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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1987-09-09, Page 5Village experiences growth vitality GB businesses report banner The summer of 1987 has been, not- withstanding cooler August weather, a banner year for the businesses of Grand Bend. Judy Hume at the Coconut Bay din- ing lounge acknowledged that while her family business isbrand new this year, she has experienced no pro- blems at all with her clientele, even though they operate a bar with enter- tainment in the evenings. "We came in the beginning of the season, put both feet forward, and we're happy," said Hume, adding that the restaurant will be open throughout the winter, albeit with shorter hours after Labour Day, and only on Thursdays through to Sun- days after Thanksgiving. "The '87 season has been one of my best", stated Gene Brenier of Rollie's Sports and Cycle, a)though he was disappointed by a couple of the weekends. "I really do love Grand Bend," he commented, hinting that the bad publicity surrounding some incidents not only reflects "disrespect from the young people, "but also is indicative of a lack of facilities provided by village council, such as a shortage of garbage cans. "All in all I think there has been a good mixture of people coming to the community," noted Grenier. He believes that the positive aspects of Grand Bend far outweigh the few minor problems that receive attention in the press. Bob Sharen at Sharen Realty summed up his summer's business in one word with capital letters: "FAN- TASTIC". He boasted that so far this year he has sold twice the number of Southcott Pines properties as last year in entirety. He attributes Grand Bend's new growth vitality to the installation of the sewer system in 1981. In his opi- nion, the renovations to the Main Street businesses, the condominiums, the senior's home, and the plaza would not have been possible using septic tanks. Sharen estimates that the 50 per- cent federal, and 35 percent provin- cial grant contributions to the sewer project have been already paid for by the increased village tax assessment, the taxes on the building materials, and by the increased property transfer taxes. "The year has been just superb," insisted Sharen, "but as usual, a small incident has been blown out of proportion." However, he believes the overlooked positive incidents have made it a good year for everyone. Karn Kurdin, an employee of The Christmas Place, when asked about the summer's .business, simply repliedthat it had been "hot and busy"., She said that many of her customers during the hottest days of July, would joke about using the store's Christmas spirit to cool off in the heat. This will be The Christmas Place's last year, because as Durdin explain- ed, the owners need a change of pace after 11 years of business. She anticipates a lot of major changes to Grand Bend in future years and hopes that the community will come to attract visitors on a year- round basis. "We've had a very good season," said Wendy Elliott, owner of Merry Rags Fashion Boutique, but noted that she has never had a bad year. "Our customers aren't very young", Elliott pointed out, explain- ing that the weather is not as large a factor to the cottagers who are the mainstay of her summer trade. She hopes the new condominium developments will attract a different class of people than those who are presently attracted t6 Main street, and hopes that this will bee plus for . her clothing store. "Best weather we've had in 16 years", remarked Nick Carter, owner of the Surt Shop, and the Surf Shop. "Even in late April people were com- ing to the beach". However, Carter depicted a roller- coaster type business with its peaks in June and July and an August slump. '"But he suggested a good Labour Day weekend should con- tribute to an increase in business over last year. "Most of the Main Street business is geared to the younger people" said Carter, who, in his opinion, are the lifeblood of the resort area. While he acknowledges the population as a' whole is aging, he insists that Grand Bend must continue to attract the younger crowd to its beach to retain its vitality. Mike Stark at the Cheryl Ann food emporium said that even though the restaurant does not stay open past 12:30 a.m. any longer, business was steady all summer. The change of hours avoids the after-hours tavern crowd and thus the rowdiness it brings. "We get the happy ones", grinned Stark. "I wasn't selling too many sweaters in June or July", Carol Deitz of The Sweater Shop commented, but she said that she did not mind because business picked up during the cooler days in August. "Business is here," she observed concerning Grand Bend in general, but she thought that perhaps not as many families frequent Main Street these days. "One good thing about Grand Bend, if the weather's good the people will be here," declared Jerry Sanders of Sanders' On The Beach Dining Lounge and Tavern. He surmised that the cooler weather of the last two weeks has hurt some businesses, but even with the increased competition his restaurant is experiencing, Coconut Bay in particular, he still summed up 1987 as a "super season". "It hasn't been our best ever,", said his daughter Arlie, but she did men- tion that business was up from last season, "but not by very much". She hoped that the Labour Day weekend would make up for the loss of a long weekend in July because Canada Day fell on a Wednesday this year.. Sanders will close in October, but their Hotel Mainstreet will remain We are now receiving monthly shipments of Best Seller Novels Come and see the New • Arrivals 1988 Robert Bateman Diaries in stock imes- dvocate ELECT NICO PETERS Planning Your Future in HURON For Information CaII NICO PETERS CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS Clinton - 482-7764 Exeter - 235-2026 Seaforth - 527-2266 Goderich - 524-8455 ' Wingham - 357-1148 03010.,„ avrzw Authorized by the Huron Progressive Conservative Association attracted to the large population. Nevertheless, she views all new housing developments as positive steps for Grand Bend in general. "Accomm'odation is really a pro- blem," she said. year open throughout the winter in an- ticipation of the Winter Carnival. Arlie Sanders wonders how the future condominium developments will af- fect the restaurant, especially since she expects new restaurants will be Times -Advocate, September 9, 1987 Pae S %Iv II felt QUIET AFTERNOON — Clerk Jenny Wilson and John Barth, manager of Strictly Casual in Grand Bend, soak up some Thursday afternoon sunshine outside their store. T -A photo 111 • A TOUGH PUTT — Tommy McGuire of Grand Bend gets in some mini - golf practice at the Bend on a quiet Thursday afternoon.T-A photo We Do LAMINATING Times Advocate 227 MAIN ST. EXETER CAMPBELL S 0V . TOMATO �' SOUP 3/.99 �w =.,......,.t Campbells - with 20C coupon 0 Hundreds of in-store features soup TO3;99) Old Dutch 3.6 litre BLEACH ■i Mayfair Cohoe Medium Red 73/4 oz. tin SALMON'gn8 White Swan FACIAL TISSUE Cottonelle Glad Bathroom Garbage Bags Tissue pkg of 10 arca! pkg. ■I U 0 i The Holtzmann's would like to thank all staff. friends. and family for all the help we were given in our move to the new A 8 H location. All the long hours you put in for us were greatly appreciated We would also like to extend a sincere thank you to our friends and fellow business people who generously sent flowers to brighten up the store in our first week of operation. • We look forward to carrying on the traditions of serving Exeter and area for many years to come. Granny Smith Apple Juice Maple Lodge wieners asog 11 r 11 Viva Paper Towels 2 roll Lays or Ruffle. 200 g. POTATO CHIPS 119 '4.11.13".. 5"e. COTTAGE CHEESE �� 9) Q 1 litre lar, reg. or Ilse MIRACLE WHIP O JI CUT FROM CANADA GRADE 'A' BEEF . Sirloin Steak Ib. CHECKQS Tlel T-bone Steaks outside cut, eye removed, boneless Round Roasts Ib. e.77kg 3" Prod. of Ontario Potatoes esON LJS CHECK US OUTI Tuesday is Senior Citizens Day! Oat your S% discount off your total grocery' bill (Up to $50.00)