by Kris Riendeau
Mill Street “regulars” have probably noticed that the windows of Appleton Gift & Basket are looking a bit bare these days, and you may be concerned about the future of one of the street’s loveliest shops. Well fear not, good local shoppers — there is simply a creative merger in progress at 65 Mill Street.
Good friends and retail neighbours Cynthia Stuart (Appleton Gift & Basket) and Erin Kentfield (Kentfield Kids) are extending their association into the realm of business partnership by merging into one store. Right now, the Appleton side of the building is closed for renovations (which includes an expansion of the retail space), while Kentfield Kids stays open for business. On September 29 and 30, Erin will close to make the big move next door where she and Cynthia will re-open on Saturday, October 1st under the Kentfield Kids moniker.
The new store will combine “the best of the best” of the two shops, and will also include a new play area for kids and a change room. They will be adding new products, and at the same time expanding their current lines of baby items, bath and body products, toys and games, specialty teas, and (perhaps most critically) delicious truffles! They will also continue to carry brand-name consignment items in sizes from newborn to age 10, and welcome any gently used fall and winter items that your kids have outgrown since last year. They decided to keep the name Kentfield Kids because the store still focuses on children and because the name is well established, but the new venture is definitely a shared partnership.
For the purposes of this article I tried to get separate quotes from Cynthia and Erin, but with all the excitement and merging going on they were both talking at the same time and finishing each other’s sentences. Here’s what they both had to say: “We’re putting the best of the best together under one roof, and together we’ll be able to offer better customer service because at least one of us will always be in the store. But in addition to that, we’ll have more time and energy to devote to our families and our community. We’re also looking forward to having time to shop at all the other great stores downtown!”
Don’t miss the grand re-opening of Kentfield Kids at 65 Mill Street in Almonte on Saturday, October 1. And if you’re wondering what will fill the former Kentfield Kids space, check out Doree’s Habit on Facebook for a sneak preview…