Happy Valentines, Birthdays and our 45 th year of business.

The weather was beautiful at the beginning of February, and I was able to take a brief walk this afternoon as the sun returned... Seems people are happier when the sun shines.

As usual February is still a quiet month, and I have spent time catching up on all the bookkeeping and writing letters thanking all those we appreciate. It seems when my birthday comes around, February 11, I tend to reminisce of years gone back, and this year I was thinking of my first memories of our company Pete's Tent and Awning Ltd.

This company is 45 years old in October of 2012. So when it started I was all of 4 years old... and my first memories of were walking up the drive way to the "shop" (our converted garage) to say good night to my dad as he worked late on his current project. Back then he and mom sewed what ever they could obtain.. furniture in the winter, marine canvas in the spring, summer and fall. There has been a constant evolution of what we produce here, and it is never boring, and always rewarding to see a quality product being installed, delivered, or picked up by the customer.

Current times are helping us evolve as we search and research new products and new services that Pete's Tent and Awning can do to improve the lives of our customers, and improve our sustainability. Keep in touch, and we will continue to update you as we move forward.

And please don't hold back, suggestions and ideas are always welcome.

Barb

used victoria ads -- specials on repairs

It seems I can find the time to write a blog, once I have lost my voice to the flu/cold that I contacted. Posted a new ad on Used Victoria under the boat sections and hope to do more each day

As it is we are still lounging through January and hoping that we can motivate customers to think ahead of the game!!!! Time now to see about getting all your canvas repairs done, great prices on fabrics and Labour!!! we love to be busy.

You may also consider doing your awning work at this time of year the suppliers are about to increase their fabrics in late February so if you order now the price will be better.

Thanks for all you business, we are grateful for our many loyal customers.

Well, I think that it is more than about time for Pete's to jump on the social media band wagon. Today I spent about 1 hours doing ads for Craiglist- still need to post them all, but our Facebook page has our Log Carriers on the page, and they are also linked to our website.

Got a great complement from a company in Vancouver that I am working on a project with. The contact stated that he had looked us up on our website, and for a home made site it is pretty good.

He encouraged me to use more and more videos, which is what I plan to do. I will apolgize in advance that the quality isn't the best, but it has been great that individuals have been commenting on the website this year.

If you are in Victoria, have a great snow day!!! I am spending time writing and brainstorming new ventures that can ensure Pete's survives the economic state of 2012.

Two clear lanes of traffic. Great summer prices updated

Two clear lanes of traffic. Great summer prices

As usual with Victoria weather the summer has been a changing weather pattern all of June and July... August however looks to be a scorcher!!! and in the awning business that is the best news. To all of you looking to put off your shade comfort until next year (since this summer is short) we encourage you to check out prices this year, since we have kept the same prices since 2009!!! and I doubt that 2012 will remain the same...So give us a call and we will get you best deal possible.


Traffic and beautiful View Royal. It has been great to not be interrupted with Blasting, feeling dirty from the construction and having 2 way traffic....it's amazing how quickly you seem to recover. Hopefully the upcoming months will see increased vehicle, bike and pedestrian traffic to all of the businesses along our road. Thank you so very much to the many, many customers that weathered the inconvenience and took time to place their order drop off and pick up items.. We really appreciate it.

As for life at Pete's Tent and Awning, as usual our great staff carry us along, caring about customers and each other. As my position of manager this was really put to the test when I took the first July vacation in my 20 plus years at Pete's, since July is really the best sales month it took lots of prep and everyone taking on extra responsibilities to let me out of the country off to Europe and then to the World Gymnaestrada in Lausanne, Switzerland....and it was amazing... you can check it out on the website http://www.wg-2011.com/en/about-us/presentation.html.

And yet again like so many manufacturing and custom making operations we diversifed our product lines and opportunities for more industrial work and lots of repairs and services to our customer. Do check out our online store, that you can email and phone about products and which we can ship to you. We plan to have pay pal set up soon and look forward to helping you keep your products for years and years with the repair, cleaners, and protective products available... soon too we will be posting lots about trailer awnings, especially for the boler and trillum trailers out there.

Keep posted on the website specials.

CHOICES, CHOICES, CHOICES

Here are a few hints when you are looking at purchasing an awning:

Style
What purpose does the awning have? To catch your eye? Protect from sun and rain? Increase your privacy? Do you want it to be able to retract? Will you be sitting under it?

Fabrics
First consider whether you want canvas or vinyl; the appearance is different and both are great quality. Homes typically use canvas, commercial uses both. Maintenance is often a factor in the choice. Smooth finish vinyl is easiest to clean. Flat finish vinyl and canvas (acrylic) require a bit more time. All have excellent warranties.

Colors
Are you planning to use existing colors from your business? Do they complement the area and enhance the look of the building? Remember that light vinyl colors (white, cream, yellow, grey) will allow light to transmit through while they shade, making it less dark underneath than darker colors (blue, green, purple, dark grey). All colors allow shade but many make it bright underneath. The majority of vinyl fabrics have an underside of white. The acrylic canvases have the same color on both sides. In the case of acrylic, stripes with light and dark colors allow light to transmit through.

Framework
Awning frames are typically welded aluminum or extruded aluminum. The framework is ground and painted at the welds to hide the blackness of welding. An option for the framework is to be powder coated and it is included on any awning that the ends are open. This keeps the frames looking better over time.

Warranty
Fabric manufacturers have fabric warranties from 3 – 10 years. Awning suppliers vary from 3 to 10 years… always check your warranty and inquire as to who will pay for the labour if the fabric must be replaced under warranty.

Two clear lanes of traffic. Great summer prices

As usual with Victoria weather the summer has been a changing weather pattern all of June and July... August however looks to be a scorcher!!! and in the awning business that is the best news. To all of you looking to put off your shade comfort until next year (since this summer is short) we encourage you to check out prices this year, since we have kept the same prices since 2009!!! and I doubt that 2012 will remain the same...So give us a call and we will get you best deal possible.


Traffic and beautiful View Royal. It has been great to not be interrupted with Blasting, feeling dirty from the construction and having 2 way traffic....it's amazing how quickly you seem to recover. Hopefully the upcoming months will see increased vehicle, bike and pedestrian traffic to all of the businesses along our road. Thank you so very much to the many, many customers that weathered the inconvenience and took time to place their order drop off and pick up items.. We really appreciate it.

As for life at Pete's Tent and Awning, as usual our great staff carry us along, caring about customers and each other. As my position of manager this was really put to the test when I took the first July vacation in my 20 plus years at Pete's, since July is really the best sales month it took lots of prep and everyone taking on extra responsibilities to let me out of the country off to Europe and then to the World Gymnaestrada in Lausanne, Switzerland....and it was amazing... you can check it out on the website http://www.wg-2011.com/en/about-us/presentation.html.

And yet again like so many manufacturing and custom making operations we diversifed our product lines and opportunities for more industrial work and lots of repairs and services to our customer. Do check out our online store, that you can email and phone about products and which we can ship to you. We plan to have pay pal set up soon and look forward to helping you keep your products for years and years with the repair, cleaners, and protective products available... soon too we will be posting lots about trailer awnings, especially for the boler and trillum trailers out there.

Keep posted on the website specials.

Remember we do in home estimates, so you don't have to be frustrated by the road construction

Wow, it has been way to long since I wrote a blog post... My apologies, unfortunately I have added a few extra hats to my daily activities due to the Island Highway Improvement Construction. As well as business owner, I am now organizing parking, traffic control, weekly meetings to discuss the construction and so on. As the construction is looking to end soon, and we have some summer staff, I intend to write more often, and plan to give info and ideas for awnings, and other products for your home and business.

Courtney has been working full time for a month now, and she is really pushing me and all of us to get more organized with systems and efficency around the shop. Our price books have been update, no real increases, just ensuring that information is available for your questions. As well she has upleveled her own abilities by improving our website, which I find very exciting.

Check out the video, of my voice and photos of a welded frame awning on the home page...and we plan to put together alot of those this summer.. As well we have added more photos, and info to help you with your questions and inquiries, and please do call, because its been quiet and we love to hear the customers voice.

As well Courtney has organized many more photos of different work, as well you can look at our retail stock photos and prices at the online ordering page.... its not yet perfect but definitely a start. Let us know if there is something we can help you with, and we will do our best to price it, or get you in touch with someone who can help

Enjoy the Spring, and Summer....and I will blogger sooner than last time.