Lanark, North Leeds & Grenville - Hometown News July 2020

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Vol. 7

No. 7

YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER - LANARK, NORTH LEEDS & GRENVILLE

JULY 2020

Merchant of Herriott just one of the casualties of COVID-19 regonal -John Kessel editorial@pdgmedia.ca Martin Prouse is still sad three months after his life-changing decision to close his shop, The Merchant of Herriott, a collectibles and antique store on Perth’s main drag, Gore Street. Even after restrictions were lifted to allow a re-opening, he’s certain he made the right decision. He knew he had to keep his distance and with serious asthma, he couldn’t take the chance of catching the Covid-19 virus. Asthma is a compromising lung condition, doctors saying it could be a killer in this pandemic. It was a decision based on health. With all the small collectibles, it was too difficult to keep everything clean. It’s a tactile business. Everybody picks things up, he says. He uses three different inhalers, all within arm’s reach. “I’ve been collecting all my life. My mother was a collector. I was three when I bought my first antique, a Brownie camera for a nickel. It was a victory nickel,” he says. After a serious discussion with his wife Erin, they made the decision together. Instead they will sell their wares online as soon as the Merchant of Herriott website is revised. In the 15 years they owned the shop, first on Herriott Street and then on Gore, there were always customers looking for something. “Not many tire kickers. I still have the first $50 I made. I made my first sale within an hour of opening.” Both he and his wife say what they’ll miss most is the customers. There would be regulars just coming in for chats…some for hours. “We’d talk about anything,” he says, not necessarily antiques. Even

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those who were mentally challenged would be welcome. “I was one of the few who would welcome them,” he says. “With Martin it wasn’t just about a sale. People said the store had good vibes. His knowledge of history often sold an item. People would occasionally offer more than asked,” Erin says. With all the collectibles and antiques back at their house, shop, shed, porch and basement, they’re hopeful their online shop will be a success. The need to get new stuff into the shop was a 24/7 job, he says. “Now I have to deal with Erin 24/7,” he jokes. Martin’s favourites involved art. His father was a wellknown maritime artist. His brother is also an artist. For Christmas, customers would be presented with prints of his father’s maritime scenes. He says his landlord thought

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Martin Prouse (left) and his wife Erin (right). Photo credit: John Kessel.

Tweed employee tests positive for COVID-19

An employee at the Tweed plant in Smiths Falls, operated by Canopy Growth, has tested positive for COVID-19. That employee is in self-isolation, and eight other workers are being tested. Photo credit: Canopy Growth.

Smiths Falls - Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Canopy Growth was informed Friday, July 3 that an employee at its Smiths Falls facility has tested positive for COVID-19.

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he was a “lifer. He was surprised.” His shop is one of three in Perth that Covid-19 closed down. The other two are Maggie’s Tea and Toast and Likkuid Sole, a shoe store, both on Gore St. All three have new tenants. Smiths Falls’ Fort Hemlock pub next to Parks Canada closed during Covid-19, but it wasn’t long before a new owner stepped in to rename the place as The Tap House, says Cindy James of the Small Business Centre. Another business to close was Silly Goose, a children’s consignment store. In Carleton Place the most surprising closure was St. James Gate, a popular pub and restaurant on the main drag. James says she is working on promoting new businesses in Lanark during the pandemic and promises an announcement within the next month.

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Jordan Sinclair, Canopy Growth’s vice-president of communications, told the Hometown News that the employee, who has not been identified, last worked at the plant on June 25. “Canopy Growth is in constant

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communication with the local health units to ensure we’re following their guidance and sharing information with them to help inform our approach,” said Sinclair. “For the time being, and based on

careful analysis, the site will remain operational.” Canopy Growth has ordered testing for eight other employees the company believes were in closest contact with the affected individual. These individuals are now self-isolating, said Sinclair. “Our highest priority is ensuring the safety of our team,” added Sinclair. “Canopy Growth has had safety procedures in place since March to screen employees, increase cleaning, and limit the number of workers present at any given time.” All Canopy Growth workers who are able to do so have been working from home since midMarch. As of July 7 the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit reported there had been 353 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the three counties, including 52 fatalities. Only one case was still active.

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