There is a new owner at the helm at Goose Feathers in Wallaceburg.
Loree Bailey took over the store earlier this year and is excited to carry on the tradition created by the long-time owner, Sally Mahoney.
“There is something that always feels good coming in here,” said Bailey, who has lived in Wallaceburg for the last four years.
“Every time walking by, or coming in the store, I don’t know what it is. There is just a nice feeling.
Bailey added: “I was just out walking and I saw the sign that it was for sale and I thought ‘hmmm… that’s interesting.’ It’s known and when you talk to people about this store, it is part of the fabric of the community. They know it.”
She decided to move forward and purchase the business.
“It felt good, it felt right and I wanted to be a part of it, I wanted it to be part of my life,” she said.
Bailey added that Mahoney has been helping her with the transition.
“I met Sally, she has been a terrific mentor,” Bailey said.
“She is still consulting and helping to get to know the products and clients. One thing that I know about this store is people know it. People went in still and are saying ‘Sally has a beautiful store.’ People associate the extra mile that she goes with the store and that’s part of my personality too. To pay attention to people and what people like and need. So it just felt like a good fit.”
Bailey said she already has some new products in ahead of the summer season.
“Some summer fun colours,” she said.
“We have some new stuff in the ladies accessory room. We are now stocked with Sparta Candles. We have a local artist Jacob Dick, he has pictures on the wall that are more masculine. A great gift for a man in your life.
Bailey added: “I really have strong interest in local work. This store was at one time about 70% Canadian and that has been hard to maintain because the contact just isn’t there. I would love to see it get back to that.”
Check out Goose Feathers online, here: http://www.goosefeathers.ca/
