Blog - Under the Toadstool

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22 December 2011

Just wanted to update my customers and friends on the opening of the new store. Everyone is working hard on making the new store pretty for my Grand Opening on Sat. Jan. 7th. We will open at 10:30 A.M.

I have loads of new and exciting treasures and a lot of interesting shabby chic items. Plus furniture as well. We are painting like crazy! The new store is shaping up nicely and I hope my customers will be as pleased as I am. I have lots more space at 43 King Street, and I’m excited to be expanding my line of goods and treasures.

The Grand Opening on January 7 should be a lot of fun. Some give aways are planned and there will be yummy refreshments. I hope the day will be a hit. In the meantime I am still open at the old location through Christmas and New Year until Tuesday, January 3rd. I do have many items on sale at the moment. It will be a few less things to pack up so do stop by and see what is available at very reasonable prices.

Looking forward to seeing you at the new store!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

10 November 2011

What A Girl Wants!

Wednesday, November 16 5-10pm

It is that time again. The lady shop keepers in downtown Bowmanville are hosting another Ladies Night. Sadly, I won’t be there. I am off to England on Sunday to visit my daughter and her family and will miss this event. The store will be open and hopefully it will be another successful ladies night. Jenny, Jen, and Marg will be on hand to take care of our guests! I am really sorry I will miss this night but I had already had my ticket to England booked when the date of this event was announced. We do have some gifts and goodies in store. We do well with these special events so I expect good news when I get back.

I am thrilled to be heading across the pond. I have not been for some time. I have three very excited little boys waiting for my visit. It will be a chance to spend time with Ali and the boys and Gavin. I do enjoy the hunt for treasures over there as well. I’m sure I will come back with some pretty nice items for the store. I think everything will stay packed until I move in Jan. The new store is coming along. It is a slow process, but I am seeing it take shape. Once I get back from my trip it will be full steam ahead. Some work will be done while I am away. It is a daunting task to take on a project like this but in the end I think it will be a very postive step forward for me. My goal is to have a bigger and better store.

I am moving right across the street. The new store is located at 43 King St. East. Watch for signs and updates. I will keep you posted on what is happening. I am hoping to open on the first Saturday in January. I am really hoping to be ready. If not it will be the second Saturday in Jan. I will know better a couple of weeks ahead of my schedule.

Well Ladies, do enjoy the evening on Ladies Night. Wish I could be there! See you when I get back!

2 October 2011

I can’t believe another year has gone by and we are gearing up for the Apple Festival. Hope it is a good day. As with every Bomanville event, the street will be closed down and hundreds of people will wander down the main drag. Venders will be set up on the street and there will be apples galore. Lets see! Apple Pie, Apple Fritters, Candy Apples, Apple Cake, Apple Chips, Apple Cider, Baked Apples, Apple Crisp….. Apple everything! Lots of Crafts and goodies will be on tap for the many buyers who will attend. The street will be filled with stands, tents, and tables.

All the stores will be open and lots of surprises are in store. We will be doing sales and probably no tax on that day. We plan a few other surprises as well……………..so mark the date. Sat. Oct. 15th. The fun starts early and goes on all day. We will be looking forward to seeing all our friends and neighbours!

21 September 2011

The buying trip to the US went very well. As usual, the hunt was a dream come true. I just love finding the treasures! This trip we were knee deep in flood waters. Literally we saw so much damage, we were re-routed, we saw washed out bridges, houses, and so many sad helpless people. Irene certainly left her mark. We drove through flooded roads, a little scarey, but the truck did well. Most of the damage was in Vermont, and New York State. We also ran into floods at Brimfield. So many vendors flooded out. It did not stop me though. I still managed to wade my way through the puddles and mud. I had to throw my shoes out once we finished our tour of the fields. I was able to purchase quite a few finds for the store. Many vendors were selling their inventory at low prices. I am sure that attendance was down, although I still saw hundreds of people wading through the streams to buy, buy, buy!

Now onto other news. I am leaving most of the new stock packed up, as I am planning a move! Though Under the Toadstool isn’t moving far: Just across the street. I need bigger digs and this store will provide me more space. I think the move will be in Dec. not sure yet, as I have some work to do on the new place. I get the keys mid Oct. so hopefully, I will be ready to open in mid Dec. I wish Jenny at City Cottage well! We have had a good almost three years together. I am looking forward to setting up the new place. Lots of new ideas and dreams. I will still have the vintage clothing, little girls dresses, china, and glass, and the furniture. I would like to expland on the furniture so watch for some nice pieces. I also will have some very nice light fixtures and lamps. I am busy buying lots of new display pieces so that the look is a little more shabby chic! I have been busy painting and buying fabric. I hope that my customers will enjoy the new look. I am going over magazines and books for ideas. My head is full! Do feel free to get in touch if you have questions. I will keep you posted on any news about the move!

20 August 2011

Leaving next week on a hunting expidition for new treasures and finds. I enjoy the trips to the New England States. I find so many barn sales down that way. Lots of antique shops and flea markets. So many choices. On route we never have to drive very far before we hit another interesting spot to check out. It is nice to have a break from the every day grind. I am my happiest when I am out looking for pretty new items for the store. For the past few nights I have been pouring over magazines looking for new ideas and checking out vintage decorating trends. I enjoy looking over the pictures many times, so I don’t forget! This is my week off from the store so I am out and about looking for china and glass and anything else that peaks my interest. If I like it I buy it! I do have some painting to get done. I have a few little furniture pieces I am working on. I want to make sure the store is full before I head out. Oh! I am going on a sister outing at the end of the week. The yearly Antique Show is on in Lakefield this Fri. Sat. and Sunday. We do lunch before we hit the fairgrounds at 2 P.M. I always make a few nifty finds at this show. I will update on my trip when I get back home! I hope everyone has a great Labour Day Weekend!

7 August 2011

We are gearing up for another special event in downtown Bowmanville.

Moonlight Madness is being held Friday Aug. 12th. The streets will be shut down after 5 P.M. and the fun begins. Lots of treats and surprises as usual. We hope for a very busy night. These events bring out the crowds, so do take the time to check out the festivities. Lots of food and street vendors.

On another note, I am getting ready to head to Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. I find the nicesest things for the store when travelling the New England States. I am so looking forward to the week away. Hoping for a few lobster meals as well. We will end up at the Brimfield Antique Show. I am doing my happy dance that I am able to attend that show again this year. Never in my life have I seen anything like this show. Field after field of everything from fine furniture to fishing lines and more. I am in awe. I walk for miles taking in all the wonderful treasures. Hopefully I can post a few pictures when I get back.

Just to let people know I am getting in some really nice old barn boards over the next week or so. If you are looking for the boards at reasonable prices, visit Under the Toadstool.

3 May 2011

I am expanding my line of vintage clothing, hats, jewellery, etc. I seem to be falling in love with everything vintage. I am finding more and more beautiful vintage items. The store is full! If you are on the hunt for almost anything vintage, do check out my store “UNDER THE TOADSTOOL” located at 48 King St. in Bowmanville Ontario. My items are in lovely condition and my prices are very reasonable. It is well worth the trip out of the city to take a look. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call me 416-706-8154. Don’t forget Ladies night is on for Wednesday June l, 2011 between 5-10 P.M. Many of the downtown shop owners are taking part. The last evening for the ladies was a huge success! Hope to see you there!

1 May 2011

I have just confirmed that the Ladies Night in Downtown Bowmanville will be Wednesday June l, 2011 from 5 P.M. until 10 P.M. This event was a huge success in the fall, so we looking forward to another wonderful night. The ladies were out in full force until well after 10. Sales were great! Our guests enjoyed plenty of good food and we offered a wonderful punch. Also enjoyed were our give aways and gifts. We plan a few new surprises this time around. We are hoping for nice weather, and lots of attention to our downtown area on this special night. A great deal of planning and effort goes into making this event a success. Quite a few of the stores take part in the celebration. Do try to drop by and visit. I am sure there will be plenty of surprises on hand. All the shop keepers really go all out to try and put on a great and happy evening. Get in touch if you have questions. I would be happy to help! Please pass on the word and we will see you there!

20 April 2011

Good News! It looks like spring has sprung….. finally. The 2011 Maple Festival is fast approaching! Jenny and I are are starting to get ready for this really busy day. We anticipate looking out onto the street that is sure to be hopping all day. Hopefully the weather will be good. Folks from everywhere come out for this much-loved event. The maint street is closed to traffic and the vendor take over the town: gorgeous hand made crafts, tasty food, antique cars you name it! And of course, maple treats to die for. The Under the Toadstool bunch are sure to be busy ! We will have treats on hand, prizes, and our usual gift basket to give away. We really do enjoy being part of the town events. If you are looking for a wonderful family day, check out the Bomanville Maple Festival Saturday May 7th.

On another happy note! We just found out that the town will host another Ladies Night. The first one last fall was such a huge success, that we are doing it again! It looks like it will be early June. I’ll update as soon as the date has been confirmed.

10 January 2011

It looks like the Christmas Season has ended. Sales at the store were great in the month of Dec. I can’t believe the store will be open a year, in the next couple of weeks. How time flies when your having fun doing something you love to do. I can only hope that 2011 brings another successful year. Time to put away the Christmas decorations and re do the front window. Jenny is coming to give me a hand on Sunday evening to create another wonderful window display. I have lots of new finds to take to the store on Sunday. New things for the start of the new year. Tomorrow Joe is taking me to a auction in Milton. I have not been to an auction for a few months so I am excited. Hopefully I will find a few treasures. I made a trip to BB Bargoons for some fabric and found some really nice material. I have been re covering stools, chairs, etc. The updated fabric makes such a difference. I am always on the hunt for new and interesting items. If anyone in the Durham Region or Clarington is clearing house, get in touch. I am always interested in china, glass, small furniture items, linen, and vintage clothing such as hats, purses, outfits, and jewellery. You can reach me at sales@underthetoadstool.ca

Happy New Year!

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