Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
Rick Chrest and his staff at the local Leon’s Furniture Superstore have been recognized with Leon’s Store of the Year award for their work at the west-end furniture store. (COLIN CORNEAU/BRANDON SUN)
Leon’s Furniture Superstore in Brandon has just been honoured with the top award from its peers of Leon’s franchisees.
Rick Chrest, owner of Leon’s, said he was shocked and awed to get Leon’s Store of the Year award, as the competition is incredibly tough.
"This is a real honour and it was quite surprising for me. There’s a 15-point checklist that we are marked on through the year and to stand out among this group is amazing," Chrest said.
"It really motivates you to keep your nose to the grindstone and do even better."
Some of the 15 points the Leon’s store was marked on include customer service, presentation, sales performance, growth and financial consistency.
"I take a lot of pride in this award. All the Leon’s are very well run and franchisers do a tremendous job," Chrest said. "To win this among such a group of high quality furniture store operators — to be No. 1 is pretty special."
The Brandon Leon’s, located at 3635 Victoria Ave., opened in 1995. In 1998, Chrest became manager/owner with two partners. In 2008, Chrest and his wife Karen took over full ownership of the Brandon Leon’s.
It is among 32 Leon’s franchises and 41 corporately owned Leons across Canada. The Brandon location has a staff of 25 employees.
"We are very much a team. We have a dedicated, caring staff. This award totally belongs to them," Chrest said.
Leons is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from noon until 5 p.m.
Manitoba Liquor Mart at Shoppers Mall
There’s a rumour floating around Brandon that the Liquor Mart location in Shoppers Mall will be moving out.
However Shoppers Mall general manager Kim James said she could not comment on the rumour and Manitoba Liquor Control Commission spokesperson Susan Harrison said she could not "confirm or deny," whether the Liquor Mart in the mall would be on the move.
Muse Bridal
An old bridal shop has a new name and a new owner.
Britt Lawson is the proud new owner of Muse Bridal (formerly All About You Bridal), located at 628 18th St. Lawson recently became the new owner of the bridal salon through a private sale earlier this month.
Lawson said she is fulfilling her childhood dreams of playing dress up and owning her own business.
"I knew the opportunity was available and I knew it would be a new challenge for me. I’m getting married myself and I love it," Lawson said. "It’s weird when I would play Barbies as a little girl, I would dress them up and do their hair and then dress up the next one and do their hair and same with the next one. I would also take things from around the house and sell them back to my parents. I loved to play store."
Lawson decided to rename the store Muse to complement the creative process it can be putting together a bride’s look for her big day.
Lawson said she has made some staffing changes, including adding her mother, Patty Lawson, to the team and is making appointments available on the days the shop is normally closed.
She is also gearing up to put her wares on display in a fashion show at the Westman Wedding Expo on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Victoria Inn. Tickets are $5 and available at the door.
Muse Bridal offers bridal gowns, graduation dresses and ladies formal wear.
Muse Bridal is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Sunday hours are by appointment only.
To contact Muse Bridal, call 204-727-5248 or visit them online at musebridalstudio.com.
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition January 26, 2013
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Leon’s Furniture Superstore in Brandon has just been honoured with the top award from its peers of Leon’s franchisees.
Rick Chrest, owner of Leon’s, said he was shocked and awed to get Leon’s Store of the Year award, as the competition is incredibly tough.
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Leon’s Furniture Superstore in Brandon has just been honoured with the top award from its peers of Leon’s franchisees.
Rick Chrest, owner of Leon’s, said he was shocked and awed to get Leon’s Store of the Year award, as the competition is incredibly tough.
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