All in the family at Muskoka Rent-All

One of the most popular locally owned businesses in Huntsville has a slightly hidden secret.

Don’t worry, it’s not something bad. On the contrary, it’s an extremely cool part of their business that not everyone knows about – Muskoka Rent-All is home to Muskoka Powersports.

One of the last standing family-owned and operating equipment rental businesses in Ontario, Muskoka Rent-All has been helping the community with landscaping and household needs since 1970. But, what a lot of people don’t realize is since 2008, they have also been selling and servicing top-of-the-line Honda and Argo products. 

People in the know already have been visiting the Joiner family and their team for ATVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, and more. In 2017, Muskoka Rent-All officially started Muskoka Powersports to help grow that side of the business, also introducing FOX, FXR, and Thor Moto Gear for serious riders and offering lifestyle clothing from many of the trusted brands they sell. 

“Whether you’re passionate about touring on your ATV on weekends or just need a side-by-side to help around the property, we can help get you on your way,” says Cory Joiner, who is set to take over the business from his dad Ned. “It’s great being able to be a place where people can come for both work and fun.”

The Powersports side of the business is a hidden gem, with some fantastic vehicles on site and expert maintenance people on staff – who are active ATV and motorbike aficionados themselves.

Cory tells about a fun, but challenging project where the team customized a side-by-side for a first responder to take to events like outdoor concerts. Muskoka Powersports did extensive upgrades including adding a stretcher, lights, sirens, and a ham radio. 

“We put everything on it, plus in the winter it transforms from wheels to full tracks,” he says. “It’s one of the fun custom jobs we have done over the years. It’s pretty neat to engineer these interesting designs and have our customers trust us to do it right.”

Happy Staff, Happier Clients

Muskoka Rent-All was first opened on October 1, 1970 by Dennis Black. In 1971, Ned Joiner began working there as a heavy diesel mechanic and worked his way up the ranks to store manager. In 1986, Joiner purchased the business and it’s been in his family ever since.

Since the beginning, the company has been serving both DIYers and professional contractors in the community. They can help with everything from excavators to loaders to scaffolding to lawnmowers and so much more.

Though Cory and other family members all gained a variety of experience and schooling elsewhere, they each made their way back to Muskoka Rent-All. For example, Cory graduated from electrical engineering at Georgian College and then was living in Vaughan programming assembly line machines before moving back to get involved in the family business.

Of the 22 staff members working in the building, eight are part of the Joiner family, as now three generations – grandparents, parents, and children – are part of the welcoming team.

Being a family business and understanding that their staff needs time with their own families—the ones at home, not their work family—they have a steady work schedule from Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

This consistency and dedication to providing a solid work environment has helped them build and maintain a quality team that exudes customer service. Indeed, walking in the front door, a welcoming smile awaits. The energy is positive even among those waiting in line.

“We want to create great relationships with our customers so they know they can count on us for anything they need,” says Cory. “When they come in and they say okay, I need to do this, what tools should I use? We’re able to recommend to them the right thing. They go home, they use it, they come back and say, that was the best! It’s such an amazing feeling to be able to solve dilemmas for people.”

Community Celebration

To celebrate their 55^th year in business, Muskoka Rent-All is hosting a community celebration and open house on June 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On top of the open house, the Joiner family is doing a Hospice Fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the event.

The event promises to be fun for the whole family with activities including a side-by-side excursion, a kids equipment climb, kids corner with a helmet design contest and colouring books, timed excavator challenge with trophies and prizes, chainsaw demos, corn hole, Hospice Huntsville raffle items, and more.

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