Meet Tracy Hagar, owner of Maynooth’s own Foxfire Gallery Gifts and Antiques. “Since moving here in 1996 I started volunteering at the Maynooth public school, local food bank, ladies auxiliary at the ANAF, Maynooth Mud Run, Loggers games, and Maynooth Madness. That all led me to run for Council and become the owner of the renowned gallery Foxfire Gallery Gifts and Antiques”.
“I worked my way up the ladder, then I worked my way back down”, laughs Tracy. She is also a well-known picker and curator of unique treasures.
Tracy started her gallery and gift business next to what was the Scotia Bank across the street. Then at the advice of her father, she moved into antiques and within a year outgrew her space and moved to the building she’s in now. “It’s a huge building”, the former Williams Hardware store.
“I carry a variety of old farm tools, and in particular vintage Pyrex”. There is also a huge selection of games, puzzles, jewelry, creams and other gift ideas.
“Anybody comes to Maynooth. You can’t say it’s just any age group. Anyone passing through Maynooth will stop now”, recollects Tracy. But it wasn’t always like that. “When I first opened there was the Peterson Gallery, the General Store and gas station, Algonquin Gourmet Butter Tarts, and the Madawaska Art Shop. We were among the only stores open. And now we have a mostly full main street. And now Maynooth is a destination. We have people who come up from Peterborough, Deep River, Petawawa, and Barrys Bay. Groups who come for the day, for all kinds of reasons.”
“I’ve got customers to come to see me looking for something, then they wander the street”. Then guests discover everyone else”. And they may choose to stay at Maynooth Station Lodge.
Before Tracy opened the Foxfire, her and her husband Frank bought and lived in a beautiful pine and stone home just across from the Maynooth train station 30 years ago. Which, interestingly enough, is where the Maynooth Station Lodge owners Jenn and Rick now live and have built the resort upon.
It’s a small world, and the Foxfire Gallery Gifts and Antiques in Maynooth is a friendly and welcoming part of it.
“See you in Maynooth!”
