New gift shop and tea store in Harrowsmith

Jeff Green | Jun 01, 2016

After the closing of the Tiffany gift store last year, Shelly Lacelle of Wilton Creek Fabrics, which is located just across the road from the former Tiffany store, on the west side of Road 38 at Colebrooke Road, decided to turn the upper floor of her heritage building into a new store.

She calls it the Upstairs Tea and Gift Shop.

At the store opening last Saturday, May 28, Shelley was happy to show off some of the product lines she will be carrying. One of the centrepieces of the store is the product line from Tea Forte, a premium tea company whose pyramid-shaped tea infusers and unique tea blends have been a major force in bringing back the elegance and ceremony of a fine cup of tea.

The Upstairs Tea and Gift Shop is also carrying a full line of teacups and other accessories.

Since the shop is located above Wilton Creek Fabrics, which is celebrating its 14th anniversary on June 4, Shelly is able to offer quilts for sale for the first time.

“I have been selling fabric and providing workshops and advice to quilters from across the region for 14 years, and with the store I am now able to sell the work of some of the best quilters I know,” she said.

“These are not mass-produced quilts you can find at a box store. Each quilt is one-of-a-kind, made from the finest quality designer fabrics; true works of art.”

The store also has Canadian-made stoneware by Maxwell Pottery of Mattawa. Signature pieces such as their Canoe on a Lake dip sets; pendants by Dotti Pots; and the toys and cottage decorations that fill the carefully designed display area should be popular with the local population as well as with cottagers. There is also fine cabinetry by Rabbet Wood and Glass Design of Sydenham.

“I really have no idea how this is going to go,” said Shelly, “but it is something I have wanted to do for a while now, to offer something new in Harrowsmith and turn more of my building to retail.”

There is also a potential opportunity for an entrepreneur who is interested in serving tea at the store. There is a kitchen and a small dining room space that could be turned into a tea room if someone was interested.

“It is not something that I have time to do, with the fabric store and the gift store now taking up all my time, but I would be happy to welcome someone to do it,” she said.

The Upstairs Tea and Gift Shop is located at 4909 Road 38 in Harrowsmith. It is open Tuesdays to Thursdays, and Saturdays, from 10 am to 4 pm; Fridays from 10 am to 7 pm. Call 613-372-1972 for more information.