History buff, Ed Lukezic — the owner of Orillia’s new Canadian Tire superstore — has turned your shopping trip into an experience.
“We have certainly done an awful lot to make it not just a place to buy a hammer, or a saw, or a toaster,” he said.
Walk through the automotive accessories department and you’ll see a 1930 Model A Ford pickup truck and a 1926 Texaco gas pump.
“That’s my signature,” Lukezic said of his collection of historical pieces. “Instead of them sitting in a garage or whatever, it’s nice when a lot of people get to see them.”
The superstore officially opened Sunday, Nov. 1 beside Orillia Square Mall, .
At just over 140,000 square feet, the store is twice the size of its predecessor. In the 80,000 square feet of retail space, you’ll find an extensive variety of products.
“We basically designed the building to cater to the demographics of the community: hunting, fishing, marine, camping, patio, automotive, (these are) significantly larger than the typical store,” Lukezic said.
Gesturing toward an aisle dedicated to motor oil, Lukezic talks about “trip assurance.”
“We need to do our best to ensure when a customer comes in here, we have what they’re looking for,” Lukezic said.
The automotive service shop features 20 bays and is loaded with state-of-the-art, high-end technology, Lukezic said. Mechanics here can do everything from 15-minute oil changes to precise realignment of vehicle sensors. There is even a hoist strong enough to lift a fire truck.
Customers who don’t want to go in-store can and choose a contactless pick-up option. Your purchase is placed in a lock box that opens when you scan a code sent to your phone. A garden centre is set to open next spring.
Lukezic and his wife Valerie have lived all over the country as associates of different Canadian Tire stores. He said it’s a dream to settle in Orillia, as they fell in love with the community years ago while renting a home on Sparrow Lake.
“I honestly couldn’t imagine a better place to live,” Lukezic said.
