A Monkey Tree Emporium: Nineteen Years and Going Strong Story by Sarah Gordon
Photos by Sandra Steier
A Monkey Tree Emporium has been a destination for shoppers for close to twenty years. Owner Odile Gagne opened her business in March 2001. The shop’s name stems from the artificial plants and trees she originally sold. Odile says, “I liked the fun name, and to accompany it I wanted to carry entertaining products to make people laugh.” Over time, A Monkey Tree evolved to sell home
décor and gifts, and as the store grew it moved locations three times. The original storefront was located on First Avenue between Moncton and Bayview Streets. After nine years on First Avenue, an opportunity arose to relocate to Moncton Street. “I was very happy I did. Five years later, I wanted to expand. As luck would have it, right at that time almost double the square footage became available across the street. I said to myself, it’s now or never. The timing was perfect,” says Odile.
“A Monkey Tree is a lifestyle gift store with a little bit of everything. It’s like a mini department store.” Odile Gagne 8
StevestonInsider.com
December 2020 - January 2021
