Village Squire, 1977-12, Page 25spending $4000 on wall coverings in the shop yet they don't
scream money when you look at them. They do set the tone of
good taste that, pervades the shop.
With things slowing down in Toronto many of the sales
representatives of the fashionable companies are trying to find
new markets in the smaller towns. Some of them have been
astounded when they come into his shop, he says. They seem to
think that nothing of quality can exist outside the big city.
He doesn't like dealing with sales reps or with catalogues. Tim
says. He prefers to go to Toronto to pick out the merchandise
himself, which he does on Wednesdays when the shop is closed.
He likes to see what a piece really looks like before he decides if
it will fit into his store, not just see a picture.. In addition, the
regular trips to the city keep him in touch with what other stores
are doing and give him ideas for his shop. He finds a sense of
excitement going into the city, he says, and a sense of relief
coming home again. He feels that people in the area are close
enough to Toronto to use if for the good things while still living
in the country. It's possible, he says, to go to Toronto just for a
show and come home the same night.
Still he enjoys small town life. He wouldn't have had the same
opportunity to open -a shop in the city and he wouldn't have the
same kind of position in the community that he enjoys now.
He regrets, however, the fact that most of his business is with
older people. already established. He doesn't have that many
young customers because there just aren't that many young
people around. They've all had to go to the city to make a living,
he says.
But he's happy v: ith the way things have changed in the area,
with the way people are more interested in beauty and quality
these days. Someone told him, he says, that down through
history retailers have had the widest effect on changing the taste
of the public because only by showing people new ideas can they
be convinced to try it, and to like it. If that's so then Tim St. Louis
has had a hand in the changing attitude of shoppers in western
Ontario. Whatever the reason, people are changing. and The
Raintree is proving to be an idea whose time has come. ❑
Smith's
Market Square
The centre for family
shopping in Listowel,
with over 30,000 feet
of selling space for your
convenience and selection
Smith's
Food master
WHITE
LIOLEL
•
SMITH'S MARKET
SQUARE
THE SUPERMARKET
WITH THE COUNTRY STORE ATMOSPHERE.
*lunch counter •cooked fresh meats. only the
*in store bakery best grades of beef
•gigantic fruit and vegetable . •home made sausage
department •dairy department full of cheese
•150 feet of frozen food display and creamery products
VISIT OUR DELI for a large selection of meats, salads,
and cheeses
WE CATER TO ALL TYPES OF PARTIES!
WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARIES, HOUSE PARTIES,
DANCES OR STAGS.
We prepare the food, you serve it.
Store Hours: Mon., Tues., Wed., Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 6 p.m.,
Thurs. and Fri. nights till 10 p.m.
J Choose from our great s_electlon_of l_ulun�al,
Livtowel . Contemporary and Traditional Styles
Horne Fundshings to furnish every room of your home.
LSI
r
FULL LINE OF
-H- rtp'Erin!
APPLIANCES
TELEPHONE
291-4421 "Quality and value with confidence!"
155 Inkerman Street
Listowel, Ontario
VILLAGE Scot 'IRF/DECEMBER 1977, 23.