Downtown businesses thrive through the ages.

• Author: Stewart, Nick
• Position: SPECIAL REPORT: NORTH BAY

While North Bay's proposed waterfront development is expected to help revitalize the downtown core, two business families with nearly a century of downtown involvement have already unlocked their own secrets to long-term success.

Small independent businesses need to make use of their advantages over big box and chain stores, Bob Alger, owner of Alger's Furniture and Appliances, says.

He would know. In 1912, his grandfather established Alger's Electric Supply Company downtown, where it ran through 1986, when Alger established his own business. He now works alongside his two sons, ensuring the family legacy lives on.

Without having the constraints of having to cater to a larger corporate master, smaller stores have more flexibility to offer unique products or individual items which can be specially brought in for specific local tastes, Alger says.

As another businessman with downtown business connections dating back nearly a century, Gerry Lefebvre of Lefebvre's Source for Adventure agrees.

"We have to give people a reason to shop with us, and one such reason is to sell unique, better quality goods," Lefebvre says.

"You have to give them something that's different, be it the latest in sandals or tents or what-have-you. It can be more expensive, but sometimes that's what you have to do to make sure you're selling something good."

This isn't to say missteps can't be made, or that recovery from difficult times is impossible. With Maytag having spread their product beyond independent stores such as his and into large retail chains, Alger decided to get out of the furniture business to focus on appliances for nearly two years. The effects were disastrous, leading him to lose $80,000 in that time and forcing him to restructure his efforts.

Since reinstating furniture sales and leveraging his strengths, business has grown such that he's been able to scale back on advertising.

As one step on the path to success, Alger points to the power of networking, which he says is often overlooked by smaller companies.

"For the longest time, I thought 'Who needs the old boys' club?' But I came to realize that it's important to be involved with other people in the community, and we've definitely become more visible through the Downtown Improvement Association. It's made a big difference."

Lefebvre also believes in the advantages of branching out. In the interests of keeping competitive with the...