Laplante and Company owner Valerie Laplante celebrates the grand opening of her new office with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
CHICOPEE — Laplante and Company LLC hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 22 to celebrate the grand opening of its new office at 342 Front St.
Broker/owner Valerie Laplante said she got into the real estate business by following in the footsteps of her mother, who was a broker and had a brokerage in South Hadley in for 40 years.
“I grew up in this business,” Laplante stated, “I grew up at the dinner table listening to my parents talk real estate all the time, so when I got in the business in 2005, it just kind of came naturally because I do have a creative side.”
According to its website, “whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading to a larger space, or searching for the perfect neighborhood, Laplante and Company provides personalized, expert guidance every step of the way.”
After being in the real estate business and licensed for 20 years, Laplante has finally opened a storefront with four other real estate agents to help.
She explained, “I just felt that it was time to kind of step it up a little bit and look at my future. I have a great team behind me. I have a lot of support, a lot of love. I live in Chicopee, so I wanted to work in Chicopee. I love Chicopee. I love everything that Chicopee has to offer because there’s so much in this tiny little city.”
Right now, the hours of operation are by appointment, but Laplante explained she has made appointments as early as 8 a.m. and as late as 7 p.m.
“There’s really no limit on time,” Laplante stated, “Personally myself, I’m super responsive. Actually, my agents are super responsive. I take pride in that, and we work. We all work 24/7.”
Laplante has explained the importance of opening a storefront that is accessible for people to visit.
She said, “I think with [COVID-19], a lot of realtors shut their offices but I think it’s kind of crucial. I think it’s important to have brick and mortar. I think it’s important if people want to come in, get counseled, educated, whatever the case may be. I think it’s important to have a storefront.”
Although the business just hosted its grand opening, business has been going great and Laplante discussed a goal she has.
“I know this is just the start. I think eventually we’re going to buy something and relocate and get something bigger over time and absolutely stay in Chicopee,” Laplante said.
For more information, readers can visit laplanteandcompany.com or 413newbeginnings.com, as well as its Facebook page.
Laplante concluded, “I hope people would stop by and just say hi to us. I would love it if people just came and stopped by and seen us because we do have an agent that does stay here during the day, and he opens the office so that way if anybody wants to pop by … It would be great if people wanted to come to us.”
