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New owners of iconic business respect Dumoulin's tradition (8 photos)

Customers' love of the outdoors shared by Dan and Line Perrier

Most people choose to live in Northern Ontario because of their love of the outdoors. In Timmins, Dumoulin’s has been serving the men and women who live this Northern lifestyle for more than six decades.

The new owners of the iconic store share this love for the outdoors. They will make sure Dumoulin’s continues to with the tradition of serving its loyal customer base.

For the past 15 years, Dan and Line Perrier have owned and operated D&L Docks on Riverside Drive. They recently purchased Dumoulin’s and will continue to offer residents the best of both businesses.

“They actually called us and let us know they wanted to discuss (selling),” Dan said. “We started negotiations and that’s how it all happened.”

He explained how it made sense to combine the businesses.

“The two really match well together,” he said. “The product lines were different in both locations. Putting both of them together was a great idea.”

D&L specializes in docks and other shoreline products.

“We build wooden docks and we also supply aluminum products and poly products,” Dan said. “So, anything for your shoreline we kind of cover. We custom, we do commercial jobs, industrial docks for mining, a lot of residential and cottage docking. Anything for your dock we have, from accessories to hardware and custom building.”

It is easy to see how the two businesses would have common clients.

“It’s two different products, but serving the same kind of customer,” he said. “Plus, the live bait. You’re stopping in for your fishing gear and your clothing and you’re purchasing dock hardware and your accessories and our recycled plastic furniture. Everything fits well together.”

D&L also brought its locally famous gift shop and home/cottage decor to Dumoulin’s. It is now located in the back of the store.

The couple knows and appreciate how loyal Dumoulin’s customers are.

“Another big reason we wanted to purchase Dumoulin’s is they were a family run business that’s been around for 63 years,” Line said. “We felt that we wanted to continue their heritage with us being on board.

“We are carrying on the product lines from Dumoulin’s, what they’ve had. And it’s the same thing with D&L, what we’ve had for the past 15 years. Neither company is dropping any line. If anything, we are pushing and growing with product lines and employees.

“We are also very fortunate to have the heritage staying with us as their daughter, Theresa, is continuing with us and working hand in hand.”

The feedback they have received from customers has all been positive.

“They didn’t want to see Dumoulin’s disappear,” Dan said. “That was one of our biggest things purchasing Dumoulin’s, keeping it Dumoulin’s. We’re changing a few things, adding some stuff to it, but it’s still Dumoulin’s.

“You walk in, there’s still the live bait, there’s still the clothing, the boots, the fishing gear — nothing about that is changing. That was one the big things for the previous owner. They would have like to see Dumoulin’s continue, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”

The heart of the business will remain helping people enjoy the outdoors in many ways.

“The thing for Timmins, if you don’t love the outdoors, then you’re living in the wrong city,” Line said. “Because that’s what’s Timmins is all about.”

Dumoulin’s is located at 1008 Riverside Dr. in Timmins. It is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit here or Facebook.