Every family has a story, including a family-run business. Ours is no exception. However, I think our story of a Canadian and committed beginning is perhaps a little more unique! Cinnamon Cabin Co has been open as a Canadian business for almost 5 years now, and perhaps it’s time to share these beginnings with you!
In the fall of 2019, my husband, Josh, and I were on a trip to New Brunswick when I began telling him about some cabin décor I had found online, and had noticed that the same things weren’t available in our area, or Ontario, or really even Canada. Jokingly, I commented that we could open a store in our town of Clinton, and sell similar products, with a Canadian edge. Josh is always ready for a joke. . . but he got serious about this one. Two of our daughters were at an age to want/need a job, and quality jobs were not easy to find nearby. What better way to provide them with work than to open a store and have our family work together? So, along with my misgivings, we began looking for space to lease in Clinton and the nearby area.
Although the pastor of a local church, Josh also works on the side to offset our living costs. As a certified cabinetmaker and kitchen installer, he had some work and/or friend relationships with several local Mennonite kitchen and furniture craftsmen. Rather than simply sell rustic cabin décor, we concluded that we could also provide an option for high quality, Mennonite-made, Canadian furniture. We value solid wood furniture in our home, and we have a number of the same pieces that we also sell through our business. (In fact, one of the drawbacks to having a business like this is trying to keep from putting everything we make into our house!) Because we highly value quality solid wood furniture, but also look for affordable options, we concluded that we wanted our store values to be the same. We make every effort to work with Mennonite craftsmen who will build an excellent product, yet we also want to be able to offer you an economical price, on sale or not.
We found a space in Clinton that seemed like it would work, signed a lease, and then we went to work! Replacing flooring, ceiling tiles, and lights. Painting, and installing our iconic log walls in our “Cabin”. Building our counter space, building our inventory, and
building a website. We had never owned a retail business before, and certainly have learned a lot – some through the school of hard knocks! As any true Canadian knows, mistakes are meant to be learned from. Yet when we were done, we had created a beautiful small showroom with a peaceful wilderness atmosphere. Perfect!
We had planned to open our store in March of 2020, but. . . you guessed it. The pandemic hit, and our doors were not allowed to open. So, in May 2020 we concluded that we would make an effort to open for curbside pickup only – a bit of a challenge when you aren’t even a known business. But we’re Canadian, just like you, and challenges are meant to be overcome. One family friend commented that if we could get a business going during a pandemic, then we could walk on water. However, we have concluded that it still takes Jesus to walk on water – and we do our best to honour Him every step of the way. That’s why when I was given the opportunity to carry high quality, faith-based décor with a rustic theme, I jumped on it. What better way to glorify the One Who means everything to us?
Five years later, we’re still here. One daughter has married and we have two beautiful grandchildren. Another daughter helps us out at times, but has her own job now. Josh and I have formed a business partnership based on a marriage relationship of almost 28 years. My misgivings I mentioned? Sometimes I still have them, but the passion to provide amazing furniture and décor to grace your home and family, along with affordability, overcomes them every time. Our business is Canadian, for Canadians. We are committed to Christ, our family, our clients, and Canadian products with value. Cinnamon Cabin Co? Canadian commitment!
~ Katherine
P.S. Why the name “Cinnamon”? She is our stunning Siberian Husky, and Josh’s pride and
joy!
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