About fourteen years ago, Jackie and Geoff Yeo had begun restoration of Canowindra's Finn's Store in the heart of Canowindra.
With the town moving through extreme weather events, Canowindra had tenaciously hung on in spite of challenges in retail.
After one year hiatus, Jackie and Geoff Yeo have now reopened their doors to show a sprawling cafe as before - but now with a combined workspace with stallholders selling produce, wine, art and furnishings all available to purchase. If you're sitting somewhere at Finns, chances are one of the beautiful objects nearby you is available for sale.
"15 years ago we discovered the old Finns Building needing love, attention and most of all a fresh new business venture for the town. We opened a large retail space with a licensed café providing visitors and locals alike a meeting place. Finns Store became central to the community. People came to enjoy coffee, meals, and a variety of shopping including clothing, jewellery, furniture and homewares with a focus on providing local artists a space to show their art." says Jackie, who until now along with Geoff Yeo, had taken a break running the busy cafe, retail and gallery space.
"It was time to take a break and consider what was next for ourselves." said Jackie. "We felt during the time we were closed the Canowindra community had lost a special meeting place, we noticed some other small businesses close."
Jackie said that herself and Geoff wanted to offer fresh and young creators the support to grow.
"From here the idea of turning the shop into a weekly marketplace developed. We wanted to create a place for local producers and creators to showcase themselves with little start up cost but the opportunity to sell their wares. We also wanted to give Finns Store back it’s sense of community, by connecting people with others to share ideas, collaborate and have fun."
Geoff Yeo, a lawyer in his day job, is again back on the tools as a barista making coffees for patrons alongside the many stalls staffed by local business owners. Showcased this past weekend was Edellan Flowers, Canowindra Progress Association & The Blue Bowerbird Association.
One of the stall holders, Megan Morton from Edellan flower farm, says it was a great opportunity to showcase her work.
"It was a coffee shop before, and Jackie's come up with this amazing idea to bring us all collaborate together, and show what we can create and grow in the area."
Megan says as someone who only grows or sources nearby - Cargo, Cudal, Cowra and Cumnock - it's a great opportunity to keep things local.
"Just the ability to be amongst the community for a day a week is going to grow my business even further. I do weddings, funerals and floristry for the town, so it's going to be great to meet some lovely people." said Megan.
Current stallholders provide local produce, locally made pottery, pre loved furniture and homewares, local flowers, interior designers, bakers, coffee and more. Opening Saturday mornings from 9:00, stallholder enquiries are welcomed.