Crow’s general store is definitely something to crow about for Don Ditchfield and the City of Brandon!

It started as a dream for Ditchfield 10 years ago, and now it’s a dream come true as “Crow’s General Store” recently opened its doors to serve ice-cream favourites to residents of Brandon and beyond.

The story and the site of this gem that’s tucked behind the green spot nursery at the far end of Rosser Avenue East is truly a tale to be told.

Owner Don Ditchfield has been collecting treasures of the past all his life with his ice-cream shoppe in mind to add to the flavour of the early 1900’s. The idea was inspired by the bakery and ice-cream store owned by his grandparents in the town of Hartney many years ago.

In typical turn of the century architecture, the 10-year old building has been constructed to look like a general store right out of a chapter of Anne of Green Gables It’s a virtual museum of every day life of the folks who lived in Manitoba 100 years ago. Ditchfield acquired each artifact at yard sales, garage sales and through bartering. Also, many people have donated their own treasures to Crow’s, knowing they’re going to a good home. And each piece has a story.

Under the roof of the wrap-around deck hangs the horse harness from the last milk wagon used for delivering milk in the city of Brandon.

The ornate cash register was a favorite piece acquired by Don through trading an old gas pump, and it’s still functioning, ringing its familiar ka-ching (it really makes this sound!)
with every sale.  

“I couldn’t have done all of this without the help from a lot of friends,” Don shares.  “I know so many people who have a lot of skills, and they helped me with the different parts.”  For example, the General Store sign that sits on the roof was built from 3 old wood pallets and painted by long-time friend, Laverne Roback from Star City, Saskatchewan.

Crow’s General Store never did have a Grand Opening, they just opened their vintage doors on July 6th and welcomed customers in. Through social media, the results have been astounding as Crow’s went viral.

In 3 weeks, staff member Jill, recorded 17,000 hits on their newly designed facebook page.  Visit Crow’s General Store on facebook and see what’s all been happening these past few weeks.

Seventy two year old Ditchfield is a landscaper by trade, and the beautiful grounds prove that at every turn.  From the bridges, to the rock waterfalls and brick masonry, Don has captured the very essence of peace and tranquility. With an ice-cream in hand, it’s the perfect combination to get away from the business of the city.  In fact, one would never know Brandon was just on the other side of the river, or at the turn in the road travelling west on Rosser.

The walkways have been laid in mosaic-like fashion by Don, himself. Upon getting out of your car you’ll see the unique circular design as you head up the steps to the shop.  A pathway leads you through trees and over bridges to bring you to a taste of a shanty town dating back to early 1900’s. The bricks came from Brandon’s old wool mill.   

A sad twist to this story is the recent illness of a key figure to getting this dream-come-true off the ground.  Dana Austin and her husband, Peter, have been friends of Ditchfield for years. Ditchfield names Dana as “Director” of the Crow’s General Store and was shocked to hear her sudden illness while she and her husband were vacationing in Calgary two weeks ago.

Dana suffered a severe stroke and was quickly transferred to Foothills Medical Centre, undergoing emergency surgery.  Last reports say Austin is fairing well and hoping to be transferred out of Intensive Care within the next week. A GoFundMe campaign has been started to cover the costs of their extended stay in Calgary, with a homecoming date not yet known.

Don Ditchfield says this is a blow to the community as the couple has given tirelessly in volunteering in many different ways, especially to the East End Community Centre for over 15 years.

However, Don has faithful staff who know exactly what to do, and serve ice-cream and share in the wonderful memories of the past, they do well.  I too enjoyed an ice-cream treat, a heaping scoop of salty caramel … and Elvis Presley was singing from the 1920’s jukebox against the wall.

And one more thing, where does the name “Crow’s General Store” come from? Most of Don’s friends and family know him by his nickname, “Crow”.