The Situation
The business was growing, but the workspace could no longer keep up. The client operated a custom furniture business out of an 1,800 SF leased unit that he’d since outgrown. He needed space to expand his operations and begin investing in a property of his own instead of continuing to pay rent. The challenge was finding a property that fit both his business needs and financial goals.
The Approach
The right opportunity doesn’t always appear right away. Maven guided the client through market opportunities in Barrie and surrounding municipalities, reviewing both existing industrial buildings and vacant land options for a custom-built workshop. While pursuing land opportunities, rising costs, development timelines, and pricing challenges made it difficult to move forward confidently. Barrie’s high price-per-square-foot also pushed available ownership options outside the client’s approved budget, without adding extra benefits of being inside the city bounds.
The Strategy
Sometimes the best deals are the ones that aren’t listed. Through industry connections, the client learned about a custom workshop in Moonstone that was being underutilized and might be available for sale. Maven guided the client through a direct off-market offer, creating an opportunity that aligned with the client’s business goals, operational needs, and long-term vision.
The Execution and Results
Doing things the right way made all the difference. After reaching an accepted agreement, the buyer faced one final challenge: the property’s zoning did not officially permit the intended use, despite the property having previously operated that way. Committed to doing things the right way, the buyer navigated the zoning bylaw amendment process and successfully received approval. Today, the client has a property that supports the future growth of his business, provides long-term ownership investment stability, and allows him to continue offering his quality custom workmanship here in Simcoe County.
