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Big changes coming for Our Driving School and Great Lakes Honda

The two businesses will be expanding and relocating

NEWS RELEASE
GREAT LAKES HONDA
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Our Driving School (ODS) is operating under new ownership. Kent and Francine Floreani purchased Our Driving School in early 2018, and they have big plans for the business, beginning with a brand-new building and new location.

The new building will be located at 423 Pim St., as part of the expansion of the automotive detailing services at Great Lakes Honda. This building will house four detailing bays and a wash bay station. With the expansion, customers can expect appointment availability more readily, quality service and a first-class auto detailing experience.

“We want to offer our clients quality and affordable detailing packages. Each detailing bay will be equipped with the best equipment as well as hydraulic hoists, a first in Sault Ste. Marie. The hoists will allow the detailing technicians to work in a better ergonomic environment, which is important for my employees. The new building will also be power-assisted by vertical solar panels, manufactured locally and will feature a charging station for electric cars. We are being progressive and looking at the future for being environmentally responsible,” said Francine Floreani, about the automotive detailing expansion at Great Lakes Honda.

David Ellis (Architect), David Ruscio (president of Ruscio Masonry and Construction LTD.), Victor Lampinen (general contractor at Ruscio Masonry and Construction LTD.) and a team of their skilled workers are working on constructing a state-of-the-art building, with a modern design and sleek style.

“Any business, regardless of industry, is about the people and how you serve them. In business, we’re always thinking ahead and working to improve our customer experience. We recognized a need for detailing services at Great Lakes Honda and knew that we also needed to create a fun, interactive and vibrant learning space for the students at Our Driving School. It made sense to build a new facility that would house both the expansion of Great Lakes Honda and the driving school. We like to think of ourselves as leaders in our industries, continually looking for opportunities to improve,” said Francine Floreani, Our Driving School owner and dealer principal of Great Lakes Honda.

Dr. Floreani added this about purchasing the driving school: “We aim to create a fun and energetic atmosphere with happy and satisfied customers, in all of our businesses. The purchase of Our Driving School was a natural progression for myself and Francine. With our combined experience in working with the youth of Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding area for the past 25 years, and our recent experience in the automotive industry, we are equipped with the knowledge and know-how, to make Our Driving School the fun place to learn and drive.”

Francine had this to say about what students can expect: “I am thrilled to offer future Our Driving School students a fantastic learning environment and fun atmosphere with this brand-new building! The new building will have plenty of space with an amphitheatre-style classroom and new equipment.”

Some of the courses offered at Our Driving School, include the Beginner Driver Education Course, Skill Builders Program, Defensive Driving Course, Beginner and Senior Refresher Lessons, and Private Lessons.

“We purchased a fleet of four brand-new Honda Fit vehicles for the in-car driving lessons and have also recently added a 2003 Volkswagen Convertible Beetle (Converti-beetle) too! We brought in the Beetle as a fun car for students to drive in the summer months,” said Francine.

The new building is projected to be completed later this year.

For general inquiries about the new building and location, please email [email protected] or call (705) 253-0929.

For general inquiries about the expansion of the Great Lakes Honda Service Department, please email [email protected] or call (705) 949-7222.

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