When Austin and Christine Boake first opened their Remax Creemore Hills brokerage 30 years ago, Creemore was a very different place. There were a number of boarded up storefronts on Mill Street and virtually no visitors venturing off Airport Road into the village.
“It was a very difficult time for businesses in Creemore to make money,” says Christine. “The necessities were all here, including the bank, but before the brewery opened up it was beautiful, but sleepy. Fortunately, all the businesses worked together to do things like Halloween parties and street dances and eventually breathed new life into the place.”
Prior to becoming licensed realtors, the pair were involved in building and land development in Mulmur. Eventually, Christine said, “All those people who called us on other projects and didn’t buy, we should get licensed and sell them something else.”
When Remax offered a franchise in Creemore, they jumped at it. Both had connections to the community, having skied at Mansfield as kids.
Initially, they continued the land development business, but trying to do a good job at both was hard. “In the early days of building the (real estate) business, it was a lot of legwork,” she recalls. “We were doing a lot of door knocking and handing out flyers.”
Over the years, the Boakes have bought and renovated several buildings in Creemore, including Chez Michel and the patisserie.
Austin recalls, “The first property we sold in Creemore was 247 Mill St. right at the corner of County Road 9. Since then, we’ve sold more than 1,000 properties in the area. The overall size of the community hasn’t changed that much but now the village is a busy tourist destination. We survived COVID and having the main street torn up twice, and there’s nowhere else we’d rather be selling. I get super excited talking to people about the area. Initially, some are unsure about Creemore but I’ve never had a buyer come back and say, ‘this was a mistake.’”
The Boakes have sold homes to the adult children of some of their earliest clients. “For a time, younger families were very dispersed as people moved away for jobs. The option to work from home has many of them wanting to move back,” says Austin. “Very few people voluntarily leave their homes in the hills. Once they’re here, they’re here. They invest lots of time and money building their dream homes and they’re very happy with the lifestyle. They love coming into town and supporting local businesses.
After 43 years of marriage and 30 years selling real estate, the Boakes are ready for the next chapter. They are merging their brokerage with Remax by the Bay, in Wasaga Beach. They plan to remain active but will be able to offer extended office hours and more feet on the ground.
The Boakes will celebrate their 30th anniversary as Remax Creemore Hills Realty, and the relaunch as Remax by the Bay with an open house this Saturday, Aug. 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their office, 136 Mill St.
Bonnie MacPherson photo: Austin and Christine Boake of Remax Creemore Hills brokerage are merging their brokerage with Remax by the Bay, in Wasaga Beach. Below: The grand opening celebration 30 years ago.
