An Invitation to Purchase A Lifestyle Business & Residence
The Toy Maker of Lunenburg Residence with Workshop 12 Sandy Hollow Road Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada 60056496
South Shore
Your Life, Re-imagined.
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First Impressions How would you like to live in a town that not only won the Port city of the Year, the Communities in Bloom’s Most Beautiful Small Town, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? What about operating one of the most respected toymaking businesses in Canada? What if you could have both? What if you could have your own manufacturing facility, administrative office, and your active lifestyle all within the bounds of your home sweet home? Yes, what if - is now - a rare opportunity to own the lifestyle business of The Toy Maker of Lunenburg! After 30 years, the owners are selling their home and business to step back from the busyness of being entrepreneurs and step into the easy breezy way of life on Nova Scotia’s south shore. Charming and close-knit, walking down its main streets is like walking through a book on old world architecture. Cape Cod style, NeoClassical (Georgian), Gothic Revival, and Scottish
(with five sided Scottish dormers), are just some of the styles that can be identified throughout the area. The most famous architectural feature, affectionately known as the Lunenburg bump, is an extended central dormer that extends out and down from the roof to create an overhang over the main entrance. The whimsical feel of the town is made all the more enchanting by the use of eye-popping paint colours; one gets the feeling that you have stepped into a magical land from a children’s book. Lunenburg County, which includes the towns of Chester, Bridgewater and Mahone Bay, has a population of 47,591 residents, of which 2,457 live in the town of Lunenburg. The rugged sea coastline is set against the backdrop of a gentle rolling landscape. The soil is rich and well drained by a network of lakes and small rivers and the weather is quite temperate, making it a favourable region for agricultural activity. From Christmas trees to cranberries, milk production to wine-making, you can certainly enjoy eating and drinking local in Lunenburg County.
South Shore The South Shore is where the seafaring legacy of the Maritimes originated from. Shipbuilding, deep sea fishing and foundries are all still active as in yesteryear; in fact, you can still hear the ring of the blacksmith’s hammer as you walk along Lunenburg’s working waterfront. Home to the famous Bluenose schooner, and a welcomed port of call for other tall ships, Lunenburg is a centre for the history of the sea that defined the Province of Nova Scotia. Built by immigrants of German and Swiss descent, Lunenburg was named in honor
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of King George II, Duke of BrunschweigLunenburg, the king under which the edict was given to provide free passage to those who would facilitate the building of towns in the new world (North America). Descendents of these founding families still live in the region, and are considered to be true Bluenosers, after the famous ship that was built along its shores. The South Shore is also noted for its many festivals that it holds throughout the year. Whether the event is associated with seafood, harvest time, art, music or theatre, chances are, when you are in Lunenburg, there is always something to celebrate.
Property Description Main Floor This custom-built, 2700 sq. ft. home is unique in that it is both cosy and spacious. The large bright red front door leads into a generously sized tiled entranceway which has a closet housed by double, pine bi-fold doors. The house is infused with light, due, in part to the dramatic chalet-style, pine-panelled ceiling. The granite, wood burning fireplace is majestic and rustic; practical too, as it has a built in fan system that pushes the fire’s heat into the room. The charming den, has a wood-fed hearth stove, and is just adjacent to the huge country kitchen. It is bright, with windows on two sides of the room, and has large neutral-colored tile on the floor. The floating two-tiered island provides a working surface at the top and a movable table for four at the bottom. The kitchen even has a desk area that could serve as a mini office
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Lower Level station, or a sewing area. Appliances include a fridge, stove, built- in dishwasher, and a flat-top electric stove. If you wish, you can keep the fullsized chest freezer that sits in the laundry room area off the kitchen. Whether you are preparing some hot chocolate or a feast for the family, this kitchen has ample room to cook; and, for entertaining, there is a spacious formal dining room. A light-filled office and a two piece bathroom complete the amenities on the main floor. The generous amount of windows and skylights installed throughout the two floors of living space creates a cheery feel to this 27 year old home. The house is wonderfully warm as there is a heatilator in the granite fireplace, in-floor heating on the first floor, and separate thermostats for the electric heating system throughout the house.
Second Floor The wrought iron and oak staircase is sturdy, and leads to a small landing just perfect for a reading nook. The owners were strategic in their placement of the skylight at the top of the stairs; as, when you look out – you have a perfectly framed view of the historic Lunenburg Academy in the distance. Two of the bedrooms are average size, and the master is large with wood panelling, a sky light, a walk-in closet, and has a three piece ensuite that includes a shower enclosure. The main bath has a long vanity space with a single sink, a whirlpool tub in a cedar enclosure, and a toilet.
The massive lower level with direct outside access provides the business with an ideal space for storing wood and other supplies. Although it is not used, the lower level also has a fireplace that is functional, should you wish to transform part of this space into another workshop.
As Christmas Season approaches, The Toy Maker of Lunenburg receives letters from around the world, as there is a perception that this is truly Santa’s Workshop.
The Workshop The two-storey, 2000 sq ft workshop serves as a manufacturing facility, storage room, and distribution centre for the business. The second floor area is where all toy pieces are carved, painted, and stacked. As the toys are made primarily of wood (ash), the majority of the machines are specialized sanders and drills (see Equipment photo page and the equipment list). A powerful dust collecting system helps to keep the wood dust to a minimum, and a wood stove helps keep the working area warm in the winter. The first floor is where completed parts are assembled, packaged and shipped. Overall, the business is most busy during the summer, so that the products are ready to be shipped across Canada and internationally, well in time for the toy business’ high season of fall and Christmas. The workshop is open year round. During the summer months, the owners hire two students to ensure that they can keep pace with the filling of orders by fall.
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The Toy Maker of Lunenburg Business
The Toy Maker of Lunenburg Equipment / Machinery List Tysson Internal dust collection system
arbor press
2-spindle pneumatic drum sander
36” edge sander
4’ stroke sander 3 phase roto phase converter
6” x 48” sander 13” overhead belt sander 8” jointer
10” table saw
16” drill press
CNC drill press
36” lathe
radial arm saw / horizontal boring machine
10” mitre saw
18” scroll saw 3 hp router & table 28 gallon compressor compressor staple gun
10” band saw 3 hp plunge router compressor nail gun 16” shrink wrap machine & tunnel
2 paint tumblers
2 paint spray guns & spray cans
6” bench grinder
20” thickness planer
Business on the South Shore You might think that living in a rural community means that you are trading your fish for eggs – not so in Lunenburg County! True, the area was founded in fishing industry, but now, the area boasts a healthy and diverse economy. From seafood, organic produce, and Christmas tree farming to manufacturing of tires, medical products and aerospace components, Lunenburg County offers a lot of big business for a small town type of region. The Lunenburg-Queens Regional Development Authority works in partnership with local municipalities, provincial and federal government officials and the private sector to promote economic development in the area. There is even a young professionals group
that meets monthly to network and support one another. High speed internet will soon be available throughout the entire region and will go a long way towards increasing the region’s collaborative approach to economic development and sustainability. Lunenburg County has the third highest concentration of tourists in the Province (behind Halifax & Cape Breton), making tourism a core contributor to the prosperity in the region. In 2007, $61,030,000 in revenues from tourism helped to generate 1400 direct and 500 indirect jobs. Over 23 million in taxes were generated for the municipality, and now residents are reaping the benefits of this through numerous infrastructures projects that will serve to increase the quality of life in the area. Strategic thinking, opportunity identification, and planning, both from the government and from the local citizens, is helping to create a bright and sustainable future for Nova Scotia’s Lunenburg County. The distinct advantages Lunenburg County:
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The Toy Maker of Lunenburg has an internationally recognized brand; one that stands for the highest quality standards, a high level of integrity and excellence in customer service. The recent lead-paint scandals, especially related to toys, have shifted consumer’s attention away from choosing economical Chinese imports to choosing higher priced quality products. Classic wooden, handmade, and wool, cotton and cardboard toys have all seen a surge in demand – The Toy Maker of Lunenburg is no exception. Being hand-crafted in Nova Scotia, especially in the charming old town of Lunenburg, contributes to The Toy Maker’s products’ reputation of being made with old-world care and craftsmanship. Beside the romance, and beyond the scandal, consumers are making their buying decisions with the environment in mind. The Toy Maker of Lunenburg prides itself on a high level of recycling and re-use in the manufacturing of its products. Their water-based paints are made in Western Europe, where the highest environmental standards in manufacturing are enforced, the wood is purchased from a supplier who does not use clear-cutting methods of harvesting, and all discarded paper products are shredded and recycled – even the sawdust is given to some friendly local guinea hens. The Toy Maker of Lunenburg’s business is busier than ever, which makes this the ideal time for someone to purchase it. Proud of the legacy they have built, the current owners will provide the new owners with hands-on training, mentoring and guidance for as long as the new owners feel is necessary to ensure the integrity of the product and the reputation of the brand is maintained.
Distinct Advantages of being in Lunenburg County • Positive approach to business and community development • One hour from downtown Halifax and its international airport • Numerous infrastructure projects is increasing the standard of living • Diverse opportunities for sports activities, museums, and festivals • Local food sources keeps cost of living down and quality of life up • Full digital telecommunications network with high-speed internet access
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Lifestyle Lunenburg Lunenburg is synonymous with the charm of the Maritimes. Pristine, tranquil, historic, and vibrant, and always bursting with activity, Lunenburg offers a lifestyle that is as leisurely as it is exciting. Located only an hour’s drive to Halifax, but a world away, picturesque Lunenburg offers an excellent quality of life that continues to draw tourists, seasonal residents, retirees, writers, and artists into the area. With 180+ shops and services, numerous galleries and restaurants, golf courses, festivals, museums, theatres, you are sure to be well-entertained. With the local farms offering the full spectrum of food groups, and with a number of farms going organic, you can be sure to stay healthy in a very natural, in the zone, sort of way. Lunenburg is the go-to place for Maritimeinspired folk art, fine art, pottery and a delightful variety of hand-crafted gift items. There is a virtual cultural parade wherever you turn; and, in the evenings, this Bluenose Shore town lights up with lively local music concerts and theatre productions
Mahone Bay Located just 10 minutes from Lunenburg, Mahone Bay is known for its eclectic shops, wonderful restaurants, luxurious spas and convention facilities. Although it has only 990 residents, it has a full range of services such as a medical centre, veterinarian, naturopathic doctor, physiotherapist, and financial and insurance services.
Bridgewater Known as the “Main Street of the South Shore”, Bridgewater, just 20 minutes from Lunenburg, offers numerous amenities
including restaurants, accommodations, a traditional main street as well as a bustling mall, banks, regional hospital, parks, museums and recreational facilities.
Chester Boating is the main activity in this ocean-side town of 1,200 people. Chester has two marinas and a yacht club and hosts many regattas and boating events, including the popular, Chester Race Week; held in August every year, this event is one of the largest Regattas held on the East Coast. Besides its world class golf course, Chester has a new addition to its recreational repertoire - a skating park – clearly, Chester offers outdoor fun for all ages.
Education Even though Lunenburg is relatively small in comparison to Halifax, it offers big city education that is globally-focused. High quality local elementary and junior high schools that include French immersion, help students get a good educational grounding. And then, students in grades 10, 11 and 12 are bussed to the new high school in Bridgewater that offers an excellent study environment and offers the globally-recognized International Baccalaureate program. Lunenburg Academy, just 2 minutes by car from The Toy Maker, houses one of the most unique learning experiences - West Island College – Class Afloat. At the Academy, and aboard a 188 foot Class 100A-1 yacht, students are given traditional coursework; as well, at sea, they engage in experiential learning activities while they travel around the world. Students take the same Provincial exams as other students in their school district.
Recreation World class golf courses, sailing, boating, cross-country skiing, skating, biking, curling, and
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long seaside walks – Lunenburg certainly offers a recreational lifestyle that is to be envied. With a $31.5 million Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre due to be completed in the near future, which will contain a new large library, skating rink, one six-lane, 25 metre pool, and fitness and meeting space, it is clear that local leaders share a strong commitment to improving the quality of life for its citizens, and are eager to attract an increasing number of visitors, businesses, and newcomers into the area to live, work, and play.
An Invitation to Purchase A Lifestyle Business & Residence 60056496
The Toy Maker of Lunenburg
Residence with Workshop 12 Sandy Hollow Road, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada Martina Robinson, REALTOR®
Licensed Industry Member in Nova Scotia Robinson & Harmsen Lifestyle Real Estate Inc.
In Halifax: Telephone: (001) 902.889.3249 Mobile: (001) 902.476.4710 In Hamburg: Telefon: (011) 49.40.2548.3675 Mobil: (011) 49.171.233.4741
Bettina Grunwald, REALTOR®
Licensed Industry Member in Nova Scotia Robinson & Harmsen Lifestyle Real Estate Inc.
In Halifax: Telephone: (001) 902.889.3249 Mobile: (001) 902.212-0543
RobinsonHarmsen.com
Your Life, Re-imagined.