"~%rank Apa, partner owner of Oakville Toyota, has insisted on providing topâ€"notch service. It has clearly paid off, * judging by the dealership‘s increase in business. The dealership has received more awards for service in the past ..__ two and a half years under Apa‘s ownership than it had in the previous 18, he says. Monthly service information clinics are part of Apa‘s serviceâ€"oriented business philosophy. "A lot of people are completely overwhelmed by a new car, so we like to do a followâ€"up. We do a walkâ€"around on the car, and demonstrate things like changing a flat tire, and review warranties and preventive maintenance." Apa invites car buyers to "drive and compare" Toyota products to others on the market. "Our cars are solid, no rattles. I even had one staunch Nissan supporter tell me ‘your car is not tinny‘ â€" he had driâ€" ven in from Richmond Hill and purchased a Corolla. You never hear of a Toyota not starting." With minimal maintenance costs and high resale value â€" Apa says a Corolla retains 80 per cent of its value after two years, which is "unheard of in our industry!" â€" buying or leasing a Toyota is a smart investment, he notes. ‘"‘The Corolla was completely rebuilt in 1993, and that year, it won the prestigious JD Power Bronze Quality Award for North American assembly plants. So much for the saying you should never buy a car in its first year of production!" Apa also supports local causes such as the Oakville Waterfront Festival, soccer and baseball teams, the Rotary Club, and the Salvation Army‘s Christmas Care Drive. Hogg says Futurekids is the only company in Canada with a professionally developed curriculum. "We have a staff at our head office which consists of 30 educators, consultants and professionals who provide us with updated courses that incorporate the latest software and educational metholodogy," he explains. What makes the process particularly effective is that the Futurekids staff combines this technological expertise with a personal touch. Most instructors are mothers with a lifetime of experience enabling chilâ€" dren to feel good about themselves through healthy intellectual and social development. Futurekids also provides instruction through the Halton Separate School Board during the regular school year. t Oakville Kitchen Centre, a kitchen is viewed as a functional lifestyle concept, and not just a group of cabinets crammed into an empty space. Design consultants Annkristine Hedlund and Robin Garvey manage each proâ€" R.ject personally, from start to finish." The homeowner can try to coâ€"ordinate it all themselves, but it‘s usually very difficult," says Robin. Oakville Kitchen Centre is a name many longtime residents will recognize. The business has been adding value to local homes with highâ€"quality custom kitchens for three decades, initially in Bronte, and since 1989, from the current location on Third Line. Annkristine purchased the business ten years ago, and Robin joined her five years later. The outgoing duo was "born and raised in Oakville." Since its inception, the operation has become known as a reliable authorized dealer of the Hanover line of custom kitchens â€"considered the Cadillac of the industry. Two new lines, both manufactured in Canada, offer customers more choice and a broader price range. Catering mainly to owners of existing homes, they can arrange all of the services required for full kitchen and bath renovations, includâ€" ing painting, wallpapering, ceramic tile installation, adding new windows, doors or moving walls around. They can also provide sophisticated European appliances, such as wall ovens and new lowâ€"energy glass cooktops. Their gorgeous fully decorated showroom is a great starting point for discussing renovation ideas. Be sure stop by soon. , _ s one of the largest computer literacy companies in the world, Futurekids has become a familiar A k destination on the information superhighway. At the Oakville location, owner Lorrie Hogg, MBA, k. uses his 12 years of experience to steer children and adults toward success by helping them strengthen their academic skills. "We have had several experiences where children with weak areas, either academically or socially, have completely turned around as a result of our classes. The computer is a wonâ€" derful learning tool and our four to one student to instructor ratio is is very effective," he says. Dan‘s distinguished career includes being ranked in 1993 as Number One in performance for Countrywide‘s Canadian operation, after he reported sales that year for properties collectively worth more than $22 million. "I use a stateâ€"ofâ€"theâ€"art team of professionals â€" a fullâ€"time sales associate, marketing conâ€" sultant, and information technology assistant to guarantee consistent customer service and results," he notes. "I‘m successful because my customers are always number one." Countrywide is a member of the Metropoliitan Toronto, and Oakville, Milton District real estate boards. Countrywide Town Centre Realty, 280 North Service Rd. W., Tel. 338â€"6550 an Cooper, an Associate Broker with Countrywide Town Centre Realty Inc., obtained his real estate licence in 1986, and his broker‘s licence in 1991. Dan also holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Business Administration. A residential real estate specialist, Dan is always ready to talk business. In fact this dynamic professional recently sold a home that had only been listed for an hour to buyers who were visiting from British Columbia. His trademark fullâ€"page advertisements ensure maximum exposure to each client, an integral part of each customâ€"tailored personal marketing plan. "My premier marketing plan virtually guarantees results. Those results speak for themselves," he says. "Our labor rates are the best around and should you find any lower prices we will definitely do our best to try and match or beat competitors‘ prices. And should our customers need a car while theirs is in the shop, we will gladly provide a car for the day when necessary." Import Car Servicing Centre, 2334 Wyecroft Rd., Unit Bâ€"15 Tel. (905)825â€"3524, Pager/Cellular (416)505â€"7134 Futurekids, 481 North Service R. W., #Â¥10, Tel. 847â€"5437 Oakville Toyota, 1091 Speers Rd., Tel. 842â€"8400. Oakville Kitchen Centre, 599 Third Line, Tel. 827â€"4611