Businesses from the Past

One of the most asked questions by visitors is “What do people do here?”  In the past, the village was booming and there was no lack of employment to be found.  However, since the 1970’s the village has experienced a serious economic downturn.  Many come with the intention of opening a successful commercial enterprise. Some succeed, others don’t.

Here is an attempt to document the businesses of the past and give them some recognition, however small, of their contribution to Bear River.  We hope the pioneer, entrepreneurial spirit continues as it is the basis of keeping the village alive.

Workers at the Clarke Brothers Pulpmill, 1920’s. Industrial employment such as this has long been gone, now the economic base of the village is tourism.

Looking back over the last 30 years, there has been a substantial ebb and flow of businesses in Bear River. The following is a list of most of them and the decade in which they closed.  If you can add to the list or would like to share a memory about one of them, please send us an email! (thebearrivertides@gmail.com)

Businesses : 1970

Chester Kaulback’s Barber Shop

Idle Hands Book Shop: Pam  and Sefton Squires

Bear River Farmers Museum: The Susnick’s

Riverview Guest house:  Al and Fern Denton

Bear River Yarn Shop: Andy Fleishman and Vicky Goodman

Bear River Health Food Store: Brian Flemming

The 1980’s:

The Trading Company: Mac Parker

Derby Jacks Pizza and Deli:

Sophias (Mario’s) Bistr0: Mark and Jerri Blugerman

Sears Outlet: Norma Terry

Geerling’s Tea Room: The Geerlings

Icarus Candles:Mark and Jerri Blugerman

Village Chandler:Mark and Jerri Blugerman

Max’s Barber Shop, Max Gillam

Watch repair shop: Albun Riley

Bear River Home Furnishings: Bob Benson

Cooper’s Electronics: Ron Cooper

Ali Harris’s Meat Market: Ali Harris

Sugar and Spice Bakery: Shela Breau

Pink Flamingo Cafe: Doug Dockrill/Zoe Onysko

House on the Hill Bed and Breakfast: Gene Sampson

House on the Hill Art gallery: Gene Sampson

furniture refinishing shop

The Packett Restaurant: Wanda Trimper

Jim’s Video Hut;

Sefton and Smith papermakers:Sefton Squires, Mike Smith

The Windmill Gift Shop;  Dorval Parent

The 1990’s

Fine Line Graphics: Brian Reynolds

Return of the Toymaker:  Warren Paxton

Kate’s Roadhouse

Bear River Baskets:  Steve St. Louis

Plover’s:  Danette ?

Twig furniture shop:

Bear River Drug Store: Clare Sommers, David Sommers

Fraser’s Grocery: Norma Fraser. Peter Fraser

Keith Fraser’s Building Supplies: Gary Fraser

Irving Station: Rick Jacques

Rice’s Meat Market: Vincent Rice

Kwikway: Mike and Margie Read

Bear Woods: Shela Breau, Victor Schneeweiss

Leopardskin Pillbox Hat: Zoe Onysko

Bear River Frenchy’s: Barb Darres

Yours and Our’s: Gertrude Benson

Bear River Arcade: Barb Darres

Axent on Silk: Diane Axent

Royal Bank of Canada

Sail Loft Gallery

Several craft and art shops.

The 2000’s

Inn Bear River: Doug Dockrill/Zoe Onysko

Lovett Lodge: Adrian Potter

Kayak and Canoe Rentals:

Stilts Cafe: Chris Hawes

Rising Tide: Brian Trimper

Tri Corner Cafe:  Kevin McEachern and Wanda Wright

Bear River Costume Rental Shop:  Charles Glover

Bear River Ethnographic Museum: Sarah Elizabeth Glover

Viking Leather: Jenny Stewart Mulligan

By the Brook Bed and Breakfast:  Bob O’ Flaherty,

Vineyard Haven Bed and Breakfast: Diane Glavin

House of Leaves B and B: Andrew Riddles

Little Village Tailor Shop: Carol Smith

Riparian Raptures: Jane Kingston

Ricardo’s Pizza: Janet Isles, Carolyn Wagner

Bears’ n Bees Craft Shop: Jane Hanshaw, Diane Milbury

Hobbit’s Hollow: Brian Hurlburtt

The Healthy Shelf:

Joe’s Bike Shop:Joe Quercia

Bear River Cafe: Lynn Belanger

Kelly Foxton’s Trading Post:Kelly Foxton

The Rusty Bucket: Heather Hannam

Kadijah’s Drumming Studio

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