Over the years, one thing has remained the same at Leon’s Furniture; their values and commitment to family.

Since Ablan Leon opened the first store in Ontario in 1909, Leon’s Furniture has thrived over the years. Today, the company is made up of 86 franchises across Canada. Oddly enough, the first store didn’t specialize in furniture. It was actually a general store that included clothing, shoes, and blankets. In 1942, Leon’s children took over the business. Today, over 100 years later, Leon’s Furniture has changed in some ways, but it is still a family business, run by the next generations of Leon’s.

The first Quebec franchise was opened right here in Laval. Martin Dorion, the Franchise Director for Laval and Anjou, began his career as a young man in the Leon’s factory in the 1990s. He climbed up the ladder through delivery and sales, and eventually joined the management team. According to him, the positive environment creates a family among the employees, as well. “We love to have fun and we love to have employees stay for a long time,” Dorion says. “I’m not the only one. There are a few of us who started at Leon’s Furniture at the same time and we’re still working for them.”

Dorion also believes it’s that same family feel the company reflects that has allowed them to develop such a loyal clientele. “Some clients tell us, ‘it’s 25 years we’ve been coming here.’ We love that.” He explains how sometimes, they also see retuning clients bringing in their children as they buy new furniture for their own homes. “We’re a part of their lives from generation to generation,” he says.

Adapting to the budgets of each customer is also part of the Leon’s Furniture tradition. It was one of the first stores in Canada to offer up to one year without payments from the date of purchase. The famous advertising catchphrase, “Pay nothing before one year,” is hardly new to this company.

Dorion says a sale isn’t just a transaction. The personalized customer service is what’s at the heart of the Leon’s Furniture way. “We treat our customers like our co-workers,” Dorion says. “If there’s a problem, we’ll help them here. Everything happens in the store.”

Whether it’s for senior management or customer service, cultivating a sense of family will always remain an important tradition at Leon’s Furniture.

Translated by Maria Barillaro