Grand opening a grand time

In a way, it was like coming full circle.
Seventy-one years ago, Lawrence and Grace Loney opened the first Cloverleaf store in Emo during the height of the Great Depression.
So when their grandchildren officially opened the brand new, state-of-the-art Cloverleaf ShopEasy store on Saturday morning, it seemed only appropriate that one of Cloverleaf’s original customers should do the honours.
Ninety-seven-year-old Maurice MacMillan was the first one through the door after cutting the symbolic ribbon at 10:20 a.m. on Saturday and in so doing, passed the torch to a new generation of Loneys.
It’s unlikely Lawrence and Grace would recognize this new emporium, however. A year in the making, Cloverleaf ShopEasy represents the latest in heating and cooling technology that is rapidly becoming popular in the district.
And that was the main reason why so many dignitaries from as far away as Ottawa and Elmira were on hand for the ceremony.
Ontario NDP leader and local MPP Howard Hampton has been a customer at Cloverleaf for years. He told those assembled in the coffee shop area there that the new store is a continuation of a tradition that goes back to his own childhood.
“I just want to remind people of how long Cloverleaf has been serving, not only Emo, but the whole district, as well,” he said. “This is a tradition for Emo and the district.”
Co-owner Dan Loney was appreciative of the strong turnout for Saturday’s opening.
“It’s a real honour to have been part of this community for 71 years,” he remarked. “We’d like to think of this as your store, too.”
Emo Reeve Russ Fortier echoed those sentiments, describing the Cloverleaf legacy as “great corporate citizens.”
But it was the store’s environmentally-friendly heating and cooling system that was the focus of much of the attention and praise Saturday.
Michel Lamanque, from the federal Office of Energy Efficiency in Ottawa, was on hand to present the Loneys with a special plaque recognizing the contribution the store has made to environmental responsibility.
So, too, was Joe Hunter, who presented a plaque on behalf of the Rainy River First Nations in appreciation for Cloverleaf’s ongoing example of the wise use of the environment.
“We wish to express our appreciation to Cloverleaf for its commitment to the community and the environment,” Hunter said.
Joanna Loney summed it up for the entire family when she unveiled a large plaque of her own, depicting the likenesses of the store’s original founders as well as a history of the family business in the district.
“My grandparents wouldn’t believe it if they looked around today,” she remarked.
The celebration—held in conjunction with the annual “Holly Daze” festivities in Emo—continued until closing and included complimentary cake, coffee, and hotdogs.
In addition, several Emo councillors volunteered to bag and carry groceries for customers on Saturday.