Village Squire, 1977-02, Page 9things up. Still, books are the big item in the store, and the
variety is wide, from natural food cook books to the latest best
sellers, from expensive hard cover, coffee -table -type books to
paperbacks. Her pride and joy Penny says, is the children's
book corner. She tries to provide a good source of children's
fare for her customers in this one corner of the shop.
The interest in children's books is natural as Penny's young
pre-school son is usually using the store as his playground
although the morning of our visit he was at his grandmother's
after a bout of sickness the night before. He's usually the one
who gets the most attention from customers. Penny says.
"They say hello to him first, then to me."
Penny Farthing is part of an outburst of new, interesting,
small shops in downtown Exeter. It began, this new wave.
two years ago with the opening of Country Flowers, run by
Penny's sister-in-law. Then, right next door to Penny
Farthing came the Feather Tick. Penny says she has heard
rumours of other small shops on the way.
In fact a whole new look for Exeter's downtown business
section may be on the way. A planning firm from London, she
explains, is working on plans for beautification of the
business section. Hopefully, she says, it will lead to a more
unified look on the main thoroughfare.
Bookstores are traditionally among the most risky of all
retail businesses. The failure rate is high and at best a
bookstore. the experts say, will lose money for the first year
and a half until it builds up a clientele. Penny and Bill are
happy then that, though they haven't been making a profit or
even a good salary. they haven't been losing money either.
Their business is drawing most of its customers still from
the Exeter area but more and more people from surrounding
towns like Hensall and Grand Bend are also discovering the
shop. And. surprisingly. she says, there are several good
customers from Lucan to the south: surprising because it is
almost as close to drive from Lucan to London where there are
big bookstores with huge selections as it is to drive north to
Exeter.
Part of the reason could be the difference in atmosphere at
Penny Farthing compared to the big bookstores. It's a small,
cosy shop with a warm feeling leant to the room by the
pine -board walls and natural wood shelving and the pine
antiques. There's just no comparison with the super -market
type appearance of the modern, efficient city bookstore.
Yes. Penny admits. that might have something to do with
the attraction of the shop. A friend of hers from the city, she
says. just loves to come to her shop because of the warm
feeling and the friendliness. the feeling that you can stop and
talk for a while. In addition. she says• many large book stores
won't order books for customers because it's too much
bother. Small stores like hers do.
';To me." she says, "a bookstore should be like Britnell's
in Toronto•" a very personal bookstore that will get you any
book if it is not in stock.
Penny Farthing may never be a Britnell's but it's certainly
a good addition to the regional shopping scene for those who
like books.
If you want to make
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start by
making yourself better.
41Y
nanricinacrion
The Canadian movement for personal fitness
Fitness. In your heart you know it's right.
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THE
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Linen & Bath Boutique
409 MAIN ST. EXETER 235-2957
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Having trouble deciding on a colour
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You'll find lots of colour choices in
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Plus big beautiful soft comforters with
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Just arrived wicker planter mirrors
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Come see us. You will be glad you
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79 Hamilton St... Goderich, Ontario
Phone 524-2711
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Farfisa Partner 252R
Home electronic organ
Reg. price $2995.00
Reduced to $2695.00
"WHERE MUSIC IS
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VILLAGE SQUIRE/FEBRUARY 1977, 7