As soon as you walk into The Encore Shoppe, you will be greeted not only as a customer, but as a current or future friend. Brenda Tinkess, the owner believes in the value of building long-term relationships with the people who see the wisdom in shopping local. Courtesy Photo

Popular gift and home décor shop returns with a new location, 19 local artisans and plenty of reasons to shop locally

MORRISBURG – Some businesses are remembered not simply for what they sell, but for how they make people feel. For those who remember The Encore Shoppe in Ingleside, the return of the popular gift and home décor store is an opportunity to rediscover a familiar shopping experience, this time in the heart of Morrisburg.

Located at 57 Main St. in the Morrisburg Plaza, between Barnful O’ Goodies and Pizza Castle, The Encore Shoppe is the reincarnation of a distinctive retail business originally created by Brenda Tinkess in Ingleside in 2015.

The original shop operated until 2024, developing a loyal following among customers who appreciated its eclectic selection of home décor, giftware and unusual finds. Now, the concept has returned in a new location, retaining the warmth, charm and individuality that made the original business a favourite among shoppers.

While the new shop shares much of the character of its predecessor, its location offers a significant advantage. Situated in the busy Morrisburg Plaza, The Encore Shoppe is more centrally located, making it convenient for both local residents and visitors to discover what it has to offer.

Perhaps the most exciting feature of the new business is its commitment to showcasing the talents of local artisans.

Currently, 19 local artisans are represented in the shop, offering a diverse selection of handcrafted and specialty products. Shoppers will find everything from preserves, candles and handmade soaps to jewellery, crocheted items, fudge, peanut brittle and seasonal merchandise.

The selection is complemented by home décor products and a variety of manufactured giftware, creating a shopping experience that combines locally produced goods with carefully selected retail merchandise.

That The Encore Shoppe was able to source that many high-quality local artisans in a very short period of time is a testament to the owner’s relationship building ability. Since the Ingleside location closed in 2024, Brenda Tinkess has kept in touch with the artisans she already had a working relationship with. “When I reached out to them in September of this year, everyone was very excited to be a part of The Encore Shoppe once again,” she said.

The involvement of so many local artisans gives The Encore Shoppe an additional dimension. Rather than simply being another retail outlet, it provides an opportunity for local makers to introduce their creations to a wider audience while giving customers convenient access to products they might otherwise only encounter at craft fairs, seasonal markets or special events.

For customers, that means an ever-changing selection of interesting merchandise and the opportunity to find something genuinely distinctive.

It also means that purchasing a gift or something for the home can have a broader impact, supporting not only an independent local business but also the artisans and small-scale producers whose work is represented on its shelves.

In an era when so much shopping takes place online or in large retail chains, The Encore Shoppe offers something refreshingly different.

There is a particular pleasure in visiting a shop where browsing is encouraged, where merchandise reflects the creativity of individual makers and where the next shelf or display might reveal something unexpected.

Whether someone is searching for a birthday present, a hostess gift, a seasonal decoration or a small indulgence for themselves, the variety of merchandise offers plenty of possibilities.

The combination of handcrafted goods, specialty food products, home décor and manufactured items also makes the shop an appealing destination for people who may not have a specific purchase in mind but simply enjoy discovering something new.

For Brenda Tinkess, the return of The Encore Shoppe represents a continuation of the retail concept she first introduced to the region more than a decade ago.

“I have been involved in retail since my teen years,” said Tinkess. “I really enjoy so much about it. It is always nice to receive new merchandise and reveal it to our many loyal customers, but it is also the relationship that is built with them. When they come into the shoppe, they aren’t just a customer, they are a friend who stopped by for a visit.”

Although the surroundings have changed, the philosophy remains familiar: offer customers an interesting selection of merchandise in an inviting environment where the shopping experience is every bit as important as the products themselves.

The move to Morrisburg also places the business within an established commercial area that attracts shoppers from throughout South Dundas and neighbouring communities.

With restaurants, specialty retailers and other services nearby, the location makes it easy to include a visit to The Encore Shoppe as part of a regular shopping trip or an afternoon spent exploring the community.

The shop’s reopening is also a positive addition to the local retail landscape. Independent businesses help give communities their individual character, and specialty shops provide a level of variety and personal attention that can be difficult to find elsewhere.

By combining a familiar business concept with a new location and a strong emphasis on locally produced merchandise, The Encore Shoppe is helping demonstrate that shopping locally can be both practical and enjoyable.

For former customers, the new shop offers an opportunity to reconnect with a business they remember fondly. For those who never visited the original Ingleside location, it provides an invitation to discover what made The Encore Shoppe special in the first place.

The Encore Shoppe is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., at 57 Main St. in the Morrisburg Plaza, between Barnful O’ Goodies and Pizza Castle.

Whether you’re shopping for a special occasion, looking for something to brighten your home or simply enjoy the experience of browsing through a shop filled with interesting possibilities, The Encore Shoppe is well worth a visit.

After all, sometimes the best discoveries are found close to home.

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