Love Local, PEI: MacAusland Woolen Mills
Our Love Local, PEI ambassador Devon Bernard visited MacAusland Woolen Mills during Small Business Week! Located in the western part of Prince Edward Island, the MacAuslands operate the only mill in Atlantic Canada producing quality, 100% pure virgin wool blankets.
MacAusland’s is a family owned and operated business that began operations as a sawmill and roll mill in 1870. Read the Interview below to learn more from Devon’s Interview with owner Monica.
Devon: Tell us who you are and what your business is?
Monica: Hi, I’m Monica MacAusland, sixth generation owner operator here at MacAusland Woolen Mill. We deal with raw fleeces from farmers and individuals, we make blankets and yarn out of wool, and we’ve been around for a little while.
Devon: Why do you think it’s important to support small businesses?
Monica: Supporting local businesses is always important because I find for us, we create the yarn that people use to make their own small businesses. As well as small farms, we’re supporting them by using a to make products as well, it’s all circular and just keeps the economy going locally and in the communities that you’re in.
Devon: What is one thing you would like people to know about your business?
Monica: Some information about our Mill here that I would like people to know is that we’ve been around for a little while. We were a pretty stubborn bunch, we rebuilt after it burnt down in the late 1940s. We have kind of transitioned as the times have gone, and I hope to continue to do so. We got machinery dating back all the way to the 1920s and 1930s still in operation and other newer machines as we kind of move with the times. Bigger than we look from the outside but still a small family business at the same time. We’re always happy to answer any questions if anyone has them and hopefully we’re always a friendly face when you come in.
Monica: I’d like to thank Love Local for showcasing all the small businesses in the area in their small business week campaign, it’s been great.
