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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance Times, 1995-03-08, Page 6ocal vi Equipped for competition. Locker Roo: k,bai eco. `If I don't have it and I can get -it, I'll get it.' The McGregor family business has been a fixture on the main street for about 15 months now, opening for business in November 1993. The store has been a wel- come addition to the refurbished Old Mill, owned by Murray Simp- son. And for Jeff and Heather McGregor, along with little Tyler, it has been a good location to broaden the local economic cli- mate. There's a feeling in Wingham "I've had a lot of support from that the sporting life of the comma- the Minor Sports in the area; the he nity is one of the most important junior and intermediate teams, aspects. Our local teams, from pre- said of the local sporting communi- tyke to senior, have often brought ty. "I've also built up a good clien- pride to the town, achieving sac- tele for the skate sharpening and cess at a great many levels. Add to hockey equipment." that the pleasure of claiming two That sharpening service was jlist merchandise he carries and the So what else is popular at Locker competitive prices. Locker Room Room Sports? "Starter is still one Sports is the only dealer in the re- of my best sellers after the equip- gion for Starter Clothing, Co -Ed ment," he says. Just recently the Naked clothing and hats, Speedo, area distribution rep stopped in to Jones Hockey Equipment, AMK see him with all the latest styles Souvenirs and Apparel and Addi- and designs for the upcoming sea- das clothing. And there's also a lot sons. "I think part of the attractitan of stuff in his store that customers is the variety of merchandise at rea- nay not be able to find elsewhere sonable prices. 'Wingham. From SCUBA gear to Unique to Wingham, Locker Messier Room Sports grew out of McGre- • rookie boxing kie g card, loves to a Mark he's got it. goes love of sports. A former Jun - "I have all the brand names that for C forward, McGregor has pur- people can find in the city at nine sued his. passion for a great many times out of ten a better price...not sports — winter and summer. He has to mention the cost of your gas go- carried this back into the communi- ing out of town, parking and meals ty, spending this past winter as a in the city." volunteer 'executive member with And what if McGregor hasn't the Wingham Ironmen, as well as got what you're looking for? "If I playing slo-pitch during the emsum- 1 onths in the local .industrial' Olympic athletes. m ing is true. After all, for the young added this past fall. The computer- • don't have it and I can get It, And to a certain extent that feel ized setup is geared towards any kind of skate blade (and was very get it. If it's in stock, it's here in league. This strong connection to two days."the sporting community has helped opportunity repairing one particu- McGregor also handles custom him determine the kind of orality flue marEner� sharpening h re left the such as minor sports, have proven edges angle jackets an a to be the backbone of rural Ontario. "I would have to say the reaction CCM and Tri -Mark lines add to the that have drawn people from as far Athletes now in the professional ranks have long histories tied to de- (over the past 15 months) has been 9n durable, easy wear uniformsare . His Street store: for away as thence rink paintthe edine on. velond innt atthe minoriwheree level.e aboute98 per cent t time positive. I'm sterll getting a lot of first time customers. service includes lettering and num- the ceiling. Although he won'j dis- And a community the But the progress has been ,bering. McGregor right now is just close exactly where the idea came. sporting life plays p important g ood...Christmas was super." gearing up for another baseball sea- from (that's part of the ,attraction, role, Lockerthe Roomq Sports isn uni- thereMcGregor says a bigart of his son after a winter of hockey socks hhe says), h McGregor at said don't s subtlee to help meet equipment and ag Y p drawing power is the quality of and jerseys. at fust; but slowly look" upward form needs: o er set sports means an successful m c to be acti ve and socialize in a post- las writer's skate blades after a poor orders. Last baseball season he was equipment he wants to pass on t o Organized activities job elsewhere kept busy with orders for uniforms, his customers. ver d) k d hats. his access .to the Then of course, is something else fj t 1 when they see the two inverted goal 100020 0 1 �t Se lei in Stria' 1 OFFER EXPIRES APRIL 1, 1995 Locker Room Sports 152 Josephine Street, Wingham, Ontario 357-4623 $ ore Hours Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 pm. OFFER VALID ONLY WITH THIS ADVANCE -TIMES COUPON nets at either end of the store. Com- plete with blue lines and centre ice, the design certainly has drawn no- tice. "It's been.a great idea. Especial- ly when people are driving to � Wingham just to see it." th When asked about the future of small business in Canada, McGre- gor said he agreed ,that it was the 1 key to economic survival. ' "Just look at the number of jobs small business provides...that's an over- whelming majority. And you know, sometimes you can't always de- pend on the big guys to be there for you." 1 The McGregor family...Heather, Tyler and Jeff. Great support from the minor sports organizations has added to their success on the main street. Dressed for success; Wingham's The Workshop There's something unique about men as shoppers: most don't like having to go through aisles and aisles of merchandise looking for that perfect accessory to go with h • 'Each store in Wingham has somet ing to those pants. For the most part it's in and out. Workshop pull people in' on Josephine Street in the Old Mill, good quality work wear is what customers will find without having to spend hours sorting through bins of trousers. "I find most men don't come in until they need something. It's not usually browsing," she says. And when the local male clien- tele are looking for that particular item, Willits is there to lend a hand graduate of F.E. Madill, service is ted outfit them with whatever it is She says her best seller is the work to success. says she they need. pants, which come in an array of the key "I've got good quality, Canadian colors. tries to talk Iwithces . Willits customers to made, work clothing at reasonable The business has been progress-findo out what they like in her store prices." And for those of us who ing steadily since opening in Au- and to create a friendly atmosphere. rarely find that pre-cut inside leg gust 1993. Willits says she is still Customers will find during this length, Willits will hem the pants getting first time customers; and she sells free of charge. many have turned to repeat clients. sale: work pants 15 per cent off or "And there's usually lots of park- The 'Old Mill has proven to be a pair of work socks free; s ue jeans ing opl out front. I find with - she says. An on lot of her�custne Street, briefs omers 20 per cent nt off. In additionper cent off and 1McGre- iof ngspot, people, if they can't get a park- ing spot, they won't stop." comment on how the store still has gor dress/casual socks will be buy The Workshop is the only store that "new building smell," some- - two e. getl one pairiof eepial value planning a draw of its nature in the region that ca- thing that keeps them coming ters to workers and farmers. Willits "It's nice to have a brand new for free merchandise during the says anyone looking for work building," she says. promotion. At Kathy Willits' The clothing can do their one-stop shop- ping right at her store; from under- wear and socks to pants to gloves and rubber boots. Willits carries a wide line of work clothing. From coveralls, sweats an t -shirts, to work vests and Australian Oil Skins, The Workshop has something for all. "The main street of Wingham has a lot to offer," she says of the local business climate. "It's a mat- ter of everybody working together and not competing against each other, but competing against these mega -stores (that are coming to Goderich, Listowel and Hanover). Each store in Wingham has some- thing to pull people in." And in respect to working to- gether, Willits says that if the cus- tomer is looking for something she doesn't have, she will gladly recti- - rect them to another local store which does carry the item. It's that kind of spirit that keeps the main streets of rural Ontario thriving. For the Turnberry resident and r 1 isff a er.0.:"B"'+ ;` , mom- ..a A .4,. ,n. , .,.A 5-20 10 SeWted in More items W&kshOP FEATURING MEN'S WORKWEAR 152 Josephine Street, Wingham, Ontario 357-4503 Monday,* Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. KathY Wilhhts...lnrork wear has been one of her OFFER VALID ONLY WITH THIS ADVANCE -TIMES COUPON of operation. Good quality at reasonable prices. OFFEFIEi1L 6. eiftIIL1,1 5 _.. ea, . ems .d..:.......:.o: relar�,-..d... _ _...1 best sellers over the past 18 months