Cavendish Figurines Ltd. is constructing a new $950,000 facility in Gateway Village, announced co-owners Jeannette Arsenault and Don Maxfield today. The new manufacturing facility, referred to as an Economuseum, will integrate educational and tourism components such as tours and a video which explain the rationale behind the business.
On hand for the announcement were Wayne Easter, Member of Parliament for Malpeque, on behalf of the Honourable Fred J. Mifflin, Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA); and the Honourable Eric Hammill, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, on behalf of the Honourable Wes MacAleer, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism.
"Cavendish Figurines is a welcomed addition to Gateway Village," said Mr. Easter. "The vision of this company in building a tourism component into an already successful manufacturing operation should encourage other Island businesses to look for similar opportunities."
The new building and its site are designed to match the architecture of the other buildings in Gateway Village. A seven-foot statue of Anne of Green Gables will greet visitors as they arrive on the Island.
"This is a wonderful way to greet visitors as they arrive on the Island," said Minister Hammill. "This facility will give visitors a warm Island welcome and allow them to see the fine craftsmanship that goes into the popular Cavendish Figurines Anne Collection."
Cavendish Figurines is Canada's only manufacturer of fine earthenware Anne of Green Gables figurines. The business began operations in November 1989, with five employees and a series of eight figurines that tell the Anne of Green Gables story. In 1997, the company added a second collection called "The Cavendish Characters" employing nine people.
The expansion announced today will see the company add a number of new features to its business, and has the potential to create 10 to 15 new jobs.
"With the opening of the Confederation Bridge, Gateway Village offers a number of opportunities for our business," said Ms. Arsenault. "It is a high traffic, easily accessible area, making it easier to bring customers in and to get our products into new market areas."
"Manufacturing quality earthenware figurines is still strongly our focus, but this location will allow us to build on to that part of our business by adding more tours, an area to promote our products, and other similar attractions," added Mr. Maxfield.
Construction of the new facility is expected to be complete by June 5, and it will be open for business in time for BridgeFest '98. ACOA and the provincial government are both supporting this project. ACOA is providing a $380,000 repayable contribution under the Business Development Program.