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Q;L-II?/L,Lfil%r, /,-/ ,f 33?; ,Wufi/l ’ a f“ r' , , I; , #ng‘ _ “’4'; Family business ends after 90 yeare At 3 pm. Friday. Walter Johnston oi Cape Croker walk, ,xh‘ed into the Purple Valley General Store andi made a purchase There was nothing extram- dinary in that. except he earned the distinction oi being the last customer of a family who operated the store tor almost 90 years. An auction sale Saturday cleaned out the remaining stock Gordon Gilbert, owner at the store Said he lost "Could- n‘t compete with the chain stores" adding that he had to pay more to the wholesalers than what he could buy the goods for in stores in Wiarton He stated he would sell the store it he could get a severance The auction was a sad event for some Faces reflected the memories of a diliereni time when the general store was a very viable and important part at the community. At one time. the store was a popular meeting place. A place to take a break alter a hard day oi chores and talk over the latest in politics or weather. It was also a very important necessity to the communities oi Purple Valley and Cape Cro~ kerv When wtnter storms would isolate Cape Croker. many emergency trips by sleigh and horses and sometimes by tool. brought in supplies lrorn the store But With the advent of good roads and taster cars. people began to do more shopping in the larger centres. However, the General Store remained a popular spot where you could get a quart oi milk or loai at Thu auction "in Saturday marked an and to a 90 your tumlty business bread or lust tail: mt'n :h; DIOD’lelOFB The oeneral store at PurClE Valley was ilrEi both been; 1890 by Mr and Mrs Antoine Charbonneau The original Gao- itai was one hundred do'vars In 1980 Mr Cheroclnnaao died from a heartr attack Hhtse attending a political meetirg held tn the school house Around the turn of we century. she married Mr Malcolm McMillan Ety- this me