Cottage Country Proves to be a Great Franchise Location

COLLINGWOOD, ON, March 25, 2011 (Press-News.org) If you're looking for the right location to grow your franchise business, it's time to consider Ontario cottage country where time is running out to get in on Cranberry Mews, one of the most popular new retail spaces in Collingwood. With only five units remaining, the one-of-kind business centre is nearing full capacity as several existing tenants continue to report steady growth.

"Business has been really good," says Brenda Rubes, owner of One Tooth Active Wear, a Canadian clothing franchise she opened in September 2010. "This community offers two kinds of markets that you just don't get elsewhere - you get your local market and you get your out of town market," she says, noting that she has been ahead of her sales projections each month since opening.

The same is true for Collingwood Hasty Market, the first franchise to open at Cranberry Mews. "We're looking good," says owner Mario Gagliardi. "Business is steady and getting stronger."

What makes Cranberry Mews a good choice for franchising is its proximity to a main highway, ample parking and ease of access. Even more appealing is the fact that Collingwood is a vibrant, growing four-season community that offers many advantages to new business owners, including a more relaxed lifestyle and the ability to grow a business through word of mouth.

"One of the difficulties facing new franchisees is that most of the great locations in the larger city centres are taken," says Geoff Pollock, general counsel for Foremost Financial Corporation, operator of the Cranberry Mews mall. "Potential franchisees here do not have that market saturation problem."

The newest business to join Cranberry Mews is NANCYLEE Ladies Designer Fashions which opened in February. A high-end supplier of ladies clothing, NANCYLEE sells everything from jeans to bridal wear, priding itself on a unique selection of 2,000 dresses that includes a special guarantee to prom dress purchasers. The company also offers on-the-road fashion shows.

Owner and operator Nancy Lee is excited about opening "a unique business in a unique location" and calls Cranberry Mews the "right environment" for NANCYLEE.

Meanwhile, Pollock says there are many types of franchise businesses that would be well-suited to the retail centre, including an electronics retailer, coffee shop or restaurant.

"Business owners need to do their homework," he says. "Once you consider the quality of life benefits and the potential for year-round traffic, Collingwood is an outstanding place to open a franchise."

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Cranberry Mews is operated by Foremost Financial Corporation, a Toronto-based real estate lender and financier with over 20 years of operating experience. It is currently home to 12 business and service providers: Active Life Conditioning, Cabin Bistro, Collingwood Sport Medicine & Rehabilitation Centre, Hasty Market, Dr. Henry Koo, Home Zone Bed & Bath, Ladies Designer Fashions, Sophie's Salon & Spa, NANCYLEE Ladies Designer Fashions, One Tooth Active Wear, Pure Organic Food & Juice Bar and The Best You. Businesses interested in leasing space in Cranberry Mews should contact Peter Holgate at Royal LePage Real Estate in Collingwood at 705-445-5520.

Media Contact: Mark Wessel, Bullpen PR, 705-445-2733, mwessel@bullpenpr.com