By Stewart Grant
You can say this about many things in life: it’s all about communication.
In this story, it’s about how open conversations between downtown-business owners paved the way for exciting new chapters for both Sue Griffiths of Stone Home Creatives and Jennifer Dungo of O’Grady’s Clothing and Accessories.
Come March 2025, Stone Home Creatives will be moving to Griffiths’ home, and O’Grady’s will be moving across the street to occupy Stone Home’s larger space at 158 Queen St. E. In both instances, the moves are perfect for where each business owner is within their respective career path.
For Griffiths, the timing was perfect to take Stone Home Creatives home in 2025.
“I’ve been in town since 2002 so, for 22 years, either I’ve been unlocking the door or paying somebody to unlock the door, and I’m just ready to go to Australia,” she laughed as she contemplated some potential travel plans in the future.
Griffiths wants to emphasize that Stone Home Creatives is not going out of business, but instead will evolve towards pop-up events, craft shows, school activities and home parties. She will also continue to supply candles to retail stores, including O’Grady’s in St. Marys, and various outlets of Home Hardware and Pharmasave throughout southwestern Ontario.
“I want to be able to get the word out, too, because I still do have a bunch of candlemakers that rely on this store to buy their supplies to go out and do their craft shows,” Griffiths said. “That part, I don’t think I’m going to carry on, so I’m just trying to get the notice out there so they can order their stuff and get ready well in advance. I’ve already talked to all of my makers, and they’re all prepared to ramp up and make this the best Christmas ever.”
Griffiths added she has also ordered lots of new toys for the Christmas season and has something very special planned in her store for this year’s Merchant Open House, which will be announced in the fall.
Griffiths beamed when she spoke with Dungo and the Independent about the plans for O’Grady’s to expand into the larger space.
“This feels right”, she said. “It feels fuzzy and warm and what’s happening here is going to be really good.”
It has certainly been a successful first year for Dungo as new owner of O’Grady’s Clothing and Accessories, and moving into a larger space already is well beyond her initial expectations for the business.
“We’ve had a phenomenal first year; it’s gone really well and we’re having a lot of fun,” Dungo said. “My mom and I are just loving life.”
Dungo’s mom, Jan Westman, worked for Heather Parkinson at O’Grady’s for eight years following a successful retail career in London. In the past year since Dungo bought the business, it has primarily been a mother-daughter team at the store, with some help behind the scenes from Dungo’s husband, Chris, and their three young daughters.
“For women shopping, I’ve watched my mom do retail her entire life and it was always that fun event when ladies got together’ … you go out with your girlfriends, try a bunch of stuff on. It’s great to see ladies coming back and having fun shopping and getting new things and new pieces,” she said.
Dungo explained that they’ve really tried to listen to the wants and needs of their customers, and, in doing so, have greatly increased their inventory. By accommodating a larger size range (i.e. going right from a two to an 18, carrying an XS to a 2X), they have gained a whole new clientele. They have also introduced a menswear section and would like to bring in a kids’ section too.
“We’re trying to be that one-stop shop for people for clothing, for accessories and to make shopping fun again.”
Despite renovating their store at 143 Queen St. E, the business is limited to the space within the walls.
“We are bursting at the seams,” she said plainly, adding that she’d like to hire additional staff at the new location and expand their number of dressing rooms from two to five.
The larger space also creates the potential for a multitude of new ideas, including special collaborative events that can tie in other downtown businesses.
Both Griffiths and Dungo want to express a huge thank you to their customers for their support. It is with those customers in mind that both business owners wanted to announce their 2025 plans well in advance.
Stone Home Creatives and O’Grady’s Clothing and Accessories look forward to a busy four months at their present locations leading up to Christmas.
“I’m going to be open until Dec. 24t and then I’m going to shut down until January 2,” Griffiths said. “And then I’m going to aggressively start to move stuff that I’m not going to take with me and Jennifer’s not going to keep with her.”
During February, renovations will begin to take place at 158 Queen St. E in preparation for O’Grady’s arrival in March, with the intention for O’Grady’s to open for business at the new location after March Break.
“It’s such a good synergy,” Griffiths summarized. “I’m excited for her and I’m excited for me.”
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