Stratford Times July 26, 2024 13 Stratford businesses open doors to embrace Summer Sidewalk Sale ALEX HUNT Times Correspondent Shop owners took their stores outside to Stratford’s sidewalks recently. On July 13, the Downtown Stratford Busi- ness Improvement Area (BIA) hosted their Summer Sidewalk Sale encouraging shop owners within the downtown district to open their doors and set up their products along the sidewalk area outside the front of their business. “T like to be out there with the customers and I'm hoping (to) maybe even get to know some of our fellow shop neighbors,” said Tif- fany Glass, co-owner of H.H. Delea & Com- pany. “You see them and you wave but you don't really get to talk, so that’s something I would like to change.” Glass runs the H.H. Delea gift shop with her husband Harry Gidge and their daughtet Carmondy Gidge as well as one other staff member, Terri Bebingh, on 97 Ontario St. The business specializes in selling an as- sortment of items to their customers ranging from bathroom accessories, greeting cards and soapstone carving kits. “As a family run business, we work togeth- er and we try to have a balance but some- times we have to take the business home with us and discuss it on our off time,” said Harry. We try to leave that business at work because at home we have three children. This is our job; it’s a lot of work and we are constantly trying to improve and make it better.” Located on 69 Ontario St. downtown Stratford, Gallery INDIGENA owner Erla Boyer is thrilled to be participating in the Summer Sidewalk Sale as she decorated the foot of her door with artwork created by tal- ented indigenous artists. Boyer has held her shop in Stratford for 25 years and worked in the Indigenous art sell- ing business for the last 54 years. “We specialize in Indigenous art and ev- H.H DELEA & COMPANY WELCOMES GUESTS TO THEIR FAMILY OWNED GIFT SHOP (ALEX HUNT PHOTO) Carmondy Gidge, Harry Gidge, and Tiffany Glass show off their wares to residents and tourists passing by for the Stratford Summer Sidewalk Sale. erything we sell, even if it's made in China, royalties go to the artist. We try to have as much as possible made in Canada,” said Boyer. This is a huge gift shop of carv- ings, me bags, artworks and many other thin; The ‘Stratford shop features many unique items handmade by Indigenous artists such as bison handbags, clothing originating from the Arctic and painted artwork ranging in price up to $3,200. “T really take pride in the fact that we have spread this art to millions of people in 50 years,” said Boyer. “People just keep coming back and coming back and they support the Indigenous artists. But this is quality art, it’s not airport art.” Danna Nicole is a women’s boutique on 87 Ontario St. that sources European and Cana- dian made clothing brands. “I love coming to work with a rock star team every day, that aspect as an entrepre- neur is fantastic. I adore the support from our sales reps with some I’ve known from two decades,” said owner Danna Link.“In Stratford we have the perfect mix of loyal lo- cal clients as well as tourists that come once a year. Every day is different.” The day-long sidewalk sale was accom- panied with sunshine and comfortable tem- peratures, allowing owners and customers to mingle in the fresh outdoors on a rain free day. Chuck’s Roadhouse to take over former Hub Restaurant in downtown Stratford STRATFORD TIMES STAFF stratfordtimes@gmail.com Popular Canadian-chain Chuck’s Roadhouse is coming to downtown Stratford, set to take over where the former Hub Restaurant was located. The corporation listed a franchise opportunity on its website, identi- fying the location as 31-33 Market Place in Stratford. Described as a prime downtown location in a high-traffic tourism area, the listing is‘labelled as “sold,” though there are no further details as of publication. HUCK’S ROADHOUSE AR AND GRILL —— INNOR LUCZKA PHOTO) (co The former Hub Restaurant in downtown Stratford may be getting a new restaurant soon. Popular Canadian-chain Chuck’s Roadhouse has listed the location as a franchising opportunity on its website — and it’s labelled as “sold” as of publication.