‘Most fun gift shop in Canada’
Cavendish Figurines changes its name to the more representative Shop and Play
After 25 years the owners of Cavendish Figurines have decided to change the name of their Gateway Village business to Shop and Play.
Jeanette Arsenault and Don Maxfield wanted a name to reflect what their business has evolved into over the years.
The store first opened in Summerside as a manufacturer of Anne of Green Gables figurines, and the shop became a tourist attraction with factory tours and Anne dress-ups. In 1998, Cavendish Figurines moved its operations to the foot of the Confederation Bridge in Borden-Carleton. Over the years, the demand for their figurines declined, but the Anne dress-up grew, and the retail sales of gifts and souvenirs expanded to the point that the store is now the largest gift and souvenir shop in Atlantic Canada.
Not only did the trade name change, so did the inside of the building. The Anne of Green Gables dress-up has become so popular that it outgrew the room where this was done.
Shop and Play has themed rooms full of products from all over the world, and offers free photo opportunities.
New this year is an “I left my (heart) on P.E.I.” marquee, where every visitor can put a heart with their name on it and where they’re from. To many of their repeat visitors, it will look like a whole new shop, said Arsenault.
“With the dress-up activity, we invite people to get in touch with their inner child. We have laughter all day long in our building as many men, women and children put on the red braids and become Anne, making us the most fun gift shop in Canada.”
The store is open year-round. Visit shopandplay.ca for all the activities offered.