FORT FRANCES — A long-serving Fort Frances business is changing hands, passing down through the family who has owned it since its opening and committing to continue to help the town with all of its cleaning needs.
Share Bears Laundromat, located in the town’s west end, recently announced that longtime owner and operator Sherry Kaun was stepping away from the business and passing the reins to her son Christopher Kaun and his wife Jillian.
Kaun noted that his mother has spent her time since opening the laundromat in 1992 working for the business and the community, and that it was now time for her to step into retirement as he and his wife work to honour her legacy.
Kaun himself holds a number of technical qualifications and work experiences he said will help him to continue to run the business as an asset to the community, while also expanding the role it has to play in Fort Frances.
In a release from the family announcing the change in ownership, it notes Kaun got his start in trades thanks to his grandfather Ed Kaun, as well as his father Wayne and uncles.
“Chris’s journey into the trades was also deeply influenced by his grandfather, Ed Kaun, who has since passed, and his uncles. Together, they instilled in all the grandchildren the values of honesty, ethics, empathy, and strong morals—a foundation for becoming good people and contributing to the community,” the Kauns wrote.
“Over the years, Chris earned an impressive four Red Seal certifications: Carpenter, G2 (Gas Technician), GUT 1 (Gas Utility Technician), and Pipeline Inspector. This breadth of expertise uniquely positions him to enhance and expand the laundromat’s operations. After obtaining his certifications, Chris moved into a role as Operations and Construction Process Advisor for Enbridge Inc.
This position combined his trades background with corporate experience, providing him with the perfect blend of skills to implement meaningful changes and improvements. This diverse expertise uniquely positions him to enhance and expand the laundromat’s operations.”
As part of the plan to expand the offerings at Share Bears, Kaun noted they are equipped to not only handle myriad different industrial needs such as full-service uniform programs, safety wear for mining and forestry, commercial mats and linens, and hospitality and industrial laundry services but that Share Bears will also now be equipped to handle First Aid Kit Inspections for businesses throughout the area.
In order to best serve as many people as possible, Share Bears will be expanding its service area to cover all of the Rainy River District, and to do this, Kaun shared that the laundromat has invested in a state-of-the-art 425-pound capacity washing machine that will be able to handle anything local businesses might have to throw at it.
“This washer is so big we have to take the roof off and lift it in with a crane!” Kaun said.
“It’s a big investment, but it’s going to help us serve our customers more efficiently while maintaining the quality they expect... Keeping our work local is vital for the strength of our community and small businesses in the Rainy River District.
By providing services right here, we not only support our neighbours but also contribute to the growth and sustainability of our town.”
The Kauns will also be making a visual upgrade to the building, removing the old Sears signage and replacing it with the Share Bears logo, which Kaun said will help to reflect the “growth and modernization” of the business while highlighting the newly expanded services.
“It’s an exciting step forward as we continue to serve our community with a fresh look that aligns with our vision for the future,” he said.
In addition to serving the community through its business offerings, Share Bears will also maintain its other commitments to the community through its more charitable offerings.
The laundromat has run a “Pay What You Can Afford” laundry day in the past year which provided laundry services to those in need while also raising $1,200 for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s Northern Cancer Fund.
The business has also long offered jobs to local high school students, helping them gain valuable job experience while helping them save money for further education.
“Coupled with cooperative training programs, these initiatives demonstrate a strong commitment to equipping the next generation with skills and opportunities, ensuring a brighter future for the Rainy River District,” the Kauns said.
“Additionally, the business partners with cooperative training programs to equip young people with practical skills and real-world knowledge, preparing them for successful careers. This commitment underscores the importance of nurturing the next generation and contributing to the long-term vitality of the community.”
While the faces behind the business may have changed Chris and Jillian Kaun have stepped into the role of owning and operating Share Bears Laundromat with an eye on honouring the past legacy of the business while striving to push it forward into the future as well.
“As a family-owned and operated establishment, Share Bears Laundromat remains a proud staple of the Fort Frances community,” they said.
“By hiring locally, supporting regional businesses, and prioritizing environmental sustainability, the laundromat reinforces its dedication to the economic and social vitality of the Rainy River District.”
For more information about Share Bears Laundromat, visit their Facebook page.
Fort Frances Times / Local Journalism Initiative
