Wednesday August 3, 2005 ◆ PARRY SOUND NORTH STAR – 7 A&P sale closes mid-August BY SARAH BISSONETTE food stores. Prior to the purchase of A&P Christian Haub, chairman of the board and Sound Business Staff Canada, Metro Inc. had 343 stores in Quebec chief executive officer said that the sale of and Ontario, and 33,000 employees. A&P A&P Canada would enable the company to PARRY SOUND – It’s too soon to say what Canada has 32,000 employees in Ontario. focus on its operations in the United States. impact the mid-August sale of A&P Canada to In May, The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea This so-called ‘new’ A&P would allow long- Montreal-based Metro Incorporated will have Company announced it was looking into the term growth and profit and would increase the Confidently on employees of the local A&P grocery store, possibility of selling A&P Canada. At the time, value for shareholders. says A&P communications manager Tammy Smitham. Depending on the ride the season, the local A&P employs between 55 and 80 people. roller coaster The $1.7 billion deal was announced on July 19 and, once the deal closes, it Lend me your ears of life. will see Metro Inc. taking over the own- ership of 236 grocery stores in Ontario. BY STEPHANNIE JOHNSON going to concerts or even the movies. The right insurance coverage and on-going, personalized That number includes the A&P in Sound Business Staff The business also sells assisted-listening service from our brokers allows you the freedom to enjoy life. Parry Sound, along with Dominion, devices, which include amplified telephones and Food Basics, The Barn and Ultra Food PARRY SOUND - When it comes to hearing and infrared TV listening devices. Commercial • Personal • Life Insurance & Drug stores. the general health of your ears, it’s the job of an He says they do “basically, anything to do with Metro Inc. corporate affairs advisor audiologist to ensure that you hear the world hearing health care. If someone just needs ear wax Jean Charles Neault also said it is too around you as clear as possible. cleaned out of their ears we do that, as well as cus- 705-746-2725 early to speculate what may happen to A native of Sarnia, audiologist Ian Gray recog- tom sound protection. For motorcyclists, we make Your Best Insurance [email protected] Parry Sound’s sole A&P store, and that nized the need here in Parry Sound and he also ear molds with their radio receiver implanted in Is An Insurance Broker for now it is business as usual. wanted to relocate to a smaller community. it,” said Mr. Gray. 7 William Street, Unit #2, Parry Sound ON In Ontario, Metro Inc. runs 37 Loeb “The town offers me both the career opportuni- Generally, most of the children Mr. Gray sees www.parrysoundinsurance.com supermarkets and 10 Super C discount ties I desired and recreational and leisure activi- have perfect hearing, however, some bad behav- 5B12’05-c ties that I enjoy,” said Mr. Gray, who opened Sound iours can be attributed to hearing loss. Ideas on Bowes Street in early July. “We may get some children in if their teacher or “I see anyone from five up to 95-years-old. Any- parents are concerned. If they’re having difficulty one who’s concerned at all with their hearing, we learning language or speaking, then it may be 7KLQN2XWVLGHWKH%DQN can do assessments,” he said. “I’ll first do a basic because they’re not hearing all of the sounds,” Mr. hearing test that measures their hearing in terms Gray said. “Or, if they’re acting up at school, or not of the amount of hearing loss and type, which will paying attention, it may be that they are just not IRUDOO\RXU%XVLQHVV1HHGV determine the course of treatment.” hearing, so they’re zoning out. Mr. Gray will discuss with clients their prefer- “Hearing loss can cause anxiety, frustration and ence of hearing aid style, as well as their listening depression. It can lead to some dangerous situa- needs. Technology is so advanced that he can now tions if a person can’t hear very well and steps out program different sound types into certain hear- on the street because they don’t hear a car com- /RFDO&UHGLW$SSURYDOV ing aids - one for watching television, another for ing.” &RPPHUFLDO/RDQV /LQHVRI&UHGLW 0RUWJDJHV 0LNH'RXJKW\ &RPPHUFLDO$FFRXQW0DQDJHU NDZDUWKD &5(',781,21 ZZZNDZDUWKDFXFRP ORFDWLRQVLQWKH3DUU\6RXQG0XVNRND5HJLRQ PGRXJKW\#NDZDUWKDFXFRP 1B12’05-c Above, Sound Ideas held its grand opening late last month surrounded by family, friends and customers. From left, Parry Sound Chamber of Commerce general man- 86 Joseph Street, Parry Sound ager Perry Harris, owner of Sound Ideas and Audiologist Ian Gray, employee Debo- rah O’Gram, Community Business and Development Centre general manager Bill 746-5877 Spinney and builder Larry French. ARE YOU PREPARED? GENERATORS NOW AVAILABLE. Sound Business photo BOOK YOUR CONFERENCE... MEETING...OR WEDDING TODAY! WHETHER IT’S BIG OR SMALL... Your complete THE JOLLY ROGER INN OFFERS GREAT Plumbing & Electrical CORPORATE PACKAGES FOR ANY Centre Chamber Corner BUSINESS OR FUNCTION. CALL FOR DETAILS... Perry Harris, PHONE 378-2461 • FAX 378-2137 (Electric, Diesel, Propane/Natural Gas) 1B12’05-c General Manager Remote Start Panels and Wheel Kits are optional. 1B12’05-c elcome to the August edition of feel the Chamber is unable to promote Wthe Chamber Corner. It is really their type of business but I am finding hard to believe that we have entered the that the calls and requests that we Sound month of August, it doesn’t seem that receive include all sectors of our long ago that we just had the Victoria business community. If you’re a Day Weekend! business owner and would like more The area has been in full swing over information on what we as a Chamber Busıness COME AND SEE OUR KITCHEN & BATH the past few weeks and it’s great to see can do to assist you, please call us at the SHOWROOM the visitor’s coming into our area and Chamber office.. • Creative Design • Quality Products this has caused the number of referrals As we are a member of the Ontario • Professional Installation Nancy Fournier from the Chamber to increase Chamber of Commerce organization, Directory Owner/Designer • Complete Project Coordination 18 Years of Kitchen dramatically. they as a governing body, represent us in Design Expertise Our Big Sound Marina and Town matters concerning the provincial level 3 Church St. Parry Sound Dock operation is moving ahead very of government as they do with all Cham- beside the Kawartha Credit Union well. The site required numerous repairs bers who are members. 7B12-c and maintenance items at start up which They have recently protested the have been completed and will be on a proposed increase in the Workplace continuing schedule to ensure that the Health and Safety fees to business as ADAMS BROS. facility has a positive impact on visitors well as the proposed privatization of coming into the Parry Sound Area. We health care. CONSTRUCTION LTD. have brochures located at both facilities As they represent the Chamber body, for visitor’s information requests. they are able to present a viable force to Septic System Pumping, Design, Repairs & Installations FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL Our membership continues to grow the provincial government on our mem- Excavation - Landscaping - Sand & Gravel Hugh Logan - Director and we are pleased to welcome the 101 ber’s behalf. Portable Toilets - Roll-Off Containers new business members to the Chamber. I trust that you find the information in Planning ahead ... This shows that there is certainly interest our column to be of interest and wish 705-746-2962 make it easier for in the changes that have been taking you a safe and enjoyable month. the ones you love place in our mandate and focus on Fax: 705-746-2011 business for business approach. Perry S. Harris Office: 116 William St., Box 324, Parry Sound, ON P2A 2X4 (705) 746-5855 There are many business sectors that General Manager 1B12’05-c 81 James St., Parry Sound 1B12’05-c Serving the Business Community for Over 100 Years As we continue with the revitalization of the Cham- BRAND NEW MERCHANDISING SYSTEM ber, we are striving to support our Members and the Economic Development of the area for business Which includes 310 new styles of carpet success. We offer a host of benefits to our members and over 6700 new colours and would welcome any inquiries. Monday to Thursday 9 am to 5 pm Friday 9 am to 8 pm Saturday 10 am to 4 pm Sundays and Holidays 10 am to 2 pm PARRY SOUND AREA (705) 746-4213 • Fax 746-4261 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE E-mail – [email protected] MasterCard 3 Queen St., Parry Sound 115 Bowes St., Parry Sound 1B12’05-c 746-4802 1B12’05-c Mar05-12-c 70 Church Street, Parry Sound P2A 1Y9.