thought COVID-19 would be a blip—something that might affect them for a month or two. But as the closures stretched on, the worry set in. While she says her landlord was wonderful, there was still much uncertainty about the future. Like Marcel, she had to figure out how to survive in a world that suddenly didn’t need her. After all, could you really call yourself a hairstylist if you weren’t cutting hair? It would take a lot of shampoo sales to pay the bills. She cut costs where she could, but it was challenging because she also needed to be ready to reopen at a moment’s notice. “I’ve never watched so much news,” she says. “Every day we’d wonder what the announcement would be, and when we’d be able to open back up.” When restrictions eased, Tracy and her staff worked overtime to try to catch up. After months of
rest, their bodies strained under the increased demand. Now they had to start scheduling in time for chiropractors and massage therapists as well as work. “When we got shut down the second time in January, Tracy and I said if we get closed a third time we’re changing careers,” says former stylist Kelly Purtill. “It started as a joke, but then we started researching different business options and thinking about it much more seriously.” Sure enough, the pandemic’s third wave arrived in April 2021 as anticipated and Hue Salon closed for good. “We’d talked about opening a clothing store or a wine bar, but in the end we settled on cheese,” says Kelly.
“We wanted something pandemic proof—something people would still need and want to buy no matter what.” Three months after Hue closed, Tracy and Kelly opened Two Girls and a Cheese Shop in the same location. Their vision? Bring a bit of Paris to Tillsonburg. “We carry everything you need to create a nice charcuterie board,” says Tracy. “Nuts, meats, olives, jellies, crackers and of course, cheese. On Fridays, we have fresh baguettes and fresh flowers from our local partners. We even sell table linens.” Many of their customers are former salon clients. Others are referred to the shop by family, friends and even other downtown businesses. “Trinkets Gift Shoppe and Peddlar’s Quay have been awesome sending people to us, and the Business Improvement Area has been great about promoting us through social media," says Tracy. “It’s been so fun getting to know people and learning what they like,” adds Kelly. “For both of us, I think relationships have always been our favourite part of being in business.” (Top Left) Tracy Helyar and Kelly Purtill are the faces behind Two Girls and a Cheese Shop (20 Brock Street West). (Left) Freshly baked baguettes from Angela's Takeaway and bouquets from Makkinks Flower Farm are just of the surprises you'll find at Two Girls and a Cheese Shop—not to mention cheese and other charcuterie essentials.
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