When Ahmed Haji purchased the Forwell Super Variety in Heidelberg last year, he heard the store didn’t have a very good reputation in the community.

“A friend from the area told me that people didn’t like that store,” he said. “She told me the prices were too high and that people didn’t like to go their anymore.”

But he wasn’t fazed. Instead, he saw it as an opportunity.

“I felt like it was a good thing, because I could show people that if they give me a chance, they will like what we are doing here. Word of mouth is the biggest thing. Most people who have come into the store have come back again, which is a big plus point for me.”

Having operated the 3 for 10 pizza restaurant in Kitchener for many years, Haji understands the importance of customer service.

“I tell my customers to just give me one chance. If you aren’t comfortable here with me, my family, my employees or the product, please let me know. I will try my best to correct it, and if I cannot I will tell you the genuine reason why I cannot do it.”

Now, he is looking to expand the business by adding a gas bar.

“People tell me that they don’t like having to drive out of the area to get gas,” he said. “Especially in the winter, when the weather is very bad, older people want to be able to fill up close to their homes.”

In fact, some customers have lamented that when they need a couple litres of gas for their lawnmowers or snow blowers, depending on the season, they have to waste several litres of fuel just to get to the station to fill up. Others want a place in town where they can get their coffee and gas in one stop before heading out to work in the morning, he said.

That’s why Haji started the process of having the property on Lobsinger Line just west of Kressler Road re-zoned by Wellesley Township to allow for a gas bar.

There will be a public meeting to discuss the idea on August 19 during the regular meeting at the council chambers in Crosshill.

Township planner Geoff VanderBaaren said information about the proposal will be distributed to community members prior to the public meeting.

VanderBaaren added, “the (gas station) in St. Clements closed a few years ago, so there is nothing real close. I don’t have any particular issue with the use. Some of the details need to get hammered out, in terms of getting vehicles in and out, and the fuel delivery trucks in and out in the best way. But in terms of the location for a gas bar, it seems reasonable to me.”

Haji says the gas bar is just one of the ways he hopes to expand the business. In the future, he wants to add a coffee shop or a pizza restaurant and he may even look into the possibility of adding an LCBO agency store since the St. Clements location closed.

Eldest daughter Noor said she hopes the business will continue to grow because her family enjoys working in Heidelberg.

“The people are very patient here; it’s not like when we had the pizza shop in Kitchener where people always seemed to be in a rush.”

Haji agreed.

“Everyone has been very nice and polite. It is a very nice place to be. Now when I have my children working at the store, I never have to worry about leaving them here, because the customers are so kind.”