Andrea’s 3Rs Shop in Eston celebrates 30 years in business

By Joan Janzen
joanjanzen@yahoo.com

There’s a popular little store located in Eston, Sask. called Andrea’s 3R’s Shop. The store, situated at 138 Railway Avenue, has been in business for 30 years. Plans are to celebrate this milestone during the week of August 23rd to 27th.

Margaret Olorenshaw, the owner, said, “We’ll have refreshments and snacks on hand for people to come in and celebrate the 30th anniversary. I will also have a draw each day for a gift certificate from an Eston business so that we can celebrate and also support our local businesses.”

Margaret said they opened in 1991 when Andrea left school. “Andrea has Cerebral Palsy, is unable to speak, and we were told she would never walk.” However, Andrea walks into the Shop each weekday and enjoys watching all the activity. “We call her the manager because she manages all of us,” her mom chuckled.

The family opened the little Shop for Andrea’s sake, and it grew from there. As Andrea looked on and smiled, the Shop continued to grow. “It grew way more than we expected,” Margaret said, adding that the Shop consists primarily of items sold by consignment, with some articles donated.

The Shop has been at the exact location for thirty years. “We thought we’d use the back shop for repairing for our other business (Olorenshaw Farm Service), but we ended up needing it for Andrea’s 3R’s,” Margaret said. The community and surrounding area have been very supportive of their business, but people come from all over to shop at the store, with the guest book being signed by people from Edmonton and Saskatoon.

“We never know what’s going to come through the doors,” Margaret said regarding the merchandise that comes into the Shop. There certainly is a wide assortment of inventory available since the Shop accepts almost everything except clothing. “We take whatever we can’t use to Value Village,” Margaret concluded.

You’ll find Andrea’s mom working at the Shop every Saturday. During the remaining weekdays, she is working at Olorenshaw Farm Service. Their capable staff handles things at the Shop during the week. Ellen Owens works Monday and Tuesday, while Kathy Herbert works Wednesday to Friday. Duncan King also comes in on Wednesday and Thursday to help out.

They’ve also had two long-time former employees, namely Heather Kraft, who worked at the Shop for sixteen years, and Joyce Hodgson, who worked there for twenty years.

“We appreciate all the support we get from our community and area, and we’re very happy with the support we receive from more distant places,” Margaret concluded.

Photos courtesy Margaret Olerenshaw

Andrea

Duncan and Andrea