Village Squire, 1976-07, Page 11s
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Their idea when they , settled on the
location, was to open a shop with
gourmet -type cookware the main feature.
They began to wonder, though, if this idea,
while popular elsewhere, would be popular
enough in this part of the country. So their
thoughts evolved to other things and there
became more variety in the shop.
They're feeling their way, Lil admits,
trying to learn as they go along. Like so many
people who have opened small shops they
have no business experience. They do have
business in their background, however. Back
home in Scotland their grandmother had a
successful little store. The ladies mother
worked there and always wanted to start a
little store of her own if the opportunity arose.
She didn't, but the appeal seemed to flow
down to her daughters.
For both Lil and Jean the shop represents
an opportunity to explore new ways of life. Lil
lost her husband about two years ago and was
drifting aimlessly, she says, until the idea of
the shop gave her something to work for.
Jean, meanwhile, was nursing at a Seaforth
senior's home but finding nursing harder and
getting tired of it. The store is the solution for
both of them and they're hoping the store will
carry them in a year or two. Meanwhile Jean
continues to work.
If it doesn't succeed, Lil says, well neither
of them has invested too much more than
worry and hard work into the partnership
anyway.
So far, however, things have been going
well, since they opened this spring business
has been steady, if unspectacular as yet. It's
giving them a chance to get to know the ropes
before business really picks up, they hope, in
July through Christmas. In the meanwhile
they've been especially pleased with the
reaction of the people in the village.
"The local people have been very
supportive and friendly" Lil says. They've
had many compliments made on the shop.
The friendliness has been a particular help to
Lil who moved out of Guelph to start the shop
after living there since 1946 when she
arrived in Canada from Scotland. It was quite
a wrench, she says, to leave her home city
behind, but she had some friends in the area
and they and the warmth of their welcome has
made the transition easy. At present the two.
sisters are staying at Jean's home in
Molesworth but if the shop succeeds, they
look forward to taking up residence in Blyth.
In the meantime, the shop continues to
evolve, often on the suggestions of customers
and friends. One man suggested they start a
Scottish corner and they have, making natural
advantage of their ancestry. They have place
mats and bags made from the Olympic tartan
and broaches and other things Scottish.
They're also thinking on expanding on the
line of cookware. It's time to begin to
experiment a little Lil says.
One of the things that is sure to sell in the
shop is the fresh shortbread produced in the
kitchen out back. The shop is filled with the
aroma of baking shortbread this morning as
we talk. It's something, Lil says, that can be
done in the lulls between customers without
danger of it being ruined should a customer
come in in the middle of preparing a batch.
The large cakes of shortbread are sure to find
favour with many visitors.
The kitchen will also be used to prepare
other fresh goods in the future, Lil says. They
A
CHRISTMAS COUNTRY FAIR
DISPLAY & SALE OF LOCAL ARTS,
CRAFTS & COUNTRY BAKING
Wednesday, October 20 and
Saturday, October 23, 1976
Saltford Valley Hall '/4 mile N
of Goderich in Colborne
Township
The original Western Ontario craft show organized BY craftsmen
to PROMOTE craftsmen and a community.
Special Features: Pottery by Michael Ward of Main St.,
Myth and Macrame hangings by Karen Ward of Blyth
Refinished early Canadian furniture by Dennis Steep
of Dunlop corner Hay. 21 & Iluron County Road 251
or
Huron -Bruce
ti Arts and Ctafts
presents
Inc.
CRAFT SHOW
Friday, July 30, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, July 31, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
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Ripley -Huron Recreational Complex
Ripley, Ont. 0
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�l./111.!l./✓./l✓✓llllJIlllll
at
•Antiques and Crafts
for Show and Sale
•Demonstrations
*Lucky Draws
•Entertainment
•Food and Fun
•Free Parking
HAND CRAFTS:
Crocheted Table Cloths,
Runners, Doilies, Knitted Baby
Sweaters Quilts - full size, single,
crib.
FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALL
OCCASIONS!
The Unusual in Antiques
4< and Collectables.
ZITe Sipboir
7:Cox
Antiques and Crafts
19 Albert Street
Clinton, Ontario
Phone (519) 482-9494
VILLAGE SQUIRE/JULY 1976, 9