New ownership takes over operation of River Town Times

from all his years being raised in the town. I may not have been born and raised in Amherstburg, but over the last 17 years, all of which I have lived in Amherstburg, I am extremely happy to be a part of the Amherstburg community and own a part of what helps the town’s community thrive,” finished Laura.

Giofu said he is pleased to be part of the ownership group.

“After 28 years in the newspaper business, it’s nice to be able to advance somewhat,” he said. “I look forward to continuing to serve the great residents of Amherstburg.”

While there will be a learning curve, Giofu added he is confident they will get through it.

“We will have to learn new roles and duties but that’s a part of life,” he said. “We plan on continuing to do the best we can for our community.”

The River Town Times was founded in 1995 by Karen Morrell, Ryan Deslippe and Rusty Brown. Heyens had purchased the business from Morrell almost six years ago.

By Hailey Zimmerman

The River Town Times, previously owned by Jim Heyens at Southpoint Publishing in Leamington, has just been sold. Amherstburg residents, Ron Giofu and Laura D’Alessandro, as well as D’Alessandro’s husband, Dominic, are the new owners.

River Town Times has been running under Southpoint Publishing since 2017. Heyens decided that it was about time for him to move on and sell. After a bit of thinking, he brought the River Town Times’ staff – Laura and Ron - together to discuss purchasing the organization.

“I have come to a point in my career where it’s become clear to me that River Town Times needs to be in the hands of local owners,” starts Heyens. “Though I enjoyed all my time working with the Amherstburg employees of the paper, it makes the most sense for local employees to run their paper now.”

Heyens is thrilled that the River Town Times legacy will continue on with local employees who will take great care and responsibility for the business.

The new owners are thrilled that they get the opportunity to own the River Town Times. They are delighted and appreciative that Heyens approached them with an offer.

“The timing worked, and the fit was great. I have had a long history with River Town Times. I started out in 2014, when I was just a carrier for the paper. It’s incredible that I was able to work up to co-owning this amazing business that documents the history of Amherstburg in the making,” says Laura D’Alessandro.

The D’Alessandro’s plan on making the ownership a family affair, involving their kids, and running it with lots of love.

“We have always been interested in becoming small business owners in our town, and this one just fit,” says Dominic. “I may not work directly at the office, but I will always be there to do what’s needed to help run the paper.”

Laura and Giofu make a great team, having worked together at the River Town Times for over three years. They work together every day to run the paper, and River Town Times would not be functional without either of their hard work.

“I would just like to take a moment to thank my husband, one of our co-owners, and Ron, my great co-worker and now co-owner in this journey. I think we work really well together, and make the perfect dynamic duo. I have seen how Ron has applied everything he has into his work, including his knowledge of Amherstburg gained