Family proud new owners of Abby Rose

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/06/2016 (3627 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This week’s edition of #businessbuzz is coming to you from the 900 block of Rosser Avenue because there’s some big news with two of our favourite retail stores in downtown Brandon.

I’ll start by introducing you to Sara Grexton and her family, who are the very proud owners of Abby Rose at 912 Rosser Ave.

Abby Rose is an art, gift, clothing and book boutique. The niche store was originally opened in 2012 by Bridget Shaw and her daughter, Miranda Stobbe — the family that also owns Lady of the Lake.

After being in the industry for more than 30 years, Shaw has decided to wind down operations and a few months ago put both Abby Rose and Lady of the Lake up for sale.

<t-3.5>Grexton, who had been working for Shaw at Abby Rose, fell in love with the business and decided it was a great opportunity for her family to take over this unique,

family-run business. Her oldest daughter Renee works with her in the business part-time and her husband helps with building and other maintenance projects.<t-1>

For the most part, Grexton doesn’t have any plans to make significant changes to the store as she’s happy to continue the vision of what began four years ago, including maintaining the quality consignment fashion department.

She is, however, connecting with Canadian artisans to provide them with an avenue to sell their handmade items. She has already acquired a selection of natural skin, body, bath and wellness products, jewelry, art and clothing.

“One of our main goals is to have to a place for Manitoba artists to sell their products. I really like that I can help artists to put their stuff out there. I’m excited about meeting new people, getting to know the different artists and building that community,” Grexton said.

Grexton is a photographer and artist herself and also owns Third Storey Studios. She does wedding, family, maternity, portrait and commercial photography.

“I also really love nature photography. I just recently put some of my own images on canvases and I really hope to eventually sell those in the store as well,” Grexton said.

In terms of other product lines, Grexton has also expanded into metaphysical products that include tarot cards, oracle decks, related books and crystals, which she said has sparked some interesting conversations and have been very popular.

For more information on Abby Rose, check out their Facebook page or follow them on Instagram.

And just a few doors down …

Shoppers are in for a real treat this month because of a special celebration at Zeke’s Jewellers.

Local store owner John Zeke said they are proud to be celebrating 35 years in business in Brandon.

Zeke’s father, Walter Zeke, moved to Neepawa to open his first store in 1960. John and his brother Dave eventually got involved in the family business and opened the Brandon location (originally on 10th Street) in 1981. They then moved to their present location at 902 Rosser Ave. in 1986.

Zeke’s Jewellers carries a beautiful selection of diamond rings, necklaces and earrings, plus gold and silver necklaces and bracelets. They are the exclusive dealers for Movado watches, Pandora jewelry and of Canadian designer Noam Carver. They have two certified diamond graders on staff and are also dealers for Maple Leaf Diamond, which are Canadian diamonds mined in the Northwest Territories.

To celebrate their 35th anniversary, they are offering customers a fantastic deal on diamond earrings and are having a Dream Big Contest, where the winner will receive $1,000 toward a custom designed piece of jewelry.

Zeke’s Jewellers has two other locations, one in Yorkton, Sask., and another in North Battleford, Sask.

For more information and additional details on this month’s promotions, visit their Facebook page at /zekesbrandon.