The Cook's Cupboard Comes to Southampton
From Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan to Southampton, Ontario, Elspeth Macgregor and Glenn Conlan have never looked back.

"We wanted to start a business somewhere in southern Ontario and, when we drove into Southampton, we knew this was it," says Elspeth. "We found this delightful building on High Street and bought it, not quite knowing what we would do with it."

What the couple has done with it, is turn it into a pantry filled with delights for cooks, gourmets and for anyone in general who loves food or likes to be in the kitchen.

"We like to offer things that are a little different when it comes to specialty foods, gift and kitchen wares," explains Glenn, "and like to also 'buy Canadian' whenever possible. For example, we have maple syrup from Tara, garlic products from Hensell and marvelous preserves from Manitoulin Island."

The Cook's Cupboard offers to cooks, those who like to entertain and those who simply enjoy the unusual, a myriad of items ranging from utensils to pots and pans, unique aprons to linens, delectable foods to deliciously decadent spices ... and much more.

"One of our most popular product lines," points out Glenn, "is The Village Kitchen prepared frozen entrees. They are all homemade and are available in individual portions for the older person or in family and entertaining size. Many customers stock their older parents' freezers with them and that way they know their parents always have easy and nutritious meals available. These are so good that everyone will think they were made that same day.

For anyone who has ever looked for a gift for that hard-to-buy-for person, The Cook's Cupboard is the place to shop. With their Bridal Registry, Personal Gift Registry and Gift Certificates, they have made shopping easy. "We keep a Personal Gift Registry where people can come in, give us their name and list what they would like to receive as a gift. "That way, family and friends have easy choices available and we make sure there are no duplications," explains Elspeth. They also specialize in custom gift baskets filled with epicurean delights.

Elspeth and Glenn encourage people to browse and it's the one thing that should be done in The Cook's Cupboard. In order to see everything, or almost everything, shoppers will have to take their time. With exquisite bamboo bowls, handcarved Fair Trade utensils, cooking surfaces from Switzerland, incredible handcrafted cutting boards from Nova Scotia, East Indian and Asian spices, cookbooks with recipes from around the world, stemware and bar supplies, Elspeth likes nothing better than to have someone ask for a very unusual item to which she can smile and say, "How many would you like?"

Both Glenn and Elspeth agree solidly on one thing. "Southampton is very different and unique. All the merchants here try to help each other unlike anywhere else we've seen. If someone carries a product, others won't. If a retailer doesn't want to carry a line anymore, they will ask if anyone else does want it. It's really one of the most wonderful places to own and operate a business."

(next column)

13/01/2009 04:23 PM

(continued)

Gleaming stainless steel cookware

 Special Balsamic Vinegars

Yes ... it really is an apron!.

Click on the Tree for more Downtown Shopping

for world news, books, sports, movies ...