(continued from Lee Valley Interview, part I)
Following my interview with Robin Lee, President of Lee Valley, I took my Canadian Film Crew with me as I headed to my “local” Lee Valley Store, which is just an hour away, for my very first public appearance as MsDebbieP, the Canadian LumberJock.
The weather was the hottest that we’ve had all summer and, boy oh boy, was the hat and coat ever hot! 
Inside, Don Riley, the store manager, gave me a tour, starting with the warehouse area in the back. Oh my – a woodworker’s heaven – row after row of resources! It was like being a kid in a candy store.

Next, Mr. Riley showed me the plane that Lee Valley donated to our Summer Woodworking Awards event – the Low Angle Jack Plane. What a beauty. The honoured recipient will be smiling when their prize arrives. (Thanks again for this generous donation.)
We also looked at the wood-turning tools…..

… and their display of hinges (notice the number 5 on the display—there are LOTS of hinges!)

Next, we checked out the selection of specialty woods just waiting to be turned into pieces of wood art. I couldn’t help but envision the future pens waiting to be created.

The London store (that’s London Ontario, Canada) has the fame of being Lee Valley's smallest of stores, although they seemed to manage to squeeze a lot of products into their space. Mr. Riley and the other staff were very excited to hear that Mr. Lee had told me during our interview that they would be moving. They weren’t quite as happy to hear that it wouldn’t be right away. Mr. Riley said with a smile, “the sooner the better. Maybe a Christmas present?”
I’d like to again thank Mr. Lee as well as Mr. Riley and the rest of the Lee Valley staff for their hospitality. It was indeed an honour to meet them (on the phone and in person) as well as have the privilege of touring their warehouse.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)























23 comments so far
PanamaJack
home | projects | blog
4453 posts in 483 days
posted 355 days ago
You are one HOT lady Debbie!
Cool Interview/visit Debbie.
-- Carpe Lignum - Seize The Wood,
Bill
home | projects | blog
2508 posts in 567 days
posted 355 days ago
Well done Debbie. Thanks for making that sacrifice in the name of journalism (the hat and coat in summer). A great story both parts!
-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
11040 posts in 566 days
posted 355 days ago
thanks P.J. and Bill.
I’m thinking about submitting a “danger pay” bill to Martin! haha it was HOT.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Bill
home | projects | blog
2508 posts in 567 days
posted 355 days ago
Well maybe Martin has been brewing some LJ Tea in the back to help you cool off. Or LJ lemonaide?
-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
11040 posts in 566 days
posted 355 days ago
oooh lemonade would be good! I did see some wonderful kitchen gadgets at the store when I was there…. hmmm I wonder if they have a lemon squeezer??
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Don
home | projects | blog
2586 posts in 582 days
posted 355 days ago
MsDebbieP, you’ve come a long way, Baby!
-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
11040 posts in 566 days
posted 355 days ago
it sure has been a fascinating journey, Don.
this interview was very informative, in a variety of ways. I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to do it.
I’m definitely going to be looking at lathes in a new way, that’s for sure.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Karson
home | projects | blog
12000 posts in 806 days
posted 355 days ago
Great tour Debbie. nad thanks for sharing it.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
Splinters
home | projects | blog
131 posts in 589 days
posted 355 days ago
Tks for sharing Debbie…looks like there is a store in Calgary…I might just have to take a road trip..lol
-- Splinters - Living and Loving life in the Rockies - http://www.splinterswoodworks.com/
mot
home | projects | blog
4830 posts in 442 days
posted 355 days ago
I saw a set of legs and some tools that looked familiar…I didn’t really pay attention.
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
11040 posts in 566 days
posted 354 days ago
you didn’t pay attention, Tom??? you still living on the dark side?
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Sawhorse
home | projects | blog
270 posts in 846 days
posted 354 days ago
You the WOman!!!! MsDebbie….
-- Sawhorse - Sulphur Springs, TX - www.sawhorseworkshop.com
Zuki
home | projects | blog
676 posts in 483 days
posted 354 days ago
I love LV. We do not have one here in NL but there is one in Nova Scotia . . . and I believe work will be bringing me there this fall. I cant wait.
Oh . . . great job Ms D.
-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
11040 posts in 566 days
posted 353 days ago
Thanks Sawhorse, Zuki.
Zuki, lucky you! It is nice to be able to see products in person. Of course, touching the plane did have a magical effect on me—it was kind of like this force took over me and a voice said, “buy me.. buy me.. buy me.” I’ve never used a plane before but it felt so nice!!
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Jeff
home | projects | blog
945 posts in 499 days
posted 353 days ago
Thanks for this series Debbie. I’m sure Mr. Lee appreciated the time spent with you equally. You are as good an ambassador for LumberJocks as he is a customer service-minded company leader.
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
11040 posts in 566 days
posted 353 days ago
Thanks, Jeff.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Drew1House
home | projects | blog
420 posts in 493 days
posted 353 days ago
fun post Debbie…
Drew
-- Drew, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Jiri Parkman
home | projects | blog
534 posts in 218 days
posted 173 days ago
Nice blog.
-- Jiri
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
11040 posts in 566 days
posted 173 days ago
thanks :)
It was fascinating.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
EdC
home | projects | blog
415 posts in 246 days
posted 54 days ago
Did Mr. Lee happen to say anything about opening any stores in the US?????
-- Ed Collinge- Edmonds, WA.
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
11040 posts in 566 days
posted 54 days ago
no he didn’t… he just mentioned one for British Columbia
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
GaryK
home | projects | blog
8274 posts in 394 days
posted 54 days ago
Great write-up Debbie!
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
11040 posts in 566 days
posted 53 days ago
Thanks Gary
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)