Sunnyside Cottage
The feel good place to shop
Gifts - Décor - Toys
The feel good place to shop
Gifts - Décor - Toys
Hello, I'm Debbie McCormick, owner of Sunnyside Cottage. Opening my store was something I've dreamed about for many years. Having worked part time in retail since 1975 I've had plenty of time to think about the kind of store I would like to create before opening in March of 2004.
As a young girl growing up in Riverside, CA some of my happiest memories include spending weekends at my Aunt Lila and Uncle Pete's roadside market in Woodcrest. A fond memory from that time was getting soda pop out of the old cooler, similar to the one pictured. When you put your money in the slot it would allow you to take one bottle of your choice through a little gate. My favorite was the chocolate soda. I also enjoyed visiting with the customers.
Another happy memory was going with my Mom and little brother Ricky to Helen's Outlet, a nearby second hand store. While Mom shopped for kid's clothes, household items, etc. Ricky and I would play in the furniture section pretending it was our house. Our patience was always rewarded with a piece of candy at the candy counter. I usually chose a candy lipstick.
I've always been interested in nostalgia. As a teenager I started a scrapbook of Norman Rockwell pictures. My favorite book was The Boxcar Children a story about orphaned siblings that made a home for themselves in an abandoned train boxcar. Sing along with Mitch was a family affair and I just loved singing old songs with my mom and sisters. (Remember "Follow the bouncing ball"). We also loved to sing along with the Lennon Sisters. Other happy memories include Sheriff John, Romper Room, I Love Lucy, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Bazooka bubble gum, Fizzies, Sugar Daddies, Pogo Sticks, Barbie, hopscotch, jacks, the local swimming pool, Saturday matinees, board games, comics books, Chatty Cathy and many more happy thoughts than I can name here. I love it when a customers asks for an item that I hadn't thought about since I was a girl. It usually sends me on a hunt to see if that item is still being made.
Whether it was selling lemonade, personalized greeting cards or Girl Scout Cookies, I caught the entrepreneurial bug at an early age. With my love of the "Happy Days" it's not surprising that I chose to start a Vintage inspired gift, home décor and toy store. Creating happy memories for others in a feel good place to shop is my mission.
