During the First World War most ships were in war service. It was decided to build schooners for shipping produce. A saw mill was needed for this project, so James E. MacDonald’s old store was hauled across the ice to be used in the shipbuilding industry.

John A. MacDonald’s store is now a restaurant operated by his grandson, Jock MacDonald. A disco and lobster supper are also operated in the old store in the summer months.

Following is a list of some of the smaller stores that have operated in

Cardigan:

John Ryan - General Merchant Mrs. MacKay - General Merchant. This store was located in Peter

Nabuurs’ present home. Stephen Livingstone ran a store there after Mrs. MacKay.

MacLeod & Shaw - General merchants. This store was operated by Captain Alex Shaw and William MacLeod.

John Ryan ran a store, and later Mrs. John Dan MacDonald ran an ice cream parlor and store, in what is now Vera’s Beauty Parlor.

James McVain, Eleanor Norton, Donald Sigsworth, Jane McEwen, James McQueen and Samuel MacPherson were all storekeepers in Cardigan between the years 1880 - 1910.

Wim’s store is the only general store operating in Cardigan now. It was built by'Raymond Soloman and Raymond Lavandier. Wim and Lena Wil- lems became owners of the store in March, 1964. The Willems’ have expanded the store over the years to provide additional space for their

growing business.

Cardigan’s general store - Wim’s. Custom’s Office

Neil Shaw, Felix Gallant, John McCormick, and William P. Lewis were at one time employees of the custom’s office located in Cardigan. They were kept busy clearing vessels bound for Newfoundland as it was not part of Canada until 1949. Around 1925, the custom’s office was incorporated with

the post office.