Jamal Hejazi purchased a property at 1198 Haley Station, seeing opportunity to expand his candy distribution business candyonline.ca from Windsor, and said he ‘fell in love with the location” (seen left, care of Google Maps).
“i never envisioned getting 4000 square feet so close to the highway.” he said, citing the hamlet location “thirty seconds from” Highway 17 as reason to jump on the property.
Candyonline.ca the website started in 2008, but according to its website, the business has been operating since 1996, with the statement that “everyone should pay wholesale prices,” offering candy shipping to public and sellers alike.
“I’ve been in business for 20 years, in Windsor in Toronto.” he said.
“People have the idea that small towns don’t have the infrastructure. But if you look at the plans to expand the 401 to four lanes, the infrastructure is there. Cobden is there, they’re building subdivisions. This is only going to increase, people people can work online. There’s internet in Cobden. These cities are only going to grow.”
“The one thing is appealing is the pricing.”Hejazi said. “Property on a major artery is still very affordable. “i never envisioned getting 40 square feet so close to the highway.”
“I would not be able to experience this volume, if I did not experience this town.”
He said that he’d received a lot of support from the Township, and the community has been welcoming as well.
“When we set up, a woman came by with a plate of cookies.” he laughed.
Dr. Jamal Hejazi is also a Chief Economist for BDO Canada LLP, and teaches at the Telfer Executive MBA program.
