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The carryâ€"out aspect is an important consid- eration because of Grand Toy’s expanding line of readyâ€"toâ€"assemble office furniture. “We recognize that home offices are a big interest right now, and we have a lot of products geared especially to that,” says Jones. “We’re sort of the IKEA of the office supply business.” While Grand Toy built its business around office supplies and stationery, it also now can-ies an incneasing line of “social” items for every occasion on the calendarâ€"from Jones and his wife Elizabeth have over 30 years combined experience with the company. In fact, they met while working at head office in Toronto 13 years ago. “In those days,” says Jones, “it was still very much a family business (owned by the Grands), and employees were encouraged to have any interested family mem- bers apply.” The Grands sold their company to Cara Operations about three years ago, but Jones says there is still a real emphasis on keeping things “in the family” by encouraging current store managers to become ownerâ€"operators. Another trend 1n the Grand Toy operation is the return to store locations as they were in the 60’sâ€"mostly outside, neighborhood stores, as opposed to mall locations. Jones’ store has over 4,000 square feet, and he feels the location in an outdoor plaza is a real bonus in terms of access, free parking, and easy availability for front door cany-out or back door receiving of large items. Grand Toy has always been a tough com- petitor, says Jones, but the company felt that a new move was necessary in order to stay that way. Facing competition from large, ware- house-type operations from the U. S., Grand Toy felt its stores would be able to produce higher sales and give better service with owner- operators at the helm. . HOME OFFIC SUPER SPECIAL!!! 4 Wmdcmmmeufloltoolior-nkhl contacts. During October, choose from a variety of bovine" card styles and set then: let thin We low price. They're printed on white recycled artcratt plate (over 10 pta. in thickness!) with black ink. Simply visit your nearest Grand 8 Toy location for details and ordering. Although this is a totally new direction for a company that has been around since 1882, there is still a strong sense of family behind the operation. Jones explains that for the most part, the franchises that have been sold so far, have been sold to husband-wife teams, thus main- taining an allâ€"inâ€"theâ€"family atmosphere. - rand Toy, Canada’s largest office Gupplier, is moving to convert its stores across Canada into owner- operator franchises. In Oakville the trend has already begun with franchise owners Dave and Elizabeth Jones who took over the reins in July at the store in the Upper Oakville Shopping Centre. Service is the key word for office supply firm Grand Toy: a sense of family after 1 11 years AKVILLE BEAVER l Despite increasing competition from the giant U.S. stores, Jones feels that Grand Toy’s “bigness” will continue to be in the area of customer service. And in that area he feels he has a big advantage. Jones says he cannot praise highly enough his assistant manager Lisa and full-time staffer Fran who always go the extra mile to ensure excellent customer service. He also employs five part-time staff who work nights and weekends, and who, he says, bring a spirit of youth to the business. Jones is all in favor of that as recalls his first part-time job after schoolâ€"stocking the shelves at a Grand Toy store. Halloween costumes to Christmas decorations. Time. Money. We save you both. ERA/v0 43m Bring in this portion of our ad to receive a one time 25% discount Off any order. All sales cash/carry net. Offer Expires Oct. 31 st/93 OFFER AVAILABLE AT UPPER OAKVILLE STORE ONLY UPPER OAKVILLE CENTRE 1011 UPPER MIDDLE~ RD. OAKVILLE, ONT. FAX (905) 844-3489 TEL. 849-4550