Wilde Things – The Call of the Wilde

     Wilde Things, located on 4926 51 Avenue in Vegreville, has an assortment of unique gift ideas for both the tame and wild at heart.  Francine
 Wilde, the sole owner of Wilde Things takes pleasure in appealing to various tastes, especially when her customers are pleasantly surprised with what they find within her store. 

     Francine sought assistance from the Lamont-Two Hills Business Development Corporation in 1993 when she decided to start her own business after being unable to find work in the field of purchasing in the Aerospace Industry.  The assistance she received from the Lamont-Two Hills Business Development Corporation was put towards such expenses as rent and utilities.  Francine also had the opportunity to take a bookkeeping course through the BDC, which enabled her to receive valuable feedback about the financial progress of her business.

     The beginnings of Wilde Things entailed a five-year lease in the Husky Plaza Mall, its original location.  Upon the maturity of the lease, Francine was able to fulfill her goal of establishing a bigger store.  While Francine had hoped to achieve this goal sooner, she is quite satisfied with the current size and location of Wilde Things.  There is plenty of room within the building for the new stock that is always wildly rampant throughout the store and there is plenty of parking space for customers who are courageous enough to take a walk on the wilde side.

     So what can you find at Wilde Things?  The most popular items are the scented candles, such as the Candy Candle and Candle Maker lines that fill the store with a wonderful aroma.  Also popular are the various home décor lines that would make sensational additions to anyone’s home.  Francine prides herself on the fact that all of her major lines are Canadian with even some representation from a few local crafters.  Perhaps most importantly Francine carries items that are of value for the price she is charging.  And based on customer feedback, those prices are comparable to those one would see in a major urban center.

     Francine’s recommendation to those brave enough to seek fulfillment through self-employment is to “hang in there” for the long run.  While the financial rewards are difficult to accomplish, the fulfillment that arises as a result of satisfying both local and regional customers is insurmountable. 

     From a modest beginning that witnessed sales from a large selection of trading cards and Francine’s own ceramic creations, Wilde Things has evolved into a treasure trove of giftware and collectables.  So if it is to treat yourself or someone dear to your heart, make your way to Wilde Things for that special something.  The hours extend from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday thru Saturday.