by Sylene Argent
The landscape of Essex Centre is continuously changing. Some of the changes made recently, follow:
Miller’s Source for Sports closing after nearly five decades
After nearly 49 years of business, Essex’s sports shop will officially close on February 1, 2019, but some of the services will remain in town under a new name.
Wayne Miller, with his mother, Vivian, first bought Miller’s Essex Source for Sports, then located at 73 Talbot Street North, on April 27, 1972 from previous proprietors, Larry Allen and Robert Linton.
In 1973, the business moved to its current location, 25 Talbot Street North in 1973, before the 1980 Essex Explosion, Miller explained.
In 1975, the Miller’s bought the current facility, and a back addition was added three years after that, which is right around the time Miller’s brother, Scott, got involved with the family business.
As a way to help raise funds for the Town’s explosion fund, t-shirts with the slogans, “I survived the Essex Explosion” and “Essex is a Blast” were made and sold at the store. Miller recalls being able to raise around $4000 for the fund through the t-shirt fundraiser.
In 1987, Miller began working for the Town of Essex as its CAO. When he retired in 2013, there was consensus amongst the owners to give the business five more years before moving on.
A big challenge Miller said he noticed about operating out of Essex Centre is that it is close to city malls and major outlets. Now, online shopping can create heavy competition, but he said many customers prefer ordering specialty products in person. Something has to be said, also, about being able to work in a small town and get to know patrons.
“The customers have been wonderful,” Miller said.
Jamie and Cindy Renaud of Amherstburg will open Accurate Creations at 41 Talbot Street North in early February to take over the portion of the Miller’s business that concentrates on team uniforms, trophies, and skate sharpening. Miller will work at the new location as it gets started.
ECNPLC moving to Essex Medical Centre
Since it opened in 2011, the Essex County Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (ECNPLC) has been located in the Victoria Wellness Plaza. The clinic, however, will soon take over the entire second floor of the Essex Medical Centre, 186 Talbot Street South.
Kate Bolohan, Clinical Lead, said staff members at the clinic are planning to make the move February 1. In preparation of that date, the staff members have arranged to have all the equipment moved.
The new facility will be roughly the same size as the current location, but it will provide the clinic an opportunity to be engaged in a health-hub and provide easier access to care to its patients, Bolohan said.
“We work as a collaborative team, so having lots of health professionals in the facility is in the best interest of the community,” she said.
Currently, the ECNPLC has around 2100 patients.
A grand opening will take place as soon as the clinic is moved into its new location.
Council welcomes SouthPoint Equipment
On Monday afternoon, members of Essex Council officially “broke ground” to symbolically welcome a new business to Essex Centre, SouthPoint Equipment.
This commercial development’s future 10,000 square foot facility - which will specialize in products for the turf, farm, residential, commercial turf and snow, and construction sector - is being built at 330 South Talbot Road North in Essex Centre.
This new business facility, boasted at being a $1.5M building site, will initially employ eight full-time employees, but will hold careers for up to a dozen workers.
While this facility is being constructed, SouthPoint Equipment is operating out of a temporary facility, located at 370 Allen Avenue.
Owners David Ross and Jerry Spriel were in Essex to celebrate this milestone.
Spriel noted the opportunity came about with talks about expanding the business with Kubota, a major brand. Already, SouthPoint Equipment is operational in Wyoming, Ontario, and in Chatham.
He noted when looking for a new location for the future facility, they were attracted to Essex because of its “centre of the County” location.
Ross noted Council and Town staff were supportive and helpful throughout the planning process.
Other Essex Centre business highlights
• Decoy Haven is new to the neighbourhood. It is located at 316 Talbot Street North-Unit 4, and provides hunting, ice fishing, and walleye fishing gear for sale.
• Crafty Candles has announced it is moving from its current unit inside the No Frills Plaza to 54 Talbot Street North. A re-grand opening is planned.
• Rustic Edge Décor and More, a business offering crafty lessons and items to buy, is now located at 48 Talbot Street North.
• Lola’s Round Table Respite Services is now located at 102 Talbot Street South, Unit 2. This is a respite service for adults with disabilities.
• Essex Shwarma is now located at 316 Talbot Street North. This is a Mediterranean grill, offering dine in, catering, and takeout.
• The Grand Central is now open, where the former Grand Central Tavern used to be located, 64 Talbot Street North.