I have not written anything on this site for a long while so here goes with a long story.
Having sold my first car at 12 years of age, starting full time working at 16 in every department of our garage, I left after 31 years as the dealer Principal: a total of 55 years at the dealership. My greatest feeling of accomplishment was my involvement in building the beautiful and practical dealership on Suncoast Drive.
In the meantime, 47 years ago I started an Automotive literature and collectible shop as well.
I had the best help while running the literature shop. My wife Sylvia took a real interest and we moved from a building I had in Saltford to the Print Shop on Newgate St. What a great choice that was. Sylvia just had to walk to the post office with a cart to mail parcels, I was just across the street if and when needed and the Canpar delivery pickup spot was next door. My brother Ron, now retired from being a Judge with the Ontario racing commission and with his car knowledge became invaluable to this fast growing hobby-type business. Along came retired teacher Glenn Rittinger and he loved the detail work involved in this so much.
24 years ago I built a 10,000 square foot building to hold the literature, toys, signs and our cars on MacEwan Street.
Rick Stright, mechanic supreme also kept the old cars working properly and fixing anything else around the shop. We also provided employment to many local people as needed. Everyone who worked for us was wonderful.
We have shipped literature to 39 countries around the globe and looked after the wants of so many collectors of the brochures or those needing the manuals for the mechanical info they contain.
We also kept over 8000 items listed on Ebay for sale. We had become by far the largest automotive book store in Canada and third largest in North America. We were written up in auto magazines and newspapers right across the country. Glenn Rittinger had responded to an article wanting to do write ups on unusual businesses. We were selected and the CBC came right to our shop and conducted a full day of broadcasting at our building. I brought in a large box of Culberts cream puffs for the CBC crew and they were about ready to change broadcast places that day.
We also have hosted local service clubs, many car tours, senior groups and individuals visiting from all over the world. Yeah, and I will have to admit, a few after hours poker games were held here. Why have a boardroom and not use it?
Things change though. You get older, younger people are not into collecting that much, older people slowing down in their purchases, covid, and the ability to access so much info online...
I did not want to have something happen and leave my wife and family with the literature problem. The cars, toys and signs etc: just put them in an auction, but everyone I talked to on the literature could not fathom over 17000 shop manuals, 18000 owner’s manuals and 500,000 brochures. I had advertised in car magazines about the literature without success for the last two years but within the last couple of weeks I had a man and his son show up from Alda, Nebraska, and we made a deal on all the literature and manuals. 42 Pallet loads stacked 5 feet high and averaging 1300 lbs each just crossed the border 2 days ago and have arrived safely in Nebraska. I could write a whole story on this huge undertaking -loading, shrink wrapping, finding 1000 banker boxes, border crossing worries, trying to find truckers that will go into the USA, special pallet requirements etc- but it’s done! My neighbour Cory King and my grandson Ryan sure helped with this sorting and loading task.
So it’s kind of like ending a second career and I have decisions to make but that will all happen in the very near future. I’m only 84 so- hmm- uh I dunno, sleep on it- blah. Sylvia and I both still enjoy reasonably good health of which we are thankful for.
I have to close by giving special mention to two of my employees. Not only to the great help always of Nicola Noble and so many customers that asked just for her, but the many years of steadfast, honest, faithful help and assistance of Josh Middelkamp. Right from graduation he has been at my shop attending to every need required plus his great IT knowledge in this type of business is invaluable.
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