When taking over an existing business - especially one with nearly 70 years of history - it’s often a tightrope walk to both preserve the past, while also making the venture your own, but Ross Ryan and Tracey Boland are walking the line at Arlims in Stephenville. 

The couple - both born and raised in Stephenville - had been shopping at Arlims general store since they were both children, and when the opportunity came to buy the business they jumped on it with the support of CBDC Long Range.  

Big Shoes to Fill 

Ross says Arlims is the community’s one-stop shop for giftware, souvenirs, clothing, textiles, and other household needs.  

“We are a general store and we try to be the heart of the community,” he says.  

“Arlims is a place we call home. We really couldn’t imagine it shutting down. That would be heartbreaking for a lot of us who grew up in Stephenville and the surrounding communities,” Tracey was quoted as saying in a media article about the relaunch of the shop in the summer of 2023.   

“For me, it was about helping my wife achieve her dream of owning a small business, both her father and grandfather were entrepreneurs,” Ross says, adding that business ownership has its benefits for him too. “I guess it would be the freedom that goes along with it, getting to set your own hours, and being able to take off a day whenever I feel like it. Being able to be creative and help the community.” 

Company Town 

And the Arlims team is deeply committed to the community which has stuck by them through the years. From making donations to local charities, hockey clubs, and even investing in training for their staff to be a dementia-friendly store, Ross reiterates the importance of a space like theirs to serve as a community hub.  

The couple also reached out to its community when it was planning the purchase and operation of Arlims, seeking out a First-Time Entrepreneur Loan from their local CBDC.  

“We originally got our loan through CBDC to take over the business and purchase all of the inventory,” Ross explains, adding the organization has also helped with promotion and marketing.  

CBDC Long Range, and CBDC business advisors throughout the province, work to help people start or buy the business they dream of running. If you’re thinking about starting a business, talk to one of our start-up experts. We offer support and encouragement, but can also point you in the right direction for funding or repayable loans with exceptional interest rates, allowing you to build the business of your dreams.