The Opening of Grr8 Finds

By Peggy Armstrong, from the Lindsay Daily Post, 2009

Opened in 2009, Grr8 Finds soon became a very popular business, managed by an unforgettable character. Though it was originally founded as a partnership, the village soon came to associate it with Randy Meredith. He enjoyed talking to the customers who dropped by his store, and made a tradition of coming up with colourful costumes for Wacky Wednesdays. It seemed like the shop was always busy, and turned over a lot of second-hand treasures. Randy became an important figure in the community, and helped make Fenelon Falls more inclusive. Randy passed away suddenly in 2022, and the store continues to operate under new management.

A new antiques and collectables shop has opened on the main street of Fenelon Falls. Grr8 Finds opened its doors on February 28, with 25 vendors, some local and some from Toronto. Spaces in the 3,200 square foot venue filled up quickly, said Randy Meredith, who owns Grr8 Finds with his business partner Bruce Muir.

Meredith said the name was chosen because “we wanted something that people would remember and think about.” Meredith, who previously worked in retail management, said he’s had the idea for the market for five or six years. His parents owned an antiques shop in Lorneville, which they sold six years ago.

Meredith lives in Fenelon Falls and said it’s a great community. “They need something like this,” he added. He hopes that the centre will bring shoppers to the town. He is quick to promote other shops and restaurants in the town. “Supporting each other. That’s the way community should be.” He said with more stores, Fenelon will become an even more attractive day-trip destination.

The centre offers collectables, antique furniture, china, books, pictures and more. Prices range from a few bucks to several hundred dollars. Muir has set up a “want list” service to find items that people might not have time to search for at antique shops and flea markets. He said it’s so popular that they had two-and-a-half pages of requests in their first two days of opening. “Everybody has a fast-paced life.” People can make a request in person or call.

Grr8 Finds is open Wednesdays to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. It has evening hours on Thursday and Friday, staying open until 8 pm. Meredith said the later hours help to catch shoppers who work until 5 or 6 pm, and people were coming in right to closing on their first Friday. Starting on May 1, the centre will be open seen days a week until Christmas. To promote the markets and its wares, Meredith has it listed on www.visitfenelonfalls.com, Kijiji, Facebook and Craig’s List.

Grr8 Finds is at 27 Colborne Street in Fenelon Falls. Its phone number is 705 887 GRR8.