Tradition & Transformation

Ginny Trousdale wanted to continue the successful history of Trousdale’s General Store, a 171-year old cornerstone of Sydenham’s retail heritage. She turned to the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (Frontenac CFDC) to help her meet the challenges of adapting the business to the new century, while retaining the vintage features of the store. The Frontenac CFDC is a non-profit organization funded by Industry Canada, offering free business advice, work-shops and commercial financing to entrepreneurs and those looking to start a business in the Frontenacs. As Ginny says, “The Frontenac CFDC provided me with the business advice I was seeking and the support I needed to rebuild and revitalize a family business. With their help I was able make essential upgrades to the store.” The new awnings and windows she purchased with the assistance of the Eastern Ontario Development Program – a $10 million CFDC-led program to grow rural Eastern Ontario communities – helped to modernize and, at the same time, preserve the store’s historic character. Ginny’s project is already seeing results: Her store was awarded the 2007 Land O’Lakes Tourist Association’s Marketing Vision Award. To find out more about realizing your business dream, call the Frontenac CFDC at (613) 372-1414 or e-mail info@frontenaccfdc.com.