Four Years In
I’m sitting down to write this on a Saturday morning, coffee in hand, thinking about how quickly the weeks move this time of year…
And then it hits me.
April 1 just passed.
Four years.
Four years since we stepped into this next chapter of the Prince Edward Island Preserve Company.
And wow… what a four years it has been.
Photo taken by Rachel Peters Photography.
The Things That Stand Out
When I look back, it’s not one big moment. It’s a collection of so many beautiful, meaningful pieces that have shaped what this place is becoming.
Afternoon tea in the restaurant has taken on a life of its own.
There’s something so special about watching guests slow down, linger a little longer, and create memories over scones, preserves, and tea. It feels timeless in the best way.
Our Picnics of Hope have become one of my favourite offerings.
There’s a nostalgia to them… baskets packed with care, blankets laid out, the river nearby, and that quiet feeling of being exactly where you’re meant to be.
Simple, but so meaningful.
And our wellness offerings in the Gardens of Hope…
They’ve brought a softer, more intentional energy to the space.
Creating space for wellness sessions and day retreats here has been something I’ve dreamed about for a long time… and it feels like we’re only just getting started.
I’m here for all of it.
We’ve introduced new flavours along the way too.
Preserves, spices, teas… each one a little extension of our creativity and a reflection of where we’re going, while still honouring where we’ve been.
We’ve also expanded our retail footprint, adding more locations and being really intentional about understanding what works best for us.
And then there are the moments that make it all feel personal.
This past season, our oldest son got married in the Gardens of Hope.
A moment that felt so full circle, so personal, and so incredibly special in a place that means so much to us.
And then… the butterflies.
Never in a million years did I think we’d be living a real-life science project as part of our business.
And yet here we are.
Adam is now a self-proclaimed butterfly expert… which still makes me smile.
Photo taken by Rachel Peters Photography.
The Reality Behind It
And while all of this feels really amazing… it also comes with its own set of challenges.
We are a year-round business that operates as a destination for part of the year, and then shifts into a full-service gifting company for the rest. On-site, online, and through our shipping department.
It’s a different kind of rhythm. One that asks a lot.
Especially from our team.
There are seasons where the pace is full, the days are long, and the energy required is high.
And we are so aware of that.
We see when our staff are tired.
We feel it alongside them.
And we try to lead in a way that reminds them to take care of themselves too.
To take the time.
To pause when they can.
Especially when we’re in the thick of it.
Because the experience we create for others is only as strong as the people behind it.
Becoming More of Who We Are
Over the past few years, we’ve gently evolved our branding to better reflect who we are today.
Not just a place to shop or dine, but a place to gather.
To pause.
To reconnect.
It’s been less about reinvention and more about uncovering what was always there… and letting it shine.
The People Who Make It What It Is
If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s this.
None of this happens without people.
Our leadership team, who we’ve been so intentional about building.
Our staff, who show up day in and day out.
And our suppliers, who share our values and care just as deeply as we do.
(You could say we’ve been choosing the cream of the crop… and yes, I’ll take the pun.)
And then… there’s you.
Our customers. Our guests. The people who have shown up for us, year after year, season after season.
Some of you have been coming here long before we ever stepped into this role.
Some of you found us more recently.
But all of you have become part of the story.
You’ve sat at our tables.
Walked through the gardens.
Picked up jars to bring home or gift to someone you love.
You’ve chosen to spend your time with us.
And the truth is… we would not be here without you.
We feel that. Every single day.
And we are so deeply grateful.
A Space for Me, Too
This blog… this space… has become something I didn’t fully expect.
A place for me to show up as myself.
To share stories, reflections, recipes, and the moments in between.
It’s not polished. It’s not perfect.
But it’s real. And that matters to me.
Honouring What Came Before
What feels the most meaningful, especially on a day like this, is the legacy we’ve stepped into.
Bruce MacNaughton and Shirley MacNaughton spent 36 years building something truly special.
And I can say with full honesty… it means even more to us now than it ever has.
Because we understand what it takes.
The care. The commitment. The heart.
Our Building in 1985 and what it looks like now.
Looking Ahead
Four years in, and it still feels like we’re just getting started.
There’s more to build.
More to create.
More moments to gather around.
But today… I’m pausing.
To take it in.
To feel grateful.
And to say thank you.
Because truly… this has never just been about preserves.
It’s about people.
It’s about connection.
And it’s about creating something that lasts.
Four years in… and still so much magic ahead.
Lots of love,
Marsha
