With the recent announcement that Cindy’s will soon close its doors, here’s a look back at how a roadside vegetable stand became one of Southwestern Ontario’s most beloved retail destinations.

What began as a humble roadside vegetable stand in 1989 grew into one of the most beloved retail destinations in Southwestern Ontario — and, many believe, was the catalyst that helped transform Kingsville into the thriving restaurant and tourism hub it is today.

Cindy’s Home and Garden, the iconic store nestled in Kingsville, Ontario, is the legacy of Ken Martin and his late wife, Cindy, who relocated to the town that same year with their children. Cindy, a Kingsville native, was happy to be home.

The couple set up shop selling produce at the roadside and, before long, Ken’s father-in-law built a few greenhouses behind the house. By 1991, the greenhouses were bursting with plants and flowers, and a garden centre was born.

What followed over the next three decades is a remarkable story of vision, resilience, community spirit, and quiet determination.

Building A Dream, Weathering Heartbreak

The early years were full of promise. The garden centre gained a steady following, and by 1994 Cindy’s was growing in every sense of the word. That same year, however, the Martins faced a devastating blow when Cindy was diagnosed with cancer.

In the years that followed, Ken expanded operations across the border, selling flowers and plants at Detroit’s Eastern Market alongside his Canadian business — a testament to his determination during an extraordinarily difficult time.

Sadly, Cindy passed away in 1997. In the years that followed, Ken continued building the business they had started together.

In 2001, Ken married Christine, beginning a partnership that would soon help take Cindy’s to new heights.

As the U.S.–Canadian exchange rate began shifting in favour of building up the domestic side of the business, Ken set his sights on Kingsville once again.

In April 2004, Cindy’s main retail space — the building that thousands of loyal shoppers would come to know and love — officially opened its doors.

Two years later, in 2006, Ken sold the Detroit business. From that point forward, Ken and Christine focused their full attention on the Kingsville store, working to transform it into a true retail destination.

Their philosophy was simple: offer unique, high-quality products at reasonable prices in a clean, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere where everyone could enjoy the experience of visiting.

The approach resonated immediately with customers. On weekends in particular, the store was often shoulder to shoulder with shoppers.

The Catalogue That Changed Everything

Recognizing that a large share of their customers were travelling from outside the area, Ken and Christine looked for a way to stay connected with them year-round. The solution became Cindy’s Christmas catalogue.

Produced each year through Christine’s tireless efforts, the catalogue was mailed to roughly 50,000 homes across Southwestern Ontario every November 1st. It is believed to have been the first marketing catalogue of its kind produced by any local business in the region.

Its impact was immediate. During the busy Christmas season customers arrived at the store with catalogues in hand, pages marked and shopping lists prepared. Husbands often brought torn-out pages to show staff exactly what their wives had circled.

The catalogue didn’t just drive sales — it created anticipation and turned a visit to Cindy’s into a seasonal tradition.

“By the time the catalogue ran its course, our customer base had exploded,” Ken recalled.

The store had firmly established itself as a destination.

Putting Kingsville On The Map

The ripple effect on the wider community was significant.

In the early 1990s, Kingsville had only three or four restaurants.  As visitors began making regular trips to Cindy’s from across the region, Ken found himself answering the same question again and again: Where should we eat?

Before long, he had prepared a printed list of local restaurants that he would hand out to visiting customers.

Today, Kingsville is widely regarded as one of the premier restaurant destinations in the region — something many believe Cindy’s helped spark.

Word about the store travelled far beyond Essex County. On one occasion, a magician performing in London made the two-hour drive with his wife simply to see the store for themselves.

At another event in London, the head of the Leamington Chamber of Commerce discovered that fellow attendees were eager to share stories of their own trips to Cindy’s after learning she was from the area.

Ken was later invited to speak to the Chamber about the success of the business, and the Better Business Bureau of London extended a similar invitation.

Recognition followed. In 2011, Cindy’s received the Innovation Award from the Leamington Chamber of Commerce, and for four consecutive years the business ranked among Canada’s Top 500 companies.

Christine herself also received national recognition for her role in the store’s success, being named among Canada’s Top 100 Women in Business for two consecutive years.

A Family Atmosphere, A Winning Team

Behind the accolades was a workplace culture Ken and Christine built with care. With a staff of 30 to 40 employees, the couple worked hard to create an environment where everyone felt like a part of the family.

Summer staff barbecues and volleyball tournaments became a cherished tradition, though in later years they were replaced by Christmas gatherings at local restaurants — a reflection of just how busy the store had become during the summer months.

Every employee received a Christmas bonus without exception.

“The success of Cindy’s in those days was really a team effort,” Ken reflected, “and largely due to the happy work environment we had built.”

Christine’s instinct for what customers would love proved invaluable. With her creative vision and Ken managing operations as CEO, the pair formed a formidable partnership.

A Destination Like No Other

At its peak, Cindy’s was far more than a store — it was an experience.

Visitors often remarked that simply walking through the doors lifted their spirits. Bus tours regularly scheduled stops at the shop, and seniors’ groups made it a favourite outing. The store even became a familiar landmark on organized scavenger hunts throughout the region.

The spring gardening season and the months before Christmas were busiest at the store, when visitors arrived in steady waves to browse the displays and take part in a shopping tradition many repeated year after year.

The Next Chapter

By 2018, the retail landscape was changing. The rapid rise of e-commerce and the increasing importance of social media presented new challenges for a traditional brick-and-mortar retailer.

After three decades of building something truly special, Ken and Christine began thinking about the future.

In October 2019, Ken and Christine sold Cindy’s Home and Garden and they have since been enjoying a well-earned retirement.

The legacy Ken and his family built — from a simple roadside vegetable stand to a regional icon — is one that Kingsville will not soon forget, even as the store prepares to close its doors for the final time at the end of this month.

There is no arguing that Cindy’s left a mark on the town that will endure for many years to come, reminding everyone how a small idea can grow into something extraordinary.

~ Photos provided by Ken Martin