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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-12-17, Page 13Wednesday, December 17, 2008 Times -Advocate 13 Local merchants identify top-selling Christmas gifts this year By Ben Forrest TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER Tis the season to be shopping, and despite uncertain times local residents seem to be doing plenty of it this Christmas season. Christmas business so far has been agreeable for us, said Gary MacLean, owner of Exeter s MacLean s Home Hard- ware, Source for Sports and The Source by Circuit City. I think it s common knowledge that the technology side of things is where things are really humming right now, he said. It s iPods, GPS s, flat -panel TV s, digital cameras. Those are hot items in the elec- tronics side of things. Technological items typically sell well this time of year, MacLean said, noting cellular phones and laptop computers are popular items this year. In Source for Sports, we re selling a lot of one-piece hockey sticks they re a big Christmas gift, he said. Columbia outerwear, NHL jerseys are very popular again. The store s Home Hardware division has been selling large quantities of all-purpose cutters, which have been heavily adver- tised. Other than that through our Home Hardware division, it s pretty spread out between our toy department and small appliances and giftware, MacLean said. Those areas are all fairly standard every year. No single toy is selling particularly well, MacLean said, though earlier this year the popular Nintendo Wil game system flew off the shelves. Shoppers who wanted such a system had to buy it in October and November, Ma- cLean said the store is currently sold out. Now you can t get them until January, he said. A recent tragedy resulting in the death of a Woodstock family has seen a significant spike in sales of carbon monoxide detec- tors, according to MacLean. The store typically keeps 10 in stock but has sold hundreds, he said. Ruth Miller, manager of Exeter s Cana- dian Tire store, noted toys in general are selling well though none particularly better than another. Flat screen TV s are also a popular item, along with various small appliances and hand tools. Any time a flat screen comes on [sale] we sell out of them, she said. I think that s the way everybody s starting to go, and the pricing nowadays is much, much better. Some have predicted that harsh economic times might cause a drop in the sales of big- ticket items such as these, but Miller said her store hasn t been seeing this so far. I know people are scaling down, but what they re doing is [maybe buying] a bit less, but the items tend to be a little bit more on the upscale price range, she said. They re maybe not buying as much, but a family will buy a big screen TV or some- thing like that, she added. I don t think that just yet the economy has hit us as badly as it might have in other areas. At Bayfield s The Village Bookshop (TVB), sales of the recently awarded Giller Prize and Governor General s Literary Awards are popular choices. The two prizes are generally handed out in November, said TVB owner Mary Wolfe, and this is usually a boon to sales of the winners and nominees. What we call the fall season, which goes right through to Christmas, is really big for books, she said. This year s Giller win- ner was Through Black Spruce by Joseph Boy- den, while Nino Ricci s The Origin of Species took the top Governor General s Award. Sales of children s books vary by age group, but Melanie Watt s Scaredy Squirrel series a col- lection of picture books about a nervous rodent reluctant to leave his tree is a popular item for children just learning to read, or enjoy being read to, Wolfe said. For children in the mid- dle grades, Jeff Kinney s Diary of a Wimpy Kid has sold well. Pre -teens, teens and even adults have taken to Stephenie Meyer s Twi- light series. It s a vampire love story, said Wolfe. It s very well done and really Christmas in Granton By Muriel Lewis GRANTON CORRESPONDENT GRANTON The Granton - Wesley UCW sponsored their annual community supper at the church on Dec. 9. Enter- tainment by the AgriTones fol- lowed. The Granton community extends sympathy to the fami- ly of Max Bilyea, who died at Wildwood Care Centre in St. Marys on Sat., Dec. 13. His funeral was on Tues., Dec. 16, with Pastor Paul Vollick offici- ating, with interment at the Granton Cemetery. At the Granton -Wesley G.I.C.'s 470% awe, Gaiser "111Ins. KnBrokerleale nc. EXETER - 519-235-2420 GRAND BEND - 519-238-8484 CLINTON - 519-482-3401 United Church on White Gift Sun., Dec. 14, Pastor Vollick led the service and the message was entitled Rejoice always? The Scripture readings were from Isaiah 61 and 1st Thessalonians. The third Advent candle was lit by Steve Cook, Maddie and Grace Cook. Time was shared with the young people of the congrega- tion. The Christmas Eve service is to be held at the church at 7 p.m. OMISINESIPI "DIRECTORY REPAIRS Sew & Save Repairs TO ALL MAKES FREE ESTIMATES 90 DAY WARRANTY Experienced since 1952 Sew and Save Centre Ltd. 149 Downie St., Stratford Phone 271-9660 intriguing. It kind of captivates you. Asked to recommend a holiday read, Wolfe offered Lawrence Hill s The Book of Negroes and Boyden s Three Day Road for adult readers. Those two to me stand as great literature good Canadian historical fiction and it s also events that we as Canadians were never really taught, Wolfe said. For younger readers, Wolfe recommends John Ibbitson s The Landing, which won the Governor General s Award for best chil- dren s book (text) this year. I think it s just that it captures place re- ally well, and it s told from a 15 -year-old s perspective of a boy who maybe doesn t feel like he fits in, Wolfe said. The boy has a gift, and learns how to use that to progress in life and make his way, she added. At Noel in the Village, a Zurich shop that specializes in Christ- mas items, traditional rather than trendy fare is in demand, accord- ing to owner Francine Venesse. I think people are going back to something very basic and some- thing traditional and very clas- sic, she said. It s not the glittery mauve and pink and blue and that kind of thing. It s more like a traditional type of Christmas d cor. The store carries a large selection of orna- ments that can be personalized, and these are popular, Venesse said. So too are Nativ- ity scenes, angel and Santa figurines. People travel a distance to find these things Venesse said, and she wonders if it s because they re hard to find elsewhere. People are carrying trendy things, but its hard to find a traditional thing that you would give to your kids for them later on, she said. Maybe they re popular, she said, because others want to leave some kind of legacy, or carry on a tradition. SOUTH HURON WALK-IN CLINIC ' CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY HOURS WALK-IN CLINIC Dec. 24/08 11 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. Dec. 25/08 CLOSED Dec. 26, 27, 28/08 11 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. Dec. 29/08 11 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. Dec. 30/08 11 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. Dec. 31/08 11 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. Jan. 1, 2, 3 & 4/09 11 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. 1 THE HOME OF THE WEEK HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALISTS gOOYSFi 'st Innovative Flooring • Armstrong Vinyl • Ceramics • Pergo • Carpet • Hardwood • Area Carpets PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATIONS 519-235-4401 457 MAIN ST. S., EXETER www.floorsfirst.com/innovativeflooring 6E0 4 TEC/( Heating & Cooling Limited Gas Furnaces • Fireplaces • BBQ Plumbing • Electrical • Hot Tubs Geothermal Heating & Cooling Hwy 21 & 84, St. Joseph • 519-236-4770 Seacoast Mall, Goderich • 519-524-4199 1-888-GEO-TECK (436-8325) www.geo-teck.com "YOU CAN SHOP WHERE THE BUILDERS BUY" MITCHELL - #8 Highway CALL WAYNE PEARCE 519-348-8437 • 1-800-663-6977 Mon. -Fri. 7:30-5:30 Saturday 8-5 p.m. �11L'1�1 111 211 j FURNITURE REFINISHING ILII WITH PRIDE • finish trim, doors/cupboards, colours to match • antiques & unfinished furniture • hand stripping • hand -rubbed Mains • choice of finishes • repairs • pick-up & delivery • free estimates STEPHEN FINKBEINER 519-234-6371 RR#2 Crediton E-mail: furniturefacelifts@sympatico.ca CONSTRUCTION • Houses • Additions • Renovations • Farm Buildings • Siding • Bathroom & Kitchens • Replacement Windows & Doors RAY MILLS 519-228-6704 Fax: 519-228-7001 Centralia, ON NOM 1K0 Tir T.N.T. STAND-BY POWER INC. 11' KILOWATT KING DIESEL CONVERSIONS www.kilowattgenerators.com tntstandby@Incl.net DON TRIEBNER R R #1 Exeter, ON NOM 154 519-237 36411 Tell Free 866-383-3641 Fax 513-237-3522 • (e11: 513-871-3641 GENERATORS: PTO, Diesel, Portable SWITOIES: Grade Level, Pole Top, Automatic EAVESTROUGHING LTD. • Seamless Eavestrough • Soffit • Fascia • Siding • Asphalt • Steel Roofing • Shutters • 40' Boom Truck SINCE 1990 CALL GERRY BONDED & INSURED 519.228.6295 FREE ESTIMATES Fax: 519-228-6534 STANLAKE , CEMENT CONTRACTOR • Concrete Forming • Foundations & Floors • Coloured & Impressed Concrete • Driveways & Sidewalks R.R. 2 GRAND BEND Dan 519-243-3261 Bruce 519-238-2522 0211514001 STAMPCRETE DECORATIVE CONCRETE • Installation • Cement Finishing • Patios • Sidewalks • Driveways • Pools FREE ESTIMATES MOBILE 519-521-3271 SHAWN RAU JOE RAU BLUEWATER WINDOWS los DOORS bewaterwin dow e-mail: sales@bluewaterwindows.ca 394 HURON RD. GODERICH, ON PHONE 519.524-1520 •FAX 519-524-9705 RONA CAABHWAY Hwy. 84, ZURICH Tel: 519-236.4393 265 Main St. N., EXETER Tel: 519-235-2081 Your Project Partner... • Pa'nts • Cedar Lumber • Patio Stones • Hardware • Decks • Fences • Kitchen Cabinets • Bath Fixtures ALL DESIGNS PLANS AND RENDERINGS © COPYRIGHT JENISH HOUSE DESIGN LIMITED v -- s ti al I'�1• �I1.��— Irtj ISI! i I 99lry��I IIpII' L. rE\\ . .. I M1r. LI- y II 9�@t+f`< I� � nn �, on VIII)]i111IIIII"I I OIl9NIINII 1 d� t l' 4-417.74,1,. ;,;..„:0_ 1z `, •ESE• AlikALL DESIGNS, PLANS RENDERINGS ® COPYRIGHT JENISH HORSE DESIGN ANDG9 LIMITEDni o r °F Ll •r '" — — {7' . 1-I .,mg,"1 . i^ 0 m: SECOND FLOOR PLAN e)L 866 SQ. FT. (80.4 M') MAIN W? �.- WIDTH - 86'- 0" (26.2 FLOOR PLAN DEPTH -54'-6" (16.6M) M) 2380 SQ. FT. (221.1 Ms) 9,0" CEILING HEIGHT r PLAN NO. 7-5-962 TOTAL 3246 SO. FT. (301.5 M') JENISH HOUSE DESIGN LIMITED Two STOREY Mi Plan number 7-5-962 ATOUCH OF OLD FASHIONED ELEGANCE - A wrap-around veranda and multiple gables with decorative wooden braces lend the rambling five -bedroom family home a touch of old-fashioned elegance. Indoors, however, the design includes every amenity a contem- porary family could desire. Entrance is through a covered porch, flanked by stone -based pilasters, into a foyer with a display case for collectibles and knickknacks. A coat doset is to the right, adjacent to a den brightened by both a skylight and a deep-silled window. To the left of the foyer is the living room, which is separated from the dining room by a three-way fireplace. The dining room's lofty 10 -foot ceilings will add drama to this room. French doors open onto the veranda at the back of the home.The kitchen indudes a roomy walk-in pantry and a convenient phone desk, as well as a largeisland with an eating bar.There's a window over the kitchen sink, and the L-shaped counter configuration promises efficiency. The adjoining nook is lit by a skylight and opens onto the veranda.An archway divides the nook from the family room, where a corner fireplace willmake this room cosy during the cooler months. A three-piece bathroom is tucked between the den and the laundry room, where a large doset will provide storage for the family's outerwear and off-season gear. A bench just outside the laundry, room will be handy for removing wet or muddy footwear. The double garage includes space to parka motorcycle, as well as a workbench.The master sprite features its own private terrace, as well as an entertainment centre and a two-way fireplace that will also cast its glow into the ensuite. A tiled surround enhances the soaker tub, and double basins will ease the morning rush-hour. Partial walls separate the toilet and shower stall from the rest of the ensuite, and an enormous walk-in closet will provide space for even the most fashion -conscious couple's clothes. Upstairs, the secondary bedrooms share a sky -lit bathroom, with double sinks. Two of these bedrooms indude a window -seat with under -seat storage, while the fourth features a built-in desk. The stair landing also boasts a sky -light. Exterior finishes indude horizontal siding, painted trim, stone accents and mullioned windows. This home measures 86 feet wide and 54 feet, six inches deep, fora total of 3,246 square feet. Ceilings are nine feet throughout, except where otherwise indicated. "YOU CAN SHOP WHERE THE BUILDERS BUY" MITCHELL - #8 Highway CALL WAYNE PEARCE 519-348-8437 • 1-800-663-6977 Mon. -Fri. 7:30-5:30 Saturday 8-5 p.m. �11L'1�1 111 211 j FURNITURE REFINISHING ILII WITH PRIDE • finish trim, doors/cupboards, colours to match • antiques & unfinished furniture • hand stripping • hand -rubbed Mains • choice of finishes • repairs • pick-up & delivery • free estimates STEPHEN FINKBEINER 519-234-6371 RR#2 Crediton E-mail: furniturefacelifts@sympatico.ca CONSTRUCTION • Houses • Additions • Renovations • Farm Buildings • Siding • Bathroom & Kitchens • Replacement Windows & Doors RAY MILLS 519-228-6704 Fax: 519-228-7001 Centralia, ON NOM 1K0 Tir T.N.T. STAND-BY POWER INC. 11' KILOWATT KING DIESEL CONVERSIONS www.kilowattgenerators.com tntstandby@Incl.net DON TRIEBNER R R #1 Exeter, ON NOM 154 519-237 36411 Tell Free 866-383-3641 Fax 513-237-3522 • (e11: 513-871-3641 GENERATORS: PTO, Diesel, Portable SWITOIES: Grade Level, Pole Top, Automatic EAVESTROUGHING LTD. • Seamless Eavestrough • Soffit • Fascia • Siding • Asphalt • Steel Roofing • Shutters • 40' Boom Truck SINCE 1990 CALL GERRY BONDED & INSURED 519.228.6295 FREE ESTIMATES Fax: 519-228-6534 STANLAKE , CEMENT CONTRACTOR • Concrete Forming • Foundations & Floors • Coloured & Impressed Concrete • Driveways & Sidewalks R.R. 2 GRAND BEND Dan 519-243-3261 Bruce 519-238-2522 0211514001 STAMPCRETE DECORATIVE CONCRETE • Installation • Cement Finishing • Patios • Sidewalks • Driveways • Pools FREE ESTIMATES MOBILE 519-521-3271 SHAWN RAU JOE RAU BLUEWATER WINDOWS los DOORS bewaterwin dow e-mail: sales@bluewaterwindows.ca 394 HURON RD. GODERICH, ON PHONE 519.524-1520 •FAX 519-524-9705 RONA CAABHWAY Hwy. 84, ZURICH Tel: 519-236.4393 265 Main St. N., EXETER Tel: 519-235-2081 Your Project Partner... • Pa'nts • Cedar Lumber • Patio Stones • Hardware • Decks • Fences • Kitchen Cabinets • Bath Fixtures