When the chance to purchase Saturday Afternoons Home Store presented itself, Michelle Madden jumped at the opportunity.
“I definitely have a flair for anything related to the home and interior design, so Saturday Afternoons is a great fit for me,” said Madden, who said being downtown was critical. “To me, downtown is the heart and soul of a city.”
The long-time stay-at-home mom credits the Orillia Area Community Development Corporation (OACDC), which has a 28 year history of assisting small businesses with free counselling and resources and an assistance program for funding, for its help.
“I worked closely with the OACDC to develop a financial plan and various business plans,” said Madden. “They also provided a start-up loan… I can honestly say that without them, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Saturday Afternoons “offers unique products for the home; we have some great gift ideas, we have a baby boutique – there really is something for everyone,” Madden said, adding customers often comment on how affordable the store is.
“The idea is that when you walk through Saturday Afternoons, you will be able to find that something special for every room in your home whether that’s an apartment, house or cottage,” Madden said.
Saturday Afternoons Home Store can be found at 141 Mississaga St. E. in downtown Orillia. For more information, call 705-325-1117 or visit saturdayafternoons.ca.