LITTLE CURRENT—There have been quite a few changes to the old Little Current Fire Hall over the past couple of years following its decommissioning by the Northeast Town. From automotive detailing under the auspices of Acme Motors, to a popular barbecue stop (Herschel’s), and now, headquarters for a plumbing company.
Matt Stillwaugh, owner of Matt’s Plumbing, is no stranger to Manitoulin having basically lived here since he was a few months old. He and his wife Laurie (nee Strain) own the Whitehaven Cottages fishing resort and he makes no bones about his love for the Island.
Now, the 30-year veteran of the plumbing business is planning on moving the headquarters of his business, currently based in Sudbury, to Manitoulin.
The Expositor caught up with Mr. Stillwaugh while he was busy renovating the hall to better suit his company’s needs.
“We provide a wide range of services,” he said, “from new construction plumbing, residential and commercial, fixtures repairs, drain clearing, drain camera work—just about anything to do with plumbing we do it.”
The company is even lining up to do furnace work, having just hired a G2 gasfitter.
“The plan is to move the whole operation here,” said Mr. Stillwaugh. “It’s just sort of going be a satellite for a while, but it is basically going to be our main headquarters. We’ll use the shop area here to store equipment, excavators, lifts and in the front we plan on putting a small plumbing store for parts a few fixtures, just stuff people can do cash and carry, or they can buy it with the install. We’ll bring everything over, install it for you, or you can take it and install it yourself. Whatever you like.”
“I usually come over a couple of days a week work on the Island right now,” he said. “So I’ll come over on Wednesday night, spend Thursday, Friday and then I’ll head back to Sudbury, but eventually, probably in around March-ish, we’ll have a full-time guy here on the Island. In the meantime, we’ll just commute when we have to.”
“I’m just trying to get back home again,” he laughs. “All of our guys have a huge passion for the outdoors, and they love working over here.” Not only that, but Island customers have a very positive reputation.
“The people over here on Manitoulin are so much more appreciative when we show up,” said Mr. Stillwaugh. “When we say we’re coming, we show up. And if we can’t, for some reason, we let them know.”
Matt’s Plumbing is currently based in Lively and can be reached at (705) 692-9234.
