The Butternut Mercantile & Coffee Parlour has decided to leave Haliburton County.

 

Owner Jenifer Scarrow made the announcement live on Jan. 25 to all of her Facebook followers, saying she and her boyfriend, Brian Burns, would be moving the store to Clarksburg, Ont. 

 

“It’s a gorgeous area and has a winter market, which there is a lack of here in Haliburton County,” she stated in the video, which already has more than 3,000 views.

 

The waterfront mercantile at 1184 Kashagawigamog Lake Road has been rented by Scarrow since July 2014. She told The Highlander when she found out the building was going on the market this spring, she thought long and hard about the business’ future here. “Although [we] considered purchasing … we’ve decided that the Collingwood area is more desirable for both of us,” she said in an interview. 

 

Scarrow feels her store would fit in perfectly to Clarksburg’s already establishedwinter market. While she did look around for other properties in the Highlands, there just wasn’t other retail space that she felt “fit” the current style of the business. So, after a small retreat to Sauble Beach in the fall, she found herself doing market research in and around Collingwood and when the spot came up in “artsburg” – she went for it.

 

“I’ve loved the time I’ve spent in [the county], but the winter months are definitely challenging,” Scarrow said, tearing up in the video. She said news of other businesses opening or closing didn’t impact her decision. 

 

“It has more to do with the dream that began 20 years ago, my dream store and what it would be and offer to people,” she said. “I’m really sad to be leaving here … it’s beautiful and has really great people.”

 

Saturday, Jan. 27 was her last day and many stopped in to see Scarrow off, wishing her luck and chatting with her about the new space’s grand opening in March. She and Burns plan to renovate during February and go back to her original store layout of vintage home décor, salvaged goods, candles, and more. Scarrow wishes the best of luck to whomever purchases the building and she hopes it sells quickly – so the ice cream shop will be open in time for summer. “I also think there are a ton of options for food at this location,” she said, “and the commercial kitchen is ready for the next cook to take over!”

 

Scarrow said she will post the opening date on Instagram (@butternutmerchantile) and Facebook (@butternut_mercantile), as well as on her website, butternutmercantile.com.

 

“I really hope you’ll come visit me at my new store,” she said.