Samantha Cluett says “I love what I do.” She is excited to be taking over the Elkhorn business where she has been employed with owner Wenda Paton for over two years.
New to Elkhorn
As of April 1, Past & Present Flower, Gift, Flowers & Ladies Fashion is under new ownership as Cluett makes the business her own – to be named Samantha’s Boutique, The Store with the Pink Door.
Formerly from Neepawa, Cluett began work at the Elkhorn gift store shortly after she and her partner, Riley Brennand moved to Elkhorn, his home town.
“When the opportunity came up, I was very determined to make it work.”
Everything fell into place for the young entrepreneur.
“I fell in love with the town,” she said indicating her commitment as a new business owner in the village of about 500. “Today’s a really good example of how we spend our days,” she said, referring to the laughter and the buzz of women visiting and shopping in the store. “It’s a really great business – it’s hard not to love it.”
Paton celebrates with customers
At her customer appreciation day last Wednesday, Mar. 28 Paton commented that selling the business is a bittersweet moment for her, but she is pleased to see Cluett take it over.
Jack and Wenda Paton have owned and operated Past & Present in Elkhorn for 16 years, first opening in The Village Square before moving the business down the street to the current location - 102 Richhill Ave.
“We grew and moved over here… we added the flowers, then the clothes. It’s been a real treat to be able to do this – a dream of mine.”
In recent times, Paton, herself a cancer survivor, held charity fashion shows to raise money for ovarian cancer. With new ownership the June show has been put on ice for this year.
Uniquely successful
Paton credits loyal customers for her success saying she is grateful “for all the support we received. Hopefully, they will support Sam.” She added, “It’s not easy running a business in a rural area.”
More than the Elkhorn community has patronized Past & Present as the business grew.
“We’ve been very fortunate, because we’ve had destination shoppers,” Paton explains. “That’s why we could carry the inventory we carry. We bring people in from Brandon. We’ll see them at least twice a year,” she says of regular customers.
With a keen eye, the store keeper has created a unique shopping attraction.
“All of our product in here is hand-picked.” Paton has travelled to Toronto gift shows and to Saskatoon clothing shows.
“We’re not a box store and I think that makes a big difference.”
Appreciate local
Paton recognizes there are people that want to support a local person; a mom and pop shop.
“You know, living in a small town, I don’t’ want to drive every time I need something. If people keep that in mind, we’ll still have growth in our local area.”
With a couple of signs on the TransCanada Highway, Paton says, “We get travellers in the summer who stop in.”
She also stresses the business sense of advertising in both newsprint and online.
“It seems like a lot of money at the time, but you’ve got to keep knocking on people’s doors, to let them know that you are still here.”
A champion of rural living, she says, “It doesn’t matter whether it’s Elkhorn, Virden, Miniota or Moosomin. We’ve all got to work together to keep people grounded and keep them here, otherwise you are driving 20 – 30 minutes for a loaf of bread and that’s not good.”
Seamless service
Cluett is keeping Paton as her florist; work Paton is happy to do.
“We do a lot of weddings and funerals, and daily flowers,” says Cluett.
High school student Darby Shackle will also continue as an employee. It will be business as usual at Past & Present, with the exception of one fresh, new angle.
“I’m a photographer,” says Cluett, “So we’re adding a studio in the back.”
Last Wednesday customers shopped the sales, were treated to cake/coffee and an Easter Egg hunt, with finders receiving gifts.
