It was a year ago that I last wrote about buying real estate. There it was. Pathetic. Lonely. Unloved. Old. Its bricks disintegrating, paint flaking, foundation sagging, with its dusty guts full of knob-&-tube, asbestos and dead bugs. But I bought this pile of misery because it’s a cool place. Potential. Then I told Dorothy. After all, it’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is permission.
Well, time for an update plus all the evidence you might need that I actually do like owning property, especially oddball places with history. It was built as a boozy hotel 130 years ago when men were men and quarried rocks for a living in the Credit River valley northwest of Toronto. Then it became a post office, a general store, biker hangout, restaurant and failed vegan salad bar before spending the last few years quietly disintegrating.
Largely original in its form, sitting on a big lot in a little hamlet with a creek running through the back and tourists flowing through the front, the structure cried out for some insane person to rescue it. So I did. Over the course of four months the dead, decaying bricks were pried out and replaced with ones made to match. The foundation was jacked. Stones inserted. Cement laid. The interior floors gutted, wired, plumbed, foamed and rebuilt. Upstairs the original residential quarters were renewed, downstairs a new retail space created.
Yes, it cost a fortune. Even more than this free blog pulls in each week. But the old lady had come cheap, and the work was creative with a sense of worth that doesn’t really come from turning your basement into a man cave with sex lights. Instead, there was a simple elegance to things built in the 19th Century which, almost a century and a half later, still speaks to people. This pile, I suspect, will be standing long after the $1 million houses being built down the road in Brampton – of particle board, glue and face brick – have been dozed.
So a year ago, my folly and new love, the Belfountain General Store and ice cream parlour, opened for business. I found myself on Saturday mornings cleaning the grounds, putting out the umbrellas, mowing and performing minimum-wage labour with profound pleasure. Of all the things I’ve done in this wizened, imperfect life, whether walking into the House of Commons or speaking to ten thousand people, sweeping a patio has become oddly relevant. Now I realize I’m house-proud, too, and it’s not even a damn house. Just an old place to hang out with people who come to hang out.
So there are 19 folks who have jobs in a little speck of a place in Caledon who did not work there before. I am proud of that as well. They bake muffins and croissants, craft bespoke sandwiches and soups, scoop boatloads of ice cream and make people laugh and stay. Largely they’re kids – high school or university, with a couple of older managers. Locals, too. Most walk to work. As people did in 1888. There might have been a horse of two involved, though.
It’s not all bucolic. The health inspector has made her mark, since the store draws its water from the river as it did in the distant past, and must be pure. Municipal politicians are always fussed about traffic and the number of visitors who want to flock here. The property is subject to the rules and regs of the Town, the Regional government, the Niagara Escarpment Commission and the local conservation authority. The time required to keep everyone at bay is epic. Serving meals to people means a great responsibility – coolers always at the right temperature, hand-washing stations pristine, ovens set correctly, food properly prepared and fresh.
To help with that, Lorna, the manager, last year established a veggie and herb garden outside the employee entrance, so the kids can nip out for a killer tomato or a sprig of something exotic. After the doors opened, people came. Getting started may have cost too much, but the business then paid for itself, met payroll, shelled out taxes and financed all that ice cream. It’s a safe bet I’ll never make a dollar of my money back, but neither will I care too much. It’s just too much fun sweeping.
So after being closed for a few winter months, the store opens again for the season on Saturday. Getting ready involved a mess more painting, redecorating, restocking with gourmet hand-made doggie treats, local preserves and unique gifty stuff. My assigned job that morning is to go and wire up the sagging cedar rails on the perimeter fence, put together the new sign announcing the enhanced seven-day-a-week operation, drag picnic tables around, and stay the hell out of the way.
It’ll be a good day.
162 comments ↓
First!!! OH YEAH BABY YEAH!!!
I’m coming for some ice cream this summer!!! YEAH!!!
Enjoy your other labour of love garth and thank you for the resources spent on both. Hopefully you can commute to your seasonal gig on your Harley.
AWESOME.
2006: COMPETING BUBBLES – CANADA VS THE US
This is how it happened.
US policy makers made the decision to create a housing bubble in 2001 to offset the effects of the recession caused by the bursting of the Nasdaq bubble. It was a quick fix – consumers could use that “sense of wealth” to drive the economy through increased consumer spending.
Canada followed America’s lead and took the easy way out by deliberately creating its own housing bubble to boost its moribund economy.
2000 – 2006: THE INTRODUCTION OF LAX LENDING STANDARDS
After 1999, it was “… easy credit (in both countries) that drove housing prices higher.” – Canso Investment
Canada’s real estate price run-up from 2000 to 2006 was at least as extreme as that in the US (first chart).
Canada’s 2000 – 2006 easy credit timeline (some examples):
* 2003: CMHC’s maximum insured mortgage of $250 K was removed completely (later “tightened” to $1 M)
* 2005: the maximum mortgage amortization was increased from 25 to 30 years
* 2006: the maximum amortization was increased to 35 years, then 40 years
* 2006: zero down mortgages were brought in
(* 1992: the already low minimum down payment of 10% was reduced to 5% (it’s 20% in the US))
2006: COMPARING BUBBLES (APPLYING METRICS)
From 2000 – 2006:
* House prices in Canada increased slightly more than in the US (first chart).
* The increase in Canada’s price-to-income ratio over this 6 year period equalled that of the US (first chart).
* Canada’s price-to-rent ratio increased more than that in the States (second chart).
* Canada and the US had similar household debt-to-income ratios by 2006 (third chart).
* In Canada, the percent of labour force employed in construction increased more than in the US (first chart).
* In Canada, residential construction as percent of GDP increased more than in the States (second chart).
* Canada’s increase in real estate investment as percent of GDP increased more than in the US (second chart).
AN ANALYSIS OF THE DEGREE OF OVERVALUATION OF THE CANADIAN HOUSING MARKET BY 2006 (source: Canso Investment)
As Canso’s analysis reveals, the extreme housing price gains seen in Canada and the US from 2000 – 2006 were not supported by similar gains in incomes or rents in either country. One of their conclusions is that similar levels of overvaluation existed in the Canadian and American housing markets by 2006. Their analysis concurs with the above information.
* Price-to-income ratios in both countries increased by equal amounts, to above 110, by 2006 (first chart).
* Similarly, price-to-rent ratios in both countries increased by equal amounts, to above 130, by 2006 ( first chart).
By 2013, Canada’s price-to-income ratio had skyrocketed to a shocking 175 as policy makers continued to apply extreme levels of stimulus to the housing market through policy and ignore Canada’s mortgage fraud problem. It’s probably much higher today, possibly nearing double what it was in the US at its peak.
GARTH’S ANALYSIS OF CANADA VS THE US (EARLY 2008)
* From 2000 to 2006, similar rapid, extreme housing price gains in Canada and the US far outstripped (similar) income gains.
– Garth: “In the period between 2000 and the market crash in 2006, U.S. home prices increased 74 per cent, while household income rose by just 15 per cent. In Canada, real estate prices jumped 70 percent by the end of 2007, with family incomes ahead 14 per cent.”
– “Why should Canadian real estate values, as inflated now as were those to the south two years ago, hold when our families are no better off? “
* Bidding wars were common in Canada nine-plus years ago.
– “In other words, we’ve seen an almost identical pattern of real estate excess – familiar to anyone caught in a bidding war or staring at disbelief at a new MLS listing.”
* Cities across Canada experienced Miami-like price appreciation.
– “Last year homes in Saskatoon raced ahead more than 50 percent in value. A young couple in suburban Toronto with a $450,000 price limit ended up buying a $700,000 home after losing 16 competing bids.?”
* Canada has had an affordability crisis for at least nine years.
– “And the Canadian response to this affordability crisis? It’s called the 40-year mortgage.”
– “Meanwhile, down payments have become almost optional.”
I came across this today. Nothing is ever forgotten on the internet. Lol
https://www.google.ca/amp/s/sec.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/investment-ideas/us-hedge-funds-make-bets-against-canadas-home-capital-group/article33438764/%3Fservice%3Damp
I’m surprised that Poloz didn’t lower interest rates so that millions of Toronto Millennials from downtown Toronto will march in solidarity at Belfountain for free ice-cream at 77 grams per 1 serving.
There will be a time when the “No shirts, no service” policy at many supermarkets will be deemed discriminatory because everyone from Toronto wants to be naked in front of everyone else at World Pride.
Too bad that Poloz didn’t lower interest rates today. I heard that Poloz was grinding his teeth last night when the CAD was above 74.5 cents. Poloz wants a 50 or 45-cent Loonie so that Garth Turner’s Belfountain General Store will boost exports of Ice Cream to Smoking Man in the Divided States of Trumpmerica until his blood Sugar is High like the US Dollar Index.
Poloz told me that Foundation General Store will boost sales by allowing 80-90 storey condo construction to boost immigration to Canada.
Google street view still shows it for sale if you want to see the “before shot” dogs. I can see some…. loose foundation and…… a….pay phone!?
Do the kids working there even know what that is or how to use it Garth?
Wish I stayed just a tad longer in yyz to see it
Health Inspectors…..ugh. More govt official-dumb wrapped up in way too much authority.
Years ago, had a Health Inspection Nazi harang us about a small coffee stand in the lobby of an office building not having “running water for the barrista to wash their hands” . To serve hot coffee, no food…..when, right outside, was the ubiquitous Vancouver Hotdogstand/BBQ with flies swarming around the overflowing garbage can….
“What about them?” I asked sweetly
“Not my jurisdiction.” was the snarled reply.
Count me in, been there with my daughter first day you open. I was short 1 dollar, well not really but I’m cheap
Garth
Why not return it to being a biker bar……might buy you some street cred.
Why the Nice-Dude-at-the-Bank is not your friend.
Why an “advisor” is not an “adviser”. Be advised.
– ‘I feel duped’: Why bank employees with impressive but misleading titles could cost you big time
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/bank-s-deceptive-titles-put-investments-at-risk-1.4044702
Good for you. Congratulations. No store for me but I bought a badly neglected heritage home. You could barely see it through a yard of rampant weeds and shrubbery.Lots of dry rot in the outside wood. Had to replace the roof and part of the front of the carriage house. I loved it but when I found myself living alone in it when it should have had a half dozen people living in it, I let it go. I loved the silver plated chandelier over the dining room table, the milk box built into the wall beside the back door, the room at basement level I discovered that no one knew existed, the statuary lying beneath the brambles and moss. There is a time for people, places and things in our lives and they change with time.
Beautiful.
The store has become a regular stop on the way to cottage country ,sprinkles just brighten my day.I can see it is a labor of love, going through that spring door is like entering a time machine.
Sounds wonderful Garth. Best of luck!
I have always been intimidated by starting a business and admire entrepreneurs.
you could turn that place into like a 30 bed rooming house.
the people of Hamilton will then come.
win win all around…..
God bless the private sector and entrepreneurship. Well done Garth.
Hi, Garth.
Maybe your building qualifies as a National Heritage site. That’ll put you on the tourism map.
Garth opens his store…a definite sign that spring has arrived.
my asparagus shoots starting was another sign.
What a beaut. Phantoms of the past.
Such a shame about the dumba** municipal signs and the hydro poles/wires.
My g-g-g-daddy built a double witch-hat (unique in Ontario – cannot find another like it) house that still stands at 43 Church Street Parry Sound.
I love the heritage dwellings. Those, and doogies.
Garth, great post. Thanks for sharing.
I can relate to the pleasure found in sweeping & in general maintenance. I started doing these things out of necessity in my early teens (or risk a beating from my folks!) & although I’m now in my (gasp!) 50’s, I still look forward to satisfying tasks like maintaining the cars & general home upkeep on the weekends. When I’m turning a wrench I get into a wonderfully zen state of mind devoid of all the BS & politics at work.
Kudos to you for seeing potential in the place & not tearing it down to build a McMansion. Kudos also for employing all those young people. I’ll have to pass by and try one of those ice creams this summer!
Dropped by during the Belfountain Salamander Festival last summer and I can vouch for the ice cream, it is fantastic! And well put, Garth, owning real estate is not about increasing net worth. It is about having a place to spend time with family and friends. Or somewhere to lose yourself in the moment, even if that moment is spent sweeping the porch.
Awesome Garth!!!
We recently opened a pizza shop in the small Vancouver Island town where we live. We also recently reminissed about how, including the two owners, 6 of 8 of us either walk or bike to work. It has been a ton of work, but we have created 6 jobs that did not previously exist and so far paid taxes and created life from a once vacant space.
Yes I also find simple enjoyment in now doing minimum wage work at times, while I don’t see a financial fortune in our little pizza shop, I do see a simple honest living and being an integral part of the community. I enjoy the people who understand and take the time to say…
Thanks for being here
Besides, who doesn’t enjoy a good pizza made from wholesome and quality ingredients
ANYONE that gets in line to compete for a bid up asset is NOT and investor….. your are a idiot!
All the effort we put into acquiring money, it shouldn’t be a video game about making your numbers higher than everyone else’s numbers.
It should be about the power and freedom of doing something you love in spite of not making money for it.
Drove through there coming back from Algonquin Park around 2010? Just after you bought it, had a quick look but could’t find it, looks great and prolly good therapy to be away from real estate and finance, congratulations on what is probably a good move health wise as well.
Can I come scoop ice-cream on the weekend? I am trying to afford my house in Toronto.
If the picture at the beginning truly represents the building, wow. I’ve always loved the picturesque brick & stone buildings that abound in Eastern Canada. The end shot is picturesque as well:)
nice …..
iam headin out your way in a couple of years
hope to have one of yer ice-cream cone with sprinkles.
thx Garth
Count me in, i’ll try n pass with the bike sometime this summer. Hope I get a RJ customer rebate! ;-)
Thanks for saving a bit of Ontario’s heritage. It is important to have these connections to the past.
A noble venture.
Garth, beauty, lots and lots of Class,
All the best, and truly enjoy your hard work!!!
Great post Garth. Have a great season.
Cheers,
Ben
Even comes with a ghost story.
Is the Intimacy Lounge (google streetview) upstairs or downstairs?
https://www.caledonenterprise.com/news-story/4949897-haunted-caledon-the-ghosts-of-belfountain/
I had no idea there were other architecturally crazed old people doing silly things in their advanced age. I too, bought a decaying, but wonderful old Neo Classical building in Ponce (on the South coast of Puerto Rico), in 2013. After 3 years of blood, sweat, anxiety and bucket loads of dollars, it’s almost there and open as a 7 room small hotel. By the way the Ponce historic district has numerous beautiful, restorable and architecturally fine buildings lying vacant. One nice aspect is no property taxes for restored buildings.
It made my year when Smoking Man landed his ship (the Fjord Rangerous) in your parking lot ; and you posted the picture.
I still plan on buying his book!
Hmm, what kind of “herbs” are you growing out in the garden, Garth? And here I though you opposed the legalization of marijuana for moral reasons…#theplotthickens
Yet another sure sign of spring.
Btw, the ‘motorcycle enthusiast’ in the photo highly recommends Tiger Tail flavour, a rarity in the GTA.
Garth, my daughter loves ice cream but since we live in Vancouver it’s a bit far to go or we would be there this weekend! Hoping you and your staff have a great season. It sounds wonderfu!
It’s a sweet spot. We stopped there last summer for ice cream, and I took maple syrup home that we’re just finishing up. Spotted the dog treats, but missed you that weekend.
Huh? Have you lost your mind? :)
Going to visit!!
Thanks for the update, Garth. My wife and I are looking forward to stopping in for soup, sandwiches, and some ice cream next month.
It’s a nice looking building from the photo & the store’s website. I really like those older brick houses & buildings around the 905/705 ‘countryside.’ Thanks for sharing!
Well done Garth.
I like to offer respect and one is due.
I didn’t always take kindly to you denying foreign players in property in our country thus potentially hurting many with your anti-house advise but this store of yours is truly amazing.
Good for you and Canada with a truly beautiful piece of history preserved for posterity.
So a year ago, my folly and new love, the Belfountain General Store and ice cream parlour, opened for business.
as much as I would love to see it, it’s too far from Ottawa 500 km along the 401
Love my weekend cycling trips from Oakville to the Belfountain General Store! Great place to refuel on ice cream, coffee and if your lucky a quick chat with some wise “older guy” that sweeps up around the joint! Will have to bring the rest of the family including our new addition Brontë for some of these dog treats you speak of Garth.
Lovely story, you sentimental fool ya…
Think of the photo ops if T2 was invited for the season opening!
All the best.
Garth, its a thing of beauty.
Sometimes u have to do stuff just because it’s fun and makes u feel good. Doesn’t matter what it costs.
Gorgeous place! My grandparents had a restaurant on lakeshore from the 1930s until mid 70’s. They don’t make them like that anymore. Will have to take a trip with the boy for some ice cream soon.
Onf52
Garth,
I’m glad for your happiness in your venture in Belfountain…seems satisfying to you.
Now if you can just keep the government/bureaucratic hacks off your back during business hours…..
That’s what it’s all about.
Step 1: Put yourself on a sound financial footing.
Step 2: Enjoy life.
Congratulations, Garth! Looks like you cracked it. Long may the Belfountain flourish!
Garth,
Wishing you all the best with the coming ice cream season. I hope to make the trip sometime this season.
Sweeping, cutting grass….it’s not work when you enjoy doing it. Good on you
I noticed someone else mention it’s “too far” from Ottawa, but man, I’m kind of feeling like making a pilgrimage! Garth! Can you get moon mist? It’s popular in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia! Just call up Farmers and see if they’ll ship you some in a refrigerated truck!
There is a pub in a mall in Bragg Creek that pretty much stays in business because of all the bikers, of whatever flavor of steel they are riding, who stop in for lunch. On a hot summer day it’s entertaining just to walk around the parking lot and look at all the bikes. It’s like “World on Wheels”, bike version.
Anyway, my point is don’t give up hope. The fact it’s self financing after only one year is good news. I think all you need to do is a little customer feedback and make sure the products sold are what the customers want, and eventually you will have bikes all over the place just like this pub in Bragg Creek.
Nicely done Garth and mazeltov. As a Cowtown resident, the closest alternative is the 30 minute jaunt west to the 69 year old family owned MacKay’s Ice Cream parlour in Cochrane on one of the 5 hot summer days.
Cheers.
Gartho this is no time to get sentimental over a little convenience store – we have a plethora or 7-11’s and Mac’s for that.
When are we going to see the total armageddon of the RE market and the blood on the streets you’ve been promising for so long?!
Garth, you’re a lot like Forrest Gump, only not as wealthy.
Congrats on opening for season 2 Garth! Great story too!
Oh this blog is so enjoyable when it’s free of geopolitical angst.
Nice. Will be stopping by this summer for some ice cream.
Garth do you remember Feb 17th 2017 at around 8pm at the General Store.
You took a photo of some thing in the sky. I have it on good authority that there is a very positive good force coming from your general store. The Nictonite nation has got your back.
Understand electricity, you will know everything.
On Saturday May 13th. High noon
Blog dog meet up. Should I drive my old truck in. Or do you want to see a plasma flier in the day light?
12 Andrew Woburn on 03.29.17 at 7:19 pm
Bank employees – are they under so much pressure that they will do anything to survive, does this apply to their Mortgage people? Is the Home Capital story Garth referred to yesterday more widespread.
People will do what they have to do to survive, if they have nothing to lose no career to defend and no respect for the boss…what will they not do to hit their target.
Loved today’s post…a rather satisfying diversion from the exposure of fake media, lying and cheating lenders and crucifixions of realtors.
Love the place, but it needs a washroom. Seriously, next time I will pee in your herb garden.
Hope you have a locking gas cap. — Garth
Bombardier executives get almost 50% pay raise and bonuses while:
– laying off 14,500 employees
– accepting Liberal government aid
– losing $5.34 billion in 2015 and losing $981 million in 2016
Time for a revolution.
http://business.financialpost.com/news/transportation/bombardiers-top-execs-get-almost-50-pay-raise-as-company-lays-off-thousands-taps-government-aid
Love the blog today: the drawing, the pictures and especially, your story. I would love to own a shop like that, and may have to do a province-hop this summer to visit the grand ‘ol Belfountain.
I love character buildings, and hope to one day own a similar gem of a building/store and pour some pure and genuine love into the whole endeavour.
But, I know nothing about building construction, renovation and maintenance. Not that I would want to do it myself…just know enough to hire the right contractors at the right price to do the job right (i.e., restoring/maintaining or improving on the original build quality and workmanship). Got a good reference or other suggestions about where I could start learning that sort of stuff?
Garth I belive the object was WNW of the general store at 8pm.
Should have used this pic. For today’s pic.
https://twitter.com/garthturner/status/839297940803964928?s=03
I’m hoping lots of blog dogs will have the courage to visit the store May 13 at high noon.
I loved reading that, Garth. Thank you so much for sharing a different side of yourself.
May you always be happy.
When’s the date (Smoking man’s rural book launch party)? I can get a full size rental car for $47 all-in + gas. There’s no replacement for displacement.
If it Flys, Floats or Drives, rent it.
Congratulations on the Belfountain store.
I wish you all the best.
Attention Toronto resident’s,buy now or be priced out forever .https://www.forbes.com/sites/bridaineparnell/2017/03/29/skyscraper_suspended_on_asteroid/#18bad8e55194
Congrats opening up for the second season Garth. You are one cool old guy.
Dear Pathetic Blog; good for you. I will stop in while visiting my daughter and son in law (who by the way are from Alberta but rent in the big smoke) and buy the wife a cone.
Maybe Ivanka and T2 could have a rendezvous upstairs and you could up the rent for future passion freaks.
#38 JR on 03.29.17 at 7:59 pm
It made my year when Smoking Man landed his ship (the Fjord Rangerous) in your parking lot ; and you posted the picture.
I still plan on buying his book!
…
That pic ended my career on suck street. Best day of my life. Altho should have studied book marketing for idiots. You know me. Shoot, aim.
That’s how you learn. Still feeling I got what it takes to be a great gonzo fiction writer. If not. Paper cup at front and bay. Plan B.
Don’t buy the current version my editor say problems with tense. What ever that means. My future daughter inlaw is fixing it. Two more weeks she says.
Then a print version. A mussel shirt with a cardboard sign on the north west corner of bay street and front with a cardboard sign.
Buy my book you ungreatfull bitches.
I’ll take lots of pics and videos to share with the dogs that make it to the general store on May 13. High noon.
Bespoke sandwich?
A heartening story Mr. Turner. Good on you and then some!
Thank you.
I’m going on a little drive to Samuel De Champlain Provincial Park in July. Might just stop in. It looks like a nice little diversion around Toronto 401-407-400 traffic.
Pink ice-cream being eaten in Richmond.
These guys paid 1.3 m last July and are now eating Pink ice-cream three times a day.
Things could be worse…
M42BC
11991 No 2 Road, Richmond
Oct 17:$1,598,000
Mar 29: $1,199,000
Change: – 399,000 -25%
https://evaluebc.bcassessment.ca/Property.aspx?_oa=QTAwMDA1WENSUQ==
Garth, all the best. Will come up with a group.
“Hope you have a locking gas cap“` well played Sir
Liked the General Store when I visited last year with my wife. We’ll visit again this summer: it is too cold for us still (Cuban background you know).
Keep up the good work and the best of lucks.
Well done Garth. It’s amazing to me that anyone can make a go of a business given the plethora of regulations and paperwork required these days.
I too bought an older heritage home, and renovated it almost 30 years ago. Still living there. Built a barn and an enormous shop too. There are some things that you just can’t do if you rent. Like have a place you can fiddle with to the point that you can truly call it home.
My hackles are raised. I suggest a few Bombardier executives be indicted, hung and then placed on trial. Anyone second this motion or is there a flaw in my proposal? I have long had a strong aptitude for “Tummy Justice”.
Just when the Flames needed a victory to show they are in the same league as the Leafs, Iginla comes to town with the Kings. Gordie Howe Hat Trick.
Returning to topic, immovable property, aka land is awful expensive in these parts.
DELETED
Thanks Garth,
For preserving history.
Not much left.
Why do Canadians hate old buildings?
As a lover of history and historic buildings, thank you for saving this one. It looks great. I hope we can visit one day.
#85 WUL on 03.29.17 at 11:49 pm
Just when the Flames needed a victory to show they are in the same league as the Leafs, Iginla comes to town with the Kings. Gordie Howe Hat Trick.
—————–
The problem with hockey today is that the youngsters do not respect the older players.
Kudos to Doughty for showing restraint and not ending the snotty Calgary rookie’s career.
Don’t worry about making money now, Garth. You can always sell it for a premium to an Asian investor who needs a Passport, free schooling for his kids, free medical for his parents and a GST rebate to boot.
#68 Smoking Man on 03.29.17 at 9:38 pm
Garth I belive the object was WNW of the general store at 8pm.
Should have used this pic. For today’s pic.
https://twitter.com/garthturner/status/839297940803964928?s=03
I’m hoping lots of blog dogs will have the courage to visit the store May 13 at high noon.
—————-
Smokey, I live in Vancouver.
I’d like to come, but don’t the monetary assets to buy a plane ticket.
Can you pick me up with your plasma flier?
Just asking.
Haha, awesome… that was inspiring and uplifting. If it wasn’t so far away I would come by for an ice cream. Maybe one day.
#19 A Yank in BC on 03.29.17 at 7:25 pm
God bless the private sector and entrepreneurship. Well done Garth.
—————–
Thank for ruining the ambiance.
Garth is an angel for preserving this place for future generations.
Most private entrepreneurs would have gutted the place and build condos.
What’s wrong with you?
Have you no soul?
This story reminds me of our honeymoon! We drove into a wonderful hotel called the Maui-Lou and saw a gardener working diligently. As we drove past him, my young handsome husband said, I’d like to do that when I retire. Well, the gardener turned out to be the owner! We are now retired (married 45 years!) but enjoying condo life and travelling. The hotel may still be in the future… we’ll have to think more seriously about it.
The place looks great……well played.
#19 A Yank in BC on 03.29.17 at 7:25 pm
God bless the private sector and entrepreneurship. Well done Garth.
——————–
#27 Jay on 03.29.17 at 7:35 pm
All the effort we put into acquiring money, it shouldn’t be a video game about making your numbers higher than everyone else’s numbers.
It should be about the power and freedom of doing something you love in spite of not making money for it.
————————————————————-
#38 JR on 03.29.17 at 7:59 pm
It made my year when Smoking Man landed his ship (the Fjord Rangerous) in your parking lot ; and you posted the picture.
I still plan on buying his book!
———————————-
I know, an F for originality but what I was going to say was basically summed up by the above 3 msgs.
Truly beautiful place Garth! Hearkens to yesteryear and simpler days gone by. If we’re in the Sault vicinity in future again, a roadie to Toronto via Caledon for ice cream would be in order. Minus Toronto.
Today’s post really made my day. We all need reminders and chances to appreciate the best of being human; in ourselves as well as others, amongst so much daily bombardment of all things heavy on the spirit.
While I’m at it: I’m late in thanking you Garth for getting my contact info to a fellow dog in the Okanagan who in turn got me connected to a local firm for some help. Turns out he a timber frame enthusiast as well, what are the chances huh. So appreciate this blog…
The cherry trees in Portland are in full bloom… so keep your nose above the flood waters fellow BC’er’s.
And pass on the good vibe ya’ll.
Nope, no influence here.
Hippy mind=happy mind.
And hey Flop, good to see you back!
We are passed the height of the boom on the real estate clock. Only greater fools will be out to play in 2017…..by 2018 prices flat line followed by a 4 year decline in prices beginning in 2019 all the way down to the end of the current cycle .
I’m glad I caught this blog post. Happy for you Garth!
Vancouver Real Estate HUGE 91% DROP in Foreign Luxury Buyers! 2 Reasons Why.
http://investmentwatchblog.com/vancouver-real-estate-huge-91-drop-in-foreign-luxury-buyers-2-reasons-why/
Vancouver Real Estate HUGE 91% DROP in Foreign Luxury Buyers! 2 Reasons Why.
http://investmentwatchblog.com/vancouver-real-estate-huge-91-drop-in-foreign-luxury-buyers-2-reasons-why/
Stephen Fowler on 03.29.17 at 9:29 pm
“Love the place, but it needs a washroom. Seriously, next time I will pee in your herb garden.”
——————————————————————–
I hear you brother.
Last time I was there, I had to piss in the competing joint’s can across the street.
A washroom or two would be nice. Especially after the Harley ride to get there.
Come again, and bring your bladder. Problem fixed. — Garth
#11 mufflerheed on 03.29.17 at 7:18 pm
“Garth
Why not return it to being a biker bar……might buy you some street cred.”
Garth already has enough to give away.
Very nice project, quite attractive, congratulations!
Who knows, maybe some day after I retire (soon) I will visit with my (real) motorcycle ;-)
Can’t wait to come back… this time I’ll ask to see if you’re around.
Refreshing to see an old building restored to all her glory rather than bulldozed for bland new construction.
I remember passing through Belfountain as a kid but the street details are foggy. I hope to be able to do the same with kids now that I know we can get ice cream and treat for the dog too.
#48 common sense on 03.29.17 at 8:31 pm
….”Think of the photo ops if T2 was invited for the season opening!”….
Yeah! One-armed pushups on the freshly manicured lawn.
Curious, whenever I think of T2 and his economic pipe dreams, the word “teeter” comes to mind.
T2…teeter….
Gee, Garth, you mean there is more to owning real estate than protection from the elements or an investment?
Hi Garth. The place looks awesome. Love the pics. There is something about those older buildings that warms the heart. We are the frozen flatlands in the west but do visit relatives in your lovely province. Perhaps we will stop in some day.what a sweet bonus to employ folks. You should be very proud. God bless
You bought a fixer upper country building without discussing it with your wife first?? I would think that anything requiring a major life commitment like refinishing a building and starting a new business would warrant a conversation first, no? Not to mention the fact that a financial decision that huge should be a joint decision.
If I or my husband ever did that I would consider the marriage over.
@#101 DoomandGloom
“A washroom or two would be nice……”
********************************************
You need TWO washrooms? What happens?
It’s 2017. We’re all feminists. — Garth
In this age of unlimited technological wonderment and advancements the man on the street must be stripped of the Means of Capital and left wondering how he’ll make his mortgage payments.
Ancient technology like Electricity, Fuel must be rationed and turned into an economic weapon – see: highest electricity prices, Gas being 50% taxes by price, carbon taxes.
No, we must be rationed. There’s a war on your know. We are its targets.
…
“. The property is subject to the rules and regs of the Town, the Regional government, the Niagara Escarpment Commission and the local conservation authority. The time required to keep everyone at bay is epic. “
#145 For those about to flop… on 03.29.17 at 5:58 pm
143 NoName.
I know you realize I was only joking as you said that’s what you were going to do.
Keep funding your charity I will be fine.
—-
I don’t realized, you are joking. As for charity I wasn’t planning on canceling anyways, I was ready to dip in kids college fund, no college material in our house. So if you change your mind let me know.
Joking man is really lafin’ now…
Belfountain is a beautiful hamlet, I remember being scared out of my wits on the swinging bridge as a child, in the conservation area just east of your 3corners.
I love the way you describe your honourable restoration of the General Store. Meanwhile, my husband is in his glory setting up HIS man cave, to be fully ready for when he is fully retired after dedicating 40 years at the Canadian Tax Farm! Woohoo!
See you with my Grey Dog May 13, for free sprinkles at 2:00, I’ll try to get my man out of his cave for the event!
@#107 Herb
“…. you mean there is more to owning real estate than protection from the elements or an investment?’
********************************************
Yes.
No one would hired Garth so he sank thousands into renovating a historic property so he could enjoy his real passion.
Lawn Mowing .
Sorry, they dont sell “Sarcasm” or “Irony” as an icecream flavour there but I’m sure the “groundskeeper” will be able to direct you to the shiny new Male, Female, LGBTQ, Handicapped (govt. regs naturally)washroom.
Please leave the gender neutral toilet seat………down and wash your hands when you’re done your “bid-ness”.
Garth
How quaint!!!
How quaint and wholesome it is that you actually try to make a viable business out of this old place! So…??.? i guess …”old-school”!
The new and improved business method, of course backed and pushed by our good government is to… buy it, …smash it,.. build new blingy thing and sell for $2,000,000.
I’m glad to see you saved this historic old house left over from better times.
Garth,
worry not about the practical or the returns, as it appears you have found the ‘Centre of your Universe’.
I’ve had the pleasure of dropping by on a couple of occasions, and it’s truly a lovely, enchanting place that reflects the laid-back feelings of by-gone era.
Best wishes to the Belfountain General Store’s staff and sweepers for a fun and successful 2017 ..!!
We’ll pop by the first Saturday in July for coffee and ice cream.
Richer than you think, good news for indebted Kanadians. Plastic rules. Charge it baby.
Tag this #DollaramaRama
“In early 2016, Dollarama launched a credit card pilot program to evaluate the impact and feasibility of accepting credit cards as a payment method in all its stores. Dollarama began accepting credit cards in its stores in British Columbia in January 2016 and later extended the pilot to stores located in Alberta and New Brunswick. Based on the results of the one-year pilot program, the Corporation has concluded that the incremental impact of increased sales offsets the additional costs associated with accepting credit cards as a method of payment. While the Corporation expects the financial impact to be neutral, this additional payment method will provide customers with additional convenience. The Corporation plans to accept credit cards as a payment method in all stores across Canada in the second quarter of Fiscal 2018”
Talk about a scary thought, owing U.S. hedge funds or any hedge fund. Once I saw what happened to long Term Capital in the late 1990’s, well flushing money down the toilet sounds more fun.
Garth, you are the most interesting person I’ve never met. I love this story, and am curious about Dorothy’s reaction..did she forgive?
I follow your blog all of the time, and have taken your advice in the past, but I don’t post very often. Smoking Man cracks me up!
I have marked May 13th on my calendar and am making the trip all the way from Waterloo.
CIBC getting pummeled on social media.
Replacing 140 accountants with 140 accountants in India. The salt on the open wound. The ones losing the job, need to train the replacements.
Go to University Kids. Get your degree by going into debt to a bank, become an SJW and go protest against straight white males, because you have a lot of time now that your job is now located in India.
And T2 is opening the floodgates for TFW and is going to fast track them to early citizenship.
Life long liberal votes.
This is going to be a huge issue come election time.
My advice to kids thinking about university, take chemistry, learn to cook meth, cause there ain’t going to be any good paying jobs for you under regressive globalization.
Oh goody, VREU dropped in with dated summary diatribe about collapsing sales and the correction around the corner.
She must have some cognitive dissonance since prices have gone up 20% in Victoria and surrounding communities since she started with her ‘the correction is around the corner’ speech last year arising from the collapse in sales.
Well, I told VREU that she should watch the foreign ownership numbers because she relied on 2015 data – which said that only 0.68% of Victoria buyers were foreign. Guess what, foreign buyers have increased 7 fold in 2016 to 4.7% – and golly gee, prices went up 20% over that time.
Its not like there is a correlation or anything. Its not like people in Victoria just discovered low interest rates after they have been low for 9 years; its not like the economy is booming in a stagnant government town; its not like average incomes have increased as Victoria’s is still below many other major cities.
So why the increase VREU?
If VREU actually got out of her Mom’s basement, she would have seen the changed demographics in Victoria along with the spread of luxury vehicles in a blue collar town.
You need to look around VREU at trends AND look at the numbers – you are not doing a good job of either
Reading this brought out a comparion between Garth and Terry Pratchetts’ Lu-tze, another sweeper…
https://wiki.lspace.org/mediawiki/Lu-Tze
Coincidence? I think not! :-)
Anyone knows what happened to the Realtylink web side?
Sounds like a great gig. Thank God spring has arrived.
Good luck with the project.
So many Canadians today, sitting on overpriced real estate in soul destroying cities and jobs, living in tinder boxes selling for far higher than they are worth, but unwilling to cash out because:
– We don’t want to leave anything on the table
– We like living in Vancouver
– Real estate only goes up
Opportunities of a lifetime, to sell to the Greater Fool and do something with the financial freedom that accompanies this. But would rather commute for 2 hours, work for 10 hours, commute for 2 hours.
Or, if retired, would rather suffer through the glorious Canadian winter.
#25 SWL1976 on 03.29.17 at 7:32 pm
We recently opened a pizza shop in the small Vancouver Island town where we live. We also recently reminissed about how, …..
Besides, who doesn’t enjoy a good pizza made from wholesome and quality ingredients”
Don’t let yer head swell too much. The problem with Canada is that there are too many burger joints and pizza joints….the reason why people are so fat. A streetfood culture like in Thailand would be so much better, and healthier!
Pink Bladders being filled in Vancouver.
One document has this house with one bathroom ,the other one with two ,so the new owner might have to put in a herb garden and buy a locking gas cap.
The house will most likely be bulldozed and then you can build a house with 6 bathrooms,one for each member of the family that is needed to be working to service the mortgage.
These guys paid 985k last February and are now fighting to keep most of their money.
There is a twinkle of a chance that these guys will be alright…
M42BC
4798 Killarney Street, Vancouver
Feb 7:$1,150,000
Mar 29: $999,000
Change: – 151000.00 -13%
https://www.zolo.ca/index.php?sarea=4798%20Killarney%20Street,%20Vancouver&ptype_condo=1&ptype_house=1&filter=1
https://evaluebc.bcassessment.ca/Property.aspx?_oa=QTAwMDAwMzIyTg==
Amazing project. I admit I’m a little choked up reading this, having lived in a small-town Ontario before moving to Kelowna. Businesses like this make an enormous difference in people’s lives in a small place, something big city folk may not fully realize.
Heartwarming to see you contributing to society in this way, Garth. There is special place behind the pearly gates reserved for people like you.
Garth! Will you be there if the wife and I ever go on a little road trip and visit this summer??
GT – you serving up gelato as well?
Ovviamente. — Garth
This is the latest offering from my buddies over at https://howmuch.net.
Besides Federal debt how much state debt is being racked up per person.
Luckily, nothing like that is happening in Canada…
M42BC
My husband and I got lost in the Caledon Hills last summer. Had an epic fight in your parking lot about taking back roads and asking for directions. Two friendly marriage counselling bikers and two delicious ice cream cones later we were back on the road. See you there this summer – intentionally this time.
This piece speaks more eloquently to the definition of success than any number in a bank or brokerage account. Sweep on, Garth!
Good job Garth. It is the little things in life that put big smiles on our faces.
#9 crowdedelevatorfartz on 03.29.17 at 7:13 pm
Cause your one interaction with a health inspector defines the whole professional.. I’m sure the victims up Odwalla, Walkterton, Jack in the Box, Chipotle, Maple Leaf Foods etc etc etc etc agree that “Health Inspection Nazis” should stop haranguing those upstanding food/water providers as well….
http://nyti.ms/2nnUFmG
A little update to my story of 3 weeks ago: people sell house 1 block on the west side of Vancouver for 2.6 mill, immediately buy a house 2 km east for 1.7mill cash. They got rid of their mortgage, but have no cash.
The house is 1990, poor construction, 27-year-old vinyl siding. Imagine that.
Well, seems the home they bought also had a heavy smoker living in it for 27 years. So the buyers plan to live in the basement for a year, with their 17-year old son sleeping on the couch while they gut the upstairs completely. And by completely, I mean, to the exterior walls. They’ve already hired an architect. And it will cost over $100K.
Or they could have kept the 1.7mill tax-free cash and lived off the ~$100k income.
I asked them why they bought such a crappy house anyway, and their answer was, “It’s a poor market and there weren’t that many to choose from.”
I just . . . . just . . . . (looks for gun to put to my head)
Good job, my man. Did you fix those minor errors on the website I pointed out?
I believe that menial labour is the path to fulfilment, the start to a lifetime of riches, and the best means to achieve your dreams. I have never accepted the modern maxim of “It’s not how hard you work, it’s how smart you work.” (Because I detest the FIRE industry).
Garth, would you write a book on how to write?
“Don’t hang on. Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky. It slips away, and all your money can’t another minute buy.” – Kansas
Speaking of menial labour: How many actual jobs do robots destroy?
“…two economists have changed their mind..and published a gloomy working paper.”
Each additional robot reduces employment by a net of 6.2 workers.
Each additional robot per 1,000 workers reduces average wages by 0.73%.
If the ratio of robots per 1,000 workers rises from 1 robot to 5 robots, wages would tumble by up to 2% nationally! In the same scenario within a “commuting zone,” wages would drop nearly 3%!
http://wolfstreet.com/2017/03/29/how-many-jobs-do-robots-destroy-answers-emerge/
After three days of trying to let nature peacefully take it’s course, we decided we had to put Zoe, our Jack Russell T of 15 plus years, down this morning.
I’ve had other family dogs through my youth and in my own family but none were as enduring as our little Zoe.
With her amazing smarts and endless energy
(younger Frisbee years) she literally burrowed her way in to our hearts.
She was one of a kind and will be missed dearly…..
Garth,
Thanks for the upbeat story, I can really use it today.
I regret your loss. Thoughts are with you. — Garth
@#136 Waiverless
“Cause your one interaction with a health inspector defines the whole professional.. ”
********************************************
Ahhhh Nooooo.
It was countless dealings with what amounted to little Nazi’s with the arrogance of little emperors.
Our company paid over $1,000,000 per year in property taxes PER building ( we had 9) and Our rent paying tenants were run through the gauntlet of pissant beaurocrats rules and regs. All while the City ramped up the “sidewalk vendors” who have no runiing water, no washrooms, no garbage cans( they would fill ours until we were forced to lock them) serving up food next to diesel spewing bus stops…..all for a $150 Annual permit.
As for Walkerton. As I recall. That fiasco was brought about by another lazy civil servant falsifying his water test reports because he was too lazy to do them.
Spare me your criticisms.
Health “inspections” are nothing more than another cash grab by the city if the rodent and cockroach infested restaurants all over the city are any indication………
Longer but very interesting
Let’s not worry about robots, let’s worry about cars
http://ben-evans.com/benedictevans/2017/3/20/cars-and-second-order-consequences
#140 Blacksheep on 03.30.17 at 2:46 pm
Cancer?
“This pile, I suspect, will be standing long after the $1 million houses being built down the road in Brampton – of particle board, glue and face brick – have been dozed.”
I’m in a ~30 yr old x,000 ft2 house in Vaughan, the property is dotted with bricks disintegrating/falling apart at every corner of the house. One section of the driveway where it meets the garage has sunk a couple of inches. I guess the weather here really does a number on the average housing.
#127 D’ough
#25 SWL1976
We recently opened a pizza shop in the small Vancouver Island town where we live. We also recently reminissed about how, …..
Besides, who doesn’t enjoy a good pizza made from wholesome and quality ingredients”
Don’t let yer head swell too much. The problem with Canada is that there are too many burger joints and pizza joints….the reason why people are so fat. A streetfood culture like in Thailand would be so much better, and healthier!
————–
To each their own. Not sure about where you live, but we serve hundreds of pizza’s a week to very few people with weight problems
#122 Smoking Man on 03.30.17 at 10:14 am
CIBC getting pummeled on social media.
Replacing 140 accountants with 140 accountants in India. The salt on the open wound. The ones losing the job, need to train the replacements.
Go to University Kids. Get your degree by going into debt to a bank, become an SJW and go protest against straight white males, because you have a lot of time now that your job is now located in India.
And T2 is opening the floodgates for TFW and is going to fast track them to early citizenship.
Life long liberal votes.
This is going to be a huge issue come election time.
My advice to kids thinking about university, take chemistry, learn to cook meth, cause there ain’t going to be any good paying jobs for you under regressive globalization
……………………………………………………………….
Thanks for the free advertising ah there isn’t anything like the smell of a meth lab drifting along the streets of Longbranch.
BTW I’m glad you don’t give my children your scary advice.
Real estate valuations have to make financial sense. In your case, it made good business sense to buy the Folly and spruce it up, creating employment and putting that little town on the map. Making an anchor of sorts, a new attraction to venture out to for outsiders.
Loading up on condos in GVRD or GTA and betting on some mystical appreciation when more and more units are coming online in the next years is plain stupid. It’s like playing the penny stocks, the OTC casino markets.
There will be much pain ahead in the coming years and the “investors” in the big markets may not have the money for gas to come by or ice-cream at your store.
Have a special flavor ready for that day.
Blacksheep 141
Sorry for the loss of your fur family member. It is hard to say goodbye to a beloved friend.
#140 Blacksheep on 03.30.17 at 2:46 pm
After three days of trying to let nature peacefully take it’s course, we decided we had to put Zoe, our Jack Russell T of 15 plus years, down this morning
——————-
i feel for you man.
the worst thing about dogs is they don’t stick around long enough.
sucks.
i am on the flip side now, the old girls are long gone and the new puppy keeps one so damn busy and entertained that it all seems worth it.
all the best.
Haha, I love that you’re kind of hipster. Too funny. Look forward to some ice cream this summer!
Blacksheep.
That sucks. RIP Zoe.
Il faut cultiver notre jardin.
#142 crowdedelevatorfartz
“Another lazy civil servant” Ya blame the government for everything in one broad stroke. You sound like another “another lazy private business” who couldn’t handle a little competition and has to find a scapegoat. (See what I did there…) There is lots of research on the benefits of preventative health interventions like health inspections so I’m not going to bother arguing with a mind that’s stuck on its path no matter the evidence.
Those health inspectors get defined benefits pension’s anyway they’re winning.
@#153 Waveless
Geez, methinks it sounds like my comments are hitting a little close to the hacienda for your liking.
Congrats of the taxpayer subsidized defined pension plan.
You sure you wanna go there?.
Any other unpensioned “lazy private business sector employees” care to comment on our hard working govt. employed health inspectors comments?
Anyone?
:)
La dernière ligne de Candide, ou l’Optimisme par Voltaire.
#140 Blacksheep on 03.30.17 at 2:46 pm
===
Remember the good times, always, Blacksheep. The best thing about dogs is they truly live moment to moment and for them, a good time always just around the corner and a moment away.
Greetings from Barbados! Glad a new season has started and your love affair with the Ole brick girl continues another year! Good for you! Hope it’s an amazing season with great stories and maybe even some visits from your dedicated pathetic blog dogs!
Cheers from the Hinterland, I mean Barbados for the next 2 weeks! Ahhhhhh!
awesome dude. Its not always about money!
Great post Garth. Not only do you get the satisfaction of starting a successful business, but of saving a bit of Canada’s architectural heritage as well. I have to confess my one indulgence in house porn is Restoration Man from the UK, and when you see what some people go through to rescue an old house, it gives you a whole new appreciation of the time and money involved.
That is awesome Garth, wished I lived in that part of the country to enjoy what all of you created.
crowdedelevatorfartz, and Canadian Moose;
just got back from Barbados yesterday.
stayed in Weston. we ate most of our meals purchased from the back of a lady’s car. AWESOME food, wraps and rotis. 8 people, 10 days and never a sign of food poisoning.Oddly, I didn’t see many people rolling around an the ground from illness. There were a few flies around the fish market.
They came thru the streets with a truck, fogging everything up for to kill mosquitos. I’m sure that stuff was harmless.
What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.
Darth Vader moves to Caledon…Welcome home my friend! May the dark force be with you!