Village Squire, 1979-09, Page 7could hardly wait to find out if he could spin my tires.
It led to the discovery of a little shop called Potpourri at the
corner of St. George and Mill streets, just a block from
Richmond, one of several shops that is not included among the
23 businesses that advertise as the Richmond Row. For the rest
of the afternoon it was a case of trying to say no to temptations.
Saying no didn't last long. One of the first shops I visited was the
charming little bookstore The Country Mouse. It's a store that
sells books (my fatal weakness), and ballet supplies (I can resist
them), a strange combination but one that has made it a popular
spot. The shop is one of those delightful places for book lovers
because it's one of the few that seems to base its buying not so
much on the best seller list as on the interests of the owners. It
means there's a selection of books displayed prominently that
either wouldn't be found at all, or would be buried in the darkest
corners of larger bookstores. The arts get prominent display
space here. And of course there's the little backroom that's
reserved for lovers of ballet.
If books aren't your temptation then maybe food is. Richmond
Row provides such delights as Nutcracker Sweets with imported
and hand -dipped chocolates, nuts and dried fruits. There's the
Tartan Snack Bar offering homemade baking, jams and pickles
for those wanting to shop in for a break from shopping. Another
small restaurant along the row is called Knicker Myers. It looked
tempting and 1 wanted to sample it but it was full every time I
passed it. Across on the other side of Richmond street there are
natural temptations at Grains, Beans and Things which offers all
kinds of natural food supplies.
If clothing is your weakness you're in for temptation too.
Tiffany's of London offers distinctive ladies fashions; L'Amour
Lingerie offers some very frilly, very sexy delights; Doubles
offers sports separates, dresses, gowns, tennis togs etc. La
Maison Fashion Boutique offers everything from country
co-ordinates to city glamour. And there's also Boutique
Boulmiche, a very trendy looking shop in the heart of the Row.
Children are catered to at Pint Sizes.
Several stores offer accessories to go with your fashionable
purchases. You can get jewellery of various kinds at several
shops in the area. There's J.B. Simpson, Custom Jewellery and
Goldsmith for instance, a tiny shop just off Richmond on John
Street. The Two Potters offers both jewellery and original
clothing. La Jolie Jupe offers fashion, silver and gold jewellery
and unusual gifts.
If you're looking for something for the house, there are several
shops offering small decorating items. Hangups on Richmond
and The Framing Experience on Kent St. offer framing. Both
also offer reproductions. For your kitchen there is Ann McColl's
Ltd. which offers kitchen utensils. The Atrium offers plants,
indoor landscaping and plant maintenance while Cattails Ltd. at
the same location has shower curtains, towels, mats and bath
accessories. The China Cabinet has china from Royal Doulton,
Kaiser Porcelain, Wedgwood and other china and gifts.—
For those looking for antiques, the area doesn't disappoint
with Memories, an antique and gift shop. There are several other
small shops in the area that don't fit into any of the above
categories but add interest to the shopping area. One of the most
unique is Fads and the Great Canadian Kite Co. offering
everything from Marilyn Munroe decorated kites to boomerangs
to yoyos.
One of the bonuses for tired shoppers in the area is that
beautiful Victoria Park, the show -piece of London's downtown
area is just across the street from the southern end of Richmond
Row. It offers plenty of green grass, trees and flowers in the
warm weather, a chance to get away from the rush and crush of
the shopping district.
While the whole Richmond North shopping area takes up only
a few blocks it is divided in two by the railway tracks which
divorce the Richmond Row area from the cluster of interesting
shops around Oxford. Focal point for this northern area is
Picadilly Street on which is situated the interesting shopping
complex known as the village. This is another example of old
buildings getting new uses as a glass canope joins two old
You are invited
to come to the factory
and see the quality
for yourself.
FACTORY OPEN FOR INSPECTION
WEEKDAYS 8:30-11:30 a.m., 1-3 p.m.
OR BY APPOINTMENT.
•
NORTHLANDER
,t3
A complete line of 12
and 14 wides now available.
Now also building
Commercial/Industrial Units.
An alternate form of
farm housing, custom
designed and built to
your requirements.
-Canada's tinest-
Manufactured
in Canada by
Custom Trailers Ltd.,
165 Thames Rd. E.
Exeter, Ontario [Box 190]
15191235-1530 Telex 064-5815
September 1979, Village Squire 5