Stephenville woman chosen as outstanding retailer

A Newfoundlander has won the Outstanding Retailer Award at the Atlantic Crafts Trade Show in Halifax. Paula Cornec who operates the retail crafts store Beavercraft in Stephenville was chosen by a team of judges drawn from the four Atlantic Provinces.

"It�s a great honour to be recognized in this manner," said Ms. Cornec who has operated her store for 22 years. Ms. Cornec markets craft produce from 75 different Newfoundland and Labrador crafts producers and artists. She also provides production and marketing advice to new entrants to the crafts industry.

The Outstanding Retailer Award is given for "supporting and featuring quality crafts...providing leadership for an extended period...and aiding the development of producers."

"This is well deserved recognition for Ms. Cornec who has been a long-time moving force for development of the crafts industry in Western Newfoundland," said Beaton Tulk, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal. "What is less generally known is that in addition to employing six people in her store, Ms. Cornec also provides a market outlet for 65 independent craft producers who manufacture sweaters for sale through Winterhouses, her export company, that are exported to all parts of Canada and to the United States."

Beavercraft operates year-round but is particularly busy during the summer tourist season. Tourists travelling between Port aux Basques and Gros Morne National Park are frequently attracted to Ms. Cornec�s store and account for one-third of her retail sales. She says many Americans are referred to her store by friends who praise the high quality of goods. She adds that at least one RV tour which travels from the U.S. has put her store as a stop on its scheduled itinerary.

"As a small-scale manufacturing industry, craft production serves an important role in diversifying the provincial economy and generates over $25 million in sales a year," said Minister Tulk. In addition to Ms. Cornec, Stephenville is also fortunate to have the College of the North Atlantic campus which provides the most extensive craft training programs provided in the province."

Media contacts: Clifford Grinling, DDRR (709) 729-7066, or Paula Cornec, Beavercraft, (709) 643-4844.

2000 02 10                                                                 3:50 p.m.