Tradition of customer service continues

By Dave Flaherty/The Oshawa Express

For the past 25 years, Oshawa Paint has been a trusted name in the community and owner Aaron Wilson says the philosophies which made the original store successful will be just as prominent at the company’s new Courtice location.

Courtice Paint has been open for a little over a month and Aaron says it’s been a perfect fit so far.

“Courtice is a booming area and in the past few years we’ve been contemplating opening a second store here.”

Taking over the business from his parents, Garth and Tena, about 10 years ago, Aaron says the needs of the customer are always the top priority.

“Fundamentally we still keep the same philosophy, customer first and the best products for those customers,” he says.

Garth says this is exactly the approach he had when at the helm of the Oshawa store.

“It’s how you treat your customers. If you have a good product, which we have, there is no issue. So my concern was always caring for the customers,” Garth explained. “We’ve been blessed with some of the greatest customers in the area, and the reason for that is you have to care. It isn’t just selling something, it’s caring about their home and family, that’s the difference.”

The story of Oshawa Paint started more than two decades ago while Garth was employed as a manager at a Benjamin Moore store in Richmond Hill.

He was approached by the company to bring the brand to Oshawa, his home, and he jumped at the chance.

“It was a great opportunity for us because of the partnership we had with Benjamin Moore.”

The classic example of a family-run business, Garth and Tena eventually turned the reigns over to their son.

“We’ve been so blessed to have Aaron take over, which is really critical when you have a family business,” Garth says.

When the Oshawa location opened, Aaron was just starting college but two years later, he got the call to work alongside his parents.
“Once I finished college and the store got really busy, they asked me to come join them and the rest is history. I’ve been here 23 years and we’re going strong.”

Offering a quality product such as Benjamin Moore is another huge factor behind the success of the business.

“Their colours are known as the best in the industry. Designers just love them and use them constantly. Plus the quality of the paint itself, it applies properly and easily, you never need more than two coats.”

Referring to the Courtice location as a “satellite store”, Aaron says it has pretty much everything the Oshawa store has, “just a little less of it.”

Having an established reputation in the area has assisted with the expansion of the business.

“It helps tremendously. My manager Mark Sproul, he’s been with me in Oshawa for 16 years, and he knows his stuff inside and out and I trust him fully. He takes pride in his work and really takes care of the customers as well, so when people come into the Courtice Store, they know they will be getting the advice and experience they need, so it’s an easy transition.”

Being in any industry for 25 years, a business owner will no doubt see some changes.

“It has become very environmentally aware, so there are a lot of changes with the paint, which is a good thing,” Aaron says.

He admitted the changes weren’t the easiest to deal with initially.

“Everything starts in California, the environmental push started there, and the government changed rules so the paint companies had to scramble to fit those rules and then that had to translate to us selling it to people, and so, everything changed in how the paint was made.”

But in the long-run, Aaron says the products have gotten better, and in turn, the environment has benefited as well.

Another big revolution in the paint industry is the rise of Pinterest and other related apps.

“It’s become very DIY-orientated, so a lot of customers are doing their own work instead of hiring someone, although we do have quite a bit of painters who still work with us.”

Even with customers taking a more proactive approach to their projects, the Wilson family is still there to give the same ‘best advice’, and “point them in the right direction” if needed, Aaron says with a laugh.

Both Garth and Aaron explained the success of the store also wouldn’t be possible without all their staff.

“I’d like to thank all current and past employees, most of them are long-term and customers appreciate that seeing the same person every time they come in,” Aaron stated, while Garth added, “We’ve been blessed with some of the best employees you’d ever want right from the start.”

Courtice Paint is located at 1414 King Street East (Unit 27) and Oshawa Paint is located at 894 Simcoe Street North.

For more information, such as store hours and featured products, visit oshawapaint.com