The everything store

New pop-up variety store will look to fill gaps in the village

The idea for Everything Variety began while Sarah Bobas was living in Toronto, where she began her career in marketing and media, but her life took a significant turn when her daughter was diagnosed with diabetes.

This life-changing event prompted Sarah to reevaluate her priorities, leading her to seek a smaller, more connected community to raise her family. That search ultimately brought her to Prince Edward County. The close-knit community, its proximity to her family, and its waterside setting resonated deeply with Sarah, a former competitive swimmer, making it feel like home.

However, after moving to Wellington, she noticed what she saw as a gap in the town’s offerings—particularly with stores’ operating hours and the need to sometimes travel to Picton or Belleville for certain items. Everything Variety aims to fill this gap by offering elevated necessities—ideally locally sourced and environmentally friendly.

The store will stock a little bit of everything, from condiments and confectionery to socks, home goods, and those ‘I forgot this on my trip’ items. She’s eager to receive community feedback on what should be offered, hoping to cater to residents and travellers alike.

The town has been eagerly anticipating what will take over the space at 303 Main Street in the former Oak Clothing space.

Thanksgiving marks one year since Sarah took over the lease and the road to opening hasn’t been an easy one. She has faced numerous personal challenges, including her parents falling ill, her father’s passing, and the sudden loss of her dog. During that difficult time, the community rallied around her. “Anywhere else in the world, I would have been lost,” she says.

For Sarah, working on the store became a way to connect with her late father, a craftsman who built some of the shelves in the store. Being surrounded by these items and working with her hands made her feel as though he was there with her, making the process both emotional and healing.

“He always embraced a slower and more meaningful lifestyle,” she explains. Her father believed in living purposefully and building strong relationships, and Sarah hopes to follow in his footsteps.

Now, as the store prepares to open its doors, Sarah looks forward to the conversations and connections she’ll make with her customers. The store will offer drip coffee and tea, with a membership program—no wallet needed, just a convenient monthly subscription. However, Sarah emphasizes that it’s not a coffee shop; the drinks are simply meant to enhance the shopping experience.

The store will stay open until 8 p.m., and Sarah plans to host pop-up events in the space. Kabir’s Caribbean will be featured when the store is ready to open, and even Mouse, the local cat, has already been making appearances. Sarah invites everyone to stop by, enjoy a coffee, and experience all that Everything Variety has to offer.