Grand Bend - GreenBucks Country Christmas Store

GreenBucks, just south of Grand Bend, sells all the latest trends in home decor and more from March to August, but then shuts down the main retail space for a little reset in September. While the smaller sheds remain open with regular stock and fall decor, the staff inside are performing a little magic.

 

When the store opens on October 1, it will be transformed into a magical Christmasland, with the area’s largest selection of ornaments, decorations, lights and every accessory you can think of to make your Christmas brighter.

 

Matt and Julie DeJong began with a dollar store in town, but noticed that every year their Christmas season got busier and busier. In the spirit of things, they eventually bought a 3-acre parcel of land in the country on Highway 21 and started the Country Christmas Store tradition six years ago.

 

The DeJongs have always been over-the-top Christmas decorators, so the seasonal approach really appealed to their love of all things decorating. Matt says he loves seeing what the new trends in Christmas decor are each year, and is looking forward to the current craze for Highland cows and forest-themed decorations. Of course, there are the perennial favourites, especially all things cardinal and Grinch. 

 

The sheds that line the property will each become a themed mini-store, complete with a name that hints at the treasures inside -  ‘Welcome to Whoville’, ‘Cozy Shack’ (for blankets and things warm and snuggly), ‘Mrs. Claus Sweet Shoppe’ and ‘Santa’s Toy Shoppe’.

 

The Country Christmas Store has become a destination shopping experience for thousands of visitors each season, from as far away as Kingston, Toronto and Windsor. The season peaks around mid-October. Many of the DeJongs’ customers combine a visit to the store with a stop at  the Lambton Fall Colour and Craft Festival, making it a perfect weekend getaway.

 

The Christmas Store is open from October 1 until December 24, and then closes for January and February and reopens in March with a fresh batch of spring decor. 10005 Lakeshore Rd. (Hwy 21), Grand Bend