BOUCHERVILLE, Que. — BMR Matériaux JLS in Mansfield-et-Pontefract, Que., won the Outstanding Retailer Award for Best Building Supply or Home Centre over 15,000 square feet, at the 2018 Hardlines Conference held earlier this month in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. The jury was impressed by the efforts of Connie Gutoskie Lasalle and Jean-Guy Lasalle (shown centre and right, flanked on the left by their son Patrick Lasalle and his wife Ashley Pasch, and on the far right by Marc Leblanc of Acceo, sponsor of the award) following a fire in 2015. The pair set up a temporary store in order to continue to serve clients less than 36 hours after the blaze. “It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but it was necessary,” Connie recalled.
“Without even being asked, the staff all came out to pitch in. They wanted to help and support us because the store was their home and the community’s home as well.” The store’s community involvement was also cited, with causes including the local fire department, which supplies firefighters to serve as Santa’s helpers during his annual visit to the store.
