Village Squire, 1980-05, Page 8Patricia Simpson, oo-owner of The Emporium with her husbana
waits on customers behind this antique cash register. As well as
a tea room, the store offers antiques, old-fashicned candy and a
variety of gift items to customers. (Photo by Gibb)
New Dundees
Iiinporium
An interesting side trip from Stratford
BY SUZANNE JONES
In the areas surrounding Stratford there
are a number of delightful little shops and
restaurants to visit before or after the
theatre, or to explore during an afternoon
drive.
One such place which combines shop-
ping with light dining is The Emporium in
New Dundee, a small town located
between New Hamburg and Kitchener on
Waterloo Road 12, south of Highway 7 & 8.
New Dundee is a lovely little town, and
despite its Scottish name, has a strong
PG. 6 VILLAGE SQUIRE/MAY 1980
Pennsylvania Dutch element as well. This
summer the town will be celebrating its
150th anniversary. and visitors in the area
during the August holiday weekend can
take part in festivities such as a pancake
breakfast, parade and school reunion.
The Emporium opened in 1971, but took
on a definite Scottish flavour when Bill and
Patricia Simpson became the proprietors in
1974. The Simpsons come from Edin-
borough, and first noticed The Emporium
while visiting friends in New Dundee. They
liked the idea of running that type of
business, and moved here from Scotland
after they bought the store.
The building itself dates back to 1887,
aril as originally called the Jubilee Block
b,causc it was built the same year as the
fiftieth ant... rsary of Queen Victoria's
reign. The downstairs was a general store
and the upstairs was t ped for Farmers'
Institute meetings. Herman Kavelman, the
owner and proprietor from 1910 to 1971,
still makes his presence felt through the
wedding picture of himself and his bride
which the Simpsons have hanging in the
tea room.
When Bill and Patricia took over The
Emporium they added a variety of Scottish
items for sale, and turned a bleak, empty
back room into a tea shop, whose Tudor
design was initiated by Patricia's father,
who still lives in Edinborough. The tea
room has white stucco walls with dark
beams. The tables are covered with brown
gingham and plain blue cloths, and a small
coal stove adds to the coziness in winter.
The windows overlook a pretty street.
Patricia had never cooked professionally
before opening the tea room, but her food
is delicious, with an emphasis on hearty
Scottish fare. Selections include a plough-
man's lunch of oatmeal bread, soup,
cheese, and salad, a fisherman's choice of
chowder, bread, and cheese, quiche and
meat pies. For afternoon tea there are
crumpets, shortbread, Scottish oatcakes,
or the afternoon special tea of whole wheat
scones with New Dundee butter, jams,
homemade Devonshire cream, and The
Emporium's featured Typhoo blend tea.
Other desserts are also available, including
homebaked pies, rich chocolate cake, and
"boozey" cheesecake.
Another popular feature of Tricia's Tea
Room is the Sunday brunch, which offers a
choice of quiches, a refreshing health fruit
drink, salads, and beverages. Lunch is
served from 11:30 to 2:30, and during the
summer The Emporium opens earlier on
Sundays to accommodate theatregoers who
wish to stop for lunch before a matinee.
If you have to wait a short while for a
table in the tea room, there is plenty to
occupy your time. The Emporium is
divided into a number of rooms, and sells a
variety of gift and food items. There is a
working player piano and a whole collect-
ion of music rolls with new titles and such
old timers as "Yes Sir, That's My Baby",
"The Chicken Reel", and "The Wedding
of the Painted Doll." Some of the rolls
belong to the Simpsons, but many are for
sale. In the same room are antiques, china,
and foodstuffs such as biscuits, shortbread
jams and a line of preserves by "Mrs.
Bridges", which includes her "Rather
Special Lemon Curd", an appropriate
remembrance for any "Upstairs Down-
stairs" fan.
Visitors of all ages will love the pretty
calico toys and The Olde Sweetie Shop,