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Friday, September 15, 2000 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER 11 Some bidders sought souvenirs and not bargains (Continued from page 1) The Tuesday auction was conduct ed by John DeRonde & Associates, an Oakville company specializing in liq uidations and appraisals. Nearly 100 restaurant owners, sur plus furniture dealers, memorabilia collectors, and bargain hunters from as far east as Scarborough, north to Richmond Hill, and west to Hamilton gathered to view and hopefully return home with some of the goods. James Stewart, owner of Oakville's English Bay Fish and Chips was there "to pick up a little bit of kitchen equip ment, maybe some chairs, pictures and cabinets." He came to the right place, for along with the predictable assortment of practical restaurant supplies, there was an impressive selection of fine furnishings, dozens of framed limited edition prints (mostly reproductions of the Canadian Group of Seven), win TJ* dow draperies, Royal Doulton china, light fixtures, tiffany lamps, and curios. In all, over 600 items were sold. A custom cherry wood buffet with hutch, reputed to be valued at $7,000 went for a mere $1,050. Those in the market for more func tional restaurant supplies could pick up lots of salt and pepper shakers or napkin dispensers for just 25 cents per item. Sue Drury, owner of Cognito's restaurant and Willie B's Southern Grill, cautioned though that bidders really need to know their prices. "Some of these items go at auction for more than they cost brand new. People get caught up in the fun of the bidding, or think that the price is for the entire lot and not the individual item", she said. Drury was outbid on a lot of 75 water goblets, but left happily with a colorful array of artwork, and a blue wing chair chosen for her son's bed room. Lifelong Oakville resident, Brenda Saigautis said she attended the auction because "it's a piece of Oakville histo ry going." Before the action got under way, she recalled a childhood memory of being perched atop a stool at the counter of The Country Squire prior to its subsequent expansion, and was hoping to retrieve a small memento of days past. Within the first hour, Sargautis was the proud owner of a matching pair of brass light sconces- a deal at just $10. Across the road at the Oakville Chamber of Commerce, executive vice president, Don Crossley also fondly reminisced about his own long term relationship with the landmark establishment. "I often went there twice a day-for tea and toast in the morning and later again for lunch," he recounted. "Much of the staff had worked there for years. The waitresses didn't even bother to take my order- they'd just ask if it was 'the usual' and then serve it." In addition to its culinary attributes, Crossley found The Country Squire to be a handy meeting spot for business as well as pleasure. "Even at seven in the morning, I could find many of the town leaders over there, but it was also great for appointments with people out of Toronto," he continued. "I was a regular there since 1967. When it closed on July 15th, I felt like I'd lost my second home," lamented Crossley. Len Papple, original owner of the Country Squire Restaurant, did not attend Tuesday's auction, but he was delighted to hear that his treasured moose head had found a new home. "That old moose has been around for years," he related. "My father was a great hunter. He shot it himself, then had it stuffed and mounted." The 21-point trophy eventually became worn and relegated to the family cottage. "When we expanded the restaurant back in the '80's, I thought it deserved a nice place over that fireplace in the lobby, so I had it restored and it's been there ever since," Papple adds. The Country Squire Restaurant first opened at its present location in 1963, and remained a family-run oper ation until it was sold 11 years ago. Papple stresses that the business owed its success as much to his wife, Connie and their three sons, as it did to him. In a way, the restaurant was an integral part of the family. "I was very proud of The Country Squire," said Papple. "When we sold it, I became very depressed- it was like losing a member of the family." G RAND CARAVANS 2 f t f t f t TOW N & COUNTRY yM U U U CARAVAN Automatic, air, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors and more. U F w 6 c y lin d e r, pow er w in d o w s, pow er door NEON Air, automatic & more IN TR EPID lo cks, pow er m irro rs and m o re. Ask about our Low Rate Financing on the rest of our 2000 model year line up W E W IL L N O T B E U N D E R S O L D !!! OAKVILLE DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP 646 4th Line, S p eers Road, O akville www.oakvilledodge.com I CHRYSLER w O.E.W. Speers Rd. E 8 4 5 -4 2 1 1 < 5 M # £