HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2007-05-30, Page 27GODERICH 574 7811
7:30 Nightly
Sat & Sun Mat 2:00
Sorry - no passes
PAW
N« Rione.wW..
.r *tag Oaken
June
01 - 07
BROX
AT WORLD'S END
NOM M
A
www.1110vielinks.ca
rs 111111 VALTIINATINNINT
060
Fri & Sat
6:45 & 9:15
Sun - Thur 7:30
Sat&Sun
Mat 2:00
PG
1-800-265-3438
The Huron Expositor • May 30, 2007 Page 27
News
Woodham man opens new gas station in Dublin
Greg Ellis overcomes financial barriers and tight timeline with family help
Aaron Jacklin
Getting the new
CrossRoads Gas Bar in
Dublin up and running
has been hard, says
owner Greg Ellis, but
worth it
"I've never had any-
where near the satis-
faction working for
someone else," Ellis
says.
The 28 -year-old
Fanshawe College
business graduate
faced some tough chal-
lenges.
"There were times
where it seemed like
everything was work-
ing against me," he
says.
The bank said no to
the mortgage and the
business development
centre said a business
loan wasn't going to
happen.
"I had to rely on my
wife andP arents for
business and financial
support," he says. "I
don't think I can ever
thank them enough."
Ellis and his wife Heather will
be moving to Cromarty this
summer with their daughter
Grace Margaret. Heather's from
Staffa and he's from Woodham.
Staying close to family is
important to them both.
He left his job at Easy Home
in Stratford on April 28 and
opened Crossroads three weeks
later.
That pace isn't anything new
to Ellis. He got married, moved
Ili into his first apartment and
became a father over the course
of two months late last summer.
"I've gotten accustomed to
tight timeframes," Ellis says.
Between leaving Easy Home
and opening, he signed the
lease, got the keys, obtained all
the licences, had a well drilled,
did a "massive clean up both
inside and out", bought the
inventory and signed a contract
with Graham Energy for the
fuel.
On April 18 the Technical
Standards and Safety Authority
gave him approval to open the
doors, which he did at 2 p.m.
His first batch of customers
were a bunch of kids getting off
the school bus, about 15 of
them.
"We almost ran out of Dad's
the calendar.
"If the community keeps sup-
porting me the way they have,
that won't take long," he says.
His advice to would-be entre-
preneurs is straightforward.
"Do it," he says. "Don't wait
until you've got the money
saved up. Beg, borrow, sell your
soul if .you have to. It's worth it.
The feeling of freedom is worth
it."
.r§ MCL .p
SOUND
FULL in SERVICE
Book YOUR
RECEPTIONS,
BUCk & DOES EAR[Y!
JOIN MCLEod
CLiNTON a
41 482-9984 de
WEDDINGS
Performed - your location or
our indoor or outdoor chapel
(non -denominational)
For brochure call:
REV. CHRIS MORGAN
ALL FAITHS
PASTORAL CENTRE
BENMILLER, 524-5724
WEDDINGS
aron ac n p oto
Greg Ellis opened the new CrossRoads Gas Bar in Dublin recently. "That Fanshawe college
business diploma my mother was so worried I'd never make use of is finally coming in handy,"
he says.
Root Beer," he says.
The grand opening was the
next day, which was also his
birthday.
"I guess you could say it was
my birthday present to myself,"
Ellis says.
Now that the gas bar is open,
he wants to start repaying his
wife, Heather, and parents as
soon as possible and he says
that with the community sup-
port he's been getting, "that'll
be sooner than later."
With the gas station side of
the business
going, Ellis
hopes to get the
kitchen going
next.
"Next we're
looking at get-
ting a pizza
oven," he says.
"Once we get
some more
money scraped
together, we'll
get a deep
fryer, followed
by a flat top
grill."
But before
any of that, he
has to get the
gas hooked up
and a hot water
heater going.
His sister will
be the kitchen
manager once
he starts get-
ting the
kitchen equip-
ment and will
be responsible
for hiring
kitchen staff.
This part of
the business
plan is tied to
money coming
in instead of
Hilda Young & George Ridley
wish to invite family and friends
to join us in celebrating
our marriage on
June 9'", 20Q7 at 7:00 p.m.
at Mitchell Golf Course.
Open reception to follow.
SHREK 111
PLUS HOT FUZZ
Gates Open 8:15 PM / Show 9:15 PM
www.startitedriveintheatre.com • 519-238-8344
SATURDAY JUNE 2
Be Sure To Attend The
BRUCEFIELD FIREMEN'S
OLD FASHIONED
BREAKFAST
Place: Brucefield Fire Hall
Date: SATURDAY, JUNE 2
Time: 7am to noon �..
Come and Enjoy All You Can Eat
Pancakes & Syrup, Sausages, Bacon
HomeMes, Eggs, Toast, Coffee and Milk
Take Out Available
Adults =7.00
Children 5-12 =4.00
Preschool Free