Local Economy – October 2015
L’Ambiance Poêles et Cheminées (translation Jolyne Vaillancourt)
The winter cold is at our doorstep: as is L’Ambiance Poêles et Cheminées! For 35 years, this Hemming- ford based company, has specialized in supplementary residential heating. The company offers full service sale, installation and inspection of your heating system. With icy winter temperatures just around the corner, you can also contact L’Ambiance Poêles et Cheminées to have your chimney swept. This service is available year-round.
If you are considering the purchase of a supplemental system, the proprietors maintain a boutique in which you will find a variety of major brand name stoves: wooden, gas, pellets or corn. The proprietors also specialize in the construction of brick or stone chimneys. Furthermore, pursuing a passion dating from the 80s, the company has developed an expertise in the realization of masonry heaters made of carved stone and/or brick, and is certified with the Masonry Heater Association of North America (MHA).
890 route 219, 450 247-2131 or 1(877) 447-2131 ramoneur@qc.aira.com www.ramoneurpatrick.com
A change at Hemmingford Rona Hardware ! (translation Sheila Lord)
Isabelle Chapdelaine and Guillaume Beauregard are not afraid of a challenge. These two university graduates escaped the stress of Montreal four years ago to come and settle in Havelock with their three children, two boys and a girl. Now they have another boy. The choice of our region was an easy one for them to make. They wanted a healthy place in which to raise their children. As well as a vegetable garden and animals, they wanted to become a part of the community. Isabelle immediately got involved in the parent-teacher committee at St. Romain’s School which the three older children attend. Guillaume, having ten years of experience in the construction field, seized his opportunity when the Rona renovation centre was put up for sale. With the help of family and friends they took up the challenge and bought the business on April 3 of this year. Right from the start the new owners were warmly welcomed. The inventory was reorganised and new services were added such as the sale of propane gas and a carpenter’s shop for the repair of doors and windows. Soon the plan is to make tools available for rental. Isabelle and Guillaume know that they will not be able to compete with large chain stores with regard to prices but they want to offer as full an inventory as possible so that local people can avoid having to needlessly drive long distances. Let’s encourage them in this excellent plan. Local purchasing begins at home.
Quincaillerie Rona Hemmingford – 271 Route 219, 450 247-2792
McSween market: where the priority is on local products (translation Jolyne Vaillancourt)
Lory Vansteene and Claude McSween have owned the only grocery store in the village for nearly five years now, and were well able to take over from the McKough family, who had previously owned the store for 107 years. A grocery store is an essential service in a village such as ours, and despite the fierce competition exercised by large chain stores, Lory and Claude have made it their duty to maintain McSween market. Claude, who is the master butcher, begins his workday at 6:30 in the morning, 364 days per year. The owners involve themselves within the community through donations to schools and other organizations, and through the jobs they have generated (14 so far).
Buying local products matters greatly to them, so much so that Lory goes directly to certain local producers in order to personally choose their products, which are subsequently offered to the clientele of McSween Market. This is often not economically advantageous for the owners, but it is a choice which they have taken to heart because they believe that in investing in the community will allow it to thrive.
Finally, the McSween family wishes to thank its large clientele for their support, as well their personnel, of whom they are proud. A special thanks to Martine Tourangeau, who has put in so much love and devotion.
Claude, Lory and Léandre.
Marché McSween – 504 Frontière, 450 -247-2712