‘Mom and Pop’ business thrives in Kingston

By Patty Mintz

The Advertiser

NovaNewsNow.com



Doug Wilson has lost track of the times he has replied, “It sucks!� to the question, ‘How’s business’?

It isn’t that Wilson is bitter or pessimistic about his work. As co-owner of Enserink’s Vacuum Cleaner Centre in East Kingston, he is merely being honest, albeit in a playful way, even though he has done this corny routine possibly a millions times before.

The truth is, the vacuum repair business owned by him and his wife Sheryl is doing splendidly.

“We’re always busy,� says Sheryl, who is skilled in vacuum repair. “If we’re not doing repairs, we’re doing other things pertaining to the business,� including tending to piles of paperwork and maintaining a well-stocked inventory.

Doug says Enserink’s -- along with Valley Vacuum in New Minas -- are the only places of their kind in the Valley: full-service, independently-owned businesses which specialize in new and used vacuum cleaner sales, service and accessories

Now in its 38th year at the same location, Enserink’s continues to survive in an era of big box stores. “Enserink’s is one of the few vacuum repair shops left in Nova Scotia,� says Doug. “Sadly, many other repair shops such as TV and other small appliances have fallen victim to hard economic times.�

The business was founded by Sheryl’s stepfather, Antony (aka Tony) Enserink, who came to Canada following the war.

“Like many other Dutch, he decided to leave war-ravaged Holland and move to Canada to begin a new life,� Doug explains.

Tony tried his hand first as a door-to-door Electrolux vacuum salesman. On the doorstep, his cheery smile triumphed over a thick Dutch accent and he made a modest living.

Traveling back roads of the Valley in his old van, he brought vacuums and supplies to customers and was a common sight to many.

About 1968, Tony decided to end his traveling ways and put down roots. He set up a sales and service shop in a portion of his East Kingston home and expanded from the Electrolux line into all makes and models of vacuums.

“After a few name changes, Enserink’s Vacuum Cleaner Centre was born and began to prosper,� says Doug.

Over the years, Sheryl’s stepfather built a large and loyal customer base thanks to his integrity and sunny disposition. “Tony was a man of deep faith and his acts of kindness and charity were renowned,� she said.

When Tony died from cancer in 1997 it was feared his well-established business would disappear as well until his wife Ruth and Sheryl decided to step in.

Several years later, in 2003, Ruth retired and passed along the business to Sheryl, who ‘conscripted’ her husband.

Today, the Wilsons are proud of their home-based ‘mom and pop’ business. The retail area is located a few steps down from the kitchen. Repairs are done downstairs in the basement.

Sheryl says she couldn’t have had a better teacher than her mother.

“Tony taught Ruth, Ruth taught me, and I taught Doug. People come in and say, ‘Where’s the repairman?’ and I say, ‘I’m the repairman.’ My mom got that all the time. They wanted to talk to Tony, not to a woman.�

And fixing vacuums isn’t easy.

“You have to be handy and be able to figure things out. Every time they bring out a new vacuum there’s something new about it to learn.�

Now that Doug has learned the trade, the couple has each other for support.

“We bounce ideas off each other all the time,� says Doug. “It often takes another set of eyes.�

They benefit as well by avoiding high business rent and being their own boss. “I could never, never work for anybody again,� says Sheryl, who adds, “although I am hard to work with.�

“No comment on that,� Doug replies, raising an eyebrow.

The couple specializes in central vacuum systems, which they say make a home on the market easier to sell. They also promote the environmentally-friendly aspect of vacuum repair.

“There’s a feeling in society that if you have something and it breaks, you immediately go out and buy a new one. It’s a good idea if you have a quality product to see if it can be fixed and for how much,� says Sheryl. “Otherwise, you’re buying a vacuum every few years and they’re ending up in the landfill.�

Doug is disappointed he never got to meet Antony Enserink, but his memory is never far from mind, says his wife.

“People come in and say, ‘I’m so glad you’re here. What would I do if I didn’t have you to fix my vacuum or get the bags for me?’ And they still remember Tony and reflect fondly on some wonderful memories they have of him,� says Sheryl.