New coffee shops in Chéticamp, New Waterford an expression of confidence
'I just look at my market,' says Cape Breton businessman Duke Fraser
Two years after Tim Hortons closed up shop in Chéticamp, a Cape Breton businessman is building a Robin's Donuts coffee shop in the same community and unveiling plans for another one in New Waterford.
Communities facing tough times can still be good places to invest, Duke Fraser says.
"Well, no risk, no reward, right?
"Sometimes a declining population is a better population because some bigger companies don't want to come in when they are declining so that gives a chance for a smaller operation to work."
Fraser opened a Robin's Donuts shop in Little Bras d'Or 17 years ago and expanded to Inverness in 2012.
He's not concerned about building in a community where a Tim Hortons recently failed.
No risk, no reward
"I don't look at my competitor. I just look at my market to see if we can do something with it," he said. "It's not what your competitor can do. It's what you can do yourself."
Fraser wants to have the Chéticamp location operating in time for the summer season and the New Waterford shop open by late fall.
New Waterford regional councillor Lowell Cormier says he'd love to see it work.
"I think the whole town's self-esteem jumps when you see people investing in it," Cormier said.
Cormier says the Cape Breton Regional Municipality does have concerns about traffic safety.
The proposed location is next to the community's hospital on a busy street near a hairpin turn.
"If the traffic plans can be spoken to, and our planning department buys into that, I think we are a go," Cormier said.
Fraser is confident he can make the New Waterford location work.
"It's quite a large piece of property," he said. "I believe we can look after the concerns of the community."