Ontario Woman Hopes To Open New Business In City Market

Maritime hospitality and a need to be closer to family is drawing an Ontario woman to the Saint John region with hopes to open a new business in the Saint John City Market.

Jill Parry visits New Brunswick a couple of times a year and in recent years, her family has dreaded the return to Ontario.

“By the time we hit Pickering to go across the top of Toronto, you know, you can really just sense the change in the energy of the city. Something about being in Atlantic Canada that’s just very laid-back and low-key. People are very helpful for each other. That’s the Canada I remember growing up and looking to be part of that again,” Parry said.

Parry, who lives in Brantford, Ont., has a business called The Herbology Company. The company specializes in handmade, artisanal cold-process soaps, bath bombs and more.

Parry plans to open a new store in the Saint John City Market called The Blue Pelican.

“The Blue Pelican uses sustainable organic raw ingredients. We avoid the use of chemicals. We use some really high-quality ingredients to make bath and body products. Bath bombs, lotions,” she said.

Parry hopes to be in New Brunswick soon and have the business open before the end of the year.

“It’s actually a very quick timeline. We are hoping to leave Ontario as soon as possible, early November. The faster I can get quarantine over and done with and the faster I can get that shop open,” she said.

Parry said the COVID-19 pandemic did not expedite her decision to head east but actually delayed her plans by around four months.

A spokesperson for the City of Saint John said a business plan was submitted to the city for review earlier this week.

A lease would still need to be drafted and presented to Common Council for approval.