Uxbridge a ‘dream come true’ for new store owner

Roger Varley

"This community is just what I was looking for," says Michael Howell, the new owner of the Uxbridge Canadian Tire franchise.

Howell took over the store last week following the retirement of long-time owner Pat Higgins.

"I've always felt welcome here," Howell said Tuesday, noting that he visited Uxbridge a number of times when he was district sales manager for the area and has known Higgins for years. For Howell and his wife, Jackie, who are currently looking to move to Uxbridge from their home in Whitby, it will be a little like coming home. Howell has Uxbridge connections: his uncle, Micky Jovkovic, owned Uxbridge Travel and the Greenbank air strip for years.

Howell, who owned a franchise in Mississauga, said he almost took over a CT store in Camrose, Alberta, his home province, but, at the last moment, the Uxbridge store became available and he snatched it up without hesitation. "At heart, I'm a small-town guy," he said.

Howell said it has been a "whirlwind week" for him since taking over. He recognizes that it will be a challenge to put his own stamp on the store when faced with Higgins' legacy in town, but pledged to protect that legacy.

"I'll do whatever I can to keep it going," he said, adding that such events as the Huck Finn days and ladies' nights will continue.

But there will be some changes down the road, he said. The store will undergo a "refresh" inside and outside, starting sometime in 2025. This will include relocating some in-store departments to better complement each other and bringing in changes to some time-consuming staff chores "to make it easier for staff and customers."

Jackie Howell said people in Uxbridge have already made her feel welcome, but added that, while she and her husband have to live up to Higgins' legacy, they hope to establish their own as well. She is already an involved Jumpstart supporter, having been on five-day fund-raising treks in Newfoundland, B.C., and the Yukon.

John Cavers

For Higgins, his last day came on Feb. 14, when more than 100 friends gathered at the store for a surprise retirement party. The attendees were literally a ‘Who's Who’ of the Uxbridge community, including members of council and senior township staff and some of the township's leading business people. Higgins' family was also on hand, including his two-year-old grandson, Liam, who was clutching a model Canadian Tire truck.

Dan Pollard of 105.5 radio, acting as emcee, stated the obvious when he said "Pat has been a huge part of this community." He then presented Higgins with the first 105.5 community

service award, saying; "He's made Uxbridge a better place for everyone."

Mayor Dave Barton told Higgins: "You've made a huge difference to Uxbridge." That difference saw Higgins become the first recipient of the newly established Order of Uxbridge last year.

Higgins, visibly moved by the acclaim, said the last 26 years have gone by fast.

"I wanted to be in a community where it was safe to raise a family," he said. "It's been a great ride."