Brad Robinson is in a reflective mood as he stands in the shop his family opened in 1921. Today, it makes up one tiny part of the Lake of Bays superstore that is Robinson’s General Store in Dorset.

“It’s been a great life,” he said. He recalled one recent morning when he woke up to a view of Lake of Bays that brought tears to his eyes.

“I thought, ‘How did I get so lucky to look over this lake my whole life?’” he said.

Now, his family’s journey with the general store is coming to an end. After 100 years in business, the Robinsons have sold the store to a young couple, Mike and Katie Hinbest, who are taking over May 1 with a promise to keep the store, and its traditions and spirit, alive.

“We decided it’s time to move on,” Brad said. “I’m ready to retire.”

Mike Hinbest has been working on the purchase of the general store since last summer.

“It’s quite a big animal,” Hinbest said describing the process. The Hinbest family moved to Huntsville two years ago from Orangeville, where they owned a NAPA Auto Parts location.

Hinbest was looking to purchase a “family-oriented” business in Muskoka. He came upon a listing for Robinson’s General Store online and decided to check out the store.

“As soon as we walked through it for the first time, we knew this was the place for us,” Hinbest said. “I love that it’s this 100-year-old icon of family memories.”

Hinbest said they plan to keep all of the same stores and products, including the grocery store, Red Onion boutique, Home Hardware and the dry goods gift shop. All of the current staff are staying and, just like in previous years, they plan to hire more workers for the traditionally busy summers.

One big change is coming this summer: they plan to open an affogato café this June, outside, beside the Home Hardware garage.

“Chatting with people around, it was a missed opportunity of what people were looking for,” Hinbest said: locals are looking for a place to get coffee and socialize, he said.

In a century, Lake of Bays has transformed from a small stopover village for lumber workers into a major tourist spot known countrywide. Robinson’s General Store has undergone a similar transformation.

Brad was 20 years old when he took over the store in the mid 1950s, at the time only 1,200 square feet. Today, it’s over 14,000 square feet.

That major expansion was Harry Robinson’s idea, Brad’s father. Since 1921, they’ve made 14 additions to the general store.

“My father said, ‘We will make the store so good that people will have to come,’” he said. Today, they can dock over 50 boats in their marina and hold 150 cars in their parking area.

Brad ran the store for 37 years before his daughter, Joanne Robinson, and her husband Willie Hatton, took over in 1991. They’ve been in charge for the past 30 years.

“It’s been a lot of work,“ Joanne said. ”It becomes your whole life, and it’s hard to do anything outside of it.“

Hinbest said Brad offered him a significant piece of advice when they discussed his takeover: more than anything, it’s important to be out and about in the store, getting to know the customers and the staff.

It’s that friendliness and sense of community camaraderie the Robinsons grew up with and which Hinbest said he hopes to maintain.

“The people, the traditions and what we represent to the community is of the utmost importance to me,” he said.

STORY BEHIND THE STORY

​With the Robinsons passing their family business to new hands, our reporter wanted to find out what’s going to change — and what will stay the same — about the ever-evolving general store.

Zahraa Hmood is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering the municipalities of Muskoka Lakes, Lake of Bays and Georgian Bay. Her reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.

WE all enjoyed a bit of nostalgia on Top Gear the other week.

Freddie and co trying out their dads’ old cars.

Well, listen up, because soon YOU can do it too.

You can test drive all sorts of ordinary-yet-extraordinary cars from your childhood which you just don’t see any more.

I’m talking about Capri, Escort, Sierra, classic Mini, Astra, Cavalier, Viva, Marina, Maestro, Avenger, Allegro, TR7, Imp, MGB GT and more.

Ha, yes. I said Allegro.

That car was properly naff but it sold in big numbers in the Seventies and early Eighties nonetheless, which means it’s a time capsule for many people.

You can also try an old Jag, a classic Roller, a wonderful 1935 Austin 7 and one of my favourites, the lilac 1961 Minor Million.

A good friend of mine called Richard Usher has been working hard on this project for some time.

Now, with Covid finally in retreat, he’s planning to open his toy box to the public on May 22.

Richard has acquired 32 iconic motors for hire from £49, plus 125 display cars charting the history of the British car industry, all at a lovely old foundry in Ambergate, Derbys.

He said: “This isn’t a random collection of cars ‘because I like cars’. They have all been bought for a reason. They all represent something.

A LOOK UNDER THE DUST SHEETS

“Britain played a pivotal role in putting man behind the wheel and we’re celebrating some of the great pioneers, like Herbert Austin and William Morris, and their star designer Sir Alec Issigonis.

“We’re trying not to call it a museum. We’re calling it an attraction because cars were built to be driven and you can drive 32 of our cars on the Drive Dad’s Car experience.

“We have our own private road route on-site and we have everything from the Austin 7 — the car which got the working man behind the wheel — right up to the Ford Sierra and Vauxhall Cavalier, which have now pretty much disappeared.

“The indoor bit is called the Great British Car Journey and it tells the story of British car manufacturing, chapter by chapter.

“Every car has a QR code you can scan to delve further into the history, if you like.

“We’ve also managed to source some cars with special stories, some with low mileage and some owned by interesting characters.”

I’ll butt in here. I’ve had a good look under the dust sheets and can tell you Richard and his partners have accumulated some truly fascinating kit.

Instagram gold.

Movie legends like the DeLorean and Lotus Esprit will always catch the eye but other cool stuff includes a 1954 Daimler owned by “Mr Wembley” Sir Arthur Elvin, a fibre-glass Gilbern Invader built in Pontypridd, a Jensen Interceptor (the West Bromwich Ferrari) and an adorable unregistered 30th-anniversary Mini in cherry red.

Richard said of that one: “I feel guilty every time I move it because it’s got 14 miles on the clock.”

Then there’s the Humber Hawk estate once owned by the judge who jailed Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, plus an ex-Elton John Bentley Continental T.

Richard said: “It’s got the most crazy stereo system in it, which is a bit of a giveaway.”

Awesome but ordinary stuff includes the last-ever MG Metro and a Chevette from Vauxhall’s own heritage fleet.

Next to that is a Vauxhall Victor estate, then an Austin Princess with lovely black velour seats.

Beside that is a Triumph Acclaim, followed by a Reliant Robin, an Austin 1300GT (the best-selling car of 1965), Austin Atlantic Convertible, Land Rover Series I, Rover SD1 Vitesse, 1961 Sunbeam Rapier Convertible, Fiesta Supersport, Austin 16, Mk1 Granada (the car from The Sweeney) and the colossal Mk3 Escort. That car ruled the road in the Eighties.

I should really stop listing cars now or I’ll give all the secrets away.

But I’ll finish by saying Richard and his team have created a little slice of automotive heaven just six miles off the M1.

Everywhere you look puts a smile on your face. We used to make some cool stuff. Father’s Day?

Ford Capri

I’M an Eighties kid and I walked past a Ford Capri 1.6 Laser on the way to school every morning. Absolutely adored it. Still do. Spoiler, stripes, manual sunroof, four-spoke alloys, absolute pulling machine. Drives sweetly too. Just remember to bring a cassette for the stereo.

Granted, it’s not a Tickford Capri or a 280 Brooklands but so what? It was an affordable, sporty-ish Ford.

Morris Minor

THE Morris Minor was the first British car to sell a million . . . hence this Minor Million special edition from 1961.

Lilac paint, white leather, pull starter switch, quirky 1000000 badge at the back; it’s simply two Minor 1000 badges stuck together – minus the second “1”.

Fewer than 60 of the 350 Minor Millions survive today and you can drive one of them. We loved trying this little gem.

• Book now at drivedadscar.com .

Booked an appointment with your hair salon to refresh your faded locks or looking to experiment with a fresh colour for the new year? We asked some of the best hairstylists and colourists in Singapore for their take on the biggest hair colour trends you’ll be seeing in 2021.

Silver blonde

“Silver-blonde has been named by L’Oreal as the official hair colour of the year for 2021. This revamped take on the ash grey and platinum trend proves one thing – ash and blonde will continue to trend in 2021,” Chez Vous: Hideaway’s associate salon director, Deon Liow tells us.

“ The reason is clear – such hues scream fashion-forward, edgy and modern. It also gives the wearer infinite styling options.”

“That said, achieving a silver-blonde hue is a process that can take several salon seatings. Going from black to silver-blonde in a day isn’t going to happen in a day!”

Deon Liow, Associate Salon Director, Chez Vous: Hideaway

Brown balayage: Light beige blonde

Balayage is a freehand hair colouring technique that gives a really blended, natural look. “This is the secret to achieving sun-kissed, natural-looking hair colour, with softer, less noticeable re-growth.

The technique uses patches of light and shade to create multiple dimensions to the colour,” shares Den Ng, Director at Prep Luxe.

“Balayage is quite different from traditional highlights because no foil is used and the colour is painted on freehand. The finished result is ‘less uniform than typical highlights.”

Den Ng, Director, Prep Luxe

Brown balayage

Especially if you’re on the search for something understated but stylish, brown balayage is the look to consider. “When done in trendy ash shades, the balayage effect is suitable for the office while remaining fashionable,” shares leading hairstylist Kason of Kimage.

“Brown tones complement Asian skin tones. As compared to other colours, browns tend to last longer before the colour starts to bleed. Using the correct colour shampoo and conditioner will help to maintain the colours on your hair.”

Kason Toh, leading stylist, Kimage

Earloop highlights

“Earloop highlights are similar to the concept of peekaboo highlights, where only the underlayers of hair around the ears are lightened, and often dyed. This trend has just started thanks to Lisa of K-pop girl group Blackpink, who popularised it,” says Deon.

“Since only certain sections of the hair require bleaching, the rest of your tresses won’t have to incur the same chemical damage. This makes it a popular choice amongst many women who are keen to embrace a touch of colour without severe damage. Plus, it won’t break the office dress code, as long as it’s well hidden!”

Air touch highlights

More of a technique than a specific colour, the Air Touch is a unique technique that uses air to achieve a seamless blend of colour. “The difference between this approach versus others is that hair colour is applied in a diagonal fashion, rather than the usual linear highlights that have been popular for the past few years,” says Den.

“In this case, hair is parted into sections and highlighted in foils or clear film, as opposed to the freehand techniques that are used when creating balayage or ombre hair.”

Purple balayage

If you’re looking to add a festive colour, consider purple instead of reds. Highlights like these, woven with hints of brown, lend dimension and brighten up black locks.

“It’s a colour of prosperity that’s both modern and perfect for the festive season”, says master stylist Scarlett Zhu of Kimage. “A subtle purple coupled with curls brings out the romantic look. With a purple balayage, the regrowth of the hair will not be obvious, so your balayage colouring will last for a longer time without having retouch the roots.”

Scarlett Zhu, Master Stylist, Kimage Marina Square

Maple brown

Deon tells us, “In Asia, many people take hair trend cues from South Korea’s entertainment industry, thanks to the Hallyu wave. In recent seasons, we’ve spotted maple brown and similar hues on celebrities like Lee Dong-wook in his latest drama Tale of the Nine Tailed, as well as Han So-hee in blockbuster drama The World of the Married.

The trend towards copper and cinnamon-tinted brown hair colours is rising in Asia, as they flatter many Asian skin tones, ” he adds.

“Plus, we see an increasing preference for hair colours that don’t involve severe bleaching or scream excession for attention; wearable colours that are classy and office-friendly (without being mundane or boring) are preferred. And maple brown fits the bill perfectly.”

Beige blonde highlights and lowlights

“This technique switches the focus to the contrast of colours. Highlights are lightened sections of hair that contrast against the hair’s base colour, and lowlights are darkened sections of hair that contrast against the base colour of your hair,” Den shares.

“Lowlights and highlights go hand and hand. Lowlights produce extra depth and can bring back dimension lost during highlighting. Sometimes highlights can lighten your overall color too much and lack depth, and lowlights can restore contrast.”

This article was first published in The Singapore Women’s Weekly .