“We’re well-known for repairs,” said LaFontaine. “We originally started as a small engine repair shop, anything, lawn tractors, trimmers, chainsaws and we expanded into rental.”

Despite their namesake, Réparation Aylmer has operated . . .

outside of the former city for the past eight months.

LaFontaine had leased their previous shop that was located at the intersection of Chemin Eardley and Boulevard des Allumettières for over a decade, but last September, the rental property was put up for sale.

In search of a more feasible investment, LaFontaine decided to move the business beyond Aylmer and eventually purchased a new shop in Luskville, similarly positioned off of Hwy 148.

“This is the first season start. The winter is always a slow period, so right now it’s a whole new challenge. We’re seeing how many people show up, how busy it gets compared to the other place. It’s going to be a big learning curve.”

Reduced traffic was an initial worry for LaFontaine, but fortunately Réparation Aylmer has been able to retain most of its clientele and has already made some connections in the Municipality of Pontiac and the MRC.

“There’s good feedback. People are happy we’re here. People from Aylmer are disappointed we left, but they are coming. It’s not a long ride. It’s 15 minutes from where we were before. We’re gaining more customers in the area and up the line, past Shawville and we’re working on bringing more people to this area, to us.”

LaFontaine has already taken note of the region’s demands and plans to further adapt the business to better suit the needs of their new customers.

“It seems like the bigger and larger equipment rentals move a lot better out here. Excavators, backhoes, large equipment, heavy-duty equipment. Invest into a little more of that and we’re going to see how our first season goes and we’re going to go from there.”

It seems that for the foreseeable future, Réparation Aylmer has a permanent home in Luskville. “We bought, we purchased,” said LaFontaine. “We’re here to stay long-term.”

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