WHO WE ARE

Tommy and Lefebvre is a locally owned and operated, full service sporting goods retailer located in Ottawa, Canada. The company was originally established in 1958 as a small alpine ski shop in downtown Ottawa. Today's T&L features four neighbourhood locations serving the greater Ottawa-Gatineau area and remains a family business. During winter, we carry the largest selection of alpine ski and snowboard equipment and winter wear in the region. During the summer months we specialize in equipment and apparel sales and service for bike, tennis, golf and inline skate. With over half a century of experience and deep local roots, we remain one hundred percent committed to serving the needs of our friends, family and customers in the our community.

LOCAL ROOTS

The Tommy and Lefebvre partnership was born when Art Tommy, Andy Tommy and Reg Lefebvre, all top national and international skiers, opened a shop on O'Connor Street in Ottawa, Canada in 1958. The business grew and within five years had moved to Fleet Street in Lebreton Flats. Then the National Capital Commission expropriated the land, and a few moves later they found the present home at Bank and McLeod. In April 2009 a devastating fire destroyed the company flagship and main office at 464 Bank Street. In just over a year the flagship location was redesigned and reopened at the same downtown address. Today the Bank flagship offers downtown clientele a truly epic customer experience with a very modern, open design: second floor mezzanine, back door service convenience and flagship selection. In December 2011, our newest location opened in Barrhaven to serve South Ottawa customers.

A PASSION FOR RACING

Alpine ski racing is the in the Tommy family DNA. Brothers Andy, Art and Fred were all members of Canada's Alpine Ski Team. In 1956, Andy and Art Tommy had the honor of competing for Canada in Cortina d-Ampezzo, Italy. Following their retirement from active competition, Art and Andy helped coach a number of teams over a period of 15 years. Andy went on to coach the National Team in the 1960 Olympics in Squaw Valley. Both brothers have since been inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame and were founding partners alongside Reg Lefebvre in both the Edelweiss Valley Ski and Golf Resort and Tommy & Lefebvre retail stores. Their legacy of alpine ski racing involvement continues to this day through the Art Tommy Foundation. The foundation actively supports alpine ski racing development and has raised funds to support over 9000 athletes at the regional and national levels.

FAMILY VALUES

T&L is still very much a family operation despite having over 300 staff on hand. Kevin Pidgeon is the President and does all the hard goods (equipment) purchasing. Natalie Tommy is the Vice President and is in charge of the soft goods (apparel) purchasing and all the company marketing. Though the business has grown over the last 50 plus years, the core T&L values have remained the same: hire the passion and train the rest. The store has become nationally known for their Tommy and Lefebvre Training Camp, which has been copied in other markets. The camp involves forty to fifty hours of mandatory classroom work for each staff member. These classroom sessions are run by the different manufacturers and suppliers to ensure that every staff member has a solid understanding of every product they sell. The company and suppliers both support the program - "It's a way we can meet consumer's needs in a very informed manner," says Kevin Pidgeon. The staff goes through a summer training camp as well, so they are just as knowledgeable about summer sports as winter sports.

FAMILY SKI SHOP

The vast alpine ski selection at Tommy and Lefebvre covers product from entry level to equipment built specifically for World Cup racers, and used by National Capital Division and Outaouais zone teams, which are feeder teams to the National Alpine Ski Team. "It gives us the ability to get instant feedback and secure a tremendous amount of knowledge in ski and boot fitting. Our staff are very definitely participants in the sport ... we can address customer needs from many different angles. We truly are a full family shop, from the entry level skier to the racer and the snowboarder and everybody in between," says Kevin Pidgeon. But what sets Tommy and Lefebvre apart from the competition is the reputation earned in the ski business by participating in the sport. Kevin Pidgeon sits in on focus groups for three major suppliers to "steer the brands for the world." "It helps us ensure our customers' needs are met by our suppliers."