Crescent Ridge Services and Stonecrest Engineering are transforming the old Francis Furniture building in Tavistock with a bold vision. Their goal is to support farmers and businesses in advancing to their next phase by designing aesthetically pleasing, highly efficient structures. They are committed to integrating automation, renewable energy, and low-carbon heating solutions, helping businesses enhance their competitiveness while achieving significant operational cost savings.
With 25+ years of experience and service each, both companies saw an opportunity in renovating the historic old Francis Furniture building into offices for them, as well as offering rental space for other companies to call Tavistock home. “We want to revitalize Tavistock.” said Ryan Parton, C.E.T and Co-President of Crescent Ridge Services. They currently have two businesses-a dance studio and a gym- who will provide services from their units, with an eye to space for one more and storage space.
The old Francis Furniture building has seen a lot in her time; she was an office for the war effort, with a history connected to the mill across the road where crate boxes for ammunition were manufactured. She has housed a beloved piece of Tavistock history, with Francis Furniture being opened in 1936 after James Francis purchased the store. James was an exemplary citizen who offered his time to many different organizations, trying to help everyone he could, and offering the small town service that the big box stores can not. And now, she will be the home of two great local businesses who try to have the same outlook as Mr. Francis-to connect with the public and business sectors and provide great service and a hometown vibe.
Both Crescent Ridge and Stonecrest have roots in the Tavistock area, and have enjoyed great success within Oxford County. Crescent Ridge has been in business for 30 years, and has always been local. The view shared by Ryan was that by remaining local, they can offer greater customer service. “Our team is local,” said Ryan, emphasizing that this allows Crescent Ridge the ability to “draw a labour pool from the area who have diverse skills they learned from growing up on a farm. They already know how to use hand tools, and understand what the job will entail.”
Stonecrest Engineering was started in 1995 with the intent to help their clients with changing regulations in agricultural construction.Originally based out of Shakespeare, they are glad to be back closer to home in a small town, after a short stint in Stratford. Stonecrest has many employees who are local as well, and several have practical experience as well as educational experience. Nick Hendry, Owner/President of Stonecrest, noted that being a local company, and being in Tavistock, helps by “being connected to the communities they work in, as well as allowing for reduced commutes for their staff,” and also allows for a “better understanding of their customers and what they are looking for.” He also noted that, “We find that a lot of our employees have an agricultural background, and that experience helps with our work and our connections.” Being local makes a difference!
The gym, Built Fitness, is already open and operating, and the dance studio, Breaking Elements Dance Company, is hoping to open very soon. They offer a space for Tavistock locals to go to get more healthy and active, and classes for kids to express themselves. The remaining space is storefront space, and both Ryan and Nick, as well as partners Bram Van den Heuvel and Ken Gunn, are looking for the right business to join them; a customer facing business that could bring meaningful employment to Tavistock, is service oriented, and shares their vision for the community. When they find it, it will be a wonderful complement to the old Francis building and Tavistock!
