Community Liti-
l‘ilaine BlacPhail, Ruthie MacDougall. Albert MacDougall atjohn Donald MarPhail’s store, 1948-1950,
with a hose for customers. After Tom died, Sarah continued to run the store for a number of years with the help of Maggie MacQuarrie who then lived with Sarah.
After World War II, Ralph MacPhail and his wife, lna (MacLeod) MacPhail, opened a store at the corner of the Bonshaw Road and the Shore Road. This building was bought and moved from the Appin Road. They operated it for approximately five years and then John Donald and Pauline MacPhail took it over in the early 1950's. Perishables were kept in a kerosene fridge and later, a propane one. A gas pump was also installed. This store served the residents of the community as well as the tourists throughout the summer months. It carried everything including hardware, groceries, confectionery, gas, oil etc.
It was also a great gathering place for the residents in the evening. "lhcy would sit on a bench along the wall. Everyone came, it was sort ofa social center. One member ofthe community was a regular visitor at the store. He would gossip about all of the news around the area and take quick breaks to go over to the door and spit out his tobacco juice. He would then stroll back to his spot on the “liar’s bench" and rejoin the conversation. Gary MacPhail used to go to the store with his father, Fred. He would no sooner get there and he would be up the ladder to the loft space. Pauline used to whisper, “He’s up there", so she wouldn’t get him in trouble with Fred. He was a curious little
29