Retail Sector
	Environmental Solutions; Call Centre; Retail Sector

Kirkland Lake is open for business.

The rebound in the local economy since 2002 has resulted in higher employment and a concomitant increase in disposable income. With more money in their pockets, and a relatively low local cost of living, people are becoming a little freer with their spending. They’re starting to look for luxury items – sporting goods, fancier clothes, hobby products, home entertainment products, personal beauty and care services, gifts and unique decorative items. This is especially true among people between the ages of 25-64; adults that have the money, time, and personal desire or family pressure (especially from children) to purchase the toys, tools and fun that family life demands.

A quick survey of the downtown and what people are going out of town to buy highlights some pretty interesting opportunities for new retail businesses. Can an entrepreneur with a vision make a go of it? We think so. Consider the business environment:

• Retail space is readily available. Rental rates are low, significant opportunities exist to buy buildings at reduced costs.

• Employees are easy to find and wages reasonable. A local college and two high schools ensure that there is a good pool of students to serve as part time employees. There are a significant number of well educated, experienced people that have accompanied their spouses to new jobs in KL that are seeking work outside of the home.

• KL offers some excellent locations for retail operations. The downtown is a mix of financial services, restaurants, hotels, and government and enjoys a regular flow of people of all ages, tastes, etc. The atmosphere is safe and friendly. Parking is cheap and abundant. The local mall houses a major department store and fitness store, and is situated in the same area as a Canadian Tire, grocery store, federal government office, a McDonalds and a Tim Horton’s. Again, there is a regular flow of people to the area and they spend significant time there.

• Competition is very limited. KL’s commercial sector provides the necessities and a lot of the frills. But many people buy these kinds of items out of town, traveling an hour or more to shopping centres in Timmins, Rouyn-Noranda and Temiskaming Shores. These shopping excursions normally take place only during weekends or in conjunction with special occasions. That inevitably means that many purchases are postponed or passed up altogether as busy parents find it too difficult to find the time or fight the weather to go on a road trip.

• There is good, untapped market. There are over 15,000 people living within a 45-minute drive of the downtown. For many, Kirkland Lake is their primary shopping centre.

Two retail areas in particular are under-serviced: sports equipment and accessories and men’s clothing.

If you are interested in an exciting retail opportunity, take a look at Kirkland Lake. Call us today, and see why KL is the right environment for you.

Economic Development Division

Tel: (705) 567 9361; Fax: (705) 567 3535

Toll Free: 1 800 249 8933

Email: Wilfred Hass

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