St. Mark's Church Haute Emporium includes a preview sale

St. Mark’s Haute Emporium has become a tradition for the church, and will offer a preview sale this year in addition to the main event at Addison Hall during the annual Cherry Festival.

The preview is being held Thursday, July 4 from 3 to 6 p.m., says organizer Trudi Watsonville, with some very special items on offer, and wine being served for those who come to shop.

The 35th annual St. Mark’s Cherry Festival is Saturday, July 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s such a busy day for the emporium in the church hall that people interested in the sale enjoy coming to the preview, which is a more relaxed, leisurely way to shop, she says. “It’s got quite a good reputation, in the community and with our members.”

The emporium is an “elegant” shopping opportunity to find hidden treasures, including designer, vintage, upscale clothing, says Watsonville. Also expect loads of accessories, including scarves, jewelry, belts and purses — “you name it, we’ve got it.” There will be some items of men’s clothing, although limited.

"Volunteers do their homework," she says, researching the value of goods to ensure high-end merchandise is fairly priced.

Of special note are two items, a signed Maple Leaf hockey jersey and hockey stick, says Watsonville.

They came to the church by way of Roger Hughes, a Niagara-on-the-Lake resident and St. Mark’s Church member who died in March.

The jersey is signed by Doug Gilmore, who was captain of the Leafs in 1992/93.

That year had been “an amazing Leaf year and also for Gilmore,” she says — he won the Frank J. Seller award as the NH L’s top defensive forward and finished second as the league’s most valuable player.

Roger was a big fan of the Leafs and Gilmore, and the sweater was purchased by his wife, Susan Peacock at a silent auction fund raising event, and treasured by Hughes. The hockey stick was signed by all the Leafs that same year, and both were donated to the church.

There is also a new Sunny rowing machine that was donated to the church for the emporium, says Watsonville.

Other great items available are a set of silver candlesticks, “lots of fabulous crystal, and several sets of beautiful chairs,” she says. “We have a whole hall just full of really good stuff.”

The fundraiser helps offset the cost of maintaining the historic church building.

The Haute Emporium preview is at Addison Hall, St. Mark’s Anglican Church, 41 Byron Street, NOTL.