Markham Economist & Sun
Friday, September 24, 2010
This could be the beginning of a possibly sweet and beautiful friendship.
A resident group formed last year to restore the Stiver Mill on Station Lane Unionville has come up with a plan to reuse the abandoned historical site owned by the town.
It's called the Stiver Mill Granary and Chocolate Emporium, as in bakery and chocolate.
"The great thing about them is everybody loves them," Elizabeth Plashkes of the Unionville Village Conservancy told the town's general committee this week.
Ms Plashkes said the idea came about after a visioning session in the spring that explored several reuse themes for the building.
Food was on the top of the list.
"Granary and grain mill is a nice fit," she said. "The reuse fits the historic use."
There's more. The emporium will create local employment and enhance the Unionville brand as a destination tourist attraction. It will even have an educational component, possibly in partnership with Seneca College or George Brown College.
Ms Plashkes said the restoration will include 7,500 sq. ft. over two levels. Once complete, it will act as the south anchor of Main Street Unionville, with the Varley Art Gallery to the north.
Ms Plashkes said they aren't just hoping for a local success story, but a possible global one, thanks to a private partner.
Rob and Wendy Kadlovski of the Nicholby's franchise opened the popular Old Firehall Confectionary on Main Street Unionville last year. The couple has stepped forward to be a tenant of the Stiver Mill and operate the emporium.
Local Councillor Don Hamilton said the Kadlovskis have been referred to as "angels" in Unionville.
"Rob is very community oriented and is such a great asset to Main Street Unionville," he said. "He's not in it to make a profit - he wants to save the building."
Mr. Hamilton pointed out this is the first time in Unionville history where local neighbours, business owners and community groups have come together in support of the concept.
However, it was also noted there are some concerns from residents fronting the mill.
"I will be mindful of residents' concerns," Mr. Hamilton said.
If the concept works, the emporium will work as a multi-way partnership between the town, private business owners, construction companies, the tourism industry, funders, colleges and others.
Councillor Carolina Moretti urged the town to move forward with the project before it deteriorates more, while Councillor Erin Shapero suggested the conservancy reach out to organizations such as Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance to pursue the focus of local food and explore the idea of being an Ontario local food terminal.
https://bethesdalutheranchurch.ca/site/lucky-money/
