by Thomas Smith

“I just figured it was time for my career to be over,” says
Terry Gregorini.
After working for TD Canada Bank for twenty years, Gregorini became owner of his first Canadian Tire in Trail, British Columbia, then Exeter, Ontario. Gregorini became the owner of Minden Canadian Tire in 2007.
“I’ve loved it,” says Gregorini.
Gregorini says that the staff that he has worked with at the Canadian Tire in Minden have become like family to him.
“That is what I will miss, the staff and the customers,” says Gregorini.
The new owner of the Canadian Tire will be Scott English. The Minden Canadian Tire location will be the fifth Canadian Tire that English has owned and operated.
“I’m pretty excited,” says Gregorini. “I know Scott. I know that the store is getting a great dealer. I think he will make significant improvements to the store. I’ll certainly miss seeing the customers on a day-to-day basis.”
English is no stranger to Canadian Tire, having started working as a part-time parts clerk in 1984.
The Minden location for their Canadian Tire has brought unique challenges to Gregorini. When the building was first built, the business was only expected to last four or five years at its location, says Gregorini.
“Initially, it was a lot of hard work, but your time gets more manageable,” says Gregorini. “You control what you buy. It is a smaller store, so you can’t carry everything.”
It is a profitable location and the community is nice, assures Gregorini.
“I was offered lots of other stores over the years, but I love it here,” says Gregorini. “They built the store a lot smaller and the amount of sales is significantly more than they thought it was going to be.”
Gregorini says the location’s success is due to the patronage of the local community and the increased flux of sales during the summer of vacationers and cottagers. Summer sees an influx of barbecue, patio furniture, and kayak purchases.

English has accepted the store and the change of ownership will take place on Feb. 26. The final sale will be processed two or three months after.
Gregorini and his wife will be welcoming their first grandchild next month. The pair also intend to spend their time off travelling.
Gregorini says that electronic shelving labels will be coming to the store.
“This is a significant improvement for customers,” says Gregorini. With the price of items changing frequently, updated prices can be displayed. The current system of using labels is outdated.
“It is a lot of work for the staff.”
The Canadian Tire will also be improving their overhanging storage area. When the winter comes, the store is forced to send items into storage for the winter season. In-house storage will improve their space and save money on storage costs. English says that insulating the canopy is one of their first goals. He also says that the Canadian Tire will be receiving a face-lift and a new coat of paint. Both the interior and exterior of the store will be painted.
“It will have a totally different appearance of the store when we are all done,” assures English.
English’s family had a long-time family cottage in the Bracebridge area. They have always desired to own their cottage in cottage country. When the opportunity to own the Minden Canadian Tire struck this year, English and his partner jumped at the opportunity to live in the beautiful county of the Haliburton Highlands.
Currently, they are actively looking for their dream house alongside a lake in Haliburton County.
After coming to the Canadian Tire, English wants input from the community on what they want the store to look like, stock, and anything they can improve upon.
“The community needs the store,” says English. “As an operator, I need the community.”
English says he has already visited the Minden location four times and is eager to join the community. After working at a Canadian Tire near Algonquin Park, English says that he has experienced the joys of small town life and is excited to work in the atmosphere that Minden offers.