| When shop owner Sharon Smith was hunting for a building in
Stroud to house her proposed floral shop, she found her search
wasn't proceeding as quickly as she would have liked. "I
didn't want to be in a strip mall, because it didn't seem to
go with the kind of store I wanted," she explained, "I wanted
something with character."
Luckily for her Coba's Corners, a craft and rustic
homewares store for which she designed gift baskets, came up
for sale at the same time, spring of 2003. Housed in a century
old former hotel, the store oozed character and was nestled
astride a cross roads, where a steady flow of traffic was
assured.
It was an opportunity too good to be true, so Smith snapped
up the store and reopened it soot after with an apt new name:
Yours Truly Country Store.
Located at Fennell's Corners, at the corner of Highway 11
and Highway 89 in Innisfil, the store is warm and inviting,
infused with charm and hospitality for which small towns are
typically know.
Upon entering, your nose is welcomed by the pleasant aroma
of fresh pine and scented candles, and within seconds you feel
right at home.
Yours Truly is brimming with a host of wonderful items with
a country theme, ranging from place mats, frames and candles
to throws, pillows, folk art, pottery, and various other
handicrafts. Among the many unusual objects, are beautiful
stained glass windows in period frames. They're elegant, yet
rustic.
"There's something in here for almost everybody, even if
you're not into crafts." says Smith proudly. Having spent half
an hour browsing the store, it's easy to conclude she might
just be right.
The most popular items, however have proven to be the
handsome pine furniture. " They're very reasonably priced, and
of course they're beautifully made," says Smith. Custom orders
are welcome.
Like the village stores of the past, Yours Truly is a vital
part of the community. All of the wares come from artists in
the immediate area: Smith takes obvious pride in giving them
some richly-deserved exposure. At the same time, the locals
have embraced her and the store, many having become regular
customers in the year since the store opened its doors.
But it's not just area residents who've discovered Yours
Truly. Many cottagers stop in on the way back to the city. It
seems many like to escape the gridlock on Highway 400, stretch
their legs, and browse the ever changing stock "The rustic
look appeals to them and matches their cottage decor," says
Smith.
There's even an ice cream shop on the premises, perfect
refreshment after hours spent cooped up in a car.
"We also get a lot of wives shopping in here while their
husbands are golfing (at nearby Harbour View Golf Club) or if
there's a major tournament at the racetrack.
Smith's personal touch can be seen in the gift baskets. She
has designed gift baskets from her Churchill home for many
years previous to opening Yours Truly and so it was natural
that she would use the store as a venue to promote her
passion.
Smith is quick to point out that while her creations
are especially popular at Christmas, they also make great
presents for weddings, births, and nearly any other
occasion. In fact, realtors are among her regular clients,
using them as housewarming gifts.
Having just celebrated its first anniversary, what's in
store for the future of Yours Truly?
"I want to have a Christmas corner all year long: People
are always attracted to them, and Christmas decor is a good
seller" she says. "And who knows, maybe I'll add a tea room at
some point."
But for now, Yours Truly Country General Store remains tied
firmly to the past.
The century old hotel, the rustic, homemade wares, the
intimate relationship with the community, and the personable
nature of the proprietor. All harken back to a simpler time, a
time all of us occasionally have a yearning to visit.
Yours Truly Country Store is located at 5417 Yonge Street
(formerly highway 11, just minutes from Highway 400. To get
there take Highway 89 east from Highway 400 , turning right at
the first set of lights.
Hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. - 7
p.m. Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Story courtesy of Business Times Simcoe County - Andrew
Hind. |
