When Vince Paul and Lori Lee Byrne decided to takeover a convenience store in Point Leamington, it was a strategic move as well as a lifelong dream. Lori had been working in the retail sector for nearly 15 years and developed many key skills and contacts in the industry. At the time, Vince was actually a client of the CBDC as an independent owner/ operator of a transport business. He had the unique opportunity to travel the island weekly, develop relationships with vendors and store owners, and already had a working relationship with TRA. These two storeowners were well-prepared for this venture.

With customer satisfaction at the heart of their business, Paul’s Convenience has advanced the store by bringing in new products and upgrading equipment to serve their customers better. A new soft-serve ice-cream line, hotdog & popcorn machines, coffee and cappuccino vendor, ice maker, hardware supplies, and a pur-water station have all contributed to their continued success. Vince and Lori know that while the customers of Point Leamington are instrumental to their business, they also have to cater to the cabin-goers of the region. The longterm relationships they’ve built with this group of customers generate a valuable revenue stream throughout the Summer and Fall. Regularly completing renovations to their building is also something the two entrepreneurs pride themselves on.

As we know at the CBDC, small businesses rarely exist without challenges, and Paul’s Convenience is no exception. With a thriving Superior Glove factory operating in the small community, labour is not always readily available for a small convenience retailer. A combination of long hours worked by both owners and creating a happy and flexible work situation, they have been able to recruit and maintain a workforce that delivers the customer service they desire and demand for their patrons.

With Vince and Lori both working the business fulltime now and expansion a constant and prominent focus of theirs, the staff of the CBDC sees nothing but a bright future for Paul’s Convenience. We encourage all reading this to stop in next time your passing through Point Leamington, we assure you won’t be disappointed. We would also like to congratulate them on their selection as a recipient for the 2014 Business Distinction Award. Congratulations Vince and Lori!