Dave Nichol created No Name concept

Long-time Leaside resident Ian Slack and his wonderful wife SueEllen will be fondly remembered by those who were their neighbors both on Airdrie Road and later at 2 Donlea Drive. Ian has written from his retirement home to tell us an entertaining story about the late Loblaws retailing genius Dave Nichol who died earlier this week. Nichol was known to be a perfectionist and Ian witnessed this quality during an assignment at the launch of the No Name line in the 80s. He was there at a Loblaws store with a cameraman whose name will be protected. Nichol wanted everything perfect and when he saw a display wasn’t up to snuff he simply walked away and staff had to rush in to make it right. Then Nichol would re-appear and begin his spiel about whatever line was on the table, Ian recalls. Nichol’s demonstrations contained displays of the No Name items next to well known brands. In one display, the price of the brand name ketchup was lower than the No Name. It seemed odd so Slack asked Nichol if in some cases consumers would have to pay more for the No Name brand. Nichol looked at the prices and without a word turned and walked away. The crew came running out and changed the prices so that the brand name ketchup cost more. The Brand name in fact cost more but a staffer had priced it wrong. Nichol returned to continue the interview but before Ian could ask a question his cameraman blurted out an appalling insult. “You’re attitude sucks,” he told the chief executive. Stunned and horrified Slack could only watch as once again Nichol walked away. Five minute later he returned and Slack was full of apologies for his cameraman’s insane behaviour. As he tried to make amends Ian’s phone started ringing. It was the news director asking “What the Hell is going on there?” Needless to say, Nichol had complained about the cameraman, something that doesn’t seem too unreasonable. As Ian tells it, he finished the interview as quickly as possible and made a run for the door. The cameraman was suspended for three days for his odd and untimely outburst. No word on the staffer who made the pricing error but we can only imagine.

A man from China’s Fujian province has had a new nose grown on his forehead following a traffic accident last year. The 22-year-old man suffered severe nasal trauma and his subsequent treatment caused his nasal cartilage to corrode. Surgeons came up with the idea of growing a nose on his forehead. The nose was created by placing a skin tissue expander onto Xiaolian’s forehead. This was cut into the shape of a nose and was supported by cartilage taken from the man’s ribs. Surgeons say that the nose has developed well and that the transplant surgery will be carried out soon. 

It’s only accurate to call Dave Nichol a food retailing genius. Nichol created the private-line concept in Canada and was responsible for household terms ranging from President’s Choice to The Insider’s Report to the entire “Memories of…” line of products. He was a dynamo who expected high performance from staff and ultimately fell out with his employer, Loblaw, over money. Nichols died Sunday at the age of 73.  No cause of death was given. The Chatham, Ont., native appeared in television ads for Loblaws in the 80s and 90s, pitching products and promotions of all types. Nichol joined Loblaws in 1972 and held various roles with the company, including president of Loblaw Supermarkets and head of the product development team. Many of the products Nichol is responsible for remain popular, including the Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie A statement from Loblaw Companies Limited praised Nichol as an innovative marketer who left a lasting mark on the company. “We are deeply saddened and our thoughts and prayers go out to Dave’s family,” said chairman Galen G. Weston. “Dave’s passion for food and his vision helped to transform the way Canadians eat, and he has left a tremendous legacy that endures in the company today. He will be missed by all who had the opportunity to work with him and benefit from his guidance and friendship.”

Click picture to see Fickr gallery and slide show

The Leaside Wildcats fought to a come-from-behind 2-2 overtime tie against the hometown Rivulettes in Cambridge Friday, September 20, 2013. It was the Wildcats Provincial Womens Hockey League season opener. They will be looking to take it all in their home opener this Friday, September 27, at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.  It sounds funny but that’s upstairs over the Loblaws at Carlton and Church. (You know how to get there). Our Wildcats will test the Southwest Wildcats.  The next home game for Leaside will be at Angela James Arena, 165 Grenoble Dr. in Flemingdon Park on Saturday, Oct. 5, 5:30 p.m. against Whitby. On Sunday, Oct. 6 there will no doubt be a huge turnout to watch the Wildcats crack a bottle of champagne (we’re hoping) on the net to christen the second ice pad at Leaside Arena. It is known officially as the Bert F. Grant rink  after the late local builder and businessman. Check standings at the PWHL site

Sleuth of Baker Street,  907 Millwood Rd. at Sutherland Ave., has news of two prominent Canadian authors. Montrealer Louise Penny has provided Sleuth with signed copies of her latest Chief Inspector Gamache novel, suitable for gift-giving. The novel is titled  How the Light Gets In (Minotaur, $29.99). We’re told the signed stock is limited, so you should order soon. Peter Robinson will visit the shop on Thursday, October 3 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. He will report on the latest Inspector Banks novel, Children of the Revolution (McClelland and Stewart, $29.95). Everyone is of course invited to come meet the congenial Dr. Robinson. He has been the subject of a previous post here. If you can’t make it, Sleuth suggests you can still get a signed copy by calling in an order soonest at (416) 483-3111