BizBeat

 (Brome County News, April 25, 2001)

BY MORRI MOSTOW

 Knowlton Boasts “Best Facials Anywhere!”

 Strength in numbers: that’s what L’Art de Vivre is counting on. This newly formed group of established local artisans will jointly showcase its members’ handiwork at the first-ever Expo Habitation Brome-Missisquoi Home Show (May 19 & 20). Their “art of living” exhibit will create a room with twig furniture, pictures, lamps and more. The group’s home-based workshops are scattered throughout Lac Brome, Mansonville, Sutton and West Bolton. “If the group succeeds, we’ll do it again next year,” says organizer Maureen Lefebvre, owner of Shady Lady, in Sutton Junction. Lefebvre has been designing fabric window treatments and matching accessories for 15 years. L’Art de Vivre will not sell products at the show, but visitors will be able to browse samples and photos of members’ work.

L’Art de Vivre members:

Holger Bauerle — twig garden furniture and accessories

Toni Bos — picture framing, wall stenciling

Olivier Burnham — ironwork (tables, gates, lamps)

Debbie Hornig —dried-flower arrangements

Stanley Lake — decorative and functional garden pottery

Maureen Lefebvre — fabric window treatments

Carolyn Smart — lamps from art objects

Jack Walker — wooden folk art and antique reproductions

Jane Walker — hand-painted floor cloths and cushions

For more information about L’Art de Vivre, contact Maureen Lefebvre at (450) 242-1888. E-mail: textaid@qc.aira.com

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Au Coin du Bois’ showroom

 Au Coin du Bois, Knowlton’s newest woodworking shop, will also be at the Home Show, where owner Richard Pearson will display his antique reproductions and Victoriana. Pearson opened for business in January after renovating a rundown carriage house on Mt. Echo Road. The newly shingled exterior, with Victorian rickrack, now houses a showroom and well-equipped workshop.

Pearson specializes in old-style tables, from 6-ft.-long refectory pine tables to smaller side tables. His Victorian cupolas, mouldings and rickrack give Township houses and barns that distinctive, authentic look. At Au Coin du Bois, you can order custom pine or butternut armoires, blanket boxes, as well as other antique reproductions, in cherry, maple and oak.

A Knowlton native, Pearson returned to the area late last year with his wife Nancy Berranger, a hydro-geologist, and their two children, after a dozen years in Vancouver. “We were tired of big-city life,” explains Pearson, who delights in his less stressful existence. He is also happy to be close to his aging parents, Cyril and Lillian Pearson, whose home, conveniently, is next door to the shop.

Au Coin du Bois, 19 Mount Echo Road, Knowlton. (450) 243-0733.

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Spoil your mother with a Mother’s Day gift certificate from Knowlton’s newest feel-good emporium, Le Mini Spa du Lac Brome. In less than six months, this friendly establishment has become a favourite of locals and tourists alike. No wonder! Owner Christina Bushey, a hairdresser with magic scissors, has combined reasonable prices with a relaxed, country atmosphere. Le Mini Spa pampers both men and women, from head to toe.

“The facials are the best I’ve had anywhere, and I’ve had them all over the world, from Bali to Greece,” says Joanne Mercier, vice-president of logistics at Les Emballages Knowlton. In addition to five different types of facials and lymphatic drainage by aesthetician Carolyn Lemaire, the Mini Spa offers a full-service hair salon; manicures and pedicures by Carol Hadd; massage by Kripalu therapist, Cheryl White; make-up, ear piercing and waxing; and the increasingly popular body gommage, a two-hour, full-body exfoliation using a cream-based massage technique. Full-day packages include lunch, from nearby Café Floral. Herb tea, coffee and cinnamon rolls are always on hand for peckish customers.

The bridal package, with two pre-wedding visits (for trial hairstyle, facial, etc.) and wedding-day hairstyling, manicure and make-up, is a steal at $150 (taxes included). Not surprisingly, this package has proved so popular that the spa team is booked every second weekend from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving. “On the wedding day, we put on the bride’s veil, touch up her make-up for the pictures and stay until the she leaves for the church,” explains Bushey.

Until the end of April, treat yourself to a permanent, cut and blow dry for only $45, or a pedicure at 10% off.

Le Mini Spa du Lac Brome at Création Christina, 38 Victoria (corner Maple), Knowlton. (450) 242-1422

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Send your business news tos bizbeat@morrimostow.com, by fax at (514) 221-2102, or call (450) 242-2323.

©Morri Mostow& Associates, 2001