While The Brick might be part of a large nationwide chain of furniture and appliance stores, it’s still locally-owned and operated, and franchisee Desmond DeRosier said being local is a big part of their business.
DeRosier owns the store, and several other franchises along with Ryan Jackson. They have been the owners since The Brick opened in Estevan in 2008.
The Estevan outlet recently celebrated 10 years in Estevan, and all 10 years have been at the Estevan Shoppers Mall.
Being a franchisee for the Brick has been a great experience, he said. They also own locations in Brooks, Alberta; Cranbrook, B.C.; and Swift Current. They have 10 people working in Estevan who are all local people. The manager is Estevan’s Trina Milford.
“She is doing a great job,” he said.
He compared the franchise to what is seen in restaurants and other locations.
The Brick has almost anything someone would need for their home, with major appliances, electronics, furniture, mattresses, accessories and more.
“Our bread and butter is our beds, with mattresses, box springs, and what we would call mattress attachments, with the … mattress pads, pillows, blankets, sheets and all that kind of stuff,” said DeRosier.
They also have a local appliance service in the store, and a national warranty through The Brick.
“That’s what makes it great in smaller markets like in Estevan or Swift Current, is we’re able to offer the same pricing that The Brick offers nationally, but we’re able to do it with local … staff, local service and a local feel,” said DeRosier.
The local franchisees still have control over advertising, donations and more.
The Brick’s 10th year in Estevan has been an active one. The business signed a long-term lease at the mall, and they spent about $100,000 on renovations, showing its commitment to the community.
Those renovations included flooring, paint, lighting, security systems, telephone upgrades and displays.
“Our displays got bigger. We did increase the size of our appliance department on purpose,” he said.
The store has seen growing activity, but that’s only after some lean years caused by the economic slowdown.
“When we first opened in 2008, we went through that mini-recession, but then we for a few years we were one of the biggest franchises,” he said.
There are 55 franchise stores across the country, and Estevan won the Brick’s Franchise of the Year Award in 2011 and 2012.
The recession was tough, but business has rebounded. And The Brick is seeing an increase in business from communities such as Oxbow, Carnduff and Lampman.
A full-time appliance repair person is going to be hired eventually. It will be someone licensed to repair all appliances, while serving Estevan and the surrounding area. The appliances won’t have to be purchased at The Brick to be repaired.
DeRosier said he enjoys delivering a quality product to the people, as well as the service element of the job and the competitive nature of the industry. And he’s pleased to have the local flavour.
“We have customers in Estevan that we’ve seen every year for the last seven or eight years. We’ve done every room by room, house by house. So the personal relationships within the marketplace are probably the most rewarding.”
