Originally from England, lively and energetic Linda MacInnes came to the ski hills of southern Georgian Bay via Aspen, Colorado.
She's not what
you'd think of as a typical small town enthusiast. In fact, she describes
herself as a city person. "I lived in London, England, for many years
and was used to going to the theatre, the ballet and the opera. I loved
it.So what is she doing in Meaford?
Enjoying it! "At this stage of my life I can't think of anywhere nicer to live," she says.
Linda and her husband Kevin originally came to the area about 25 years ago because of the skiing. Kevin was employed as a child care counselor and Linda worked as a pharmacist.
In 1987, she opened Lin's Pharmacy, an attractive store where the warm, friendly atmosphere reflects the personal service being offered.
"I work in an environment I enjoy with a staff I enjoy," she says. "I'm proud of my store. It looks the way I'd like it to look."
She describes her operation as a small country pharmacy. "I know nearly all my customers and they appreciate that after three or four visits I can call them by name."
That small town virtue can be more than a nice touch. Linda tells the story of the time a customer, a weekend resident, dropped his wallet outside her store. When someone brought the wallet into her store, she recognized the name and recalled he had a favorite local restaurant where he often enjoyed lunch. She rushed one of her employees over there, just in time to save her customer an embarassing explanation on receiving the bill.
Linda worked in Meaford at the oldest existing pharmacy for several years before striking out on her own. She got to know the community and recognized the opportunity for another pharmacy.
"At the time we opened, there was just one pharmacy," she recalls. "There used to be three. I thought people would like to have a choice and I wanted to own a store that was slightly different and not part of a chain so I could sell products the way I wanted."
It was a major decision. Just the inventory to fulfill the requirements of a pharmacy is a tremendous overhead. Although for the first three or four years they lived off their savings, they recently purchased the two storey building containing their main street store and the store next door.
Linda employs a number of full and part-time staff, and they've filled prescriptions for thousands from the local area, and even a few from as far away as Africa and South America.
Just a five minute walk from home, Lin's is a true family business. Her husband Kevin is the computer expert and handles paperwork and accounting. Their two young daughters help out when they can.
"Having your own retail business means putting in lots and lots of hours, including Saturdays and Sundays," says Linda.
Still, they make time for leisure. For the past 25 years, Kevin has been raising standard bred horses for racing. Linda enjoys walking, golfing, skiing and socializing. Meanwhile, the children have plunged into swimming, skiing (of course), soccer, basketball, running, gymnastics, baseball and drama.
Linda appreciates the family-oriented values of the community. "Everyone knows you and your kids and watches out for everyone. I really like that.
"Meaford has many very active seniors that we met when we first moved into the area 25 years ago. Some of them treat our children like grandchildren, which is very welcome since our parent's families are either in B.C. or England.
Her prescription for retail success in Meaford? You have to have lots of energy, some cash behind you, a good business plan for what you can control, and lots of luck for what you can't control.
2006 - Linda operates an antique shop on Meaford's mainstreet