Liquor Lodge owner Marc LeBlanc was honoured by his peers Sept. 30 when he was presented the Chairman’s Award for retail excellence at the Alberta Liquor Store Association’s annual conference.
His store was nominated and selected by the association because of its customer service and layout, as well as its presence in the BDC Young Entrepreneur Awards in 2013.
“They were particularly impressed with our nomination as the Alberta candidate in the national BDC awards, because that put the spotlight on our industry,” said LeBlanc, who was competing to win $100,000 to turn the vacant space beneath his store into a state-of-the-art wine tasting facility.
“Anytime there’s positive national news media covering somebody within our industry ALSA takes very kindly to that, so they were particularly impressed that I was able to get that nomination.”
LeBlanc received his award in Edmonton and had it presented by ALSA’s president, Ivonne Martinez.
“It was a big honour,” he said. “I’m really proud of the store ... and I’m just happy to be able to participate in this industry within the province, and to have an award to show for it.”
LeBlanc opened Liquor Lodge in 2007, after realizing that—in order to stay in the town that he loves—he needed to secure himself a sustainable future.
To make his dream a reality, he first turned to Community Futures West Yellowhead for advice and a loan, and then he found himself a space, designed it with a contractor, bought merchandise and finally, he opened the doors. Since then, he’s paid off his loan and created a sustainable business that employs both him and his wife, Megan.
Of the award, LeBlanc said it’s not only a boost for him, it’s a boost for Jasper.
“Jasper is a place with industry leading businesses. Throughout the town there are a lot of really great stores and business people doing great things.
“So it’s nice to be recognized and to show that Jasper has some great shopping.”
Nicole Veerman
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