Avery Audio

Dorset may be a small lakeside hamlet on the northern borders of the Haliburton Highlands, but it is a hotbed of economic and business innovation. One of the best displays of creative business management is Avery Audio, which is located on Dorset’s main street.

Avery Audio was opened in the late 1980s by Jeff Avery primarily as an electronics outlet and video rental store. In 2003 the business was bought byLaura alker, Fred Heinzler, and Dale Webb. From the moment the trio took over, they have adopted a policy of innovation, and have drastically expanded the scope of the business.

“This store was originally about electronics and video rentals,” Heinzler said. “Now we do a lot more. We do custom electronics installations for cottages and homes. This means we wire houses for their electronics before the walls are even built. We work from the blue print to the finished product, and outfit houses with all the audio and video electronics they need.”

Avery Audio consults with the homeowner before the construction even begins to arrive at a system that meets all of the clients needs. After the system is installed they continue to work with the homeowner to ensure on going satisfaction. “We’re able to offer far more personalized customer service than the bigger businesses in the city,” Walker said.

Avery Audio now offers a wide variety of products. This includes big screen televisions, top of the line speakers, home theater systems, satellite TV, DVD rentals, and DVD players. They are also very committed to expanding high-speed internet access in the Haliburton Highlands. “When people come up to the cottage, they often want to check their emails,” Walker said. “The simple fact is, the better internet access people have at the cottage, the more time they’ll spend in the Haliburton Highlands.” Avery Audio offers a number of internet solutions. They have cellular phone boosters, which increase signal strength and allow internet ‘rocket sticks’ to work faster. They’re also working with a local telecommunications company to erect another cell phone tower in the area.

While electronics continues to be a primary focus for Avery Audio, there has also been a great deal of diversification in recent years. Walker, Heinzler, and Webb and determined to make the store a ‘one stop shop.’ “Time is limited for cottagers,” Walker said. “They want to spend their time on the dock or in the boat. When they come into town they want to get what they need efficiently, so we try to provide them with all their needs.” Avery Audio thus offers appliances such as washing machines and dryers, and has even expanded into hot tubs.

Walker, Heinzler, and Webb have long realized that men are often more interested in shopping for electronics than women are. In an attempt to provide women shoppers with a more fulfilling experience, they opened the Loft Gallery in the space above the store three years ago. “We thought an art gallery would be great for customers to visit while their partner was shopping for electronics,” Walker said. “But we also saw other benefits. There are many talented artists in the area, and we wanted to provide them with a venue to show their work in Dorset. It helps to make the community a cultural hub, and the gallery acts as a meeting space.”

At the moment the Loft Gallery displays the work of 15 local artists. The Loft Gallery works with the Arts Council ~ Haliburton Highlands, and hosts numerous events, wine tastings, and informal gatherings.

Since buying Avery Audio in 2003 Walker, Heinzler, and Webb have transformed the business in a myriad of ways. They offer a variety of products that rival urban competitors, and combine it with service that cannot be beat. They have proven that the Haliburton Highlands are not only an ideal place to operate a business, but also a great location for innovative and creative business practices.