, Kadri Family Holdings with an “incubator” to aid immigrants posed office building than $850,000 April for more nesses. acre property in to construct the the almost half a became unaffordable But Kadri sold Kadri said it simply The incubator, however, remains to Seguin and Sciara. inflationary costs. the street. another building with post-Covid in a rental property down and both met on be located from the GTA, go and will now Windsor and Sciara 4 Seguin is from Continued on page project. Ontario development

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CORPORATISM BY JIM BLASINGAME

Six steps to grow your business with referrals

o you have enough customers? Here’s a better question: Do you have enough of the right kind of customers? Do you agonize and strategize over the marketing plan you’ve designed to position offerings in front of your profile prospect? What’s the right message, platform, frequency et cetera? And do you then pray that the precious cash you’ve committed to marketing crosses over that line from expense to investment?

Agony and prayer. Not a great strategy, right? But if this sounds familiar, you’re in good company. Marketing legend, John Wanamaker (1838-1922) once lamented, “Half of my advertising budget is wasted; I just don’t know which half.” It’s true, marketing metrics have come a long way since Mr. Wanamaker’s time, but that emerging science has been somewhat marginalized by increasing pressure from the digital marketplace. Indeed, getting customers on the proverbial

dotted line is still challenging in the 21st century, especially for small businesses. Beyond marketing, perhaps the primary reason for our customer acquisition challenge can be attributed to a human trait that’s at once primordial and unfortunate: We make things harder than they have to be. There are many examples, but arguably one of the most dramatic is also one of the simplest to fix: failure to ask for referrals. Business referrals are now, and

have always been, there for the picking. And they’re as old-school fundamental as they are new-school relevant. So, why don’t more people take advantage of this low-hanging fruit? It’s that can’t-get-out-of-myown-way thing. Too many salespeople and organizations don’t have a referral strategy and do not teach referral practices. Even though getting referrals is fall-off-a-log easy, there are specific practices to follow. Here are six I recommend to get you started.

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1. Spend as much time developing a referral strategy as you do a marketing strategy. When you do, two things will happen very quickly: you’ll gain new customers you weren’t getting from marketing, which will take performance pressure off of your marketing plan. 2. Identify existing customers who like what you do. Each one is that valuable asset called a center-of-influence (COI). 3. Explain – in person – that you need their help and how they can help you. For example: “Mr. Smith, thank you for your business. We’d like to have more customers like you. I’m sure you ask your customers for referrals, and would like to ask if I may do the same with you.” 4. Ivan Misner, founder of Business Network International (BNI) furnishes the next critical question: “Who do you know who …has your high standards?” “…uses the products we offer?” “…you would like to help do business with our firm?” 5. When you get a referral, thank the COI profusely before, during and after the subsequent contact, especially if you get the business. One thing I always say to my COIs is: “If a referral is a friend (or customer) before I contact them, I promise they will still be after I talk with them.” 6. For millennia, business referrers have been paying it forward. As Ivan Misner says, “Givers gain.” The best way to have a referral strategy is to be an active referrer yourself. It’s much easier to ask someone for a referral to whom you’ve just given a referral. If you’re still not sold on referrals, look around and you’ll see many successful businesses that grow only by referrals – essentially, no marketing. There’s one primal reason why referrals can be more productive than marketing: People are hard-wired to want to help other people when they’re asked. Get out of your own way and make a full commitment to creating and executing a referral strategy. Write this on a rock: Referrals are low-hanging fruit just waiting for WB you to harvest. 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.