March 23, 2026

‘SAD DAY’ SUNDAY AS ARTS AT THE ALBION CLOSES SHOP — AFTER 12 YEARS — IN ANOTHER BIG BLOW TO DOWNTOWN GRAVENHURST

GRAVENHURST — Penny Varney has seen a lot of businesses come and go in Gravenhurst.

Notably around the main intersection of Bay, Brock and Muskoka Road.

Including two of her own.’

Right where she and her husband, Tony, had a pharmacy for decades; and where her Penny Varney Jewellery, Gifts and Gallery was located two doors down for 15 years.

But at a pot luck dinner last night in the Arts at the Albion, she was visibly moved after membership delcine forced it to close earlier Sunday.

The popular co-op closed yesterday after a dozen years filling local homes, cottages and businesses with Muskoka and truly Canadian arts and crafts.

“It was a little emotional,” she admitted this afternoon, as she cleared out a few more pieces.

One an historic photo of the former Albion Hotel she took over the to the fire hall. The fourth photo they had and she donated to them from the Municipal Heritage Committee.

“It was a sad day.”

Penny Varney waves goodbye today to the Arts at the Albion Gallery after it closed Sunday following 12 years of the arts and crafts co-op in downtown Gravenhurst due to dwindling number of artists. PHOTOS Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com

The dinner was ironic to be sitting around a giant paint-covered artists’ workshop table, which was once in the seating area of the hotel lobby and just across the way from the dining room that later for a brief few years was a Chinese restaurant among other uses including a former owner’s son’s bedroom.

The gallery was also where planning for the Muskoka Winter Carnival and with its three towns began.

Varney said the collective decision was made a month ago by the remaining artists that had dwindled to about eight or 10.

“A couple are moving and others have opted to work from home,” she regretfully said.

So the remainder couldn’t afford to share the rent.

Varney said it was sad, but perhaps a little inevitable with prices up, sales down a bit and business challenges including obstacles, no thanks to town bylaws and council, that forced them to remove three flags hanging outside their door to draw customers’ eyes and traffic.

Also with road construction on Bay Street this year the “writing was on the wall.”

No matter how you look at it, the business’s closure is another big a big blow. It being only the latest business to give up on the core of the deeply ailing retail business sector.

Thanks to patrons of arts, says co-op founder Penny Varney.

In the beginning ….

Last supper last night

Varney began the Arts at the Albion along with Bonnie Bews (chair now) Leslie Songerterry, Dale Durnan, Glenda Davies and Brendan Duggan, who were all at last night’s last supper. Along with a couple of others.

Many of the artists over the years had also been on display down by the Segwun for years where there was the small Muskoka Gallery by the Bay behind a burger stand and gas bar.

Like Varney, they became “mainstays” of the main street in 2014.

Varney, who helped start the BIA, Women’s Co-op, GHS breakfast program and the town’s new arts festival tour in its fourth year this fall, said in when Guy Gagnon bought the Albion from Dyck’s estate, she asked about setting up the co-op gallery.

**The gallery had as many as 20 artists at one time selling paintings and crafts like Ron Leach’s soap stone carvings all but gone today off of what was the original 1895 flooring, said Varney.**

“He was amazing it and even helped pull up four layers of old carpet from what is left now with the original 1895 flooring.”

Gagnon got the Municipal Heritage Committee to allow vinyl instead of wood window replacements to improve the building’s look. And had made building and room improvements before dying of cancer four years ago. But not before he was recognized by the heritage committee for his efforts.

Former mayor Paisley Donaldson “bent over backwards” to help and former district chair John Klinck likewise was supportive encouraging, added Varney. The fire department also worked with them to train and ensure safety in using extinguishers.

Thus was born this cute little unique and welcoming gift shop.

“We didn’t care if people bought anything, they could just come in browse and look at the artwork. They appreciated it,” said Varney.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous. I mean, you try so hard. I’m so passionate about this town. When we had the pharmacy, we enjoyed so much being on the main street. We were mainstays. And it was such a strong town.”

Now, she said, it will be up to some other artist to try and open independently and privately, if they want.

The co-op had considered a move, but the iconic location would be tough to beat.

Despite there being a growth of vacant properties, landlords want too much money. More than most aspiring, small business owners and tenants can afford today.

Still, it’s possible the Arts at the Albion location could yet be rented in the fall, she said.

But it won’t be the same distinctive artistic community venue for artists and crafts people to sell their Muskoka wares and patrons to enjoy and support.