We have to go back to 1909 in the small town of Welland, Ontario (Canada) to find the roots of Leon’s furniture stores. Founder by Ablan Leon, named at first the A. Leon Company was back in time a general merchandise store. And believe it or not, the company (now Leon’s Furniture Limited) continues to be run by the Leon family with over 10,000 employees throughout Canada within a network of corporate and franchise stores.
But before 1909, Alban Leon, who left Lebanon (back in time Lebanon was named differently), travels first to South American and then the United Stated before choosing Welland in Ontario, Canada as his hometown. At first, he started by selling clothing with a suitcase going door-to-door. After saving enough money, he bough a small building to establish The A. Leon Company to sell shoes, pants, blankets, linens and other goods.
Some time after the business was on track, the young Ablan went back to the native land and married Lena. In Welland, they had a beautiful family of 11 children. As the children grew, they all worked in the store on different tasks such as sweeping the floors, washing the windows or dusting the furniture.
To be continued.