HOME & COTTAGE
WORDS BY Brianne Hogan PHOTOS BY Evan Ceretti
▲ Brandon and Dayna Canning
H usband-and-wife team Dayna and Brandon Canning had dreamed of opening a family business for years before deciding to take the plunge in March 2018 with their Montague-based store, Pigeons. While Brandon is originally an East Coaster, the couple moved to the Island from Squamish, British Columbia, and set their sights on Montague after spending a summer in the area in 2016. “We fell in love with the eastern side of PEI,” says Dayna. “The business community in Montague is absolutely amazing. Every business is so supportive of each other. We feel that it is an exciting time to be a business in Montague, due to the growth that is happening here.”
keeps the business “interesting.” Services offered at Pigeons include the upcycling of furniture, custom furniture- and wood- building projects, and flooring installations and consultations. Refinishing furniture is another popular service that’s often requested. “Our DIY workshops and upcycling of furniture have become quite popular over the last year,” says Dayna. Past workshops had customers creating their own planters and string art, while upcoming workshops include sign-making and Macramé. In addition to its services, Pigeons sells many unique, one-of-a-kind handmade items ranging from paintings to wood turned pens to baby products, upcycled furniture, and felt art. All of these items are created by over 50 local PEI artisans and artists, as well as a dozen from across Canada and the USA.
“We are continuously bringing in new artisans with unique items, which keeps the store fresh,” says Dayna. “We enjoy working with so many talented artisans on the Island and across Canada.” While different items sell well at different times of the year, currently, the Cannings love the soup mixes, shower steamers, goat’s milk soap, microwave bowls, and wool dryer balls. “We use these items at our home regularly.” Dayna says what she and Brandon love most about their business is “meeting and interacting with different people, whether it be someone looking for a special gift, or a client wanting a custom piece or new flooring.” Dayna says that what makes Pigeons stand out is their hands-on approach to customer service, whether creating items via their DIY workshops, or giving a client a 101 crash course on how to install flooring. “We also
The multifaceted crafts store offers a slew of services and goods, which Dayna says
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www.pei-living.ca WINTER 2020
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