Lee Valley opens in Windsor

By Dawn Gray

Hundreds of hardware, woodworking and gardening enthusiasts were served doughnuts and hot coffee while they lined up outside Windsor’s newest store hoping to be the first to get their hands on some new tools of the trade.

Lee Valley opened its doors Nov. 4 at the Roundhouse Centre near Devonshire mall. The new location was selected eight months ago. Since then, the building has undergone major renovations before being ready for the public to take its first glimpse inside the store.

Jennifer Trombley is a Windsor resident and the first manager of Lee Valley Windsor. She says she is happy to be a part of this day and she can feel the excitement in the air.

“This is my favourite kind of store,” said Trombley. “It’s a hands-on place of discovery and engagement for customers.”

One customer, John Kubasek, has a greenhouse and would often drive to the nearest Lee Valley location in London for his gardening supplies. He was delighted when he heard about the new store opening in Windsor. During his visit to the store, he picked up a book on how to keep deer away from his mums.

“Almost every time I come I see something I’ve never seen anywhere else,” said Kubasek.

Chief operating officer Jason Tassee was at the opening giving out coffee to customers as they waited to get inside. Tasse said the company has been looking into expanding to western Ontario for quite some time and has been watching the growth of the city of Windsor.

“We’ve kept an eye on it,” said Tassee. Things are going wonderfully in Windsor right now. It’s a good location and a good time.”

According to Tassee, the company already has many loyal customers in Windsor and Michigan they are serving online and over the phone.

“We have unique products that solve problems,” said Tassee.

Also known for its unique employee wage style, Tassee said Lee Valley has practiced a very flat and fair organization since the founding of the business.

“At Lee Valley we try to maintain a 10 time multiplier meaning a top paid employee does not make more than 10 times the amount of an entry-level employee,” he said.

This location is starting with 25 employees. Tassee said he will adjust that number according to how well the business does at the new location. This is store number 18 for Lee Valley and plans are underway to open a 19th location in Niagara Falls this spring.