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Northern Vinyl owner retiring, but Canton store to remain open as second SummerHaven location

Posted 6/16/16

By CRAIG FREILICH CANTON -- The owner of Northern Vinyl, 6821 US Rt. 11 is going to retire, but the store will remain open as a SummerHaven Pool, Hearth and Spa outlet. “I’ve been in the retail …

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Northern Vinyl owner retiring, but Canton store to remain open as second SummerHaven location

Posted

By CRAIG FREILICH

CANTON -- The owner of Northern Vinyl, 6821 US Rt. 11 is going to retire, but the store will remain open as a SummerHaven Pool, Hearth and Spa outlet.

“I’ve been in the retail business for 54 years. It’s time to retire,” said owner Neil St. Andrews.

Northern Vinyl originated in Potsdam as a home improvement company selling and installing vinyl siding, vinyl replacement windows, roofing, garages and home additions. In 1985, owner St. Andrews moved Northern Vinyl to its current location between Canton and Potsdam on Route 11. The move allowed the company to expand its retail sales to include the sale and installation of carpet and vinyl flooring, along with swimming pools, spas, hot tubs and related products.

The new location also allowed for the addition of four self-storage buildings to be included in the expansion of the business.

Over the years, Northern Vinyl has experienced and survived good years and bad, depending on economic conditions, St. Andrews said. During many of the good years, more than 40 people were employed at any one time.

He believes the purchase of the business by the Bicknell family is a good fit.

The Rt. 11 store will be the second SummerHaven location, now in addition to the Bicknell’s first SummerHaven on State Rt. 56 north of Potsdam.

“A strong sense of customer service has always been the strength of the company to which we credit the many years of strong community support,” St. Andrews said in a news release.

“The years of operation have been very rewarding and as difficult as it is to say ‘good bye,’ it is time for retirement!” he said.

“We go to Florida in the winter and spend the summer at Higley Flow, and that’s the plan.”

St. Andrews said he was grateful to the customers he has come to know over the years.