Rhode Island
GoLocalProv | Business | This Small Family-Owned Business Has Been Keeping Rhode Island Cool For 50 Years
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
The Candy Household has been protecting Rhode Island cooler — and hotter — since 1972. PHOTO: David Gates by way of Greg Candy.
A small Rhode Island household enterprise has been protecting Rhode Island cool now for 50 years.
Koolco, a staple on Fundamental Avenue in Wakefield since 1972, celebrates its half-century mark this 12 months — and in accordance with proprietor Greg Candy, it hasn’t at all times been simple.
In reality, Candy says they’ve been so busy to this point in 2022, that he hasn’t even thought but about planning a celebration.
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“No, I haven’t had the possibility to consider a celebration,” stated Candy in an interview with GoLocalProv. “I’ve been busier this 12 months with being short-handed and coping with components and tools. I spend about half the day on the cellphone checking on components, numerous that are made abroad. And hiring is hard.”
Candy stated he hadn’t initially deliberate to get into the household enterprise.
As soon as he did, nevertheless, and purchased Koolco from his father alongside along with his brother in 1999, Koolco made a serious pivot in its enterprise mannequin that has proved to achieve success.
Getting Into the Household Enterprise
Koolco was began by household patriarch Charles Candy in 1972 — after making a serious life determination.
“My father was a serviceman for Philips Company, they usually have been transferring their headquarters from Rhode Island to Massachusetts,” stated Candy. “He didn’t need to uproot the household.”
Candy stated his father spoke with a number of folks he knew on the town and listened to what they thought the necessity was for a refrigeration firm.
“He took a shot and right here we’re at present,” stated Candy.
And when he was rising up, Candy stated he had “zero” plans to get into the household enterprise.
“From day one, I stated no approach,” stated Candy, who stated he had “swept the car parking zone and took out the trash” since 1972. “I noticed the time and aggravation my dad went by way of.”
However then Candy graduated from highschool, and stated it simply “took a number of years” of extra education earlier than he determined he would be part of the corporate full time in 1979.
PHOTO: Koolco.
Again then, roughly 90% of the enterprise was business, Candy stated.
“We did all of the Cease & Outlets and A&Ps in Rhode Island, and we did a number of different supermarkets, together with Ames,” stated Candy. “We noticed a number of go bankrupt and we misplaced some enterprise.”
It was when Candy stated that when one grocery store chain was a couple of third of their enterprise, that he realized that Koolco couldn’t be so depending on a single space and wanted to diversify.
“After I began out, there wasn’t as a lot central air,” stated Candy. “We then knew it was coming, that there have been going to be extra properties with it.”
In 1999, Candy purchased the enterprise from his father, alongside along with his brother David.
Now, Candy says servicing residential properties is about 90% of the enterprise.
Challenges — and Alternatives
Candy says at present, the primary problem continues to be in in hiring.
“Now we have six folks at the moment,” stated Candy. “We promote nationwide — we had one individual from Texas apply, however had zero expertise.”
Candy says the corporate ideally hires from New England Tech and different colleges, and that even with further coaching, it may possibly take a number of years earlier than a brand new rent can exit to service calls on their very own.
“I might take two, even three new staff proper now,” stated Candy.
In the meantime, Candy stated he wish to see extra help from the state for the trades.
“What’s irritating is that I really feel that the state is just not selling the trades — it virtually looks as if we’re second-class residents,” stated Candy. “They might make a distinction within the trades. I’m not saying giving everybody free training, however I feel most tradespeople are keen to take apprentices on, which we’ve carried out that over time.”
“We pay nicely — we simply can’t discover the folks,” stated Candy.
Within the meantime, Candy stated that prospects are greater than keen to pay when their air-con goes out.
“Extra individuals are extra demanding with A/C than heating,” stated Candy. “If we are saying we will’t get there except it is sending out somebody out additional time — folks don’t even ask how a lot it prices. Heating, folks say the following day’s fantastic.”
“We really had somebody name the police as a result of we couldn’t get there,” stated Candy. “And so they weren’t even an present buyer.”
Candy stated that he tries to take the whole lot in stride — and encourages others to do the identical.
“We attempt to maintain it lighthearted for essentially the most half,” stated Candy. “All of us want that proper now.”
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The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 24, 2024, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
11-14-38-45-46, Mega Ball: 03, Megaplier: 3
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
16-22-24-43-47, Lucky Ball: 11
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
Midday: 0-9-5-1
Evening: 2-0-2-3
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
08-21-26-33-38, Extra: 36
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
How NORAD tracks Santa on Christmas Eve
Every year, for the past 68 years, NORAD tracks the global progress of Santa and his sleigh. John Cornelio from NORAD explains how they track this highly anticipated mission.
It was the night before Christmas and all through the house, the children were wondering where’s that guy Claus?
If you’re looking to track Santa Claus’s flight over Providence and Rhode Island’s other cities and towns this Christmas Eve, there are a few ways you can track the big guy with nearly the same accuracy as a late Amazon package.
The military is on it with the NORAD Santa Tracker, and Google, which often feels all-knowing, is also on the case with its own Santa Tracker.
Check out the trackers to see Santa’s location:
See Santa’s location with the NORAD Santa Tracker
NORAD is the most reliable name in Santa tracking. On the job since 1955, when a young child from Colorado Springs accidentally called in (he meant to call a number advertised by a local department store), they’ve been following Santa’s journey using their radar technology ever since.
Now, NORAD, the joint U.S.-Canada command responsible for protecting the skies over both nations, staffs up for the big night, with a number available for children to call for status reports and an online tracker.
When does the NORAD Santa Tracker start?
On Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, of course.
How do I follow Santa’s journey with the NORAD tracker?
Santa is on the move, as you can see below. If it doesn’t load, it can be found at www.noradsanta.org
You can also call NORAD directly at +1 (877) HI-NORAD.
See Santa’s location on the Google Santa Tracker
In 2004, Google started tracking Santa as well, because, well, there’s a lot of interest in Old St. Nick. Google has a website. While you’re waiting around for Santa, Google’s guide includes a family guide, quizzes and various Christmas-themed games to play.
Why might the NORAD Santa Tracker and Google Santa Tracker disagree?
All of our tracking technology is made for mere mortals, but Santa is magic, and he likes to create a little bit of mystery. It wouldn’t do for children all over the world to be catching him as he comes down the chimney to deliver presents. He would never get any work done! So sometimes, to keep the magic alive, he throws off the trackers, just a little bit.
Rhode Island
Up to $5,000 reward offered for tips on who dumped emaciated dog’s body in trash bag in Rhode Island
Lincoln, RI – PETA is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction on cruelty charges of the person(s) responsible for dumping a dead dog at Barney’s Pond on Smithfield Avenue.
On December 14, the Lincoln Police Department responded to a report of a dead animal in a trash bag in the parking lot of the pond and discovered the body of a severely emaciated dog with visible signs of trauma. They believe the body was left between the evening of December 13 and the morning of December 14. A white Toyota RAV4 may be connected to the case and is considered a vehicle of interest.
Police are searching for this vehicle of interest, a Toyota RAV4. Photo: Lincoln Police Department
No leads or suspects have been identified, so PETA is asking for the public’s help.
“This poor dog was apparently starved, abused, and then dumped on the side of the road like garbage,” says PETA Senior Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “There may be other animals in the perpetrator’s possession, so PETA asks anyone with information to come forward immediately—other lives may depend on it.”
Anyone with information about the deceased dog or the vehicle should contact Detective Lieutenant Brad Stewart at 401-333-8485.
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