Dying breed

Dear Mr. Editor:
Remember the “good old days” when you could get service with a smile? Customers were greeted with cordial verbal acknowledgment which placed them on a personal level with the store owner.
I am pleased to discover there is still one entrepreneur in Fort Frances who is never too busy to treat each customer with courtesy and kindness.
Gord McQuarrie–owner of “Skates and Blades”–is one of a dying breed who will go that extra mile in order to accommodate young and old. He treats all persons with an attitude of respect and does his best to meet their needs.
Recently, we had a bicycle stolen from our residence. We had purchased the bike at Mr. McQuarrie’s store a few years prior to the occurrence. Being largely unorganized with details such as serial numbers and registration of purchases, and past receipts, I randomly dropped by the store to ask if Gord might research the history of the bike at his earliest convenience.
He, quite cheerfully, glanced through a few receipt books he had handy, and then offered to continue the search while I went home to wait. Within a couple of hours, he had telephoned me all of the specifics, model and serial number, including the paint colour for the bike!
This information is invaluable for a theft report.
My husband also has had a reoccurring flat tire on his bike, purchased the same time at “Skates and Blades.” Mr. McQuarrie has replaced inner tubes, spokes, and rim–at his own expense–while trying to get to the root of the problem.
It is refreshing to know someone who stands behind their work. Thanks Gord! We appreciate you.
Signed,
Lori Gladu
Fort Frances, Ont.