. Our story

It may seem hard to believe but the cozy little gift store known as Maryann's started out as one girl with a strong back and a big dream. What has become a veritable landmark in Cole Harbour was in the beginning a one woman operation. Maryann would travel to the Penhorn Mall flea market every Sunday selling ends of fabric and craft supplies. She was every position in the company in one pair of shoes. She also held down a few other part time jobs along with this and paid her way through Mount Saint Vincent University.

Eventually the time came to try and turn the flea market business into a full time job so Maryann rented a spot in the Country Treasures Marketplace in Gaetz Brook and off she went.

A couple of years at this location had taught Maryann a lot of the basics she needed to run and grow the business but by now she had realized that she needed a location where she could draw more customers and a slight change in direction also. This is when it was decided a move to the city was necessary or the end of the road could be in sight for this dream. The perfect location was found for rent in Cole Harbour. A run down old farmhouse with black painted drywall that had recently been a rugby den, among other things. With a lot of help from family and friends "Mrs. Bissett's old house" had new life breathed into it and became the new location of Maryann's Gifts. It was here that the focus of the business was changed from selling mostly fabric and craft supplies to more giftware. This was just what Cole Harbour (and Maryann) needed as was proven by a very busy first couple of months, but unfortunately the happy times were short lived.

On December 28, 1996 Maryann was informed by telephone at her parent's home that the store was on fire. The damage was heavy as most of the store's inventory was destroyed either by the fire itself or by smoke and water damage.