Sports – SQM Pick

Tag Archives: Sports

A Nostalgic Pastime of Mine

September 16, 2020David Lipton Comment

As mentioned in a recent post of mine, many years ago, in my younger days, like many teenagers, I often went to arcades to play either pinball or video games.

When I was in my 20’s, I was over at a friend’s apartment, and much to my surprise he had bought a full-sized video game, known as Space Invaders. Since this was the first video game I ever played, I was feeling a touch of nostalgia, so he directed me to the company, where I too bought one. After being bit by the bug, a couple of years later I added to my big boy toys, when I purchased my favourite pinball machine. Bobby Orr Powerplay.

At the time when I made the initial purchase, I was introduced to a woman by the name of Dallas, who was the owner of a company known as Toronto Coin Machine Exchange, also known as The Original Pinball Exchange Club. Dallas and her husband run the company that sells, services, and repairs various pinball and video machines. The company is based in Hamilton, but they work all over both the GTA as well as Ontario.

Over the years, I’ve kept in touch with Dallas, and every so often, I think about buying another machine (presently I have my eyes on adding a Dome Hockey game to my collection. In the meantime, I enjoy my two machines, and they are near and dear to my heart.

In more recent times, one of the machines was damaged during a move, but Dallas and Toronto Coin came to the rescue. Not only did they help repair the machine, but they performed maintenance that was long overdue. The machine is now back up and running, and I’m having as much fun with it now as I did when I first bought it 20 years ago.

When I mention to others that I own these machines, I’ve been surprised to find out that many others also have games in their basements, and enjoy playing them for hours on end. Some parents feel that they not only keep the kids occupied, but they enjoy both knowing that their kids and their friends are having fun, but also that they know where they are and close by. In addition, given that a lot of people are cooped up, inside, and looking for some different activities. you just may want to consider adding these toys to your household. They aren’t overly expensive and you’ll be surprised at all the fun you and the family can have.

If you’re ever looking for a video game, pinball machine, jukebox or in need of repairs to one that you already own. don’t hesitate to reach out to Toronto Coin.

Toronto Coin Machine Exchange
http://www.pinballexchange.com/
416-789-1806

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A Blast from the Past

August 12, 2020David Lipton Comment

This post will be something a little different, but I’m always trying to give a shout-out to businesses that offer great service.

Not everyone knows, but many years ago, maybe due to nostalgia or trying to hold onto some of my youth, I bought a full-sized Space Invaders video game and a full-sized Bobby Orr pinball machine. At the time I purchased the machines I was still living at home, so my business partner put up with my nonsense and allowed me to keep them in the boardroom.

Just to take things to the next level, I reached out to Bobby Orr, himself, and asked if he could possibly come by my office to autograph the pinball machine. Much to my delight, he said the next time he was coming to Toronto, he would stop by my office. A couple months later, all of a sudden, my receptionist comes into my office saying that there was a Bobby Orr here to see me (as an aside, the receptionist was much younger, and had no idea who Bobby Orr was). I immediately came out of my office, greeted him, and took him into the board room where he signed both the playing surface and side of the pinball machine.

A few years later, when we ended up moving offices, I needed to come up with a place for the two machines to go and took up a family member’s offer to store them in an area of their building that was unused.

Fast-forward to the present day, and I was told by my relatives that I had to move the machines as they were going to be renting out the space. When I came by to move the machines, my heart sank. Even though I had left them well protected, unbeknownst to me someone else moved them to a different room and the glass artwork (the main front panel is known as the back glass) of the Bobby Orr pinball machine had been broken into about 15 different pieces. This machine was about 40 years old and I was at a loss as to how I could possibly fix it.

I started doing some research and learned a heck of a lot more than I ever knew about pinball machines (look forward to another blog about this). After searching all over North America. I was directed to a place in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia called Classic Playfield Reproductions. Upon doing some more digging, I discovered they have the licensing rights to reproduce the various parts of a pinball machine (including the backglass artwork). Talk about a niche market!.

I reached out to them by email, got a very quick reply, and seeing how I was in Canada, they did me a favour and reduced the cost which was originally in US dollars. I placed my order online and not three to four days later, a UPS package arrived and very tightly, carefully, and safely packaged inside, was the back glass for my pinball machine.

I did a side-by-side comparison and the artwork looked bang-on! Even the part of the artwork that had a mirror backing matched (there was another supplier who indicated their mirror looks more like a grey / silver paint). It was so closely matched that you couldn’t tell it was a reproduction.

Now I know not everyone has a pinball machine and requires the services of this company, but it’s cool to see the niche workings of a business like this…and from a Canadian town….the home of Sidney Crosby, no less. In fact, maybe they’re on to something, as it seems that what’s old is new again, and I am hearing of more and more people who are buying pinball machines for their homes and offices (you can get some for as low as $500.00)

To the folks at Classic Playfield Reproductions who helped me out when I was stressed about finding a critical part to my machine, and for taking such good care of me, thanks for everything!

Classic Playfield Reproductions
https://classicplayfields.com/

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Slam Dunk Customer Service

August 5, 2020David Lipton Comment

In my more recent blogs, aside from highlighting local businesses, I have attempted to feature companies from other parts of Canada or from around the world. While this particular business does have a showroom in Toronto, the majority of the business they do is online, and most of their products are shipped to international destinations.

The Sports Poster Warehouse is owned by a gentleman who I’ve personally known for many years, Neil Flagg. Given Neil’s passion for sports, when he finished school he set up his own company which as the name would suggest, specializes in sports-themed posters. Neil sells anything from older, hard-to-get, vintage posters, to posters of today’s most popular players and teams. In fact, his products are so up to date that usually within a few hours of a championship trophy being awarded (i.e. Superbowl, World Series, etc.) Neil will have posters in stock.

In addition. Neil also offers a number of health-related posters that are not strictly sports-related, but athletic in nature. His tens of thousands of posters are easily grouped into categories on his website and range from as little as five dollars to as much as $20.00, and all sorts of points in between.

The website is easy to navigate, and you can place your orders 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Depending on where you live, you could get your posters delivered in as little as 24 hours or a bit longer.

There’s always someone available to answer questions on the phone, and Neil specifically is knowledgeable—not with just his business, but sports and sports trivia as well.

While a lot of his business comes from individuals who just want to put a poster up in their room, he also sells to businesses like sports bars, gyms, and offices.

Many years ago, I remember having posters of my favourite teams and athletes up in my room, and despite technology, it seems that this is still something that many people like to do. Check out his website and throw him a sports trivia question while you’re at it.

The Sports Poster Warehouse
416-696-8353
sportsposterwarehouse.com/

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The Appreciation Series: Athletes

October 10, 2018David Lipton Comment

While you’ll usually find me highlighting great businesses, today I wanted to take some time to highlight an amazing group of people.

When I was a kid, I played in different organized sports leagues, like hockey or baseball. Typically, the coaches were the dad of someone’s kid and from time to time it was the mother. Often, the parents were just doing it to volunteer and spend time with the kids, and in many cases, they didn’t know much about the sport. In general, they were simply there to organize the practices, meetups, etc.

Fast forward about 40 years, and my daughter who is part sporty girl is involved with a number of sports including soccer, volleyball, and track and field. Maybe it’s just good fortune, but in many cases, the coaches and organizers are either varsity, Olympic, or professional athletes in those sports. As I’ve gotten to know these coaches over the last few years, I’ve found myself with a newfound respect for their level of commitment and the amount of time, effort, and money they put into training to get to the elite level they are at.

While there are professional athletes in dozens of sports, unfortunately, there are only a small number of sports where professional athletes are able to make a living playing their sport. Too often, athletes have to supplement their passion for sport with another job to pay the bills.

Over time, I’ve had the chance to learn about the way these athletes work and think. From their dedication and pursuit of perfection, getting up before the sun to train, facing long days at the office followed by long days at the sports complex, recovering from injuries and not letting injuries slow down other aspects of their lives, it's been a real eye-opener as to the enormous task athletes face on a day-to-day basis.

As a general suggestion to employers, many of the skills that athletes have learned are certainly transferable to different jobs and careers. Time management, patience, discipline, and self-confidence are only a few of the many skills that most athletes possess.

While athletes may not necessarily have previous experience at a particular job, given all of the other characteristics and assets they can potentially bring to the table, they should without a doubt be considered in the hiring process.

Over many years of being involved with sports, from playing in sports leagues myself, to cheering on my daughter, I’ve come to the conclusion that sports can certainly make you a well-balanced and versatile person.

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Keeping Great Customer Service Up and Running

February 21, 2018David Lipton Comment

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog highlighting my great experience at The Running Room. At the same time, I was dealing with The Running Room, one of the SQM employees directed me to another shoe store that she’s been dealing with for years, known as Running Free, and in particular the Ajax location.

The owner, Steve Ockrant, immediately called me to introduce himself and while he suggested it was best if I came in, due to his schedule and distance he offered to bring some shoes over to my office, for me to try on. Realizing he was doing me a favour, due to our mutual friend, I must say I’ve never had such a special service for a retail product!

Steve came, we chatted, and he brought six pairs of shoes for me to try on. Based on the sizes and styles he brought, he was able to narrow down the shoes that would work best for me, and then a few days later he returned with more shoes. He even left me with a couple of pairs for me to walk around the office in before I made my final decision.

Although I returned both of the pairs that made it to the shoe finals, I eventually made it out to his store where two of his amazing employees found the perfect pair for me.

If you are ever looking for great shoes, at a great price, but more importantly amazing and knowledgeable staff go to Running Free, ask for Steve, and mention my name.

Running Free

(416) 410-3733

www.runningfree.com

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Customer Service That Deserves A Round Of Applause

August 5, 2015David Lipton Comment

Mirvish Productions is a theatrical company, based in Toronto, Canada. The company was founded by David Mirvish, son of the late Ed Mirvish (owner of Honest Ed’s and the Royal Alex Theatre). Not only have the Mirvishes helped Toronto become one of the most important theatrical centres in the world behind Broadway and London, but the company is responsible for bringing Broadway shows across the border. In recent times, the company has brought Cindy Lauper’s popular, Kinky Boots to the city (currently playing at the Royal Alex Theatre).

And let me tell you, the company’s success must have something to do with their phenomenal customer service….

The story begins last year, while my wife was visiting New York City. During her trip she went to see Kinky Boots on Broadway, and after returning home she told me that it was a must see! Not too long after her trip, Mirvish Productions announced that they would be bringing Kinky Boots to Toronto, and my excited wife immediately bought tickets.

Six weeks before the date of show, my wife started to experience back pain – later diagnosed as a disc pushing on her sciatic nerve. With treatment and therapy she began the road to recovery, but with the date of the show fast approaching we were both becoming increasingly anxious about her ability to attend the theatre. For starters, our tickets were in the balcony, and there are no elevators in what is one of the oldest theatres in the city. In addition, while the theatre itself is beautiful, the seats are quite tight, and not overly comfortable, again due to the age of the building. Afraid of possibly losing our chance to see this fabulous show, I called Mirvish Productions hoping they can somehow assist me with the predicament which we were in.

Within minutes of contacting their head office, I was directed to a manager who listed to my issue, indicated that they can probably come up with a solution. Less then an hour after my initial call, another employee called me back with various solutions to my problem. The first proposed solution was that we move from a balcony seat to the main floor so we could avoid climbing the stairs. In addition, the employee offered us a seat on the aisle, to allow wife some additional room to stretch out. Alternatively, another option was to change the tickets for another date in the future, hoping that my wife’s condition improves, allowing her to enjoy the evening in more comfort.

In a day and age, when after you buy tickets (concerts, theatre, events, travel, etc.) there are typically “no refunds or exchanges” I was extremely surprised by how accommodating and responsive the company was. While I expected to be told that there was nothing that could be done, Mirvish Productions (and I believe Ticket King) truly made an effort to find a solution to my problem by providing me with not just one, but three different solutions, resulting in me being able to breathe a sigh of relief that I would enjoy my night out, once way or another.

As for the chosen option, like they say on Broadway…the show must go on, so with my wife insisting that she wanted to see the play on the original date of our tickets, I took them up on their offer of changing the seats to an aisle on the main floor. A few physio sessions, and multiple exercises later, my wife was able to sit comfortably with her legs stretched out. Without a doubt, she and I enjoyed the show much more than we would have if Mirvish Productions hadn’t been so accommodating.

As for Kinky Boots, it is an absolutely fantastic production, and one of the best musicals I have seen in a long time. It portrays a strong message of respect and dignity, while being light, fun and easy to follow along. The tunes are catchy, and trust me, they will be stuck in your head for weeks to come. I highly recommend it for either a night out with your significant other, or an enjoyable evening with friends.

Don’t worry, if you sing too hard, Mirvish Productions and their excellent customer service will have your back.

Ticket Enquiries
416-872-1212
1-800-461-3333

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Toronto Sport and Social Club Hits it Out of the Park

July 8, 2015David Lipton Comment

Between my hectic work life and spending time with my family, I find that I often barely have time to see friends or get out of the house for some exercise. Fortunately, I recently discovered Toronto Sport and Social Club and am now able to do both at once!

The club offers participants the opportunity to take part in multiple, co-ed sport leagues, in a range of levels from recreational to competitive. I play soccer with the club once a week and have found that it’s a great outlet to burn some energy, make some friends, and play the sport that I love. However, if soccer’s not your thing then don’t fret, they offer plenty of other sports from squash and sailing to dodgeball, lacrosse, and soft ball.

Rob, the Managing Director of the club, claims that TSSC is the NEW social network, and I tend to agree with him. Not only does the club have sport leagues, but they also host events such as city wide scavenger hunts, intro classes to different sports, and weekend tournaments. The club has given me the opportunity to make new friends, meet business associates, and even set friends up on dates.

So whether you are looking for something to do for the weekend or for the summer, put down your smartphone, lace up your cleats, and go join the new social network!

Toronto Sport and Social Club
185 Bridgeland Avenue, Unit 110
Toronto, ON M6A 1Y7
416-781-4263

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