Jitterbugs renovates and relocates

May 19, 2011

Photo: Hugh Fisher owner and operator of the new Jitterbugs in VeronaFor some the thought of relocating a business to an 100 plus-year-old building in need of renovation might seem a nightmare. For Jitterbugs owner Hugh Fisher of Verona, a cabinet maker and former network specialist at Queens University, the project was a dream come true. “I saw this old building for sale with huge potential and I knew I'd be getting back to what I really love doing most, which is designing and building.” The two storey, 1500 square foot building, which was built in 1875 and which Fisher is quite sure originally was a stable, presented Fisher with an opportunity not only to own and renovate his own building, but more importantly to pursue his own artistic endeavors as a furniture designer and maker.

Formerly run for two and a half years out of the rental unit beside Toppers in Verona, Jitterbugs will continue on in its new location at 6750 Road 38 in Verona as a home decor consignment store offering items for sale that include furniture, linens, artworks ceramics, glass. The store will officially open at its new location on Saturday May 21. Fisher also has future plans to convert the store in the slower winter months into his own workshop and studio, where he plans to design and build his own line of furniture: tables, bookshelves, chairs and cabinets, all made from the original old growth pine and oak that he has salvaged from the building during the renovation. “In some places there were seven layers of very old wood flooring sitting on top of the original post and beams, which I have salvaged and intend to use. This wood is beautiful stuff with a lot of colour and character that you just don‘t see anymore these days.” Already Fisher has begun working with the salvaged wood and has built window shelves and shelving units for the new store. His artistic flair is apparent in the renovation, which included gutting the entire building, replacing all of the wiring and plumbing, windows and replacing the old wooden floor with poured concrete that he has splattered with paint to match the warm orange hues that now cover the walls.

Fisher has managed to turn the store into a modern-looking retail space while also preserving its original character. The main floor interior is warm and inviting and a large, wide staircase leads up to the second storey. Remembered mostly by long time Verona residents as a 1950s shoe store owned and operated by Don Le Bay for 20 plus years, the store has been home to a number of businesses since. For Fisher the undertaking accomplishes a number of personal goals. ”For me the project is really a labour of love... It is also a way to further imbed myself into the local community which is important for me. I figure you only live once; why not take a chance and pursue your dreams.”

Fisher is still on the lookout for consignors with clean upscale items for sale. Anyone interested can contact him at 613-374-5287.