PAGE 8, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1987 ABOVE, the Pearson Lanes project on Mary St. W., Whitby, winning an honorable mention in the non- residential renovation (private) category of the On- tario Renews Awards. Below, the winner of that category, Marketblock on Front St. E. in Toronto, a project of Stark Hicks Spragge, Architects. Hairdresser returns to Whitby store By EMILY PARE Two was too much for Janet Swan. After receiving her hairdressing license in Yorkshire, England, as well as a marriage licence, she and her husband moved to Canada, and in Whitby, Swan went into a par- tnership in a hair salon. With the experience of running a salon, she decided it was time to start on her own. "It's rewarding to be your own boss," she explains. She started with a salon in Scar- borough, 'Phase Three Coiffures,' then later purchased "Scissors" here in Whitby. For Il years Swan commuted back and forth running the two hair salons. But this year Swan sold the salon in Scarborough and is now putting all her attention into "Scissors" in Whitby. "Two was too much of a headache," says Swan. Now she looks to regain some of the old customers that Swan served before she became so busy. As well as haircuts. "Scissors" offers earpiercing. Promenade: "This is me," says Georgina Middleton as she shows a visitor around the bookstore she recently opened at Pear- son Lanes. An avid reader herself of books of all types, Middleton learned much about the trade as a former bookstore em- ployee. And noting that she has the only bookstore in Whitby, she says the emphasis will be on service. "I think Whitby needs a good bookstore that can ser- vice the community and tend to the needs of the people," she says. "I try my best to get them the book they need." Promenade is the culmination of a five-year plan by Middleton. For it was in 1982 that "I decided I wan- ted to own a bookstore," she says. With her experience, in- cluding three years at the Classics book bookstore in Oshawa, she learned about different book departments, customer service, stock con- trol, publishing and people. While that helped her to fashion the kind of store she wants, she admits that "Working and owning are two different things. As an owner, there's a lot more to learn." A microfiche in her store contains the titles of some 300,000 books, and Middleton can deliver any request in one to six weeks (six to eight, if imported). "That is one of the unique things about the store," she says. The in-store selection of about 15,000 tities includes books of ail kinds, including a surprisingly popular parap- sychology section, and a large variety of children's books which she plans to expand even further. Several customers have also been from out-of-town, telling Middleton they prefer the in- dependent bookstore because of the " comfortable feeling" it evokes. That's just the feeling which Middleton wants to project. "It's like the feeling you get when you walk into a house -you feel at ease," she says. "A bookstore is for browsing, too. People can browse at their own leisure. If help is needed, the customer knows the salesperson is ready to help. " The chain bookstores provide customer service, but perhaps not to the degree of- fered by the independent, she feels. For love of books and love ofpeople eM GEORGINA MIDDLETON in front of her Promenade bookstore. The pine wood sign, made by John Luff (New England Graphies) of Whitby, was put up Mon- day. Free Press photo She decides what books to offer "from a customer's point of view" -it may be "hear- say," books or authors that are "liked," or those people "may not get enough of." Middleton will carry many Canadian titles ("I think we should support our Canadian authors") rare books, tapes, computers, and all areas of hardcover books (fiction, non- fiction and travel). "People are buying more non-fiction than fiction," she says, mentioning history and sports as among the favorites. "People want to find out about things." People are today reading more than they ever did, she believes -whether it's at home or on the GO train. "And people like books around just to put on the coffee table." After looking around for a suitable location for the store, a vacancy at Pearson Lanes turned out to be "the place." Pearson Lanes developer William Little suggested Promenade as the name. "We thought it over and we really liked it," says Mid- dleton, a resident of Whitby for six years. "It fitted. Pear- son Lanes, it's like a promenade." Middleton points out more features of her store, promises to locate a magazine for a customer, and then chats business, briefly, with another visitor. "For the love of books and love of people, the store could be a success," she says, later adding, "I know it's going to work." Peter Perry nominations tilt Nov. 30 Nominations are now open for the Peter Perry Award for Whitby's outstanding citizen of 1987. Whitby residents have until Nov. 30 to nominate someone of their choice by filling in a nomination form available froni any of the town's banks. Completed nomination forms must be either mailed to the Whitby Chamber of Commerce, Box 268, Whitby, On- tario, LIN 5S1, or hand delivered to the Chamber office in the Whitby Open house at vet cinie Open house will be held Thur- sday, Oct. 22, 6 to 8 p.m., at the An- derson Veterinary Clinic as part of Animal Health Awareness Week. Dr. Jim Holmes will be ex- plaining the work of a veterinarian and conducting tours of his facility. On Saturday, Oct. 24, a rabies clinie will also be held at Dr. Holmes' office between 1 and 3 p.m. Animals can be vaccinated for $5. Centennial Building, 416 Centre St. S. Nominations received after 3 p.m. Nov. 30, 1987 will not be con- sidered. Individuals, couples or families may be nominated, but not com- munity groups. Last year's winner was Joan Hiscox, who was active in All Saints' Anglican Church, Red Cross blood donor clinics, senior citizens' work and. many other volunteer activities. Mere numbers of nominations for one person will not influence the judges, and anonymous nominations will not be considered. The award may be made posthumously. Nominees must be residents of Whitby. In the past, the judges have chosen persons who have done work for many community groups over a period of many years, although some special single act may be considered. The Whitby Chamber of Com- merce will make the presentation of the Peter Perry Award for 1987 on Jan. 22 and the Centennial Building. Tickets for this special event will be available in Decem- ber. Open house at Andrew Andrew Antenna Co. Ltd. of Whit- by is one of the businesses selected by the Electronic and Electrical Engineers of Canada to hold an open house Oct. 24 as part of a cross-Canada celebration. Cullen fest starts soon The Christmas festival at Cullen Gardens begins Nov. 6 and will con- tinue until .Jan. 3. The festival, which includes light displays. a miniature Christmas village and Sanata Claus parade. annually attracts thousands of' visitors. H.ours are 11) a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. The winter carnival, with ice sculptures and outdoor events, will be from Dee 2 1>tcJan. 3. f i 'j I t' At i i v :1