Dec 01, 2011


Photo: Frank and Sandra White in the new gift store

Just in time for the final push of the holiday gift buying season, members of the White family, the new owners of the Sharbot Lake Country Inn and its newly renovated pub “”The Crossing”, recently transformed the former 1200 square foot restaurant space into a fully stocked gift store. Located on the main floor of the hotel and the brainchild of Sandra White and her sister Beverly Ward, the quaint store called The Doctor’s House Gift Shop is lined with old antique display tables and has been festively decked out for the holiday season. Over half of the gifts for sale are works by local area artisans.

“One of our goals in opening the new store was to support local area artisans by providing a venue for them to sell their work,” Sandra White said. Well represented here are many local artists working in a variety of mediums. Some of the unique, one of kind items for sale include framed and unframed prints by Martina Field; wood turned items by Ken Waller; jewelry by Laurel Minutillo and Lucie Gilchrist; and functional pottery by Johanna Jansen. Kathy Martin of Dragonfly Herbs is offering her line of all-natural herbal body products and Rodger MacMunn has a line of new signs based on vintage signs found in the local area from days gone by. There are original paintings by White family member Jen White (who is also assisting in managing the store) and original oil landscape paintings by Scott White. In the fibre department are knit wearables by Juanita Belanger and skeins of alpaca wool from Hanne Quigley. For those looking for more general gift items, Beverly is offering up other items in the store including assorted children’s toys, candles, Christmas-themed ornaments and gifts and much more.

The store hours are Friday and Saturday from 11am-5pm and Sundays from 9:30am- 5pm but Jen tells me that she would open up the space if diners are interested in making a purchase during regular restaurant hours.

The White family definitely has their work cut out for them. Their newly renovated pub called The Crossing, named after the small Newfoundland town where both Sandra and her husband Frank were born, is keeping the family pretty busy. The Crossing offers diners a full lunch and dinner menu and Frank and Sandra do all of cooking on site with fresh ingredients. The décor is warm and homey, with its barn board pillars, exposed stone foundation and warm fireplaces throughout, and is meant to remind diners of old railway towns. The restaurant is also quick becoming one of the hottest spots for live music. Up and coming on December 10 is the Rick Fines Trio. There are just a few tickets left so to reserve, call 613-279-2198. The restaurant hours are Monday through Saturday from 11am-8pm, Sundays from 9:30am-8pm.

 

 

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