Village Square celebrates grand opening in Arthur

Sue Hogenkamp - contributor

ARTHUR – A larger-than-expected crowd gathered at The Village Square on May 16 to celebrate the official grand opening of the new business. 

Well wishers included families, friends and local dignitaries such as Wellington North Mayor Andy Lennox, councillors Penny Renken and Steve McCabe, Perth-Wellington MP John Nater, Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae, and directors from the Arthur and District Chamber of Commerce.

The brainchild of owner Robin-Lee Pereda, The Village Square was envisioned 20 years ago as a community hub. 

Living in well-serviced Guelph at the time, Pereda couldn’t fathom a requirement for such a concept, but after moving to Arthur three years ago with her sons, she quickly recognized the need for community programs and activities in the village.

“It made no sense with where I lived at the time. And then I came to Arthur, and there was this beautiful building that seemed to be here for me,” Pereda said, referring to the former site of The Imagination Space at 238 George St.

Finding herself unemployed in January, and after discovering the deceptively large, recently renovated space, Pereda decided to jump into developing a community-oriented business with programming for all ages and interests. 

A successful soft opening in March included a soldout March Break Day Camp and a Kinder Music Program that also sold out. PD day and summer day camps are also planned.

“I want to do everything,” Pereda told the crowd. “I want this to be a place where youth hang out, where moms come and bring their babies, where adults can come and line dance, where crafters can come and have paint nights.”

She added, “We’ve already had some discussions with yoga instructors, dancing instructors, cookie decorating classes, and we’ve had some therapists looking to potentially take the back room, so essentially, if you look around and imagine a use for this space, that’s what I want here. 

“This is not my space, this is our space. For our community. I just get to be the director of it all.”

Prior to opening in March, Pereda polled the community for ideas and learned there was a need for access to children’s clothing, so she has converted the front of the building to a retail space offering gently used children’s clothing on consignment, but she will not be offering toys or adult clothing.

“I hope that people aren’t confused when they look at the building and think we are a children’s clothing store. There is so much more in the back of the building,” she explained, referring to the lounge area and large open space.

While congratulating Pereda, Nater noted, “It’s a massive space, a wonderful space; it is deceivingly large in here. It’s the right place, the right space and the right idea.”

Rae thanked Pereda for choosing Arthur and added, “It is great to see your collaboration with other business owners.” Mayor Andy Lennox told Pereda “there’s definitely a need for what you’re offering.”

Councillor Steve McCabe had the crowd chuckling when he added that although he is “not a yoga guy, there’s something for everyone.”

Arthur and District Chamber of Commerce director Faye Craig told the crowd “this is a very special time for you to be here to support Robin in this adventure and to welcome her to the community.”

Pereda closed her remarks by saying, “If this takes off, I never have to work a day in my life again because this is so much fun. Although y’all know that tomorrow, after the ribbon is cut, the real work begins for me. 

“But this space is for Arthur, by Arthur and we really want to welcome the community to this space”.

For more information visit thevillagesquare.ca.