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B6 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, August 8, 2001 An Oakville Beaver Feature To advertise in this section call 845-3824 Business Oakville Meats closing after 34 years Retiring butcher wonders where he'll buy his meat By Howard Mozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF After 50 years in the meat business, Charles Higgins is hanging up his apron and cutting block. Higgins - who has owned and oper ated Oakville Meats at the same Bronte location for 34 years - is retiring effec tive August 18 so he and his wife Jean can finally relax a little and enjoy life. After all, says Higgins, 65, keeping up with the shop's brisk business, deal ing with suppliers and hauling sides of beef during 10-hour days takes its toll. "Jean and I haven't had a holiday out of the country for 10 years," he says. "This is the first year we've closed for two weeks for holidays in 34 years. It's getting harder for both of us." Originally from Scotland, Higgins started working for the big chain gro cery stores at age 15 but soon had the urge to carve his own path. "I thought I could better on my own," he said. Living in Toronto at the time, he heard about the Lakeshore Road loca tion which he rented at first. About 18 years ago, he bought the building. During his career, Higgins explained that he's seen first-hand the drop in quality and customer service from sup pliers, something which makes his life harder in trying to sell good merchan dise to his customers. Even the big chains are falling behind. "I didn't build my business on garbage," he said. "I don't sell garbage." Not surprisingly, this attitude has engendered tremendous clientele loyal ty "I've been tied into the community for 34 years so customers are my friends," he said. "I go out of my way to help them." During his years in the business, Higgins has seen trends come and go, especially those involving eating habits and health, but has weathered every thing from low-fat fads to Mad Cow Disease. As a result, Higgins' reputation for quality sends more meat business his direction - not away. ROAD RECONSTRUCTION Photo by Riziero Vertolli C harles and Jean Higgins are ready to enjoy th eir retirem ent after operating Oakville M eats for 34 years. "People are still eating meat, but because o f his age and the fact that the After all is said and done, though, they want nice stuff," he said. "That's price was right - not because business the only remaining thing Higgins why they come to me. All my cus was bad. would like to do is thank all his cus tomers know I wouldn't buy stuff like "We're as busy as we can be," he tomers for their business, their friend that." said. "The problem is, my customers ship and their loyalty. Higgins, who already been offered don't know what they're going to do. I "We will miss them all," he said. part-time work at other stores, makes it don't even know where I'm going to "The town has been great and it's been clear that he finally sold his building buy my meat." very good to me." OUR Accountant turned to building homes T INSTALLATION ON DUNDAS STREET (REGIONAL ROAD 5) AT SUTTON DRIVE & WATERMAIN INSTALLATION ON DUNDAS STREET (REGIONAL ROAD 5) FROM APPLEBY LINE TO BRONTE CREEK, CITY OF BURLINGTON CONTRACT NUMBER: SCHEDULED START DATE: SCHEDULED COMPLETION DATE: MANAGER SPECIAL PROJECTS: TELEPHONE: TOLL FREE: ON THE WEB: R-1944-01 AUGUST 2001 NOVEMBER 2001 PAUL MUNGAR 905-825-6000 EXT. 7611 1-866-4H ALTON ( 1- 866 - 442 - 5866 ) www.region.halton.on.ca L o o k for th e E n n i s c l a r e I n t e r i o r s S U M M E R S A L E FLYER in S e l e c t e d E d i t i o n s o f t o d a y ' s O a k v i l l e B e a v e r _____ wenty years ago Peter Gilgan commenced his career in the new home industry by building a few custom homes in Burlington.Today, he is a well known community supporter through the amazing success es he achieved with his com pany, Mattamy Homes Recognizing Oakville Limited. Entrepreneurs Peter and his company exemplify the spirit of corporate citizenship, from neighbourhoods which bring the homes closer to the street to encourage social interaction to the spon sorship of numerous local recreational, cultural and educa tional pursuits. I'm sure many of you recognize the involvement of Peter's company in the Community Foundation of Oakville's Dream Home for the Great ream Home Lottery, but did you also know that Peter is the Capital Campaign Cabinet Chair for the new YMCA of Oakville, Co-Chair o f the Mayor's Invitational United Way of Oakville Softball Tournament, on the Board of Directors for the Halton Healthcare Services, honourary chair of this year's Ontario Technological Skills Pride of Oakville ROAD RESURFACING ROAD RESURFACING DUNDAS STRE JLTlt REG. RD. 5) RO A D R E S U R FA C IN G ON D UNDAS STR EE T(R EG IO N A L R O A D 5) FRO M N EY A G A W A B O U LEV A RD TO 65M EA ST O F SIX TH LINE, T O W N O F O A K V ILLE CONTRACT NUMBER: SCHEDULED START DATE: SCHEbULED COMPLETION DATE: CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR: TELEPHONE: TOLL FREE: ON THE WEB: R-1852B-01 AUGUST 2001 OCTOBER 2001 BRENT HAMMOND 905-825-6000 EXT. 7609 1-866-4H ALTON ( ROAD RESURFACING ON TRAFALGAR ROAD(REGIONAL ROAD 3) AND UPPER MIDDLE ROAD(REGIONAL ROAD 38), TOWN OF OAKVILLE CONTRACT NUMBER: SCHEDULED START DATE: SCHEDULED COMPLETION DATE: CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR: TELEPHONE: TOLL FREE: ON THE WEB: R-2034-01 AUGUST 2001 SEPTEMBER 2001 BRENT HAMMOND 905-825-6000 EXT. 7609 ' 1-866-4HALTON ( 1- 866 - 4 42 - 5866 ) www.region.halton.on.ca 1- 866 - 442 - 5866 ) www. region.halton.on.ca Canada competition, and on the Board of Governors of The Enterprise Centre, a centre dedicated to modelling excel lence in entrepreneurial skills develop ment. And truly, Peter is a role model for the many entrepreneurs that put their dreams into action and dare to risk. In recent years, Peter has pioneered a link between business and education through a co-operative educational partnership which spans three local school boards and provides a hands-on learning environment for students, tak ing learning outside the classroom. Prior to opening Mattamy, Peter was a chartered accountant. It was during this time that he was drawn to the con struction companies and developers amongst his client base and decided to turn his hand to the building profession. Personally, I am always intrigued as to why someone chooses a particular name for their business. Peter chose Mattamy as a combination of his two first bom children of eight, Matthew and Amy, reminding us that as an entre preneur challenges including balancing our life between business, community and who are standing behind us through it all, our families. This article was submitted by Laurie Morrison, Executive Director o f "he Enterprise Centre. It is part o f the Pride o f Oakville Series, celebrating our local entrepreneurs. Make sure to read through the next three weeks and enter our Dine with a CEO contest. Contest rides can be found in the August 11th Oakville Beaver or at www.enterprisecentre.com.