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For one shop on Newfoundland’s Bonavista Peninsula, it’s Christmas every day.
Three years ago Gina Little opened Christmas 1497 Bonavista Inc., a store in the town of Bonavista that sells all things Christmas all year round. She said the busiest time is the months and weeks leading up to December 25.
No matter the season people visit, they’ll get the Christmas experience at Little’s store.
“When you come in here — if you come in July, you come in February — you’re getting the Christmas spirit,” Little told CBC Radio’s The St. John’s Morning Show.
That spirit includes Christmas music too and though it might not be for everyone, Little said her staff don’t mind.
“The ladies that work for me are fantastic. They don’t complain about the music,” Little said.
Something for everyone
The store offers a range of styles and prices, Little said, adding she’s noticed some items resonate with customers more than others.
“[It] reminds people of their childhoods, of their grandparents, of their mom and dad. The vintage ones are I think my favourite,” Little said.
Bows have been popular amongst customers this year too, she said.
“I tell people whatever you love — you love the reds and golds? Go for it. If you love the pinks and greens, there’s so much different variety that you can do,” Little said.
Little hopes she can spread some Christmas cheer with her store.
“We have a lot of repeat customers. And I love the people that come in, and they’re having a hard day, and they listen to a bit of Christmas music and go around, and they tell me they feel better when they leave,” Little said.
“That makes it so much more worth it for me.”
‘Give it a shot’
Little said every time she travels, she looks for a Christmas store, adding she’s not the only one who seeks out all things merry and bright on vacation either.
“We had tourists from all over the world this year,” Little said.
The store also offers shipping for folks who run out of room in their suitcases, she added.
Little said opening a Christmas store had been a dream of hers for a long time, though at first she wasn’t sure a shop like Christmas 1497 Bonavista Inc. would succeed in town. Still, she decided to forge ahead.
“The way our town has grown in the last 10 years, with online now being accessible, I thought I’d give it a shot,” Little said.
Though she has customers stopping into the shop all year-round, it isn’t always easy in the off-season but Little remains optimistic.
“Any new business starting up, it’s a struggle anyway, but especially when you do a unique store that’s year round,” Little said.
“It’s very hard but we’re making it work so far and I’m open to continuing to make it work.”
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