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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1989-08-16, Page 5r' Call for new business Music store, teaching brought to Hensall By Adrian Harte HENSALL - Bruce and Eleanor Switzer have brought their family business to Hensall as a direct re- sult of the village's campaign to "fill the gaps" in their King Street shopping area. Switzer's Music and Gifts is a small husband and wife operation that belonged to Lindsay, Ontario's business community only a few' months ago. Bruce Switzer decided to relocate the operation after re- sponding to a national advertise- ment, promoting Hensall. "We saw the ad in the Globe and Mail that Hensall was looking for entrepreneurs. It caught our eye," said Switzer, adding that he and his wife had become "disenchanted" with what Lindsay had to offer. However, he confesses that at their ages, the decision to move was not easy. "You've got to take' chances in life," he said. "Young people do it more than people our age. If the store looks a little bare right now, Switzer says it is be- cause the 93 square metre Hensall property is much larger than his smaller Lindsay store. The Swit- zers aren't in much of a hurry to fill it up just yet, preferring to wait for demand to determine the sup- PIY• "I have to feel out the public," said Switzer, pointing out that al- though he has a few guitars for sale at the moment, he is not sure if a larger stock is warranted. Other in- struments and supplies will also be added as needed. A selection of sheet music is on display, including both new scores and old parlour favorites from the turn of the century. Both the Switzers are experienced music instructors and will be giv- ing lessons to students in the stu- dio at the back of the store. Be- cause the cost of moving their piano from Lindsay proved prohibi- tive, a five -octave keyboard will • take its place until another piano is found. The keyboard does not have the "feel" of a real piano, but Switzer says he has found it an ef- fective teaching tool for budding musicians. "You can get by with a five - octave for quite a while," he said. After three or four years, the begin- ner will be looking to move on to an instrument with a wider range. Lessons for pop and classical gui- tar are also available, even for chil- dren, and co-ordinate with the esta- blished Royal Conservatory teaching methods. Switzer estimated 90 percent of the demand for private music in- struction is for piano and guitar. Only a handful of requests for voice or violin training are ever received. However, Switzer is quick to point out that it is next to impossi- ble to earn a living on offering mu- sic lessons alone. Since they opened their first store in Brockville in 1967, they have realized the im- portance of retail sales. "We're not pushing the music teaching aspect," said Switzer. "We want to push the store." That's why a selection of gift items graces the store's other shelves. Some are musically oriented. Others, like the hand - knitted woolens, are not. Switzer also thinks a revival in postage stamp collecting is overdue and plans to stock related parapher- nalia. "I think kids should start collect- ing stamps rather than being glued to the TV," he said. The Switzers say they are thus far pleased with their decision to relo- cate in Hensall. White they knew little about the South Huron area, their first short visit in June not only helped them make up their minds, but netted leases for the store and an apartment. Clerk -treasurer Luanne Phair, whose correspondence with the Switzers encouraged them to con- sider the village's. business environ- ment, said the invitation extended to entrepreneurs was part of a 1987 Economic Development program to spur growth in Hensall. The program was a result of mounting concern at the time over the number of empty store fronts on King Street, and the village lead- ers were ldoking beyond the imme- diate area t� solve the problem. New ventures in Hensall had been opening, and closing, with alarm- ing regularity. Since only two properties are empty today, it may be a while be- fore the Economic Development group again go further afield to at- tract business, but Phair said she is pleased the effort brought the Swit- zers to town. "I think this one will work well because a music store isn't some- thing Hensall has'had before," Phair 'said. Times -Advocate, August 16, 1989 Page 5 2%. ._1111101141116 ,n::°11111‘11 rr�t•. MOO& 011.11111 u 41.11111111:=1.0411.1 tt p �1"rt.stissN.. set r • arzu titis■S■set�°•tt tteta 007 set lac %sswam elIli 0° .a •t: a ES its t .e r...dal&.s*I. on 2 Music store - Bruce and Eleanor Switzer are new to Hensall. They moved their music store and teaching academy from Lindsay, Ontario to open last week. Re -opening - Hundreds lined up outside Stedman's on Thursday when the store re -opened its doors after a renovation. Cutting the ribbon were store owners Bob and Deb Gehan along with Exeter mayor Bruce Shaw. Back in time 10 years ago •"You have to wait until someone dies so you can buy their house," said Hensall reeve Harold Knight at a meeting of Hensall and Hay ratepayers to explain why the village was pi, j expand its nnrInrinS intim¢►J[hJn.rn�i;+w?..a,�"�•-�'•.-..- -- 20 years -ago ..Patients finally returned to South Huron Hospital for the first time since tlaflash flood closed the facility two Nvecl;s c;.rlicr. 50 years ago ."Clinton Colts. defeated Hensall 16-9 in the first game of the Huron -Perth semi-finals in Clinton last Monday evening. The game was called at the end of the sixth innings owing to darkness. The Hensall club lost their star catcher Kerslake for the rest of the season when he had his right arm broken in two places while attempting to tag Neilans at the plate. Foster replaced him. The Tudor brothers and Kipfcr did the mound work for Hensall while Draper went the route for the winners."t •Grand Bend was reeling after the third drowning of the 1939 season. A 32 -year old daughter of a St. Marys ministet* suffercdaheart attack while bathing in the lake, -.The Canadian National Exhibition placed an ad in the Times Advocate telling people to come and "See television!" An RCA demonstration promised that "You can actually see people being televised. It's really an historic occasion...don't miss it!" 100 years ago •Clanddboye: "Mr. Johnston, of London, formerly of this place, has returned to keep store in the stand formerly occupied by Dr. S.E. Hooper, who moved to Nebraska a few months ago." •"The by-law granting $10,000 to establish water works was carried in Lucknow on Monday by a majority of 53. Why does not Exeter follow suit" [7] Memorial trees planned for Exeter parks EXETER -Council will be esta- blishing a policy concerning the planting of trees in town parks in memory of former residents. The matter came up at the August 7 meeting when a letter was re- ceived from Victor Fulcher of Lon- don asking permission to plant a tree in memory of his father, Jack Fulcher. Deputy reeve Lossy Fuller com- mented, " I think it's a good idea, but we should have a policy on such matters: Let's turn it over to our administrator for a proposed policy. Councillor Ben Hoogenboom cautioned that all tree plantings should be well planned. He added, We are currently looking over a couple of plans for the Exeter - Town drainage controls seen as adequate EXETER - As the result of a re- cent request from council, adminis- trator Rick Hundey has prepared a report concerning,current drainage issues in town. Hundey reviewed drainage matters along with chief building official Dave Moyer and works superinten- dent Glen Kells. The staff report favoured Exeter continuing with the current practice of minor adjustments. On plans of subdivision, the town should continue to require proper drainage plans as necessary and should insist on an engineer's certificate regarding conformity .to drainage plans at the completed stage or earlier if circumstances warrant. The engineer may identify slope, soils and drainage issues that indicate a need for a greater degree of controls. In straight forward situations, lo- cal builders have been dealing with drainage matters adequately. Moyer suggested the volume of building activity in Exeter allows him to monitor work effectively. A dramatic increase in permit applica- tions may necessitate more sophis- ticated controls. • In site plan control, for the same reasons, the report favoured an op- tion by which drainage plans are - prepared with site plans as required. An engineer's certificate should not be automatically -required, hut called for if conditions warrant. Moyer told council, " Five to 10 minutes with the builder before the application is sufficient and we usu- ally get co-operation 99 percent of the time." When councillor Harry Klungel commented, " The problem is that sometimes the foundations are in before you see them", Moyer re- plied No, we like to have an inspec- tion at excavation time." Hundey went on to say, " Dee (Moyer) has enough scope in his job description to make the right dccisons on drainage problems. The common sense approach is best in most situations." , Moyer added, " We have to take a pro -active approach ahead of time. We always try to make develop- ment in proper fashion. You can't raise grades to go above adjoining property and cause flooding prob- lems for neighbours." Morrison Corridor and it would be premature to start planting trees that are not compatible to these plans." NEED A MORTGAGE? 1st, 2nd, Multi Family or Com- mercial, flexible terms, fast, confidential service, Call "The Mortgage Mart" London - 433-6666 1-800-265-1508 WE GET RESULTS! usheas 1© AUCTIONEERS FILSON & ROBSON The Experienced Auctioneers that Guarantee You More SS Considering A Sale or Need an Appraisal 666-0833 666-1967 Call Collect Supplying You with 30 Yrs. Efficient Service • • Mobile office • Immediate Payment fr 2 Auctioneers It Is Our Pleasure To Serve You NORM WHITING LICENSED AUCTIONEER R APPRAISFR • Prompt Courteous Efficient ANY TYPE, ANY SIZ,E,_. 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