"We sell and service all brands of central and vacuum systems. We have the best selection in town," the 28â€" year vac biz veteran asserts. arcel Girard has been in the vacuum business for 28 years. He says the reason his business, The Vacuum Shoppe, is growing is that he doesn‘t play favorites. Both shops just became factory authorized repair depots for popular Filter Queen vacuums, and are factory authorized dealers for Singer products â€" exclusively for this area. Located at the Oakville Town Centre II shopping centre (near the LCBO) for the past two and a half years, The Vacuum Shoppe is packed with showroom vacs, wall to wall parts and accessories, and some of the most sophisticated sewing machines on the market. Services include instalâ€" lation of the central vacs they sell, 48â€" hour repair service on most makes and models, and pickâ€"up and delivery. The business is a member of the Better Business Bureau. Girard says both his stores (the original Vacuum Shoppe opened in 1982 on Fairview Street in Burlington) offer sewing machine rentals â€" very popular for Christmas The Vacuum Shoppe services all makes and models ADVERTISING FEATURE By Stephanie Henderson craftmakers. Some of the computerâ€" ized models are capable of the most intricate embroidery and embossed designs, he notes, in a fraction of the time it would take to do them by hand. "Our service is unique â€" my techâ€" nicians go to Singer College in St. Jean, Quebec to keep up with the techâ€" nology," he says. The Oakville staff includes Susan Berezuk, who trains customers on the newâ€"fangled, computerized sewing machines; Michael Gladysz, a very capable sales and service representaâ€" tive; and senior service technician Jay Spencer. Girard says he opened up in this town after repeated requests from many Oakville residents who patronâ€" ized the Burlington store. He is now seeing Torontoâ€"area customers at the busy central Oakville store. "This type of store is rare in the area; most just do vacuum repairs." For homeowners considering an investment in a central vacuum, Girard recommends checking out the top of the line system, which comes equipped with a filterless, selfâ€"cleanâ€" ing engine. "The engine is fully cyclonic, so it really is selfâ€"cleaning. You have to shake some models that say they are selfâ€"cleaning, and it‘s very messy. With this one, you just empty a buckâ€" et, and there are no filters to buy," he explains. "I‘ve had mine for 17 years, and I‘ve never had a problem." The system Girard describes is a great solution for people who hate, and often neglect to clean out their machines properly. In fact, improper maintenance is behind 90 per cent of * ALL CENTRAL VAC ACCESSORIES «+ CHRISTMAS 30% OFF LAYAWAYS LIMITED TIME OFFER A Bounty of Singer Savings * Easy threading system * The most popular builtâ€"in stitches * Builtâ€"in buttonholer and free arm Everything you expect from Singer Sew, trim, and overcast in one simple operation at twice the speed of a conventional sewing machine. Faster, easier and neater. Three/four thread sewing for readyâ€"toâ€"wear garments. Made in Japan for years of quality and performance. VACUâ€"QUEEN 200 North Service Rd. Oakville Town Centre 1 (Toysâ€"Râ€"Us AP Plaza) Affordable and easy to install in any home â€" old or new! Fingertip On /Off Controls! Incomparable Accessories Builtâ€"in Power and Convenience for the 90‘s CENTRAL VAC "Dirt causes the engine to clog, which causes motor burnout," he explains. the many service calls made by Girard and his wellâ€"trained crew. Girard is convinced that customers seek him out from afar because of one thing: an oldâ€"fashioned approach to C TT TT T 3455 Fairview St. Fairview Place Mail service. The affable Quebec native says that at both stores, "you‘re talkâ€" ing to the person who‘s doing the repairs. The work isn‘t sent out to a factory." For service or sales information, visit The Vacuum Shoppe soon, or call 849â€"5589.