HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-11-19, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19,1997. PAGE 7.
Considerable planning results in new business
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
The decision to start a new
business does not come easily or
quickly to most. It takes thoughtful
consideration and research.
Such was the case for Sheilla
Neilly-Wallace of Blyth when she
decided to go back into business
after an absence of almost 10 years.
Once the owner of the Tea Room
in Blyth, Neilly-Wallace said she
was "tired of being downsized in
the nursing profession (her other
career)." She would once again
work for herself.
To that end, she opened Buy the
Pound, a bulk food, natural products
and gift shop on Queen Street.
"We (Neilly-Wallace and
husband, Gary Wallace) had owned
the building (previously Act II and
Blyth Mini Mart) for 12 years and it
was time to do something for
myself. I had been thinking about it
since closing the Tea Room," she
said. "I like dealing with people."
In deciding to re-enter the
business world, Neilly-Wallace said
it is important to her that the main
street stores in Blyth are filled. "We
want to be part of the community in
co-operation with the other
businesses," she said.
Before Neilly-Wallace deter
mined just what kind of business
she would offer, she said she had
one theory. "It had to be a
commodity that everyone could use
and was viable 12 months of the
year."
And that is where the research
began. She not only looked at local
shops but travelled as far as Eastern
Ontario to see what worked.
It was then she came upon the
idea of a bulk food store.
However, her shop will offer
more to the customer than bins
filled with product.
A coffee and tea bar has been
incorporated into the design to
allow customers the opportunity to
sample some of the products before
they make the purchase.
"(This is) not a restaurant," insists
Neilly-Wallace. "We just want the
customers to be able to try a new
product first."
A fresh sampling of cookies or
bars will also be on-hand for taste
testers and, as a weekend bonus,
fresh-baked bread will fill the shop
with wonderful aromas.
She plans to develop a program
where the customer gets a free
coffee or tea after a certain number
consumed.
Aside from large quantities of
flour, sugar and other common
spices, along with peanut butter,
jams and numerous other products.
She also stresses customers ask
her for a particular good if it is not
currently available, so she can make
every effort to fill the request.
To compliment her selection of
soothing teas and warming coffees,
Neilly-Wallace has a selection of
gifts associated with the
refreshments such as coffee and tea
pots and serving trays.
As much as is possible, she is
buying her products locally and is
determined to keep the prices
reasonable.
Wallace relied on a Victorian feel to
some degree. The old tin ceiling
was refurbished, the window
painted in beautiful scroll letters
and an antique counter, once used in
the old grocery store at the same
location, is now back in use as the
check-out counter.
Other recycled items now have a
permanent home at Buy the Pound.
Neilly-Wallace has used recycled,
white plastic ice cream containers
as bins for some of her bulk
products, which are situated in a
convertible display counter
designed and built by her son-in-
law, Ian Wood. Her husband, Gary
Wallace also had a hand in the
renovation, such as building shelves
along the walls.
The hours of operation are
Tuesday to Saturday from 10 .m. to
5 p.m.
There is free delivery in town,
with no limit on the size of the
order. For out-of-town customers
(within a designated area), there is a
delivery fee for orders under $25.
In designing the atmosphere and
surroundings for her shop, Neilly-
1 "'8
Loaded shelves
Bulk products and an assortment of spices and
seasonings load the shelves at Buy the Pound in Blyth.
3ack in business
After many years of consideration and research, Sheilla Neilly-Wallace, along with husband
Gary Wallace, have opened Buy the Pound, a bulk food store on Queen Street in Blyth.
Neilly-Wallace will look after the day-to-day operation while Wallace helped in renovating the
store. 7
OPEN HOUSE CELEBRATION
to thank you for 5 years
of business
* Saturday, November 29
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
* door prizes
* refreshments
at Linda Henhoeffer
519-335-3887
or 1-800-667-3887
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