‘Thornes’ store on hold

However, D. Jay Fournier of Acropolis Diversities Group says he is hopeful for the future. In the meantime, he is continuing to serve clients through another business, Atlantis Builder’s Solution, which is now based in Liverpool. The large building, purchased earlier this year, is being used to warehouse polyurethane spray foam insulation and equipment needed for the home construction and renovation business. “There has been a change in the markets and economy in Nova Scotia over the last few months,” Fournier explains, adding he is “curious” about why Nova Scotia is experiencing a downturn while much of the rest of the country is starting to swing upwards again.

He adds, “We’re taking a wait and see attitude as far as the provincial government goes. It’s pretty scary.” He explains that in his opinion, NDP governments have been “historically” unfriendly towards the business community and business in general.

However, he says the new Nova Scotia government hasn’t yet done anything tremendously bad. “Overall, no, we have not seen anything drastic done at this point. We’re hopeful but not optimistic.”

The plans for the Liverpool buildng, vacant for over 10 years, included “a retail business going in the lower level, the optimum word being was.”

The former Northern Alberta resident, who owned and co-owned several businesses in the West, and his family moved to the area because of that province’s oil related boom and bust cycle that was on its way down before the recession hit. In addition, he says the Liverpool area’s quality of life, its people and Nova Scotia’s historically stable economy - even in a recession - drew them here as well. “The beaches, the people… Liverpool looked like a very promising community and we thought it would be a very favourable place to set up roots.”

Even now, he adds, “I have a lot of confidence in Liverpool and the area. We’re still hopeful we’ll be able to open the business on the lower level and finish the development.”

He adds lending institutions seem hesitate about providing credit in the province as well at the moment.

He says the planned retail clothing shop would, and still might, have sold sports wear, men’s, women’s and children’s clothing. He adds he is affiliated with a Euphoria fashion business in Alberta but that it involves multiple partners and in no way reflects what he hopes to establish here, a clothing shop. For example, he says rumours of a Gothic clothing shop are just rumours.

He adds he has nothing negative to say at this point about their decision to move to Liverpool itself. “We really like the location, we like the town, we love the surroundings and for the most part the people are fantastic, incredibly friendly and very welcoming.”

He promises to let the community know about their plans, or new plans, when they are formalized.