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lO--The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, September 3, 2002 Rustic pear a specialty store for ail budgets By FANNIE SUNSHINE The Champion While looking for locations to open her shops, LyndaNixon quickly saw the potential of Miltons downtown core. 1 did some research and 1 knew Milton was grow- ing," she said. "1 wanted to be in downtown Milton, I'm a big fan of the downtown." In May, she opened Rustic Pear Home Fumishing at 143 Main St. Altbough the shop has only been open for about three months, Ms Nixon said she's pleased with the store sales. 1I stili think the new areas in town dont know about us. Our whole business growsb bas been happy customers coming back." A lot of customers browse for accents for their homes. such as candies, vases, picture frames. lamps and mirrors, she continued. Others are looking for gift ideas. "Soon we are going to have a bridai registry. We are going to do seasonal deeorating, so Christmas will be buge. We also seli gift arrangements." Ms Nixon, who bas been in the retail business for 30 years, said she wants to differentiate Rustie Pear from big box stores. "We are a specialty retail store. We are dedicated to providing unique merchandise to our customers. We are constantly shopping for unique produets and try to make tbe produets affordable for ail age groups." Along with a fuli-time manager, Ms Nixon has also hired a mercbandiser to work as the shop, she added. "We dont want to give the impression we're a snob- by sbop. We want everyone to feel comfortable. We're ail friendly in here. We have items that range into the thousanda, but you ean alto lind products for A few shops down, at 221 Main St., sits Ms Nixon's newest business, Rustic Pear Bedroomn Sbop, whicb opened in mid-August. "The bedroomn store is doing really welI," she said, adding shes been in the bedding business since the '70s. "We focus on custom bedding. The store is pricey, so il may nos be ideal for first-time home- owners." Even though both stores bave recensly opened, Ms Nixon said shes confident she made the rigbs eboice to open the businesses in town. "These stores are absolutely needed in Milton. In the 30 years Ive been in business, Ive neyer seen sucb friendly, patient and supportive customners." Lynda Nixon, owner of Rustic Pear Home Furnishlng and Rustic Pear Bedroom Shop, says she fiels she made the rlght choice when locating the businesses ln downtown Milton. Photos by GRAHAM PAINE -'Mattamy Homes is up for awards Mallamy Homes' residential development in Milton bas made the eut for a trio of industry awards. The local developers bave been announced as finaliats in tbree casegories for the Ontario Home Builders' Association (OHBA) Awards of Distinction. The Hawthorne Village developmnent on Derry Road is a fmnalist for Mosts Outssanding Single Family Home (tract buils borne 1,500 to 2,200 square feet) for its Potsingson borne and Mosts Outstanding Single Family Home (tract built home over 2,200 square feet) for it Tothburg Il borne. Mattamny is alto a fmnalist for Projeet of the Year for Hawthomne Village as a wbole. Winnert will be announced October 10 at the OHBA's annual conference in Huntsville. r~__~îîA~ Milton Heights Academy 4c~ve Mie/lt EST. ""- 1999 I.OCATED ON THE BEALTIFUL GROU NDS(OF C('1NTRY HERITA(,l PARK, MILTO>N OFFERING JUNIOR & SENIOR KINDERGARTEN A limited amount of space stili available *~Small Classes (14 max.) 4*Füll and Half days ImommE *French *.Reasonablefees J*Before and After school Care Computer classesj For Further Information Tel: 905-693-1557 Shool AveI 8560 Tremaine Road, Milton A PIVAESHm RMJK OGRD pw; 5? 0 ee 1 ",