Here’s a riddle for you.
When is The Sarnia Journal not covering the news?
Answer: When it’s covering the walls at Trend Visions hair salon.
Local stylist Emily Schrader decided to spruce up the aesthetics room and washroom where she works and had a lot of challenges to overcome.
“The walls were a big plaster mess and there was some panelling as well,” she said. “I needed to cover a multitude of sins.”
She was also on a budget – a very tight one. Wallpaper was too pricey. Free newspapers seemed like a solution.
“I got thinking about how much I like the local news, how I’m a local girl at a local business, and it just seemed like a good idea,” said Schrader.
She considered using other newspapers, she said.
“I went with the new paper, because I’m new. Besides, there are even comics in The Journal.”
It took a full 48 hours to prep the walls with primer, apply wallpaper paste with a styling tool and hang two layers of The Sarnia Journal on the walls.
One layer wasn’t enough to create a smooth finish or prevent the old wall colours bleeding through.
The final step was applying Varathane to ensure the surface was waterproof and washable.
Total cost for two rooms: $135 for the wallpaper paste and Varathane.
“I’m so happy with the result,” Schrader said. “The only catch is that some of my clients take longer than usual in the washroom because they get caught reading the wallpaper.
“They come out and tell me they would have been faster but they had to finish an article.”
Trend Visions is located at 105 St. Clair St. in Point Edward and is owned by Lambton College hairstyling instructor Marilu Murphy. Schrader is available Tuesdays and Fridays by appointment or for walk-ins between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Call 519-381-5095.
NEW GIANT TIGER STORE
Giant Tiger intends to open a 27,700-square-foot store on London Road in April.
The corporation made the announcement this week, saying it would be the second Giant Tiger in the city. The new store will be located at the London Road Shopping Centre, where Zeller’s formerly operated.
FRESH MINI-DONUTS FOR SALE
Dee Spencer lived in Edmonton for 15 years where she fell in love with all the mini-donuts sold at festivals and events.
“That’s the big thing out there. They have food trucks everywhere that sell fresh mini-donuts.”
So when she moved to Sarnia and decided she’d make her living with a food truck, she chose mini-donuts instead of the more traditional French fries.
“I love mini-donuts. I bought a mini-donut machine and away I went,” she said.
The Donut Diva is parked beside Sears in the former KFC parking lot on London Road every day except Wednesdays.
Spencer sells them with a choice of 31 sugar coatings such as strawberry shortcake, key lime and lemon/raspberry.
“People really love the different flavours,” she said. “Fry trucks are great but it’s nice to have something different in Sarnia.”
She opened on London Road in June and is also attending weekly farmers’ markets in Petrolia and Forest.
“I’m trying to make it a longstanding business open from March to December every year,” said Spencer.
A dozen mini-donuts sell for $3. Two dozen costs $5. Loyalty cards are available.
The Donut Diva is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Noon – 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Sundays Noon – 5 p.m.
Got an interesting business story? Contact Cathy Dobson at [email protected] or 226-932-0985.
- Cathy Dobson