HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-02-03, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3,1999.
Mom’s in business on Brussels main street
Mom’s cooking
Ron and Heather Stewart of Seaforth opened their second Mom's Pizza and
Subs in Brussels on Turnberry Street. Having made between 20-30 deliveries
each week in the Walton and Brussels area, bringing the business to town, just
seemed to make sense.
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
What do you get the woman, who has
all she needs, for her birthday? In the case
of Heather Stewart, get her a business.
Heather,’who last week opened her
second Mom's Pizza and Subs eatery in
Brussels, moved back to Seaforth two
years ago, having left there when her
husband was transferred. She opened her
first Mom's Pizza' and Subs there a year
later.
"I told my husband Ron and our two
sons not to get me anything for my
birthday that year. Then when we decided
to open the business, I said that was my
gift. That's why it's call Mom's. My boys
named it."
With the success of her 'birthday
present', the idea of expanding began to
take shape. Noting that they had been
making between 20-30 deliveries to the
Brussels and Walton area, even with a gas
charge, Ron says, the idea of opening a
second store made sense.
For the time being Heather, who lives in
Egmondville, plans on splitting her time
between the two establishments. And, she
admits that having doubled her
responsibility has made her a little fearful,
not of the work, but on a personal level.
"I'm scared because of family. I already
don't see as much of my boys as I'd like.
But I just need to hire good, reliable staff
so that I can have time at home."
Otherwise, Heather, who says she has
been involved in the restaurant business
most of her life, is excited about the
move. "I always thought opening a chain
of stores is a good idea," she says, adding
that she is looking at another place in
Bothwell and hopes to open a Mom's in
two or three other locations.
Mom's offers eat-in and takeout, with
seating for 30. The menu includes four
sizes of two-for-one pizza, subs, chili and
toast, soup, salads, nachos, wings and
panzerotti.
There is also a billiard table and
jukebox.
Mom's delivers locally after 5 p.m. free
and as far away as Listowel for the cost of
the driver’s gas.
The hours of operation are Monday to
Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight, Friday and
Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday, 4
p.m. to 10 p.m.
While the business tends to attract a
younger crowd, Mom's is looking at a
number of things to offer other age
groups. "We are thinking of euchre parties
for the retirees and seniors on weekday
afternoons and will purchase donuts for
the coffee drinkers," says Ron.
Everything that can be purchased
locally will be, says Heather. "In Seaforth
we support communnity events and
business and we're here to help the
community where we can as well."
Business changes hands PEOPLE WHO READ NEWSPAPERS ARE
Family business
Brussels-born sisters-in-law, Ann Bosman, left and Ruth
Lowe have purchased Brussels Variety.
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
For these two women, owning
their own business is all relative.
Sisters-in-law Ann Bosman and
Ruth Lowe assumed ownership of
the Brussels Variety, Feb. 1, having
purchased the business from Ron
Clarkson.
Clarkson who has been a fixture
on Brussels main street since 1982,
is now, along with his wife, Trish,
"looking for work", she laughs.
Bosman and Lowe, who have
both worked at Vincents in Seaforth
for 11 and nine years respectively,
said the decision to go into business
for themselves was based on being
ready for a change.
"We wanted to have our own
headaches," said Bosman.
"Actually, we just wanted Ron to
retire," Lowe joked.
Bosman said she has been
thinking about owning her own
business for some time. "One day,
Ruth and I just started talking and
said this is it."
With both women bom and raised
in Brussels (Lowe still lives there,
Bosman resides in Winthrop) they
are familiar with the community
and its needs. To that end, while no
immediate changes are in store,
Bosman, does have some ideas.
"But they're just ideas," she says.
"We've got to get in here for awhile
and get comfortable with the
business."
The pair intend to maintain the
delivery service that has existed
with the business as well as operate
the greenhouse in the spring.
Clarkson is staying on for a few
weeks as an advisor.
"And to get his office clean," says
Lowe.
MORE SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNERS
It all starts with newspapers
As of February 1,1999
Brussels Variety
will be under new ownership
We would like to thank all our customers over the past 16 years for
their patronage, support, and friendship. We will certainly miss
seeing all of you, as well as all the jokes and the laughs.
A special thanks to all our staff, both past and present. We have
been truly fortunate to find employees who we could count on and
trust. You made our job so much easier. Best wishes to Karen
Bridge, Edith Pipe, Ann Stephenson, Krista Hunter, Katie Harrison,
John Lowe and Matt Clarkson.
We wish Ruth Lowe and Ann Bosman much success and know that
as lifelong members of Brussels and community, they will work hard
to serve you. We are confident that you will offer them your
continued support.
As we embark on new career directions (as yet unknown) this past
16+ years will never be forgotten.
Thank you, Ron & Trish Clarkson