A new protective motorcycle clothing line distributor has decided to call Orillia home.
Plus Five has opened up shop beside the new Orillia Recreation Centre at 3 Royce Ave., Unit 5.
Gary Cuzner and his wife Jenny, a Toronto couple, will be using their Orillia business to sell and distribute their GryphonMoto branded products that they have innovated.
“The name Plus Five is derived from myself and Jenny, and we have five grandchildren, so it’s us plus five, truly a family business,” Cuzner said.
The Cuzners officially made their move into the new Orillia location on Feb. 1.
“I think Orillia and Central Ontario, in general, is known for outdoor recreation. There are some synergies here from the recreational standpoint,” Cuzner said.
Plus Five is not open to the public, it is a shipping location. Their business model is to sell online to dealers and individual customers.
Cuzner’s experience in the motorcycle industry helps set his products apart from others. Cuzner was a Canadian Motor Cross Champion when he rode for Yamaha Motors back in the mid-’70s.
“I’ve been in the motorcycle industry for over 40 years and during that time I’ve always worked at the distribution level and had a desire to do something on my own,” Cuzner said.
“Motorcycling has been a passion of mine since I was a young teenager. While I was in school I would work the summer for a motorcycle distribution business, fresh out of school working in the motorcycle industry was my first full-time job. It’s a lifelong passion, not just a business opportunity," he said.
The Cuzners began preparing to open their Orillia business last January - just before the pandemic. Although a lot of local businesses are facing financial hardships because of COVID-19, the motorcycle industry is doing quite well, he said.
“The power sports industry and the recreational side of businesses is actually booming. Anything to do with the outside is doing well in this time, and the ones doing the best are the ones who have created an online presence,” Cuzner said.
However, the pandemic has still created challenges for the Cuzners.
“The difficulty for us is having a new product that needs a show and tell. We’ve not been able to go to any dealer since we’ve received inventory, so while I think the market is healthy for us, we don’t have as many opportunities to sell,” Cuzner explained.
The Cuzners are excited to be bringing their business to Orillia, and they are hopeful they can grow and become a key part of the local community.
“We are pleased to have this opportunity in Orillia. We are looking forward to becoming a part of the business community and helping with fundraisers or whatever we can do to support the local community ... we are anxious to be doing that,” Cuzner said.
You can check out the GryphonMoto branded products that will be available at Plus Five here.
