06/12/2025
I love it when our customers want to tell me all about life in "small town" Ottawa!!! I listen and nod as they share their experiences with our shop, and I laugh internally every time they remind how word travels in "small town" ... 😂😂😂
The inside joke, that only I can appreciate, is that I grew up in a town about half the size of Ottawa, in Alabama. I spent the first 20 years of my life learning small town lessons, and seeing first hand how your reputation and name are the only two things you have in this life that no one can take away from you. Integrity and character were the only things that mattered to my grandparents, who raised me and made sure I grew up to be a man of my word ... nothing else mattered to them, and nothing else matters to me.
I saw the dark side of small town life as well. There are always some who want to gossip and tear down good, hardworking people ... for any/all reasons and/or excuses you can possibly imagine. Perceived slights, jealousy, etc. ... misery loves company, and some people will attempt to tear you down just to make themselves feel better.
Bienie's has been a fixture in Ottawa since 1957. I feel personally responsible to ensure it thrives for at least another 70 years or so, and I'm taking the steps now for long terms success.
If you've heard rumors about the shop's demise, or intentions of new management to sell it for pieces to optimize a return on investment, then you were misinformed. We will be here for quite a while, doing what the shop has always done ... provide superior service at a value to our customers. Have questions/concerns/opinions and want to share them? Drop by the shop at 126 N Poplar ... I'd love to meet you, shake your hand, and look you in the eye for a honest exchange of information. I know that's not very popular these days, as everyone prefers digital communication, but forgive me ... I grew up in a small town. 😉
Steve