In Pictures: Behind the scenes at Goldline Curling retail store in Mississauga
Goldline approaches its 50th anniversary as one of the most recognizable curling brands in the world, despite having a small staff of only five full-time employees
Father and daughter owners, Doug and Erin Flowers inside the retail outlet for Goldline Curling in Mississauga, Ontario on Sept. 10, 2014.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
An employee works a jig for making a part of a new style slider in the workshop of the retail outlet for Goldline Curling in Mississauga, Ontario on Sept. 10, 2014.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
A rack of older shoe moulds in the workshop of the retail outlet for Goldline Curling in Mississauga, Ontario on Sept. 10, 2014.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Goldline approaches its 50th anniversary as one of the most recognizable curling brands in the world, despite having a small staff of only five full-time employees.
The company sponsors both of the reigning Olympic gold medal-winning curling teams, women and men, led by Canadians Jennifer Jones and Brad Jacobs.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
“We were the first company to sponsor a curler with cash. It used to be that some companies would give the curlers a couple of brushes and assume they would be loyal. We offered them equipment, but cash too, and had them sign formal agreements. We were the instigators of that,” says Doug Flowers.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Despite the surging popularity of curling on television, it hasn’t translated into more participants for the sport – a challenge that the industry still faces.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Displays inside the retail outlet for Goldline Curling in Mississauga, Ontario on Sept. 10, 2014.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Mr. Flowers recognizes that unless Goldline broadens its product line into another sport, it would be hard to grow beyond sales of $5-million a year. But he’s just fine with that.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Clothing on display inside the retail outlet for Goldline Curling in Mississauga, Ontario on Sept. 10, 2014.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Mugs and a wine bottle holder in the likeness are among the items on display inside the retail outlet for Goldline Curling in Mississauga, Ontario on Sept. 10, 2014.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Goldline Curling has come a long way from selling its product from a garage, and it appears to be “hurrying hard” toward a successful future.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail