New Owners Take Stock At Godfrey Store

Jun 20, 2013

Les and Shirley McGowan, who owned and operated McGowan's store in Godfrey for close to five decades, recently relinquished the reins. The couple have sold the store to long-time Godfrey/Sharbot Lake residents Scott and Laurie Love who alongside the McGowans were busy there on Sunday counting stock.

It was a bittersweet day for the McGowans. Les is originally from Godfrey and Shirley, is originally from Drayton, Ont. They have amassed 46 years of memories at the store and during their first 20 years in business they lived there with their four young children.

The couple shared the responsibilities of running the grocery store/gas station though Shirley might disagree since she also was the Godfrey postmaster for 25 years before retiring a few years ago. When not at the store pumping gas, Les was busy renovating their Fish Creek Road home and cattle farm where they eventually moved with their family. The McGowans got a bit emotional as they reminisced about their favorite memories and the many changes that have taken place at McGowan’s over the past five decades. Shirley recalled how the local trappers used to bring in their beaver, otter and other animal pelts, to be stamped and sold for cash to a fellow from the Hudson Bay Company who used to travel regularly to McGowan's and spend the night there as Les and Shirley's guest. “Those were definitely some fun and interesting times and when you think back, a lot has changed since then,” Shirley said.

They also recalled the days when the K&P used to pass by the store window on the other side of the highway and the challenges of trying to care for their four young children, who lived in the store’s apartment way back when. Shirley recalled one memorable day when her kids had gotten into a hot chili plant in the kitchen and were howling their hearts out after rubbing red hot chili residue into their eyes and mouths while she tried to serve customers “I'm sure those customers wondered what kind of a parent I was with all of them bawling their heads off next door,” Shirley said.

The McGowans said they will definitely miss talking to their regulars, many of who came in more than once a day and with whom they could always be sure to have a laugh. For Les the store was an opportunity to “get away from the shirt and tie world of corporate banking” where he worked previously as an accountant.

The couple are looking forward to retirement, though and the many projects that await them at their home and farm. No doubt they will get in more family time with their four kids and nine grandchildren, some of whom live in the area. Shirley will be able to attend more figure skating events and Les is hoping to renew his pilot’s license and get a bit of flying time in. Both feel assured that they are leaving the store in very capable hands and believe that Scott and Laurie Love will be a perfect new fit for the place. “The Loves are the perfect people to be taking it over since they are from the area and also have a great deal of retail experience between them,” Les said.

The two have been customers at the store for years and Laurie worked at the Sharbot Lake Country Inn for close to 10 years. Before that, Laurie, her parents and Scott owned and operated the “Loves to Cook” restaurant for eight years in Sharbot Lake before it changed hands and became The Junction. Scott works with the North Frontenac Telephone Company and Laurie will be taking on most of the responsibility at the store, which they are renaming the Godfrey General Store. Both say that they plan to leave things pretty much as they have always been. “We were customers here for a long time and like how the store works, runs and looks so we think we will keep it pretty much the same. We'll just see what people want and take it from there”, Laurie said.

The Loves’ oldest son Keegan will also be working a few shifts. The couple say they are thinking of possibly bringing in a line of hunters’ gear but besides that things will remain pretty much as is. The McGowans want to thank all of their loyal customers whom they have served over the years.