7 HE SAID/SHE SAID: The news and views of area executives on pertinent business issues of the day.
16 CORPORATISM: Jim Blasingame says if we focus on high achievement first, our success will be sweeter.
2 AT A GLANCE
A look at the top-selling automotive brands across 61 countries around the world.
2 CROSSWORD
Take a coffee break from work and challenge yourself with our crossword.
3 ESSEX ECONOMICS
A series of guest columns by business executives on various trends in the region.
8 PRIME PROPERTY
A look at recent commercial property transfers in the city of Windsor .
10 PRIME HOME
A look at residential property sales in Essex County and Chatham-Kent.
12 BUILDING PERMITS
A compilation of construction activity in the Windsor and area market.
13 WORLD OF WORK
A career advice column by two workplace consultants and career coaches.
15 START UPS
Newly incorporated firms launched in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent.
n answer for multi-generational families, who want to share homes while saving and generating income, may be in reach. A concept popular in other Canadian cities but a first in Windsor-Essex is being brought by realtor Joe Fallea and his Fallea Real Estate Group
It’s called Legacy Next-Gen Homes/Generations on Tenth Street, for building lots on Tenth Street, adjacent to a recreation area in LaSalle.
Fallea said his project is an answer to the myriad families who have two generations or more living together, who want separate living spaces while still residing on the same property. Continued on page 4
AT A GLANCE
JUST THE FACTS:
• A review of global vehicle sales data in 2025 showed Toyota is the best-selling car brand in 25 countries, accounting for 41 percent of the markets analyzed.
• Regional preferences remain strong, with local automakers dominating in countries like China, India, Russia and Vietnam.
• While Toyota leads across much of North America, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, several countries continue to favor homegrown automakers.
• The Japanese automaker leads in markets ranging from the United States and Japan to Saudi Arabia and South Africa. Its broad geographic reach reflects the company’s reputation for reliability, fuel efficiency and strong dealer networks.
• Volkswagen comes in at a distant second place, at 8.2 percent of the markets analyzed.
• China’s BYD leads its domestic market as electric vehicle adoption accelerates across the country.
• National champions like Iran Khodro in Iran and Innoson in Nigeria demonstrate how local manufacturing can remain competitive, when supported by government policy and consumer preference.
Source: Focus2Move, 2026.
BUSINESS BOOST
“Pathological liars do not view communication in the same way normal people do. For most of us, our words are a means of imparting more or less accurate information. For pathological lairs, every word they say is simply a device for creating an effect.
“Liars try to convince you how cool they are by telling you they party with rock stars, or are dating the best-looking woman in the next department. They may play on your sympathy by confiding they have been diagnosed with some dreaded disease or they suffered unspeakable abuse as children.
“It is tempting to ascribe pathological lying to low self-esteem, but that tells you nothing useful. Low self-esteem can ‘explain’ most psychological disorders. Any concept that explains everything ends up having no meaning. With most difficult people, it is far more constructive to understand what they do and how they do it than it is to ask why.
“The most important concept to remember about pathological liars is that, unlike you, they are not thinking in terms of truth or falsehood, but about the momentary effect their words might have on you. Lie and truth are moral concepts that have a great deal of meaning to honest people, but they have far less relevance to liars. This dichotomy is what makes liars dangerous.”
VOLUME 30, ISSUE 2 • JUNE 2026
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nadia H. Shousher
ART DIRECTOR David Cowx
CONTRIBUTORS Jim Blasingame, Dan Chase, Mike Chase, Dale Dauten, Paul March, Devan Mighton, J.T. O’Donnell, Nikita Prajapati, 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., 2026.
THE PAGE PUBLISHING CORP. 552 PITT STREET WEST, SUITE 101
The more I am exposed to supposed adults in the business arena, the more I notice how rarely any element of accountability will figure into the equation. I see it every day in business, this blatant abdication of one’s responsibility to one’s ethics, work, employees, creditors or commitments. How is it possible, I wonder, to spend 30 or 40 years moving through adult life, collecting experience and possessions and people, yet not gather any sense of responsibility for the society in which we live?
The other day, someone was bragging about how he “scammed” his university student loan program, years after graduating and earning a more than decent income. In fact, a couple of months’ worth of his salary would cover the entire debt at once. Not surprisingly, this guy owns his own successful business. Surely he can afford to pay back a loan he gave his word he would, a loan that was most likely denied another student unable to guarantee it.
The same day I was trying to reconcile this disturbing bit of information with the public persona of that executive, I hear from another acquaintance that she supplements her wages with little “freebies” from the office. These would be product samples, office equipment and cleaning supplies. She then sells them on the sly to her friends and neighbors.
Seriously, who does this? And even worse, brags about it? I feel sick …
What’s even worse than the thievery is the obvious – and obnoxious – enjoyment these individuals take in “putting one over on” someone else. In these cases, he bamboozled the government – which allowed this man to obtain a valuable education – and she defrauded her employer – the benevolence of which allows her to put food on her table.
Here’s the best one yet: an aggressive debt recovery service is, itself, a chronic debtor of its suppliers. How does this make sense, except in the context of the unfortunate double standard so often found within contemporary business practices?
It’s bad enough to have negligible morals, but to flaunt this lack is a sign of depraved indifference to the social and intellectual mores that separate us from wild animals. In fact, I’m quite sure wild animals have more loyalty and love for their compatriots than do human beings. And I am appalled, especially when such individuals wear the mask of civilization so well.
Indeed, such a dearth of responsibility among business “professionals” is becoming as common and predictable as those crazy weeds that spread like wildfire in my garden. And we should manage it the same as any nasty contamination: cut it off at the source. Full stop.
Nadia
H. Shousher is Editor-in-Chief of Windsor Business, a division of The Page Publishing Corp.
ESSEX ECONOMICS
MELISSA WILLIS
Stop blaming the current economy
No amount of handwringing will change the current economy or the pace of inflation. Business owners whose doors will stay open will put on blinders and track ways to win. Here are some ways you can take control of key areas in your business:
• Take control of pricing and stop discounting. Everywhere you turn, prices are going up. If a business hasn’t raised its prices in two or more years, it is past time. More importantly, there should never be an apology with a price increase. No grocery store on the planet puts a note next to the butter saying, “Sorry about that extra 50 cents. We had no choice.” You noticed it, and you put it in the basket anyway.
Business owners think discounting “gets people in the door.” Instead of a discount, what can you offer that has a high perceived value and goes with the purchase? Think cosmetic companies with their crowd-pleasing “gift with purchase.” Low cost, high value. Scrap those discounts and add value. Everyone likes “free.”
• Expense clarity. This is the time to put your P & L under a microscope. Where can you make some changes? Consider employee redundancy, cost of supplies, insurance, Internet or phone. Negotiate with your vendors. This will take time, but it could add up to big savings.
• There’s more business in your existing customer base. If you have 1,000 customers and you add a new product that costs $50, with only half of your customers taking advantage of this new offer, you’ve added $25,000 in revenue. Who better to make an offer to than the folks who already know, like and trust you? Many businesses offer multiple services, but the majority of their customers only use one or two of them. How many times do you “make the sale” and not ask if the customer needs or wants anything else? At least 34 percent of customers will spend more money at checkout if asked. Upsell and cross-sell.
• Follow up and conversion are grossly underutilized. How many businesses go to the trouble of preparing a quote, but not follow up? Over 50 percent never follow up at all. The fortune is in the follow up. Create a system that makes all those proposals turn into closed deals. Studies show that it takes eight to 12 contacts to even have a meaningful conversation with a prospect, much less close a sale.
You never know what is going on with a prospect behind the scenes. There could be someone who really needs you, and you gave up. Don’t give up.
Melissa Willis is a coach and consultant who has helped owners and sales professionals over her career. Visit https://melissawilliscoaching.com.
Albert J. Bernstein in Am I the Only Sane One? 101 Solutions for Surviving Office Insanity, McGraw-Hill.
Stadium site to become racquet club
Windsor Business can reveal that the purchaser of the venerated Windsor Stadium is squash enthusiast and local entrepreneur, Anis Khan.
There has been much speculation as to who bought the long-time playing field behind Kennedy Collegiate, which the public school board severed and put up for sale. It even turned down the City of Windsor, which wanted to buy the land. At the time, Mayor Drew Dilkens said, “I was in support of the
City purchasing this land to add to Jackson Park, recognizing the importance of the property, its location to one of our signature parks, the potential of the footprint, and how it overlaps with many municipal, provincial and national priorities — including housing.”
Khan purchased it from the board in May for $2.57 million.
“The building was put for sale because it was cost prohibitive to repair. There are other areas around the school (Kennedy) that can be
used for recreational purposes,” said board spokeswoman, Madeline McEachern.
Khan, owner of the Windsor Racquet Club, plans to turn part of the property into an indoor squash, paddle and pickleball facility. “We’re working on that. We haven’t decided yet, but we will have all these three sports in our plan,” he said.
Khan said he’s not sure what would become of the concrete stands on the east side, since his plan doesn’t “need more than four acres. There’s a possibility we can leave it there, or use it for soccer purposes. It depends on where we locate our building and what we do with the remainder of the parcel.”
Plans are too tentative to even estimate the cost of construction.
Khan has one silent partner. “We’ll have a better understanding when we sit down with our architect.”
Khan has long been a champion of indoor racquet sports. The city has been bereft of an indoor racquet club since the closing of Windsor Squash & Fitness on McDougall.
Khan enthusiastically said not only will this be a boon for Windsor, but “one of its kind in Canada. The location is very good,” he said, noting the availability of parking.
Khan envisions the building also having a pro shop, fitness gym and cafe.
BY RON STANG
Industrial site bought out of bankruptcy RECEIVERSHIP
Amassive manufacturing and warehouse facility on Windsor’s east side has changed hands, the result of a court-ordered sale with a Hamilton area company picking it up for just shy of $30 million.
The 53-acre property at 6500 Cantelon Drive was purchased by Cerruti Investments Inc. (also known as Claybar Contracting Inc.) of Dundas, which held the major mortgage on the site. The sale was under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
Claybar is a general contractor and specializes in installing underground fuel tanks at gas stations, and building car washes.
Court-appointed receiver KSV Restructuring Inc. took over the property of the Ontario numbered company which had owned it. No names associated with the company were disclosed.
The court authorized the sale last September, with eight bidders for the site. Cerruti was owed $17 million. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice approved payments to other smaller mortgagees and nine construction lien claimants totaling almost $11 million.
CBRE handled the sale.
Lou Cerruti, the purchaser, did not respond to requests for comment.
The property has almost 500,000 square feet of rentable space with four suites, three of which are occupied. There are a similar number of outdoor areas.
Tenants, the biggest being auto parts firm Ventra Assembly, will continue their occupancy and did not object to the transaction. Besides Ventra, other recent tenants have been Pangeo, also an auto parts builder, Windsor Power, CK Solutions, and various truck operators that parked vehicles there independently.
Ventra is part of the multinational Flex N Gate company.
Bankrupt Essex gas station back in service RECEIVERSHIP
Agas station at a strategic location in Essex that closed abruptly a couple of years ago has reopened under new ownership.
Brighton Fuels, also known as Mobile Express, was operated by Burlington-based Sherin George. It shut down in early 2024. Bankruptcy documents by court-appointed receiver MNP Ltd. of London indicate the property at Fairview and Maidstone avenues roundabout was found “abandoned” on February 12 of that year.
“Practically all of the convenience store inventory and the POS terminal had been removed, and all fuel tanks were empty. The only thing remaining was expired drinks,” said the 223-page report. The receiver had to hire a locksmith to open the adjoining garage.
RBC was the principal creditor, owed $2,575,000.
George could not be contacted, as his Email was defunct.
INDEPENDENT
FUEL RETAIL OPERATIONS ON OWNED REAL ESTATE REPRESENT ONE OF THE MOST DURABLE SMALL-BUSINESS ASSET CLASSES IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE.
The site was subjected to an environmental assessment to “delineate soil impacts” and “potential issues of environmental concern.”
The property has been occupied by a service station since the 1950s. The business next door, Dr. Bernie’s Motorcycle Clinic, which is also no longer operating.
A group of four people bought the Brighton property out of bankruptcy April 24th, via a sale by the Superior Court of Justice, for $950,000.
One of them is Floyd Martin of Mt. Forest ON. Another is “Johnny” from Kitchener-Waterloo. He said it was an attractive investment. He couldn’t comment on what previously took place: “I wasn’t part of it. I don’t know his story.” He said no changes are planned and the business continues under the Brighton Fuels name.
Pre-bankruptcy Toronto realtor Alloway Property Group had advertised the property as operating
“free of franchise obligations –providing the owner-operator with full independence on fuel pricing, supplier selection, margins and branding.” At that time it was priced at $1.3 million.
“Independent fuel retail operations on owned real estate represent one of the most durable small-business asset classes in commercial real estate,” said the Alloway description.
BY RON STANG
Dutch agri firm buys Chatham site
ADutch company that specializes in water resources for greenhouses has purchased a two-acre property in Chatham for $1.5 million.
Genap makes water storage tanks and anti-algae membranes for water reservoirs. It prides itself on developing “innovative products and concepts using geosynthetic materials that have minimal impact on our living environment, so future generations can use our natural resources.”
The products are shipped from the Netherlands to Canada. But with southwestern Ontario’s booming agriculture and greenhouse industries, it became “increasingly clear” a manufactured plant was needed here. It opened the facility in 2022 to reduce timelines and shipping costs. It has now purchased the site on Sass Road from a Brampton numbered company.
A rep for Genap did not respond to requests for comment.
But a company that shared the
facility is Lakeshore-based Intrepid General Ltd., long-time contractor in Essex and Kent counties.
President Anthony Mandarino said his firm actually owned the building some years ago, but sold to the entity that has now resold to Genap.
“We are now looking for land in Chatham, but there’s really nothing of reasonable value there,” he said. “At some point in time, if we find something there or elsewhere, we’ll re-establish.”
Historic fitness center building changes hands
The arena-type building at 2437 Central Avenue, home to Fit4Less, has been purchased by a Brampton investment firm.
Treeline Capital Holdings purchased the one-time 32,000square-foot Windsor Curling Club for $2.8 million, or $87 per square foot. The property includes 144 surface parking spots. It previously sold for $2.16 million in 2017.
According to sales records, the former owner was BBDN Ltd. Partnership, of Erin ON.
Jonathon Biback of Glen CORR said his firm has been property manager and represented the owner.
“I don’t have an answer as to the motivation by the owners,” a private equity group, he said.
Fit4Less, part of the GoodLife (Fitness) group, is a tenant there. That company is the largest chain of Canadian fitness clubs and has been growing rapidly, with 14 new locations slated for this year. It has more than 450 now. Fit4Less has been there since 2014.
John Gardiner, spokesman for GoodLife, said gym operations will continue.
“This is strictly a change in ownership of the building from one landlord to another. Fit4Less remains a tenant at the location, and there is no impact to our operations, members or associates,” he said. “The gym will continue to operate as usual, and our members can expect the same experience they’ve always had.”
In a brochure, Lennard Commercial Realty of Markham sung the property’s attributes.
“Strategically located adjacent to the Stellantis Windsor Assembly Plant, which employs over 4,200 workers, the property also benefits from the surrounding concentration of industrial and manufacturing employers. This broader employment base provides a large pool of ‘blue collar’ employees that align well with Fit4Less’ target demographic.”
The building was the scene of a terrible natural disaster in 1974 when a tornado tore into it, killing nine people and injuring dozens.
The tornado ripped the roof off the building and a wall collapsed.
BY RON STANG
Local realtor’s new development offers a solution to housing crisis
Continued from page 1
He calls it the “3 in 1 Homes” or “The home that pays for itself.”
Rather than an older generation sharing the same physical space with adult children who are working but can’t afford to live on their own, this concept is unique. It allows each generation to live separately in a three-storey house – a triplex – with separate entrances, yet separated from the others with their own bedrooms, kitchen, baths and laundry. Meanwhile, the third floor or basement unit can be rented to an outside tenant for income.
Fallea said it answers issues such as traditional homes no longer meeting family needs, aging parents needing support, the lack of affordable housing for a younger generation, and expensive utility costs.
“It’s live, grow, share and rent at the same time,” Fallea said. “This is just simply a basic concept of multigenerational living with privacy. At the same time, you’re getting an income.”
For adult children looking to get on the property ladder, a new 1,500square-foot bungalow would cost $700,000 to $800,000. But Fallea’s property has a 1,500-square-foot unit on the second floor; the main floor is 1,000 square feet. The adult children could live upstairs and raise a family, while the parents live below. They also have less upkeep and new utility cost savings.
Then there would be rent from the basement apartment providing, say, $2,200 a month.
arate location.
In fact, given the low mortgage rate of a lateral transfer from the sale of their former home, and two rents coming in, the adult parents could easily add a new income stream after paying overhead costs. In one cost/income scenario, the parents “live for free and make $1,600 a month,” Fallea said, deriving income they wouldn’t have otherwise. “Imagine having not one bill to pay and still living comfortably.”
Local contractor and chair of the Windsor Essex Home Builders Association, Norbert Bolger, said: “We believe it is a great concept and hope it becomes more popular in our area, as it provides another strong affordability option.”
Mark Conway, senior consultant with Toronto’s N. Barry Lyon Consultants, which studies housing trends and has done “a lot of work” in Windsor, applauded the concept.
“I haven’t seen it in Windsor, although it’s emerging everywhere else in the country,” he said. “Calgary’s very big on it, and Toronto’s doing it.”
Conway said it goes by different names such as inter-generational or a mortgage helper.
“It’s purpose-built, so you can live with your parents but separately,” he said.
The real kicker is the parents could charge their adult children rent, but much less than if the kids bought their own place at a sep-
The triplexes don’t necessarily have to be for families, but anyone who wants to have a dual-income property. “There are no rules, it’s just math,” he said. “Any way you want to look at it, there’s a value to the buyer.”
“But they all react to one thing: people like to live with their parents, or they want to support their parents,” he said. “But it also is related to the economic times where everybody’s struggling to make a mortgage payment. If you can have a suite that’s legal, safe and comfortable, and you can rent that out for a period of time to help you pay down your own mortgage, why wouldn’t you do that?”
Conway said it “never used to be with new homes,” but now that’s changing.
“Replying to Emails I already opened. By the end of the day I’ve solved 10 other problems, but still have the same inbox staring at me as if we never made progress.”
“Emails are at the top of that list, but it’s mostly the never-ending stream of ideas that show up faster than I can execute them.”
“Being a travel consultant means I never really clock out –my brain is always wondering if my clients are sipping cocktails, catching sunsets, or living their best vacation lives. I love turning travel dreams into unforgettable adventures.”
“Behind the scenes, there’s always another estimate to prepare, schedule to adjust, or deadline to manage. Keeping everything moving smoothly is fast-paced, but that’s what I enjoy most.”
“As a picture framer specializing in making artist canvases, I am always getting orders from local artists. Being an artist myself, I am the last to get a canvas made! Customers always come first.”
Mike Dupuis, Owner, DS Electric Ltd.
Kass DiPasquale, Founder & Principal Designer, Kass Design Studio.
Jonathan Jewell, Cruise & Vacation Consultant, Expedia Cruises.
Rana U. Nasir, Project & Operations Manager, Watt N Volt Electric Ltd.
& Framing.
Nancy Johns, Owner, Nancy Johns Gallery
Address: 2365 McDougall St.
Vendor: Greater Essex County District School Board
Purchaser: Windsor Racquet Sports Centre Inc.
Vendor: Carey Alphabet II Nominee Corp.
Purchaser: Ellis Street Property Inc.
Address: 3920 Dougall Ave.
Selling Price: $4.75 million
Vendor: GL Windsor Inc.
Purchaser: 2187065 Ontario Ltd.
PRIME PROPERTY
THE FOLLOWING, PROVIDED BY REALTRACK.COM, REPRESENT SOME OF THE TOP COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRANSFERS IN THE ESSEX & CHATHAM-KENT AREAS:
SOLD
Address: 387 Maidstone Ave. E., Lakeshore
Selling Price: $950,000
Vendor: Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Purchaser: 387 Maidstone Ltd.
SOLD
Address: 250 Little B/L Rd., Lakeshore
Selling Price: $4.896 million
Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: JS Long Acre Farms Ltd.
SOLD
Address: 8890 County Rd. 20, Amherstburg
Selling Price:$874,260
Vendor: Named Individuals
Purchaser: JM Parks Farms Ltd.
SOLD
Address: 31 Division Rd. S., Kingsville
SOLD
Address: 51 Sass Rd., Chatham-Kent
Selling Price: $1.1 million
Vendor: 1394118 Ontario Ltd. Purchaser: 2611168 Ontario Inc.
Selling Price: $1.55 million
Vendor: 13459021 Canada Inc.
Purchaser: 1001542192 Ontario Inc.
SOLD
Address: 949 County Rd. 50 E., Essex
Selling Price: $2.95 million
Vendor: 2596351 Ontario Ltd.
Purchaser: Erie Shores Cottage Community GP Inc.
SOLD
Address: Road 2 E., Conc. 1, Pt Lot 5, Kingsville
Selling Price: $2.15 million
Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: Teycoma Farms Inc.
SOLD
Address: 1318 County Rd. 20, Leamington
Selling Price: $1.77 million
Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: Tiessen Acres Ltd.
2996 DEZIEL DR.
PRIME HOME SALES
Where: 322 Rosedale Ave.
Property Size: 45’ x 136’
# Bedrooms: 5
# Bathrooms: 1
Taxes: $3,038
Listed For: $299,000
Sold For: $245,000
SOLD
Where: 1517 Gladstone
Property Size: 30’ x 117’
# Bedrooms: 2
# Bathrooms: 1
Taxes: $1,927
Listed For: $299,900
SOLD
Where: 3980 Myrtle Ave.
Property Size: 50’ x irr.
# Bedrooms: 3 + 2
# Bathrooms: 2
Taxes: $4,106
Listed For: $449,000
Sold For: $550,000
Sold For: $335,000 SOLD
Where: 914 Thompson
Property Size: 40’ x 129’
# Bedrooms: 2 + 1
# Bathrooms: 2
Taxes: $3,101
Listed For: $474,900
Sold For: $465,000 SOLD
Where: 425 St. John St.
Property Size: 51’ x 105’
# Bedrooms: 3 + 1
# Bathrooms: 2
Taxes: $3,289
Listed For: $479,900
Sold For: $500,000
SOLD
Where: 3891 Longfellow
Property Size: 60’ x 118’
# Bedrooms: 3
# Bathrooms: 2
Taxes: $3,687
Listed For: $498,000
Sold For: $487,000
SOLD
Where: 2840 Avondale Ave.
Property Size: 62’ x 144’
# Bedrooms: 3
# Bathrooms: 2
Taxes: $3,876
Listed For: $469,900
Sold For: $487,500
SOLD
Where: 1845 Lincoln Rd.
Property Size: 30’ x 116’
# Bedrooms: 3 + 1
# Bathrooms: 1
Taxes: $2,409
Listed For: $299,900
Sold For: $290,000
PRIME HOME SALES
SOLD
Where: 430 Lafferty Ave., LaSalle
Property Size: 75’ x 101’
# Bedrooms: 4 + 1
# Bathrooms: 2
Taxes: $4,432
Listed For: $499,900
Sold For: $510,000
SOLD
Where: 673 Gauthier Dr., Tecumseh
Property Size: 52’ x 116’
# Bedrooms: 3
# Bathrooms: 2
Taxes: $4,680
Listed For: $799,900
Sold For: $780,000
SOLD
Where: 253 St. Pierre St., Tecumseh
Property Size: 51’ x irr.
# Bedrooms: 2
SOLD
Where: 5410 Huron
Church Line Rd., LaSalle
Property Size: 110’ x 200’
# Bedrooms: 4
# Bathrooms: 3
Taxes: $7,167
Listed For: $795,000
Sold For: $750,000
SOLD
Where: 117 Santa Ana Ave., Harrow
Property Size: 57’ x irr.
# Bedrooms: 2
# Bathrooms: 1
Taxes: $2,381
Listed For: $349,000
Sold For: $320,000
SOLD
Where: 21162 Kent
Bridge Rd., Chatham-Kent
Property Size: 166’x 198’
# Bedrooms: 5
# Bathrooms: 1
Taxes: $2,305
Listed For: $274,900
Sold For: $386,000 SOLD
# Bathrooms: 4
Taxes: $4,186
Listed For: $639,900
Sold For: $540,000
Where: 855 Erie Ave. W., Kingsville
Property Size: 120’ x 112’
# Bedrooms: 2
# Bathrooms: 1
Taxes: $2,200
Listed For: $429,500
Sold For: $437,000
SOLD
Where: 21035 Queen St., Chatham-Kent
Property Size: 70’ x 104’
# Bedrooms: 3
# Bathrooms: 1
Taxes: $2,200
Listed For: $299,900
Sold For: $295,500
MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT COMMERCIAL:
• Trivirtus GP I Inc. is renovating a gas station and service center on Grand Ave. E. Value of construction: $600,000.
• Southpoint Equipment is building a new car dealership on Fairview Line. Value of construction: $7 million.
• 1000350429 Ontario Inc. is constructing an addition to an office building on St. Clair St. Value of construction: $400,000.
• Kent Standard Condominium Plan is building an addition to a condo unit on Park Ave. E. Value of construction: $200,000.
MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT RESIDENTIAL:
• Individuals are building a founda-
tion for a single-family residence on Kent Line. Value of construction: $104,000.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily home on Rosewood Cr. Value of construction: $600,000.
• Individuals are building an Additional Dwelling Unit to a residence on McKeough Ave. Value of construction: $60,000.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence with an Additional Dwelling Unit on River Line. Value of construction: $700,000.
• Kevin Vreman Construction is building an Additional Dwelling Unit to a single-family residence on Towanda Blvd. Value of construction: $500,000.
• Individuals are building an addition to a single-family residence on Mull Rd. Value of construction: $150,000.
• Maple City Homes is building a single-family residence on Ironwood Trail. Value of construction: $400,000.
• Juan’s Quality Renovations is building an addition to a singlefamily residence on Kenesserie Rd. Value of construction: $127,000.
• Individuals are building an addition to a single-family residence on Ross Lane. Value of construction: $250,000.
• Junctura Group Construction is renovating a single-family residence on Detroit Line. Value of construction: $140,000.
• Individuals are doing renovations to a single-family residence on Rose Beach Line. Value of construction: $65,000.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily home on Notre Dame St. Value of construction: $500,000.
• Multi-Construction is building a single-family residence on Rosewood Cr. Value of construction: $420,000.
• Junctura Group Construction is building an addition to a singlefamily residence on Indian Creek Rd. E. Value of construction: $78,000.
• 1001152988 Ontario Ltd. is building one unit of a semi-detached dwelling on Harbour Rd. Value of construction: $600,000.
• Power Foundation Systems Ltd. Is renovating a single-family residence on Eighth Line. Value of construction: $68,000.
TOWN OF LASALLE COMMERCIAL:
• Contractors are building a mechanic shop on Morton Industrial Dr. Value of construction: $400,000.
• An agricultural business is constructing a farm building on Malden Rd. Value of construction: $66,000.
• An agricultural business is constructing a barn on Front Rd. Value of construction: $250,000.
• Contractors are expanding a commercial building into eight units on Sandwich West Pkwy. Value of construction: $100,000.
TOWN OF LASALLE RESIDENTIAL:
• Contractors are building a singlefamily residence on Huron Church Line. Value of construction: $1,446,950.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Oke Dr. Value of construction: $845,910.
• Contractors are building two units of a semi-detached residence on Chestnut St. Values of construction: $634,240 and $635,780.
• Individuals are renovating a single-family dwelling on Cabot
Ave. Value of construction: $225,550.
• Contractors are building a singlefamily dwelling on Tabib St. Value of construction: $1.15 million.
• Contractors are building a singlefamily residence on Cedarview Crt. Value of construction: $1,743,110.
• Contractors are building a singlefamily residence on Oke Dr. Value of construction: $481,500.
• Individuals are building an addition and renovating a basement to a single-family residence on Bouffard Rd. Value of construction: $1,363,450.
• Contractors are building two units of a semi-detached residence on Fields Ave. Values of construction: $550,310 and $611,220.
MUNICIPALITY OF LEAMINGTON COMMERCIAL:
• Contractors are building a warehouse at a commercial property on Seacliff Dr. E. Value of construction: $650,000.
• Contractors are doing renovations to an office building on Princess St. Value of construction: $200,000.
• Contractors are doing renovations to a commercial warehouse on Erie St. S. Value of construction: $890,000.
• Contractors are doing repairs to a hall on Talbot St. W. Value of construction: $65,000.
MUNICIPALITY OF LEAMINGTON RESIDENTIAL:
• Individuals are building an Additional Dwelling Unit to a single-family home on Robinson St. Value of construction: $180,000.
• Contractors are doing renovations to a single-family home on
Continued on page 13
BY JEANINE “J.T.” O’DONNELL
The job market feels frozen. Is it me?
Dear J.T.: I am exhausted. I am networking. I am tailoring my résumé. I am applying to roles that clearly match my background. And still, nothing is moving. Jobs sit open for weeks. Interviews drag on for months. Some roles disappear entirely. I am starting to wonder if I am the problem. Is it me, or is the market just stuck?
— Running in Place
Dear Running: It is not just you. There are moments in the economic cycle when the job market feels active but behaves cautiously. Roles are posted, but hiring managers move slowly. Companies are profitable, but leadership is hesitant. Recruiters are responsive one week and silent the next.
This is often called a low-hire, low-fire environment. Organizations are not aggressively laying people off, but they are also not rushing to add headcount. Budgets are scrutinized. Approvals require multiple signatures. Internal candidates are prioritized before external ones are seriously considered.
From the outside, it feels like opportunity. From the inside, it feels like hesitation. In this kind of market, traditional job search advice loses some of its effectiveness. Sending out dozens of applications may generate activity, but it rarely generates momentum. When hiring slows, precision matters more than volume.
The first shift you need to make is from posting chasing, to problem chasing. Instead of focusing solely on advertised roles, look for signals inside companies you admire. Has a new executive been hired? Has the company announced a product launch, expansion or restructuring? Has it entered a new market or faced regulatory changes?
Those moments create pressure points. Pressure points create work.
Work eventually creates roles, sometimes before they are formally posted. When you reach out to someone in one of those organizations, reference the signal. For example, you might say you saw the company expanding into a new region and you have experience scaling operations during geographic growth. That positions you as someone who understands context, not just someone looking for any opening.
The second shift is narrowing your focus. In a slow market, being broadly open can dilute your message. If your résumé suggests you are equally interested in operations, marketing, project management and strategy, hiring managers may struggle to see exactly where you fit. Clarity builds confidence.
Choose a primary target. Align your summary, headline and top bullet points around that direction. You can pivot slightly, but avoid swinging in multiple directions at once.
The third shift is emotional. When searches stretch on, it is easy to internalize silence as rejection of your worth. In reality, many delays have little to do with candidate quality. Roles are paused due to budget reviews. Hiring managers leave. Priorities shift mid-process. Internal politics intervene.
This does not mean you should ignore feedback if it is offered. It does mean you should avoid rewriting your entire professional identity every time a role stalls. Structure can help maintain momentum. Create two-week sprints. Identify a focused list of companies. Schedule outreach. Track follow-ups. Set targets that are within your control. You cannot control when a company makes a decision. You can control how consistently you show up. Also, revisit your narrative. In a cautious environment, employers
are especially sensitive to risk. They want to know you can ramp quickly and deliver without heavy supervision.
Make sure your materials emphasize speed to impact. Highlight situations where you stepped into ambiguity and created structure. Show that you have navigated uncertainty before.
Finally, protect your energy. Long searches can erode confidence. Build routines that reinforce progress, not just outcomes. Celebrate conversations secured, referrals made, interviews completed. Each is evidence that you are in motion, even if the finish line is not yet visible.
A frozen feeling in the market does not mean opportunity has vanished. It means decision makers are moving carefully. When that happens, candidates who are specific, strategic and resilient rise above the noise. You are not running in place; you are building traction in slower terrain. Keep moving with intention.
J.T. O’Donnell is the founder and CEO of the job search career coaching platform Work It Daily. Visit workitdaily.com to submit your questions.
Continued from page 12
Mersea Rd. C. Value of construction: $400,000.
• Individuals are building an Accessory Dwelling Unit to a single-family residence on Seacliff Dr. W. Value of construction: $50,000.
• Contractors are doing renovations to a single-family home on Highway 77. Value of construction: $75,000.
• Contractors are building an addition to a single-family residence on Mersea Rd. 6. Value of construction: $300,000.
TOWN OF ESSEX COMMERCIAL:
• 2575885 Ontario Inc. is constructing an industrial building on Keown St. Value of construction: $1.8 million.
• Contractors are building an addition to a warehouse on County Rd. 20 E. Value of construction: $170,000.
• The Town of Essex is building a fire hall on Roseborough Rd. Value of construction: $4 million.
• 2489868 Ontario Ltd. is building a new commercial building on Maidstone Ave. W. Value of construction: $2.5 million.
• An agricultural business is erecting a grain bin on County Rd. 12. Value of construction: $105,000.
TOWN OF ESSEX RESIDENTIAL:
• Brady Homes is building a singlefamily residence on Adelaide St. Value of construction: $720,000.
• G&A Quality Homes is building a single-family residence on Ducharme Lane. Value of construction: $750,000.
• BK Cornerstone is building a single-family residence on Graf St. Value of construction: $462,000.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on 4th Concession. Value of construction: $600,000.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily home on 13th Conc. Rd. Value of construction: $500,000.
• Individuals are building an addition to a single-family residence on County Rd. 20. Value of construction: $110,000.
• Individuals are building a Detached Additional Dwelling Unit to a residence on Victoria Ave. Value of construction: $72,000.
• Gosselin Homes is building a single-family home on Ducharme Lane. Value of construction: $730,000.
• Nor-Built Construction is building a Detached Additional Dwelling Unit to a residence on Nottingham Dr. Value of construction: $250,000.
Continued on page 14
NIKITA PRAJAPATI
Bakery and deli to open in LaSalle
Anew Italian-style bakery and deli is set to open, as the owners of Windsor’s Italia Bakery expand into the growing market of LaSalle.
Amici Bakery & Deli, located on Malden Road, is expected to officially open early this month.
The 2,700-square-foot space includes about 2,000 square feet of retail and customer service area, with a small seating section. The remaining space houses a kitchen for made-to-order hot foods and dedicated production areas for bread and pastries.
Owners Vince and Sandra Pupatello, who purchased Italia Bakery on Erie Street several years ago, have partnered with longtime friends Claudio and Lisa Franchi on the new venture. The
name “amici,” meaning friends in Italian, reflects the partnership.
The concept focuses on traditional Italian and European-style offerings, including deli meats, sandwiches, pastries and hot meals. Bread and pastries will be
made in-house using traditional methods, a key distinction from many operations that rely on frozen or par-baked products.
The project has been in devel-
opment since July 2025, and involves a complete interior build out, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC and ventilation systems, in a newly constructed plaza. The four owners are serving as their own general contractor.
The decision to open in LaSalle was driven by both opportunity and demand. The owners said their Erie Street location had seen increasing customer traffic from LaSalle and Amherstburg. The recent closure of Romano’s Foods in Amherstburg also created an opening in the market.
Rather than expanding under the Italia Bakery name, the partners chose to launch a new brand to reflect the collaborative nature of the venture, and to establish an identity in a new location.
Continued from page 13
• Individuals are building an addition to a single-family residence on Victoria Ave. Value of construction: $160,000.
• Gosselin Homes is building a single-family home on Ducharme. Value of construction: $710,000.
TOWN OF KINGSVILLE COMMERCIAL:
• A numbered company is installing a sewage system of a multifamily home on County Rd. 34. Value of construction: $51,472.
TOWN OF KINGSVILLE RESIDENTIAL:
• Arcus Contracting and Design is building a single-family home on Cedar Dr. Value of construction: $200,000.
• Contractors are building two units of a semi-detached dwelling on Sarkis St. Values of construction: $500,000 each.
MUNICIPALITY OF LAKESHORE COMMERCIAL:
• Contractors are erecting an industrial building on Middle Rd. Value of construction: $N/A.
• Contractors are building a farm structure on Rochester Townline. Value of construction: $N/A.
MUNICIPALITY OF LAKESHORE RESIDENTIAL:
• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on George St.
Value of construction: $N/A.
• Contractors are building a condominium on Beachside Dr. Value of construction: $N/A.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Rourke Line Rd. Value of construction: $N/A.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Elmgrove Dr. Value of construction: $N/A.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Regency Cr. Value of construction: $N/A.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Campana Cr. Value of construction: $N/A.
• Individuals are building an addition to a single-family home on County Rd. 31. Value of construction: $N/A.
• Contractors are building a singlefamily home on Bay St. Value of construction: $N/A.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily home on Old Tecumseh Rd. Value of construction: $N/A.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Caille Ave. Value of construction: $N/A.
• Individuals are building an addition to a single-family home on Old Tecumseh Rd. Value of construction: $N/A.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Whitewoods Dr. Value of construction: $N/A.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Pierella Cr. Value of construction: $N/A.
• Contractors are building a singlefamily residence on Campana Cr. Value of construction: $N/A.
• Contractors are building a singlefamily home on Summer St. Value of construction: $N/A.
THE FOLLOWING WINDSOR, ESSEX COUNTY AND CHATHAM-KENT COMPANIES
• A.I.B Contracting Inc.
• Alexander Wiens Professional Corp.
• Allotif Management Inc.
• Angela Jones Social Work Professional Corp.
• Aria Capital Holdings Inc.
• ARS Tech Consultants Inc.
• AVS Elite Motors Inc.
• Baran Taza Produce Inc.
• Beyond Borders Creative Inc.
• Bolt Automation Inc.
• Brass Alley Contractors Inc.
• BSX Logix Canada Inc.
• C Sykes Diesel & Auto Repair
• Care To Match Inc.
• Cedar Edge Property Company Inc.
• Chatsworth Contracting & Electrical Ltd.
• Cleaning Queen P.C.S. Inc.
• Crossway Community Church, Windsor
• Dawe Automotive Corp.
• Diva Bright Logistics Corp.
• Donais Nursing Professional Corp.
• Dr. Dejan Jelic Chiropractic Professional Corp.
• Drivo Automotive Inc.
• Dynamic Dirt & Drainage Ltd.
• East Town Vape Inc.
• Ellis Street Property Inc.
• Epoxy Hobby Shop Art Studio
• Fitz Equipment Services Inc.
• Flowtriq Networks Inc.
• Freshcode Renovation Inc.
• Givium Foundation
• Gurdwara Khalsa Parkash Windsor Inc.
• H&M Accounting & Tax Inc.
• Highway Hawkss Truck & Trailers Repair Inc.
• Hoover Hills Home Rental & Management Company Inc.
• Housepeek Listings Inc.
• Indigo Surge Trade Ltd.
• Inviteonly Services Inc.
• Ironforce Logistics Inc.
• J. S. Pandher Transport Ltd.
• Jack Quimby Legal Professional Corp.
• K&S Synergy Capital Windsor Inc.
• KB Contracting Inc.
• KMACD Construction Inc.
• La Productions Ltd.
• Lakeshore Facility Services
• Lakeshore Shopping Centre
• Lakewood Common Inc.
• Level One Restaurants Inc.
• LNZ Immigration & Citizenship Services Inc.
• M. Venditelli Dentistry Professional Corp.
• Malaika House Inc.
• Mastronardi O’Connor Optometry Professional Corp.
• MGE Logistics Inc.
• More Media LLC Inc.
• Motor City Electric Ltd.
• New Designs Flowers And Gifts Inc.
• Next Lifecycle Management
• Nova Car Hauling Inc.
• Onesta Logistics Inc.
• Peltmex Property Holdings Inc.
• Planet Of The Grapes Film Productions Inc.
• Premier Development Management Inc.
• Rahvin Technologies Corp.
• Rapeats Ltd.
• Revive 365 Health Inc.
• Rose City Capital Inc.
• Rose City United Football Club
• SJ Contracting Inc.
• Smart Blinds & Shades Corp.
• Snip N Glo Beauty Bar Corp.
• Southwest Agriculture Services
• Surge Electrical Corp.
• Technicut Tool Inc.
• The Maternal Village Wellness Centre Inc.
• The Rooted Market CA Inc.
• This Rough Magic Productions
• Traditional Gypsy Cob Association of Canada
• Trailer City Express Inc.
• True North Property Maintenance & Services Inc.
• Twin Sisters Automobile Ltd.
• Uncu & Uncu Law Professional Corp.
• Veselinovic Dentistry Professional Corp.
• Wing House Wallaceburg Inc.
• Wright Way Landscape And Hauling Ltd.
• Y3s Smart Solutions Limited
• Zen Aura Care Inc.
BY RON STANG
National scrap firm adds third yard to its portfolio SALE
Long-established Excess Metals has been rebranded as AIM Windsor North, making it the third AIM facility in Windsor and the fifth in the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent region.
The Drouillard Road firm has been run by Lia Bernachi, who is staying on “during this transition, as we continue investing in the development of the team on site,” said Corey Cooper, Montreal-based AIM spokesman.
INDUSTRY ANALYST 6WRESEARCH PREDICTS THE CANADIAN SCRAP METAL MARKET TO GROW 2.2 PERCENT BETWEEN NOW AND 2031.
The other Windsor AIM yards are at 4250 North Service Road and 5515 Maplewood Drive in west Windsor.
AIM purchased Excess in April for $2.6 million, according to sale transaction records. Cooper declined to comment on the price, and Bernachi did not respond to requests for comment.
AIM stands for American Iron & Metal, an American parent that owns AIM Recycling, a 90-year-old
Canadian family-run firm. AIM is a leading world metal recycler buying, processing and selling scrap metals.
Cooper said the company believes in “building strong local operations” and that’s why it acquired Excess. AIM has had “strong” relations with the former independent “working collaboratively,” Cooper said.
AIM plans to grow the local yard. “We have exciting plans for infrastructure improvements, facility upgrades and yard enhancements, including new concrete development in key areas of the (almost-three acre) site.”
The rebranded operation will now play an important role in supplying metal to AIM’s HP Mega Shredder at its Ontario head office in Hamilton, he said.
AIM specializes in recovering and recycling both ferrous and nonferrous metals. It has 135 locations worldwide and employs 4,000.
Industry analyst 6Wresearch predicts the Canadian scrap metal market to grow 2.2 percent between now and 2031. This is fuelled by more environmental awareness and use of recycled products, and “cost reduction over mining and primary metal production.”
WB
WB
Focus on high achievement, success will be sweeter
If you were to refer to someone who had acquired wealth, fame or position, you would probably use some variation of the word “success.” But there is another word, achieve, that you could used, because it means the same thing: to accomplish a desired result. Indeed, Webster is unable to define either of these without using the other.
The reason success trumps achieve is because achieve is just not as sexy a word as success. Accomplishing our goals is more about
achievement than success. Anyone who has ever been successful in most endeavors, especially in the marketplace, will tell you it’s more about work and effort than about high fives and trophies.
One of my Brain Trust members has spent a lot of time studying high achievement. B. Eugene Griessman is the author of a number of books and the audiobook, The Path To High Achievement. Since I’ve gotten to know Gene, I think I now understand why he chose to use
achievement rather than success: Gene knows having success is much more than the ultimate results of your efforts.
Achievement requires work and effort, all right. But as he interviewed some of modern history’s highest achievers, Gene identified common characteristics that also contribute to high achievement, and all of these characteristics manifest themselves long before anyone waves a checkered flag. Here are some characteristics of high
achievers from Gene’s audiobook, followed by my thoughts:
The Power of Self-Knowledge
Gene says this is knowing your strengths and weaknesses. This may be the most important characteristic anyone seeking excellence can have. The ultimate uncommon denominator is our individuality –who we are. We are the only ones who can make adjustments in ourselves when needed. If we can’t see ourselves, we aren’t capable of selfanalysis, which makes us doomed to
Generational wealth can provide your family with freedom, security and a strong financial foundation, well into the future. Your children’s children’s children will thank you.
Mark Abraham, B. Comm. (Hons), CIM®
repeat the same mistakes at 50 as the ones we made at 25. High achievers have the ability to critique themselves and make adjustments.
Competence Most of the high achievers I know are talented in several areas. But Gene found the thoroughbreds he interviewed were able to identify one thing they were really good at, and make that one thing the focus of their careers. In small business, I think this should translate to doing what we know, but especially doing what we love.
Learn From Mistakes High achievers don’t like failure and mistakes any more than anyone else. But Gene says they are more likely to see through the disappointment, recognize the value in setbacks, and actually use them as leverage in their next assault on the quest for excellence. As I’ve said, failure is the harness-mate of success, and you and I will be hitched to both as long as we strive for achievement.
The Power Of Perception Have you ever known a person who found a niche and rode that discovery to high achievement? When you contemplate what they did, you think, “Anybody could have thought of that!” Gene says high achievers do common things uncommonly well. High achievers have the ability to see things in ways not apparent to the masses. Make yourself available to the power of perception. The niche opportunity you see might be totally missed by others.
The Power Of Motivation The world isn’t easier on high achievers than everybody else, but they have an uncommon ability to motivate themselves when others would give up. Motivation is actually an alloy of most of the characteristics already mentioned here, plus faith in oneself. Whoever said “It’s lonely at the top,” sure must have been thinking about small business owners. We have to know how to motivate others, and then motivate ourselves. But that gets back to loving what you do.
Manager
156 Ouellette Avenue, Suite 300, Windsor, ON N9A 1A4
Tel: 519-253-2193 | Toll free: 800-287-1898
mark.abraham@td.com
Write this on a rock: As small business owners, it’s important to strive for success. But remember: no one lives their life in the winner’s circle. I believe if we focus on high achievement first, our successes will be even sweeter.
Jim Blasingame is the author of The 3rd Ingredient, the Journey of Analog Ethics into the World of Digital Fear and Greed. Visit jimblasingame.com.
Lori Seguin (Client Service Associate), Mark Abraham (Senior Investment Advisor), Tori Forsey (Client Service Associate), James Labiak (Associate Investment Advisor)
