A few doors east of our store is the Moss Park Restaurant. This place is a small diner that has been in business since Christ was a carpenter and it is run by my friend Spiros. I still remember the first day I walked into the restaurant for breakfast because, well, how do I put this? Let’s just say I was the only one wearing a suit. That first morning when I walked in more than a few people seated in the restaurant looked at me as I sat down for breakfast beside them with a “What are YOU doing HERE?” look. I smiled and said hello to everyone whose eyes locked with mine and as soon as they recognized that I was comfortable in their presence and willing to give them the courtesy everyone wants to receive, Spiros came over and asked quietly if I wanted a coffee. I looked up at him that morning, smiled and said, “Absolutely!” and a friendship was struck.

Spriros is originally from Greece and ironically is from the same town in which our store manager, Vasilios “Bill” Katraouras, was born. How’s that for a small world? That connection with Bill and my frequent trips back with suppliers and friends to what I often refer to as my ‘satellite office’ have solidified my acceptance within the Moss Park community and I appreciate being welcomed into the neighbourhood. In hindsight I now recognize that first visit was likely one of those moments that could have gone REALLY badly. A lot of the people who come here have fallen on hard times and my sitting among them in a business suit was not intended to make anyone uncomfortable. We were all wearing what we normally wear during the week. What it came down to was how we treated one another. With kindness and respect. I was raised to accept people as they are, help when I can, and be humble. I will be forever thankful that my parents instilled those goals in me – and I will also be the first to admit that I sometimes lose site of those goals. Thankfully, when that happens my family is there to gently remind me to not get too full of myself because, as the saying goes, “There but for the grace of God go I…” I am also thankful that my oldest sister Ferol (who recently passed away) took me aside after I graduated from university all those years ago and explained to me that if I wanted to get ahead in life (and in business) I had to always remember that ‘bosses’ are not the ones who run the world – it is their employees who do. I have always kept that lesson in mind and I try to make a point every day of asking people how they are doing. Perhaps unlike others, I look them in the eye when I say it and take a few moments when I can to chat because, well, it makes a difference. The people with whom I speak may not think their response makes a difference to my day, but it does. Ferol and my mom and dad made me realize that treating people with respect – even when simply asking if they are having a nice day – means something. I do it because it means something to me as well and I want to set a good example for my son Jake.

On that note, I look forward to bringing Jake and his mom down to the Moss Park Restaurant and introducing them to Spiros and the other people I see at the restaurant because it makes a difference. Even a small one…

For example:

- What hours do you think the store should be open?
- What specific inventory would you like to see in the store?
- Is a great selection of fly tying materials critical?
- What courses would you like us to offer?
- Is guiding something on which we should focus?
- Is it be okay to ship purchases to you from our Toronto location if the item isn’t in Fergus?

We want to incorporate your wish list into our business plan so we are taking this opportunity to seek out the advice of the most important people in eyes – our customer base. We sincerely hope you will help us establish a second successful fly shop by offering us your feedback.

Please know that there are no wrong answers and that all feedback will be greatly appreciated. It is important to note that we think the folks at Grand River Troutfitters did a great job over the years but we hope with your help we will be able to build this new venture into a fly shop we will all want to visit on our way to the river this spring and in the years to come.

Thanks!

The Guys at Wilson’s

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To sign up for your course or for more information please call the store or go to https://store.canadasflyfishingoutfitter.com/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=5307&category_id=714