Artisans walk way to new joint venture
The Willie O’Ree Place walking track is where the idea to open a new business was born. As three artisans walked, they realized they could combine their collective talents and have a retail operation unique to Fredericton.
“We had done the craft show circuit for years, but we wanted to have some permanency. So we opened Wishes, a store that combines crafts, antiques and primitive home decor items,” said Mary Parker, co-owner with Norma Taniguchi and Sandra Moore.
“The combination of these three product lines is what all the home decor magazines feature. We’ve brought that concept to Fredericton.”
Wishes offers both antiques and antique reproductions, in such items as enamelware and tinware.
The crafts come from the three partners, local area producers, as well as provincial and Nova Scotia artisans.
“Our primitive decor items are simple, such as recycled barn boards for wooden signs,” she said. “We have candles, soap, wreathes, toys, furniture, rugs and more.
Our inventory is constantly changing as we find antiques and add new crafts.”
Two friends assist the partners when necessary. Located next to Peter’s Meat Market on Main Street, Wishes is open seven days a week.
“We cater to just about anybody — people who want to decorate or need a gift for a special occasion,” said Parker.
“We have young singles, newly married and older people coming through the door.
“The other day a women came in, looking to decorate her hall around an antique chair from her grandmother.
We were able to match it with a rug, cushion and garland. One stop and she was done.”
Parker and her partners are enjoying the opportunity to offer quality crafts, antique and decor items.
“Craft shows are great, but they are a lot of work and there are space limitations for us,” Parker said. “And people can’t always make it to the show due to previous commitments. We give them an alternative.”
BFN summer students
Business Fredericton North (BFN) has hired two students to work on its summer events.
Meaghan Hatchard is a second-year business administration student at the University of New Brunswick and Katie Hamilton is a second-year science student at UNB.
Both are looking forward to working with BFN members and meeting them at scheduled BFN events.
Hey Boo-Boo!
Peter and Janet Clark, owners of the Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Woodstock, were presented with the Jim Webb Spirit award by the Jellystone Park franchise system at its annual general meeting in Cincinnati, OH.
The award is given to the franchisee that embodies the same spirit, enthusiasm and commitment to the company as Webb displayed throughout his career.
“We’re honoured to be recognized with an award that represents the essence of the Jellystone Park system,” said Peter Clark. “We take pride in our facility and we do whatever it takes to ensure our guests are happy.
“We are excited about the new camping season and are confident that this year’s new activities will help make the hard winter a distant memory.”
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Andrea Dimock is a freelance journalist. She can be reached at news@dailygleaner.com
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