Soon the partners needed more space and, at just the right moment, a converted warehouse on the waterfront, The Murray Premises, became available. It has huge ship's knees' beams, curved with the natural bend of the original trees across the ceiling and down the sand-blasted brick walls. We were the first tenants. Upstairs, Downstairs was sold within a year, and Dell melded the kitchenware line into Living Rooms' floor and shelf space. The partners productively and amicably separated their interests in 1980 and, five years later when Speakeasy closed, Dell renovated, creating a large furniture showroom with the new 30 seat Living Rooms Cafe at its far end.
People sit, eat, chat, contemplate the furniture and frequently buy it.
While many businesses are restaurants and many are retail outlets, I don't think many are both. While some gift shops sell a few pieces of furniture to display giftware, and some furniture stores sell accessories to complement their furniture, few have full departments in both areas. We carry, in addition to furniture and giftware, full lines in kitchenware, decorative accessories, silk flowers, wallpapers and fabrics, lace panels and lace by the yard, local crafts and select souvenirs, jewelry, crystal, dinnerware, cutlery, books, cards and wrap. We have both a Bridal Registry and a Shower Registry. In a struggling economy, with a severe downturn in Newfoundland's fishing industry, Dell's entrepreneurial skills have enabled her to take advantage of unique opportunities.