CHRISTMAS IN GRAVENHURST -

STAYCATION - SHOPPING LOCALLY, AND I MEAN THAT!!!!!

OF COURSE WE HAVE TO DO SOME BUSINESS SHOPPING OUT OF THE REGION. WE CAN BE SPOTTED WANDERING AROUND ORILLIA ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH. I LOVE COUCHICHING PARK, WHERE WE USED TO BRING THE BOYS ON SUMMER SUNDAYS FOR FAMILY BARBECUES. WE USED TO GO UP TO WINDERMERE FREQUENTLY, WHEN WE HAD THE FAMILY COTTAGE ON LAKE ROSSEAU. WHEN SUZANNE'S FATHER DIED, AND HIS WINDERMERE HOUSE WAS SOLD, THERE WASN'T MUCH REASON TO RETURN. SAD BUT LIFE'S JUST LIKE THAT. I USED TO BE IN BRACEBRIDGE SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK TO VISIT MY MOTHER AND FATHER FOR COFFEE, BUT SECOND VERSE SAME AS THE FIRST. THEY BOTH PASSED AWAY AND NOW I ONLY VISIT THE TOWN ON SATURDAY MORNINGS, TO VISIT THE SECOND HAND SHOPS, AND ALMOST ALWAYS FOR BUSINESS…..OUR ANTIQUE BUSINESS AND THE BOYS MUSIC SHOP. THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT.

AS FOR STAYCATIONS, GEEZ, SINCE VACATIONING IN VIRGINIA BEACH, AS NEWLYWEDS, SUZANNE AND I HAVE WRITTEN THE ROUGH TEXT ON STAYING HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS. WE DO THIS FOR ONE IMPORTANT REASON. WE LOVE IT HERE. IT'S NOT SOMETHING WE THINK MUCH ABOUT, UNTIL SOMEONE MENTIONS IT, OR WE READ ABOUT THIS NOVEL IDEA OF INVESTING IN CLOSE-TO-HOME TRAVELS (OR NOT SO MUCH). ADDITIONALLY, AND WE ARE PUTTING THIS ON THE RECORD, IN CASE ANY ONE WANTS TO VARIFY OUR STORY……WE SHOP LOCALLY. FROM CARS AND MAJOR APPLIANCES, TO CLOTHING, GROCERIES, PET SUPPLIES, HARDWARE, GARDENING SUPPLIES, OUR FLOWERS, SHRUBS AND DECORATIVE BIRD BATHS. WE SHOP LOCAL. AND WE'RE SATISFIED CUSTOMERS EVERYWHERE WE GO!!!!

If some of my readers, and assorted others, who come upon these tomes by accident, think I'm pretty liberal with my criticism of several business associations, it's because we have a right to make comment……as retailers ourselves, and folks who put their money where their mouths are…….every day of the commercial week…..seven out of seven days. We visit at least one grocery store each day. We own seven cats, five of which were strays dumped off near our house. But as I love shopping……one of few males who actually gets a kick out of grocery store visits, I'm pretty good with this….although Suzanne…..not so much. The point is, we have everything we need right here in Gravenhurst…..and Bracebridge…..and it has, over the years, reduced our gas bill substantially. There are some business materials we can't always find in abundant supply here, but in the antique and collectible trade, that's just the way it is…..and will continue to be.

I take great pride in this fact, that we spend our money locally. I have bought the last two vehicles in Gravenhurst, and before that, they were acquired in Bracebridge. All our car's servicing is done in Gravenhurst, and with highly competent mechanics here, why would I go anywhere else. Last summer, we purchased a stove and fridge from one of the most reliable dealers on earth, right on our historic main street, and they purr along beautifully. Couldn't be happier, and the service…..it was wonderful. Whether it is a can of paint, a new shelter for our yard stuff, some interesting collectibles and good quality clothing from the local thrift shop,…… a new or used book from the nice folks at the book store, we find what we want and what we need right here in South Muskoka…….and while on staycation too.

Our boys, well, they've been known, for business, to spend a week, a couple of times a year, in the nation's capital…….haunting the old record and music shops for interesting new inventory to bring home for their customers…….and of course any ideas that they can bring back to improve their market-share…..and please their customer base. Even when they travel, they're representing their Gravenhurst business…..and almost every trip is a working vacation. It works for them. They have a good time, and always look forward to coming home, and getting back in the shop. Their business is a lifestyle situation…….and they will tell you without blinking…..there's more to life than money. Just ask the musician-kind and other guests, who stop by for a chat, or to lounge blissfully (listening to music) on the sofa, about the Currie boys passion for their business. It's just an unspoken reality. Sure, they need to make money to stay in business, but they keep a perspective about work and play…..that seems to keep them motivated. A lot of critics, who feel they should keep better business hours, don't realize the hours they spend instructing students after the shop has closed at 5 p.m. And both have other part-time jobs in the entertainment industry when they can squeeze it in. They're entering their sixth year, and business is good. And I'm sure this is the case throughout our good town, (many haven't been surveyed about their successes), where many business owners have spent, from a few intense years, to most of a lifetime, investing their heart and soul, in order to be a successful member of hometown commerce. It shows. We like and admire that!

I have just finished the most delightful meat pie, a portion of heavenly sausage roll, and then, after a little hiatus……with tea, a small but magnificent hunk of chelsea bun, from our favorite little main street area bakery…….one of the best in the country. A staycation is no hardship whatsoever.

Our family runs a local retail shop in the BIA zone of Gravenhurst. We have good days and bad…..dry spells and days when we're overflowing with business. We're no strangers to the highs and lows of main street business. But we never finish a week, that we can't say with honesty……"it worked out okay, you know! What are we going to do next week?"

We shop in as many local stores as possible, in any given week, and we find the service to be of the highest standard…..but of course we're biased……because no matter what the prevailing situation, we are happy homeowners, living the good life here in beautiful Muskoka. Making our home in Gravenhurst since 1989…..we made a good choice to raise our family.

As for Christmas shopping…..well, you guessed it…….everything will be purchased here……and possibly, a few items ten miles north (it was after all my own hometown as a young lad). We've already picked up a few items from local church and community fundraising sales / auctions, that will make perfect gifts. The holiday feast will all be purchased locally, and right down to the Christmas crackers, we'll be able to look you in the face and say…….we support our area merchants…..big, small and all those in between.

So take my critiques in the spirit they have been made…….from someone who will put up……to scrutiny, and heartily debate and defend any comment I write. We don't shop in Gravenhurst because of blind loyalty. We shop here because we get competitive prices, quality items and friendly, reliable customer services; and follow-up service when required. I don't shop locally because I feel sorry for town merchants. I shop here because I get the results I expect from the business community. This isn't an endorsement. It's reality. Nothing fancy.

And it is important to note that I am just one of hundreds who would rather shop here than switch.