a Labour of Love’

By Casandra Turnbull

Downtowns with charisma, charm and historical significance like Paris’ do not withstand the test of time without a whole lot of love and care

For local businessman Henry Stolp, his once-in-a-lifetime project is under construction downtown right now is nothing short of one huge labour of love.

To understand his desire to enhance the beauty of downtown really starts about 20 years ago when Henry first stepped foot in McCormick Florists, located at 11 Grand River Street North As the florist made his arrangement, he remembers looking out this tiny window and marvelling at the view of the Grand River. He bought the building that weekend and some might say that is when his love for Paris began. Over the years, he has purchased 5, 7, 9 and then 1 Grand River Street North.

Henry, owner of Northern Rudder Holdings and co-owner of Pinevest Homes, said he is committed to preserving the life of these old buildings, where possible, but ultimately wants to help contribute to downtown’s thriving future. In the last five years he has renovated 1 Grand River St N, home to Pinevest homes and 11 Grand River St N, home toArepa Love).

Northern Rudder Holdings Inc. received grants through the County of Brant’s downtown Paris community improvement program (CIP) to update the façade and signage at Pinevest Homes Inc. in 2021 and Arepa Love in 2022

Henry and Brian Stolp on the second-floor patio overlooking the Grand River. Demolition of 5, 7 and 9 Grand River Street North started last fall. Today, a new building stands in its place. By the end of this year, it will be home to five new condo owners and three new businesses.

This latest undertaking was another renovation originally but morphed into a much larger project, once they realized the deteriorating state of the structure

Recently, Henry Stolp and Brian Stolp handed me an extra hard hat and proudly toured me around the construction site hiding behind the protection wall downtown. It’s been a remarkable journey since redevelopment started last fall with the demolition 5, 7 and 9 Grand River Street North, they said.

Some 10 months after the original walls came down, the new building is starting to resemble the rendering shown in front of the project. This mighty new structure is coming to life day-byday. The interior walls are coming along, the electrical and plumbing are roughed in and there is a lot of buzz with more than 25 separate trade companies working hard to meet the December 2024 targeted completion date Continued on page 11