Pembroke welcomed a new business to the historic downtown last week as Shops on Main opened it’s doors to customers on April 11.

The new store is really a collection of vendors occupying the Pembroke Towne Centre building on Railroad Street.

Shops on Main carries a variety of merchandise from handmade items to refinished furniture, antiques and more. There are also vendors who carry jewelry, accessories and even a vintage clothing boutique. Owner Sarah Williams hopes the store will be a draw for downtown Pembroke and that it will be more of a destination than simply a place to shop.

"This way, people can come into town... it’s a shopping experience… you don’t just run in and run out. You’re going to take your time and see everything and then you can go eat," Williams said.

Higgins Place — a separately owned restaurant serving sandwiches, soups and salads — will be opening on site sometime next week, enabling shoppers to take a little break for refreshment.

Though Shops on Main already has around 25 vendors, Williams encourages other artists, craftsmen and those with merchandise to sell to contact the shop for information on this collaborative retail venue. Williams wants to provide a space for those wanting to have their own shop or business to be able to reap the benefits of a brick and mortar operation.

"We’re trying to revitalize our downtown right now and bring in new businesses and I think this is something that will definitely help. My biggest goal was to be able to give people who wanted to have a store an opportunity to have a store, and it’s been great," Williams said.

Shops on Main is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"We want to remind people that we’re only 25 minutes from Richmond Hill, so it’s not too far to come", Williams encourage.