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From The Manitoulin Expositor – February 16, 2022

Long-time business in Gore Bay changing ownership
by Tom Sasvari
GORE BAY—A long-time business in Gore Bay, M and R Jewellery store, will be officially changing ownership at the end of this month. Jim Woods and family have operated the business since 1970, but the business will now be taken over by Carol and Ken Worsley.
“It’s an honour to carry on the family business for the Woods family,” stated Ms. Worsley. “I was born and raised on Manitoulin. I moved away for 20 years and when my husband retired, we decided to make the move back. It didn’t take me long to pack. I missed Manitoulin and my family.”
“Before I moved away, I worked for the Woods family,” said Ms. Worsley. “I started working for Jim and Bill at B and J’s Restaurant and worked there for 15 years and then I moved across the street to the jewellery store. I always loved my job there so when I moved home, it wasn’t long before I found myself back at the jewellery store.”
“The Woods family has been in business here in Gore Bay since the 1940s in some way,” Jim Woods told The Expositor. “My parents, Marv and Rhea Woods, started M and R Jewellery in 1970, while still owning Marv’s Restaurant, in town. In 1970 they started the jewellery store and it first operated where the Sue’s Snip and Clips is located on Meredith Street.”
“In 1982, my brother Bill and I bought the store from our parents, and it became part of our limited company,” said Mr. Woods. “Bill and I ran it until 1998 when we divided up the company, he took B and J’s Restaurant, I operated the clothing store and Joanne ran the jewellery store.”
From 1982-1998 Bill and Joanne, Jim and Jo Woods ran the jewellery store.
Mr. Woods pointed out in 1999 he and his wife opened up M and R Jewellery, next door to the Woods Brothers clothing store.
As of March 1 the new owners will take over, however the business will still be known as M and R Jewelry (using the Canadian spelling) and will be operating across the street from this location at 48 Meredith Street, in the old Stedman’s building.
“When Jim said he was retiring and selling the business, we jumped on the chance to keep the jewelry store going in Gore Bay,” said Ms. Worsley.

Mr. Worsley is originally from Toronto. “When I met Carol I had been living in Barrie for almost 20 years. We got married in 2017. I retired (after 33 years with Hydro One) and we decided to move up to Manitoulin Island,” he said. “In May 2019 we moved to the Island,” said Mr. Worsley.
“We had visited several times previous to this and I loved it here. Carol was thinking about starting her own business, then heard Jim was retiring and we decided to buy the business so there is still a jewelry
business locally.”
Ms. Worsley said, “I love helping customers and working with jewelry. We look forward to continue offering high quality gold and silver jewelry. I will also keep the repairs going along with watch battery
and band replacement. I will be bringing in other lines of products such as stainless steel, LGBTQ products, reflection beads (very similar to Pandora,) copper and a line of fashion jewelry.”
“I will also be carrying the McIntosh mugs that everyone loves. And of course, those Manitoulin charms,” continued Ms. Worsley. “And I would like everyone to know that if someone has an idea for something
they like that we don’t carry, don’t hesitate to talk to me; chances are I can get it in for you.”
“I’m retiring,” stated Mr. Woods. “I will be working for a while assisting Carol and her husband.” “It’s like anything else; I’m going to miss my customers as I did when we sold (Woods Brothers Clothing Store) last
year. After 45 years, it’s time.”
“We are looking forward to serving our customers,” said Ms. Worsley. “The name on the store will be the same, only spelled differently, and the location will be right across the street from the current location. We wish Jim a very happy retirement. It’s well deserved. And we’re both happy to serve Manitoulin and surrounding area.”