Blue Mist Introduces Anne Products

Anne of Green Gables will find a new way into the homes and hearts of Maritimers and visitors alike with the introduction of a new product line from Blue Mist Pewter.

The image of the spirited heroine of Lucy Maud Montgomery's novels will adorn several items, such as pewter picture frames, brooches and switch plates. The company proudly joins an elite group of Canadian suppliers offering licensed designs.

"We are very excited to have such a unique product line to introduce during our first-year anniversary, especially a product that gives us the opportunity to showcase our superior quality and our roots in the Maritime provinces," said Blue Mist president Herb Shannon.

Blue Mist Pewter recently obtained a licence from The Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority Inc. with 23 approved designs featuring the Anne of Green Gables characters. The licence allows Blue Mist to sell these designs throughout Canada, the United States and Japan.

"Blue Mist is a fine example of Nova Scotia talent and business savvy," said Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, on hand today in Leamington to help unveil the new designs. "The company is creating new jobs and boosting Nova Scotia's exports. And that's providing tremendous economic benefits for the entire Cumberland County area. The government of Nova Scotia is proud to have been a supporter of the company from the very start."

In February 1998, the province provided Blue Mist with a $200,000 loan guarantee. The federal government, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, also provided an interest-free Business Development Program loan of $108,799 early this year.

The Anne of Green Gables collection will be available in stores throughout Nova Scotia in the coming weeks. The collection was recently introduced in Toronto and Edmonton at gift shows and will soon go on to Boston and a second show in Toronto. Both Toronto and Boston are markets where Nova Scotia Economic Development and Tourism trade missions have played a key role in the company's success.

Blue Mist Pewter manufactures quality pewter giftware outside of Springhill, in Leamington. With 30 employees, the company has grown steadily since July 1997.