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Clinton News Record, 2015-05-06, Page 7Wednesday, May 6, 2015 • News Record 7 Maintaining historical authenticity at The Little Inn of Bayfield Laura Broadley Clinton News Record David R. Smith used to come to the saJoanne Oliver makes her way around the Little Inn of Bayfield with a presence of someone who really believes in what she is doing. She knows why the brick walls are signifi- cant, she knows where the floors came from and she knows the history of this building. Hailing from Toronto, Oliver and her husband moved to Bayfield after falling in love with it on a previous trip to visit their son. Oliver doesn't want to forget what has come before them but she isn't about to let it stop them either. The Little Inn has launched two new restaurants. The Wil- low Room is open for those who want a fine -dining experi- ence. Open Thursday through Sunday for dinner by reserva- tion, it was named in honour of the Willow tree gracing the front of the inn. Another dining area, called The Four -in -Hand Taproom is a new addition to the inn. Its name is a throwback to a coaching term when a rider would hold all four ropes in one hand. The taproom was created to give customers a more affordable option from the traditional fine -dining experience. Instead of replac- ing the floor with modern hardwood they have repurposed old flooring from the same era to maintain his- torical authenticity. On the mantelpiece in the taproom, above the original fireplace, sits an authentic coaching horn. Oliver explains the horn was used by coaches coming into the inn as a way to notify the innkeepers of their arrival. The inn is filled like this with stories and pieces of Bay - field's history. The new owners have redone the kitchen to make it more accessible and efficient. They hope that eventually the inn will be host to cooking classes. Both restaurants feature menu concepts by renowned Chef Michael Potters. Chef Pot- ters' menu focuses on locally sourced produce and meats. Executive Sous Chef, Jamie Crosby, is from Huron County and knows how much good - quality food can be garnered from the area, especially as spring moves forward. The walls of the inn are lined with archived photographs of the people and the building throughout its history. Bayfield residents recognize events and people and tell the stories behind the photographs, some- thing that Oliver loves. The inn opened in 1847 and is one of the oldest operating inns in Canada. Oliver and her husband took over ownership in October 2014 and they understand why the The Bayberry Shoppe still has the same flavour Laura Broadley Clinton News Record David R. Smith used to come to the same area when he was younger to flip burgers at a res- taurant. Today he comes to The Bayberry Shoppe, which he owns with his wife Sharon Kelly. "It's kind of like coming full - circle," he said. Smith and Kelly knew the for- mer owners wanted to retire. The store had been in the area for 23 years and neither couple wanted to see the store close. "We thought, let's give it a chance, let's give it a try. We didn't want to see the store close, they didn't want to see it close and we had a lot of people say the same thing;" Kelly remembers. Kelly had experience working at stores in Bayfield and thought that they could make it work so they took ownership last December. Natural soaps, candles, hand- crafted lights, rugs, tea towels, period furniture and specialty Christmas ornaments are just some of the items that Smith and Kelly are keeping. They are expanding stock but customers can still rely on purchasing their favourite items. "We're carrying similar things, we're expanding on it or we're adding to it." Kelly said. "We're staying within the same flavour of the store:' Smith and Kelly own The Bay- berry Shoppe but for them it's not just about business, it's about the relationships they have with the community. The Bayberry Shoppe is open throughout the winter months. community may be hesitant, at first, to accept some of the changes that are being made. But she encourages residents to come visit the inn to see what they have done and says that when people do come they are more often happy and appreci- ative. Oliver knows why The Little Inn is so important to the community - the building is, after all, a staple of Bayfield. Laura Broadley Clinton News Record Laura Broadley Clinton News Record David R. Smith and Sharon Kelly keeping the same products but expanding stock at The Bayberry Shoppe in Bayfield. PLEASE RECYCLE CODERICII 519 524 7811 fait (MOVIE INFORMATION... .may wwwwww.rnavielinks.c.9 Male Tour Chin Ilt+cr, 1;:r , Jr': "ii it 1',inr ( fier S-4 kind txt $1, Cl -`D ERflCii i 4.:.333 AW439553 Cas;tel inditisiries ALINL.f•.1.L7'Lsat61 "- i'd.4 !TOFF!' rims rkrRa.:(7 'r'rr I. ()I . COMPLETE LI NE OF CASUAL f URIS RE TO COMF`LIMENT AL-LFAS For ouidoors, patiosgarde:: areas, yin:rooms. ore orarrrrra,uarmr rwir onA 4i Nuabrrnra5•. Ia. uclsI - Fritl:r • 9;00 - 5:J ' trturcla 1191:013 - 4:410° .ir,o': rnar S•.1 L • • {rri+s,d 1 LttYi 519-238-2110