Christine Whelan, FEO, December 5, 2024, VOL. 6 ISSUE 7
The family of the Manic Maker, Bridgeburg’s Cozy Corner Cafe, have experienced rapid movement in their personal lives and business growth. They have also been looking out their windows and see Jarvis Street growth.
Dana and Jon Nadeau run The Manic Maker with the help of their sons, calling it a family-based operation.
I visited The Manic Maker and sat in a booth with Dana while Jon, over my shoulder and behind the counter, took care of business. Dana joined the Bridgeburg BIA in March and is very encouraged with this enthusiasm and teamwork.
“When we opened the little shop up the street, closer to Central Avenue, in March of 2023, it was very rushed,” she reflected. “Three months later, in July, my son and I were walking home and saw that this location was up for lease again.” She was referring to 26 Jarvis Street, at the corner with Klauck Street.
“That same hour, I had my husband on the phone and in three days, we signed the lease.” They realized they needed a bigger space to move forward with their business.
“We took possession here September 1, renovated and had our grand opening December 1, 2023.”
Until recently, Dana’s life did not allow for this type of experience. “It’s the passion I didn’t know I had.”
Tanner
Dana decided to share her story behind the business’ story. “This all started because my oldest son died. My son, Tanner, was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at seven months old. Right before he turned 21, in 2017, he passed away.”
There were three adults in the house who took care of him, 24/7. “I slept with a baby monitor for 21 years.”
Tanner went into the hospital December 23 of 2016 with pneumonia and passed January 13, 2017.
Throughout her son’s entire life, Dana took care of him. And then, for her, it suddenly stopped. “What do you do when all you’ve done for all these years is be a caregiver?”
Nadeau continued, “So, my husband bought me a puppy,” with a smile. “That took up a lot of my attention for the first year.”
To this point, Dana and her familylived in St. Catharines. It was at this time, they decided to move, to make a fresh start. And they moved to Fort Erie.
She next described a period of real loss, but with a life-changing gift at the other end. “My mother passed and then my stepfather passed, then John’s father passed. All in this five-year period. Right before my stepfather passed away, he bought me my first freeze dryer.”
Adding, “I didn’t know anything about freeze drying. I was just happy that somebody loved me enough to give me a new toy,” with a laugh. “All I knew was it was the best preservation method on the planet.”
When she started to research what she could do with this machine, Skittles came up. The Manic Maker Candy Shop just grew, and expanded.
“When we took over this location, we started out with a coffee menu and 10-12 donuts. Right before we opened, we bought a very large espresso machine and some supplies.” As The Manic Maker Coffee, Candy and Gifts, it took on a life of its own. Now, Dana says, it can be considered more of a cafe, with an assortment of pastries, bagels, soups and combos. The updated menu can be seen on the Manic Maker’s Facebook page.
“We listen to what customers want. If someone asks for something and we don’t have it, we’ll get it.”
BRIDGEBURG
Dana says she noticed that around the same time she and her family moved the business down the street, Bridgeburg began exploding in growth.
“Places started opening up. Since we’ve taken on this space, Venus Jewellers has changed hands now. The Fox Shop, Palm Isle Studios, The Waffle Bandits opened. So, that’s four in one stretch. We’ve got Fort Erie Tailoring and Alterations that’sopened. We’ve got a Low Price Bins that’s opened. My old shop is rented to Jades Spaw for pet grooming. This is just in one year.”
But she wasn’t finished. “We’ve had major renovations on the street and Absolute Fitness has been renovated, adding a second floor.
“We’ve got a local business from Ridgeway, The Black Piano, coming next door in a couple weeks. They’ve been renovating and it’s going to be beautiful.”
Dana listed the recent events the BIA has hosted. “We did an Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt in the spring. We did the Summer Kickoff in June. We did the Arts, Beats and Eats Festival in August. We just finished Truck or Treat which was a huge success.”
And of course, the Santa Claus Parade, which many have described as magical.
Prior to the parade, that afternoon, the Bridgeburg District BIA Parade Committee put on a pre-parade party all down Jarvis Street. As 5:30 pm crept closer, the corner of Central Avenue and Gilmore Road, all along the downtown Jarvis Street block, and spots along the roads in between became packed with residents anticipating if this year’s parade would top last year’s as predicted.
Their expectations were not disappointed.
Many captured the magic in photos and video. AdHouse Social is working on a full video of the parade. Words cannot do this event full justice. You can see several posts across social media. This parade has put Fort Erie on the virtual map once again.
Looking Forward
Dana talked about some of the ideas the Bridgeburg District BIA has been working on. “One project that has recently received approval for is to paint murals on the side of St. Vincent de Paul.”
Another idea has already begun playing out and can be seen along both sides of the downtown block of Jarvis Street. Nine reindeer stand on both sides. “We are hoping people will come down and see the reindeer, taking photos and selfies with them.” Each reindeer was sponsored by a local business or individual.
Dana admits Jarvis Street has experienced a lot of hard times in the past but she is feeling quite optimistic these days about its future.
As the sign that has been seen on Jarvis reads, “Bridgeburg is back!”
To stay in the loop with all that is happening and coming up on Jarvis Street and its surrounding area — including several photos and videos of the Santa Claus Parade — follow the Bridgeburg District, Fort Erie Ontario Facebook page.
