- Words by Sandra Jones Photography by Lia Crowe

To say that the pandemic has been and issue for business is like saying the iceberg was a challenge for the Titanic. There is no question that the economic fallout from COVID-19 has been grim. But amid the coronavirus chaos, some businesses have not only thrived but seen a surge in sales in response to changes in consumer behaviour.

For Craig and Rose Little, owners of Arbutus RV, this has been an unprecedented year.

B次元官网网址淲e were enjoying record months in the early part of 2020 and that came crashing to an abrupt halt for about six weeks,B次元官网网址� says Craig. B次元官网网址淚t didnB次元官网网址檛 stop altogether, but sales dropped by 50 per cent.After that, sales went straight up.B次元官网网址�

Fortunately, as the largest full-service recreational vehicle dealer network in the province, Arbutus RV was ready to handle the increased volume.

B次元官网网址淲e always like to carry lots of inventory and we were fortunate to have 840 units on hand when the pandemic hit.B次元官网网址�

Their large inventory has sustained the company as consumersB次元官网网址攔eluctant to fly, yet still eager to travelB次元官网网址攔egarded RVs as the ideal self-contained and safe solution. With units running the gamut from high-end luxury coaches to compact trailers, there are options for every lifestyle and every budget.

Rose says theyB次元官网网址檝e seen a lot of changes to RV amenities over the years.

B次元官网网址淭hey can be a true home on wheels with residential-sized fridges, outdoor kitchens, TVs, home stereo systems with surround sound and fireplaces. We get a lot of feedback from customers who tell us the RVs are nicer than their permanent home.B次元官网网址�

One popular option has been the travel trailer.

B次元官网网址淭he 17- to 30-foot travel trailer is especially appealing to the first-time buyer,B次元官网网址� notes Craig.B次元官网网址淢ost people already have a suitable tow vehicle, for at least the smaller units, so you just need to have a hitch and away you go.B次元官网网址�

And, while those in the boomer generation have long been fans of the RV experience, now millennials are rolling into the market too.

B次元官网网址淓ven before COVID-19, we were seeing a huge interest from young adults who had enjoyed camping as kids with their boomer parents. Now they want to make those same great memories with their own kids.B次元官网网址�

Whether motivated by the pandemic, nostalgia or a love of the great outdoors, customers have been turning to Arbutus RV for more than 32 years. Craig, who opened his first store in Mill Bay after identifying a gap in the marketplace, has exponentially grown the business, adding six additional sales and service stores, stretching from Sidney to Courtenay.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been pretty organic growth,B次元官网网址� says Craig. B次元官网网址淎fter Mill Bay opened, we got a call from an operation in Nanaimo. They had been selling mostly park models and horse trailers and having a hard time making a success of it.We ended up taking over that location and shortly afterwards got approached to buy another dealership in Sidney. So suddenly we ended up with three locations, which wasnB次元官网网址檛 necessarily a well-thought-out plan.B次元官网网址�

But the couple saw the demand was there and went to work to begin building up the infrastructure, systems and team to support the growth.

B次元官网网址淲ith a marketing background, I spearheaded the marketing,B次元官网网址� says Rose, B次元官网网址渨hile Craig was in charge of ordering the product and managing the day-to-day business.B次元官网网址�

As Craig recalls, the early years of growing the company werenB次元官网网址檛 always easy:B次元官网网址淲e worked long hours and I remember doing payroll at one location and staying up all night to get payroll done for the next location. It was challenging but fun.B次元官网网址�

Now all-nighters are a thing of the past but the expansion of this going-places company didnB次元官网网址檛 slow down for long.

B次元官网网址淭here was a bit of a lull in our growth as we made sure the three locations were up and running smoothly,B次元官网网址� says Craig. B次元官网网址淏ut then opportunity knocked again.B次元官网网址�

Rose remembers flying home from Alberta after assessing and ultimately walking away from a business opportunity that didnB次元官网网址檛 seem like a great fit.

B次元官网网址淚 told Craig that IB次元官网网址檇 rather open up another dealership on the island instead.B次元官网网址�

So, when they landed in Comox, Craig had a suggestion.

B次元官网网址淗e said heB次元官网网址檇 had his eye on some property in Courtenay years ago and that we should drive by and take a look. Turns out that property wasnB次元官网网址檛 for sale but the one directly across the street was. If thatB次元官网网址檚 not a sign, I donB次元官网网址檛 know what is,B次元官网网址� laughs Rose.

Two weeks later, they bought the property and as luck would have it, they ultimately bought the original property that Craig had spotted years ago as a way to expand their lot.

The company has since added two more locationsB次元官网网址攐ne in Port Alberni and the most recent acquisition this past September in Parksville.

B次元官网网址淲e want to make sure that our customers can buy their RV in their own community and get it serviced close to home as well,B次元官网网址� says Craig.

Their team has also expanded to keep pace and now includes 150 staff.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e built an awesome team,B次元官网网址� Rose says. B次元官网网址淢any of them have been with us for decades.B次元官网网址�

Employees arenB次元官网网址檛 the only ones who are a committed part of the Arbutus RV operation.

B次元官网网址淲e were at our Parksville location and one of our customers told me they were delighted to see us at the new location as they had purchased five RVs from us over the years,B次元官网网址� says Rose. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 also not uncommon to meet people who are the second and even third generations of a family who keep coming back. We love that!B次元官网网址�

On an island that is seeing significant population growth, the Littles see a clear road ahead.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e so blessed to have this natural setting and so many opportunities for adventure in the most marvellous climate in Canada. Even though some people started RVing this year because of the pandemic, IB次元官网网址檓 pretty sure theyB次元官网网址檒l get hooked on the lifestyle.B次元官网网址�

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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