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5 HE SAID/SHE SAID: The news and views of area executives on pertinent business issues of the day.

12 CORPORATISM: Jim Blasingame says we made the experiment, and the generational fruit is before us.

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JANUARY 2024

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 PHOTO BY JOE SYMCHYSHYN SYMCHYSHYN PHOTOGRAPHIC

INSIDE TRACK

Lakeview Montessori School principal, Renee Ryerson, at the site where the school is expanding its St. Clair Beach-area campus. BY RON STANG

AT A GLANCE A look at current perspectives on the macro forces affecting global markets.

PRIME HOME A look at recent residential property sales in the city of Windsor.

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

10 BUILDING PERMITS A compilation of construction activity in the Windsor and area market.

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

10 START UPS Newly incorporated firms launched in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent.

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

11 WORLD OF WORK A career advice column by two workplace consultants and career coaches.

akeview Montessori School is expanding once again, this time taking over an adjacent commercial plaza at the corner of Riverside Drive East and Arlington Boulevard in the St. Clair Beach area of Tecumseh. The non-profit institution has existed since the late 1970s and is the largest and only fully accredited Montessori in the Windsor area. The school purchased what had been the quarter-acre Lakeview Plaza for $1.9 million in November; the seller was Dajisse Holdings Ltd. The school has long had a presence in the plaza, renting some units. The only other tenant there, Di Natale Chiropractic, will remain in the plaza for the duration of its lease and while the school raises money to rebuild the site. Montessori is a unique form of child-centered education based on the pedagogical principles of early 20th century Italian physician Maria Montessori. Continued on page 4

AT A GLANCE POLARIZATION, PESSIMISM AND POSITIVITY: A LOOK AT CURRENT PERSPECTIVES ON FIVE MACRO FORCES AFFECTING SOCIETIES, MARKETS AND PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.

JUST THE FACTS:

• At the end of 2023, the global polycrisis ground on. Each component – political uncertainty, climate change and war – has arguably worsened since the last survey in 2013. • The latest survey found there is an increasing sense of pessimism among the adult populations of 31 countries. • It found the explosive growth in artificial intelligence (AI) is likely to create significant disruption to how we live, work, do business and run societies. • Fewer than half of the respondents think their quality of life will improve over the next five years. Many still think we’re headed for disaster if we don’t act on climate change, although the intensity has slipped. • As economies cool, people are focusing more on price than making sure the brands they choose align with their values. This marks the first time in a decade, in a wide range of markets, the proportion who say they tend to buy brands that reflect their personal values has fallen. Source: Ipsos Global Trends, 2023.

Question: I tend to buy brands that reflect my personal values. (% agree) 80%

2021

66% 61%

60% 56%

60%

65% 61%

57% 51%

52%

50%

44%

43%

Britain

What Do YOU Read? Your clients read us. Your competitors read us. Isn’t it obvious? 552 Pitt St. W., Windsor ON Tel. 519-255-9775 Fax: 519-255-7574 www.windsorbusiness.net

WINDSOR BUSINESS

2019

71%

LET US PREPARE YOUR 2023 T4 SLIPS!

2013 77%

France

ACROSS 1 Mutt’s crony 5 Toledo locale 9 Sentry’s bark 13 Dosage units 14 Sweetheart 15 Water, in Baja 16 Carefree 18 Siren 19 Biz biggie 20 Above, to poets 21 Punks 23 Joke around 25 Get in shape 27 Dressed 31 Kind of lineup (hyph.) 35 Bagpipe sound 36 Same 38 Singer – Sumac 39 Breathing organ 40 Orchestra section 41 Hot rum mixture 42 Pierre’s here 43 Spear 44 Sculptor Henry – 45 Due to 47 Sank to the bottom 49 Tenet 51 Std. 52 Admire 55 Dog sound 57 Klutz’s cry 61 Undiluted 62 Ambiguous

U.S.

65 Former science magazine 66 Carol 67 Eager to go 68 Minn. Neighbour 69 Ran fast 70 Id companions DOWN: 1 Bringer of bad luck 2 Otherwise 3 Crowding together 4 Tallahassee sch. 5 NYC theater award 6 Playing card 7 Fleming of 007 novels 8 Speak faster or louder 9 Refugees 10 Culture medium 11 Clod 12 Collects maple sap 13 Slapstick missile 17 Secret writing 22 Ploy 24 Vexation

Turkey

26 Salary increases 27 Bob Hope specialty (2 wds.) 28 Cease-fire 29 Quinine water 30 Fixed socks 32 Alpine region 33 Luigi’s romance 34 Stormed 37 Fond du – , Wis. 40 Cellar 41 Started out (2 wds.) 43 Bait 44 Video pioneer 46 Mild acid 48 Wyatt the lawman 50 Leering sort 52 Plenty to a poet 53 Big rig 54 Catches some rays 56 Vex 58 Eight, to Caesar 59 Free ticket 60 Furtive 63 London lav 64 – kwon do

December 2023 solution

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

2023

CARTOON

THE EDITOR’S DESK NADIA H. SHOUSHER

CARTOON BY PAUL MARCH

We actually do get what we pay for

I GOT FIRED FROM MY JOB TODAY. BUT LUCKILY IT WAS A REAL FIRE, AND I STILL HAVE A JOB …

TO THE EDITOR Thanks for your thoughts (“My contacts are the best resource,” WB, November 2023). I could not agree more. After years of being in the sales profession, and connecting with literally thousands of folks in Windsor-Essex, one of my greatest treasures are the rich quality of people I have met and remain connected too. We will always have “naysayers” in our circles, but thankfully, there are is a number of positive influencers that can give us a boost when needed. I am thankful for those who choose to look on the bright side, and share this with those of us who share these same strategies. Keep your chin up! Mark Morris Security One, Windsor

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 29, ISSUE 8 • JANUARY 2024 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Nadia H. Shousher

ART DIRECTOR

David Cowx

CONTRIBUTORS

Jim Blasingame, Dale Dauten, Rodney L. Denis, Paul March, Devan Mighton, J.T. O’Donnell, 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., 2024. THE PAGE PUBLISHING CORP. 552 PITT STREET WEST, SUITE 101 WINDSOR, ONTARIO N9A 5M2 TEL: (519) 255-9775 info@windsorbusiness.net • www.windsorbusiness.net

t seems consumer products are getting more expensive while simultaneously becoming more shoddily made. We are collectively driving down quality, in our quest for cheaper goods delivered an hour after ordering. I remember when my parents bought me a set of tables from a national furniture store. When I went to assemble them, I discovered parts were missing and the legs were all different sizes. After getting nowhere with the retailer, my mom called and got the store to agree to let me exchange the set for another, without penalty. A rarity. From what I hear, all too many consumers experience the same frustration with garbage goods and poor customer “service.” A colleague bought a slightly used car but, ever since, it has made a comfy second home in a local garage, what with all the repairs needed. Interestingly, right after the manufacturer’s warranty expired, all the parts started to disintegrate or – even worse – fall off. An acquaintance said she paid over $600 for eyeglasses only to have the stems fall off. The replacement pair was bent. The third pair had the wrong prescription lenses. We expect to have the benefit of a huge selection of consumer products available, and to pay rock bottom prices for them. Yet, it seems it’s too much to expect things to last longer than their warranties. Perhaps we have become our own worst enemy – demanding cheap products made with (criminally) cheap labor overseas, and then complaining when these same items fall apart in our hands. I’ll admit I’m the queen of bargain hunting, but I do get to longing for the days of measuring the length of ownership by years, rather than mere months. I grew up in London when the family-owned Eaton’s department store chain was in its heyday. That was where we shopped for school clothes, appliances and gifts. The prices may have been higher than at some lower-end stores, but the goods actually had the goods. In fact, I have stuff bought at Eaton’s that are still in excellent condition. How many made-in-China things purchased at a big-box-behemoth can claim the same staying power? What’s worse – to pay more for something but have it last longer? Or pay a piddly sum and have to replace it on a regular basis? In this day of short attention spans and disposable everything, perhaps we do really want to buy without the danger of getting too attached to anything. Being forced to forever replace your clothes, furniture and electronics means you won’t have time to get bored with them. And maybe, just maybe, the manufacturers know this … Nadia H. Shousher is Editor-in-Chief of Windsor Business, a division of The Page Publishing Corp.

ESSEX ECONOMICS DAN ADAMS

What is your leadership style?

here are four distinct types of leaders in business that describe their main passion: Builders, Decorators, Remodelers and Realtors. While you might think all senior leaders are Builders – the type of leader who drives profitable, sustainable growth by delivering differentiated value to customers – this is far from the case. In research conducted by The AIM Institute, while every company was founded by a Builder, only one-third to one-half are led by one. Here are a few clues about the four types to help you diagnose yourself: Builder: You have a passion for organic growth. You focus on strategic markets and voice-of-customer research and have a strong R&D project portfolio. You think in years, not quarters. For you, nothing matches the satisfaction of understanding what customers want, delivering meaningful innovation, and watching the sales roll in. Decorator: You’re obsessed with your company’s curb appeal and a devout believer in the gospel of maximizing shareholder value. For Decorators, life is all about the quarterly financial report. A bad reporting period has you scrambling to freeze spending and/or cut costs. The problem is, these can damage a business’s growth capabilities and have a negative effect on sustainable growth. Because they’re just the first domino that slows dozens of new product projects, delays future revenue, leads to poor earnings growth, and ends in more cuts and/or spending freezes. Remodeler: Your focus is on improving quality, boosting productivity, eliminating wasteful costs, etc. These are commendable endeavors, but if nothing new is built, the company reaps diminishing returns. Quality improvements are great, but what happens when you get to zero defects? Remodeling is good, but Remodeling without Building ends in commoditization. Your competitors eventually match your quality or productivity with similar products, and then the price wars begin. Realtor: You love to buy and sell, reaping your rewards during mergers and acquisitions. Realtors are rewarded when the hard work of others’ hands is transferred into their hands. When you have a Builder at the helm, the acquired business can become a Building block in their Building program. The problem is, many Realtors don’t know how to grow what they acquire. While all types of leaders have a place, where they fulfill that purpose makes a difference. Only Builders should be steering the ship; everyone else should be in supporting roles. That may sound like terrible news if you’ve been leading like a Decorator. But being a Builder is a mindset, not a destiny. You can shift your mindset and start leading like a Builder. It won’t happen overnight, and it won’t be easy. But it’s doable. Dan Adams is the founder of The AIM Institute and author of the books Business Builders and New Product Blueprinting. Please visit https://theaiminstitute.com.

JANUARY 2024

CUSTOMS

COVER

BY RON STANG

Local customs firm purchased by Area Montessori school Swiss-based multinational corporation expanding with purchase

enerable and internationally recognized Windsorbased customs broker Farrow has been sold to a Swiss multinational company. The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but Farrow will continue to operate under its long-time corporate name and chairman Rick Farrow will continue to lead the company. Farrow was acquired by Kuehne+Nagel in late November. A company release describes the firm as “one of the world’s leading logistics providers.” The deal won’t likely close until the first quarter of 2024. The sale “highlights Farrow’s industry-wide reputation, as well as its strength in cross-border customs brokerage, trade consulting and logistical services capabilities,” the release said. What may be a little-known company happens to be the largest

sea and air logistics firm in Canada, and has long had a presence in Montreal, its first international location outside its original home in Germany. It is now based in Switzerland. The company has 80,000 employees in about 1,300 sites in 100 countries. Farrow is 112 years old and has always been in the family. Farrow told Windsor Business the sale is “going to shock a lot of people,” but said its time had come to sell. “For a number of reasons, not all of which I would get into, but it was time to protect the legacy we’ve built over these years and do something to protect it for the next 25 to 50 years. And we really felt Kuehne+Nagel were the right people to do it with.” Farrow is “by far” the largest family-owned customs broker in Canada, he added. “Livingstone is bigger than us, but they’re owned

by a private equity fund. UPS and FedEx are bigger than us, but they’re publicly traded.” Kuehne+Nagel’s senior vicepresident Jeff Hammond told Windsor Business: “Farrow has strong volumes and experience with cross-border customs transactions. These align with the company’s enhanced focus on supporting customers with cross-border services at the Canadian and Mexican borders of the U.S., in line with the near shoring trend in the marketplace.” Before the closing, the merger must also be approved by regulatory authorities. Farrow says the local company will remain as is and won’t affect staff. “We’re going to continue as Farrow,” he said. “That’s why they bought us – no layoffs, no closures, nothing. I still run the company indirectly.” WB

SALE BY DEVAN MIGHTON

Upholstery firm closes after 62 years

n 1961, Gordon Creamer, a local businessman, founded his family-owned company Windsor Upholstery & Auto Trim Ltd. Last summer, his son Ron Creamer retired and sold the building and half-acre lot to a local numbered company for $1.43 million.

The buyer contacts are Stefan Polewski and the Polonia Centre Windsor. Polewski did not respond to requests for comment. “It was time for me to spend time with my wife and family, and my grandkids,” said Creamer, who is turning 63. “When you’re run-

STORAGE + MOVING SERVICES WINDSOR-ESSEX * CHATHAM-KENT * SARNIA * LONDON

ning your own business, you don’t have a whole lot of time for that.” With Creamer’s retirement and the sale of his building and lot on Hanna Street East, Windsor Upholstery closed. The front door is Continued on page 10

Continued from page 1 There are schools throughout Canada and the world; some famous graduates have been Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, and chef Julia Child. The Montessori approach focuses on children as unique individuals, with a hands-on collaborative approach based on the students’ own interests. Students can be enrolled in preschool up through elementary and middle school. Even some high school courses are taught, with all programs accredited by the province. Courses include languages, drama, athletics, tech and robotics. Lakeview’s campus is adjacent

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to the plaza and has grown incrementally since the late 19790s, originally in St. Mark’s By the Lake Anglican church hall. The plaza will be redeveloped for an expanded middle school. “We’re hoping for a two-storey building so we’ll open up more space for students, as well as enhance different things like our culinary program, science lab, computer and tech,” said principal Renee Ryerson. “We have a pretty full house. We have quite an extensive waiting list in the preschool and very limited spacing available in our elementary. Most of our classrooms are full. Our junior level is where there’s a little bit of room, but not anything substantial.” She said more parents are turning to Montessori, “something more individualized, outside the box from what’s being offered in the traditional system.” While there is a tuition fee, the school is a nonprofit so “the money all goes back into the school,” Ryerson said. She suggested construction could begin in the latter half of 2024, after architectural plans are finalized. School president and owner of nearby companies Maden Industrial Ltd., Lakeshore Paint & Supply and Fairlane Machine Tools, said the new building will allow expansion of science and tech programs especially. “You’ve got to remember, schools are different now where you get into tech and robotics (and) STEM,” he said. “Typical classrooms are not set up for any of those activities.” Jurak said Lakeview officials don’t have a new building cost estimate. “We’re working through that phase right now. The first thing is to secure the property.” WB

HE SAID/SHE SAID NEWS AND VIEWS FROM AREA EXECUTIVES: QUESTION: Have you ever hired, or would you hire, a relative or friend to work in your business? Why or why not?

“I’d hire a friend or relative if they possessed the necessary skills that align with the company’s interests. As I’m familiar with the individual’s capabilities and sense of responsibility, the personal connection could be advantageous, allowing for quick collaboration.” Emran Sadiq, CPA, CGA, FCCA, MSc., Terry T. Turner Professional Corp.

“Hiring based on skill and performance is always the BEST practice. Friends or family in the workplace could compromise your judgment and actions. It may be challenging implementing professional boundaries or expectations, when employees fall short of their goals.” Danielle Russell, Commercial Lines Account Executive, Hub.

“A lot of the people I work with are from the same family, so I don’t think it would be strange or inappropriate to work alongside my own family. Plus, I would have someone to guilt into picking up coffee for me in the mornings!”

“Absolutely not ever again! I found it was nothing but trouble, and then it’s hard to get rid of them. It causes too much stress. It’s better to stay friends and not work together, then work together and have a problem in the relationship.”

Matthew Burrows, Furniture Specialist, Monarch.

Barbara Butler, Owner, BAS Bookkeeping Services.

“Yes! Since 1895, the Janisse family has employed members across generations. This tradition not only strengthened family bonds but also contributed to successful careers, building on a foundation of teamwork while providing essential services to families in times of need.” Paul Janisse, Consulting Director, Arbor Memorial.

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JANUARY 2024

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

SOLD

Address: 2265 Ambassador Dr. Selling Price: $1.8 million Vendor: Farrow Realty Inc. Purchaser: Rick Farrow Holdings Ltd.

Address: 3930 Seminole St. Selling Price: $1.9 million Vendor: MRB Hardwares of Windsor Ltd. Purchaser: 1000714978 Ontario Inc.

Address: 9985 Tecumseh Rd. E. Selling Price: $3 million Vendor: 2616766 Ontario Ltd. Purchaser: 1000346936 Ontario Inc.

SOLD Address: 5725 Malden Rd., LaSalle Selling Price: $1.35 million Vendor: B Poczak Holdings Inc. Purchaser: Andrew MacDonald Holding Corp.

SOLD Address: Division Rd., Conc. 6, Sandwich W. Selling Price: $4 million Vendor: Chandi & Dhot Holdings Inc. Purchaser: LBI Developments Inc.

SOLD Address: 2529 McDougall Ave. Selling Price: $1.55 million Vendor: 2595831 Ontario Inc. Purchaser: 1000549337 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: 5327 Brendan Lane, Tecumseh Selling Price: $1.8 million Vendor: TJ&M Investments Ltd. Purchaser: CMR Investments Inc.

Address: Hwy 42, Conc. 9, Tecumseh Selling Price: $2,699,595 Vendor: 1741078 Ontario Inc. Purchaser: 1741078 Ontario Inc., 190330 Ontario Ltd.

Address: 6879 St. Philippes Line, Chatham-Kent Selling Price: $1,228,500 Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: ALO Development Corp.

Address: 46 Third St., Chatham-Kent Selling Price: $550,000 Vendor: 40 Centre Square Inc. Purchaser: 1815513 Ontario Inc., 1875532 Ontario Inc.

CHATHAM-KENT

• WHEATLEY

SOLD

Address: 7024 Smith Industrial Dr., Amherstburg Selling Price: $1.975 million Vendor: 2385576 Ontario Inc. Purchaser: 7024 Smith Industrial Ltd.

Address: 1302 South Malden Rd., Essex Selling Price: $1.43 million Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: 1000625342 Ontario Ltd.

355 CABANA RD. E.

350 ERIE ST. E.

FOR SALE. HIGHLY PROFITABLE AUTO SERVICE GARAGE, SITTING ON COMMERCIALLY ZONED CD2.1 LAND. SALE IS FOR ALL REAL ESTATE + BUSINESS. CALL DAN MCCULLOCH AT (519) 818-2700 FOR DETAILS.

FOR LEASE. THIS 2,862 SF PROPERTY WAS BUILT IN 1956 BY WINDSOR UTILITIES COMMISSION. OUTFITTED FOR ONE OCCUPANT, BUT CAN BE SUBDIVIDED FOR TWO. PERFECT FOR RETAIL OR OFFICE USE. BRAND NEW HVAC SYSTEM. PARKING FOR 40 CARS ONSITE. CALL TAMMY WILLIAMS.

COMMERCIAL CONDO

RESTAURANT OPPORTUNITY

Address: Ellison Ave., Conc. 1, Leamington Selling Price: $2,563,663 Vendor: Leamington Property Holdings Inc. Purchaser: Municipality of Leamington

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

FOR SALE IN THE HEART OF OLDE RIVERSIDE. APPROX 6,750 SF, TENANTED BY TWO ESTABLISHED BUSINESSES. PARKING ON-SITE FOR 40 CARS. ATTRACTIVE, LOW MAINTENANCE BUILDING. CALL TAMMY WILLIAMS FOR INFO.

445 PELISSIER ST.

SOLD Address: 180 Riverview Dr./111 Heritage Rd., Chatham-Kent Selling Price: $3 million Vendor: 40 Centre Square Inc. Purchaser: Named Individuals

2340 OLYMPIA DR.

1840 BLACKACRE DR.

FOR LEASE. INDUSTRIAL BUILDING LOCATED IN HEART OF OLDCASTLE. TOTAL OF 18,179 SF COMPLETE W/OFFICES, W/2 ADDITIONAL MEZZANINES WITHIN SHOP AREA (TOTAL 1,800 ADDITIONAL SF). CEILING HEIGHT UP TO 21’. 10-TON DEMAG CRANE W/CLEARANCE HEIGHT OF 17’.

FOR LEASE. TO BE BUILT IN OLDCASTLE. PERMIT IS READY, SO BUILD TIME WOULD BE APPROX 6 MONTHS. 13,340 SF SHOP + 2,600 SF OFFICE SPACE TOTALING 15,940 SF. CLEAR CEILING HEIGHT IS 30'. BUILDING WILL BE CONSTRUCTED AS "CRANE-READY."

2720 ST. ETIENNE

SOLD FOR SALE. LE GOYEAU OVERLOOKING THE DETROIT RIVER & SKYLINE. LARGE UNIT AT 1,150+ SF W/2 BEDS,1.5 BATHS. UNIQUE CD3.1 ZONING ALLOWS FOR BOTH COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL. MINUTES FROM THE COURTHOUSE, IDEAL FOR A LAW OFFICE. CLOSE FOR EASY CROSS-BORDER COMMUTE.

ESTABLISHED IN 1980, THE LUMBERJACK ON HOWARD & TECUMSEH RD HAS SUCCESSFULLY SERVED GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES IN WINDSOR-ESSEX FOR 43+ YEARS. OWNERS RETIRING, WILLING TO TRAIN NEW OWNERS. CALL TAMMY WILLIAMS FOR INFO.

FOR SALE. IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN WINDSOR, 3,000+ SF PROFESSIONAL OFFICE SPACE W/ HIGH END FINISHES INCLUDING SEVERAL OFFICES & BOARDROOMS. ON-SITE PARKING FOR 3 CARS. PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET. CONTACT TAMMY WILLIAMS TO VIEW.

APPROX 5,495 SF UNIT LIGHT INDUSTRIAL/WAREHOUSE SPACE. NEW GRADE-LEVEL OVERHEAD DOOR. NICE & CLEAN, LOCATED W/EASY ACCESS TO E.C. ROW & HIGHWAY 401. CONTACT TAMMY WILLIAMS.

JANUARY 2024

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

SOLD

Where: 384 Detroit St. Property Size: 40’ x 100’ # Bedrooms: 6 + 3 # Bathrooms: 3 Taxes: $2,676 Listed For: $649,888 Sold For: $590,000

Where: 3129 Manchester Property Size: 40’x 90’ # Bedrooms: 2 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $1,862 Listed For: $335,000 Sold For: $325,000

Where: 1051 Pillette Rd. Property Size: 80.67’ x irr. # Bedrooms: 2 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $1,862 Listed For: $289,900 Sold For: $328,000

Where: 967 Jefferson Property Size: 40’ x 157’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 3 Taxes: $2,191 Listed For: $499,888 Sold For: $510,000

SOLD

Where: 1420 Armanda St. Property Size: 112.5’ x irr. # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $3,859 Listed For: $594,900 Sold For: $510,000

Where: 2756 Mark Ave. Property Size: 75’ x 105’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $3,588 Listed For: $489,900 Sold For: $440,000

Where: 1529 Windermere Property Size: 35’ x irr. # Bedrooms: 2 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $1,939 Listed For: $229,000 Sold For: $250,000

Where: 9355 Bayswater Property Size: 31’ x 65’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $1,629 Listed For: $349,900 Sold For: $358,000

WINDSOR BUSINESS

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

SOLD Where: 57 Rankin Ave., Amherstburg Size: 60’ x 110’ # Bedrooms: 4 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $2,670 Listed For: $799,900 Sold For: $783,000

SOLD Where: 122 Erie St. S., Harrow Size: 66’ x 132’ # Bedrooms: 2 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $2,227 Listed For: $429,900 Sold For: $420,000

SOLD

Where: 379 Charron Beach Rd., Belle River Property Size: 50’ x 296’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $3,798 Listed For: $979,900 Sold For: $962,000

Where: 3 McLeod St., Tilbury Property Size: 63’ x 104’ # Bedrooms: 4 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $2,058 Listed For: $398,888 Sold For: $398,888

CHATHAM-KENT

• WHEATLEY

SOLD

Where: 118 Balaclava St. S., Amherstburg Property Size: 60’ x 125’ # Bedrooms: 2 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $2,800 Listed For: $379,999 Sold For: $385,000

Where: 147 Crystal Lane, Harrow Property Size: 80’ x 94’ # Bedrooms: 4 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $2,500 Listed For: $524,900 Sold For: $505,000

Where: 1056 Point Pelee Dr., Leamington Property Size: 40’ x 110’ # Bedrooms: 1 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $3,800 Listed For: $299,900 Sold For: $345,000

Where: 12 Cameo Dr., Leamington Property Size: 54’ x 110’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $2,981 Listed For: $399,900 Sold For: $375,000

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JANUARY 2024

SALE

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

TOWN OF LASALLE RESIDENTIAL:

• JP Contractors is building an office complex on King St. W. Value of construction: $537,000. • Autoliv Canada Inc. is erecting an addition to its property on Autoliv Dr. Value of construction: $287,000. • Individuals are doing renovations to a retail plaza on Chatham St. N. Value of construction: $300,000.

• Individuals are building an addition to a residence on Surrey Dr. Value of construction: $25,000. • Osman Homes Inc. is building two semi-detached dwellings on Front Rd. Values of construction: $800,000 each. • Sherman Homes Ltd. is building two semi-detached dwellings on Angelo Ave. Values of construction: $850,000 each. • Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Smith Cr. Value of construction: $606,785. • Individuals are building an additional residential unit to a home on Donato Dr. Value of construction: $350,000.

MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT RESIDENTIAL • Affinity Elite Homes is building two semi-detached dwellings on Brighton Pl. Values of construction: $210,000 each. • Park Hill Custom Homes Ltd. is building a single-family home on Valencia Dr. Value of construction: $400,000. • Maple City Homes Ltd. is building two semi-detached homes on Ironwood Trail. Values of construction: $400,000 each. • Multi Construction is building two semi-detached homes on Champlain Ct. Values of construction: $393,000 each. • Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Seys Line. Value of construction: $700,000. TOWN OF LASALLE COMMERCIAL: • 2467847 Ontario Inc. is doing interior tenant fit ups to a café on Talbot Rd. Value of construction: $50,000.

TOWN OF ESSEX RESIDENTIAL: • Lakeland Homes is building a single-family residence on Joan Flood Dr. Value of construction: $953,000. • Lakeland Homes is building a single-family home on Dolores St. Value of construction: $1.26 million. • Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Suffolk Dr. Value of construction: $1.35 million. • Individuals are doing an addition to a single-family residence on Herring Ave. Value of construction: $300,000. MUNICIPALITY OF LEAMINGTON COMMERCIAL: • Architectural Design Associates

Inc. is building an addition to a warehouse on Erie S. N. Value of construction: $500,000. • Individuals are building an addition to a greenhouse on Erie St. N. Value of construction: $500,000. • Individuals are erecting new bunkhouses on Highway 77. Value of construction: $2.6 million. MUNICIPALITY OF LEAMINGTON RESIDENTIAL: • Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Seacliff Dr. W. Value of construction: $1 million. TOWN OF KINGSVILLE COMMERCIAL: • Mucci International Marketing is erecting an industrial building on Seacliff Dr. Value of construction: $1.8 million. • Turner Fleischer Architects is doing renovations to a commercial building on Main St. E. Value of construction: $10,000. • Vince Moceri Holdings is erecting an industrial building on Road 3 E. Value of construction: $1.492 million. TOWN OF KINGSVILLE RESIDENTIAL: • Osman Homes Inc. is building a single-family residence on Sannita Ave. Value of construction: $500,000. • Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on County Rd. 29. Value of construction: $560,000. WB

BY DEVAN MIGHTON

Long-time family firm closes after 62 years Continued from page 4 adorned with a sign for a company known as Global Maintenance Co., a business that lists Polewski on its board of directors. Creamer started at his father’s company in the early 1980s after a short stint playing professional hockey in Kalamazoo MI, which included a tryout with the Detroit Red Wings. “I decided it was time to come home and work in the family business, something my dad had built up.” In the late 1990s, Gordon was transitioning toward retirement and his son stepped up to continue. In 2000, he relocated the business from Walker Road to Hanna Street, where the business operated for 23 years. Creamer feels the property sold

for what is now the going rate for commercial and industrial real estate, adding he invested into the property in anticipation of his retirement. “If you looked at it when I bought it and compare it to what it is now, it’s like night and day,” he said. “I invested a lot into the building itself; I put a 30-foot by 80-foot addition on it. I had to build up my investment somehow so I could survive the rest of my life when I decided to retire.” Creamer says the decision to close his family’s business, one that has been in the community for over six decades, was one of the hardest decisions of his life, but it was time. “I loved what I did. I miss it, and I miss dealing with the people in WB the community.”

START UPS THE FOLLOWING WINDSOR, ESSEX COUNTY AND CHATHAM-KENT COMPANIES WERE RECENTLY ISSUED CERTIFICATES OF INCORPORATION UNDER ONTARIO’S BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT: • Anse Trade Canada Corp. • Ciconest Innovations Inc. • Clubb Truck & Trailer Repair Inc. • Earltime Holdings Inc. • Healthfirst Pharmacy South Windsor Inc. • Jeremiah’s Landscaping & Snow Removal Inc. • JG Rrealty Holdings Inc. • Kaz Investment Corp. • Knoumeds Health Solutions Ltd. • Kothari Investments Inc. • Lakeshore Pickleball Association • Lana Jones Coaching Inc.

• LHO Enterprises (Wheatley) Inc. • Mandaline Restaurant Inc. • McLeod Tools Inc. • Miro's Kitchen Inc. • Petcon Realty Gp. Inc. • Pubco CFO Advisory Limited • Queen Street Apartments Inc. • Raptors Express Inc. • Revitalize Health Osteopathy Inc. • Robin Hood Realty Ltd. • Sabbah Realty Inc. • Shree Group Realty Inc. • Speedy-One Express Inc. • TS Ghotra Trucking Inc. • Vybz Trucking Inc. • Westfuture Minerals Corp. WB

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TRANSFER

THE WORLD OF WORK

BY RON STANG

BY JEANINE “J.T.” O’DONNELL AND DALE DAUTEN

Long-time dental practice “I find work as a whole site in LaSalle purchased tedious and boring.” Dear J.T. & Dale: I hate my job, but I have zero ideas of what career would make me happy. I find work as a whole simply tedious, and boring. I also hate being told what to do and being constrained by set hours. I have so many hobbies. If I were wealthy, I wouldn’t work at all. What can I do to find a job I enjoy? — Winston

He returned to practice in the Windsor area because “all my family’s still here.” His own family now lives in Amherstburg. “We went away to school and worked for a bit,” he said. “And then once we started having kids we moved back home. It’s nice to be close to family.” MacDonald has no immediate plans to make any changes to the practice because the name is so well known in the community. “Eventually we plan to update the building itself, but we’re not going to change the name. It’s a legacy.” MacDonald said his practice has generally catered to an older clientele but is starting to see some turnover now. As far as the actual medical practice of dentistry is concerned, it’s stayed “relatively static” although there are new technologies like dental scanners and inlays. Inlays are less invasive than crowns for repairing damaged teeth, and scanners alleviate the use of molds to model a patient’s teeth. “Things are now scanned with essentially an extremely high speed camera and everything’s 3D printed,” MacDonald said. “So, I guess that’s a cool new trend. And they’re WB more accurate too.”

andwich West Dental Centre, a mainstay in the Town of LaSalle for decades, has a new owner. Dr. Andrew MacDonald took over the practice after the previous owner, also a dentist, passed away. A sales document shows the seller was B. Poczak Holdings Inc. of 5920 Malden Rd., the same address as LaSalle Dental in a strip plaza just down the street. The price was $1.35 million. MacDonald said it was always his plan to operate his own dental center and, by fate, the opportunity arose now to purchase the practice, which has been there well over four decades. It is located near the Todd Lane traffic circle. “It’s going to be my baby ‘til the end of time now,” said the young dentist. “I’m going to do general (family) dentistry there. I hope to work there for the next 35 years or so, because I’m only 36.” MacDonald has been practicing general dentistry at the location for the past three years, but has been in practice almost eight years after graduating from London’s Western University. The South Windsor native who grew up “just behind St. Clair College.”

J.T.: Given that you dislike the entire notion of work, here’s one easy way to refocus your career. You mention having many hobbies. Why not find a job with a company that makes products or services that support one of those hobbies? That way, you’d at least feel connected to what they do. I’ve found a lot of people find great enjoyment in working for a company that is aligned with their hobbies. DALE: That might help, but I think we also need to back up. The first task is to figure out what exactly it is that you hate about the job, and about work. At the same time, we have to figure out what it is about the hobbies you find engaging. I would start by making three lists: Ten Things I Hate About My Job, Ten Things I Hate About Working, and Ten Things I Love About My Hobbies. Put some thought into them, as the entries will become the raw materials of deciding how to proceed. J.T.: We already have a good start to the “hate” lists: repetition, lack of challenge, routine hours and being supervised. The problem: Those are all characteristics of traditional jobs in the conventional workplace.

DALE: That’s because, as you study the nature of jobs, what you find is this: management’s goal is to design jobs that can be accomplished consistently, without drama, and the ideal candidates when hiring for those roles are people who’ve done the same jobs elsewhere, or some job quite similar. Thus, most jobs are designed to be routine which, said another way, means they were designed to be boring.

THERE IS AN ART TO ASKING SOMEONE TO CHANGE. IF YOU’RE LUCKY, YOU CAN MAKE IT SO THAT THE TWO OF YOU ARE SOLVING A PROBLEM TOGETHER.

J.T.: Once you really understand that boredom, with details on what you find disagreeable about working, and you also investigate what brings you joy in the hobbies, I think you’ll start to see some spots in the economy where you might fit, especially in the “gig” economy. There is, to name one such job, an element of “gaming” in finding bargains and reselling those finds online. For some people, that’s going to feel like a hobby. *** Dear J.T. & Dale: My new office mate has earphones and listens to music and podcasts all day. The problem is, she has it so loud that I can hear it through her

headphones. I find it super distracting. Is it OK for me to ask her to turn it down or to not use them at all? — Anita J.T.: I think if you can politely explain to your new office mate the sound is distracting and you’re hoping she could turn it down, it should be OK. As long as you are polite and show gratitude for her complying, I don’t see why it isn’t OK. Or, you could always get a set of earphones yourself that are noise cancelling; that way, you won’t have to hear it, and you won’t have to say anything either. DALE: Perhaps there’s a different desk you could move to. Perhaps there’s a manager who would understand the issue and intervene without bringing you into things. But, if you’re stuck and on your own, there is an art to asking someone to change. If you’re lucky, you can make it so that the two of you are solving a problem together — in this case, that bigger issue would be the work output of the team. Thus, you’d explain the noise is distracting and you’re wondering if the two of you could come up with a solution. If you keep it light and positive and ask, don’t tell, you’ll end up building a better, not just quieter, relationship. WB *** Jeanine “J.T.” Tanner O’Donnell is a career coach and the founder of workitdaily.com. Dale Dauten is the founder of The Innovators’ Lab, a business consultant and author. To send questions, visit questions to jtanddale.com.

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CORPORATISM BY JIM BLASINGAME

We made the experiment, and the fruit is before us

or more than 20 years in our online poll, we’ve asked our audience for their thoughts on a wide variety of Main Street subjects. Recently, we asked the following question with four response options. The results are in parenthesis: “Based on your observations, will younger generations – currently under 45 – be able to take full possession and manage the transfer of America’s business?” • Absolutely. Just as well as any

other group – maybe better (23%). • Not looking great so far – high in entitlement and low in work ethic and critical thinking (26%). • It seems they’re behind, but there is a minority – about 20% – who could save them (28%). • Time marches on and each inheriting generation shapes their own future (23%). In the hundreds of polls we’ve published, rarely has the tightness of the spread of responses been as

noteworthy as the leading vote options. For now let’s set aside the 23% who defend the younger generations and the same group who equally defends humanity in general, and focus first on the leading responses. The first of the two breakout groups, with 26%, came down pretty hard on Gen Y and Gen Z. In my reporting on the younger generations over the past 20+ years, including hundreds of conversations with individuals who,

like me, are sometimes not-so-lovingly referred to as “Boomers,” “entitled, and deficient in work ethic and critical thinking” is almost invariably the appraisal of these newest members of the workforce. Of course, their indignant defense of such a broad, generational indictment is that we – the Boomers – “are the ones who raised us.” Ouch. The largest cohort in our responses is at once illuminating and exciting. Twenty-eight per-

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cent allowed there is a minority of the youngsters – 20% – who could save their generation. This is a position I’ve formed over many years of working with members of Gen Y as a kind of demographic Pareto Principle. But in the hundreds of times I’ve invoked this ratio, I’ve always preempted my observation with this demographic preappraisal: “These two generations are probably the best crop of human beings ever produced.” Then, after dropping the hammer with those generational shortcomings listed earlier, I’ve added this: “But there is about 20% to 25% who do not fit the Millennial generation narrative. They work, don’t make excuses, take responsibility and solve problems.” And even though my fellow Boomers have generally agreed with me in the past on all three points, it’s encouraging to see this “hope for the future” perspective prevailed in our poll against the other three. “THESE TWO GENERATIONS ARE PROBABLY THE BEST CROP OF HUMAN BEINGS EVER PRODUCED.”

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Now, back to the macro response. It’s heartening to see more than 70% of our folks are positive about the kids (under 45) going forward. I can think of no better way to culminate this exercise than to appropriate the immutable wisdom of Abraham Lincoln. Based on his many assessments of once and future America, we have reason to believe Mr. Lincoln would have found himself aligned with our three groups who aggregated to the optimistic 72%. So, thanks in advance for forgiving my paraphrasing of one of Abe’s immortal moments, this one from eight score and five years ago. Write this on a rock: We made the experiment, and the generational fruit is before us. Look at it, in its aggregate grandeur, of the extent of country and numbers of popuWB lation. Jim Blasingame is the author of The 3rd Ingredient, the Journey of Analog Ethics into the World of Digital Fear and Greed. Visit smallbusinessadvocate.com.