From Lane’s Privateer Inn to Pleasant Street Living, Susan Lane continues supporting local artisans and introducing guests to the finer things Nova Scotia has to offer.

After selling the Liverpool inn and restaurant which still holds her family name in July of 2020, Lane and her partner Cameron took time to think about what was next.

After scouring the South Shore, the pair decided to buy a 200-year-old home in Bear River.

While they went to work repairing the house, they also tried their hand at gardening and Lane, who is also a certified sommelier, got to know the local vineyards.

Lane also acquainted herself with the local shop owners and artisans but says it was a stint managing the local tourist information centre that really brought a plan into focus.

“That’s where I really got the idea that Bear River could really use another little retail shop.”

Lane had previously run her retail shop Snug Harbour in Liverpool as a passion project while trying to maintain the restaurant and inn.

Manager Milan Virani, new owner Ankur Viirani and Susan Lane outside Lane's Privateer Inn, July 2020

With her new shop, Pleasant Street Living, she wants customers to enjoy a curated collection of antique and restored items as well as an assortment of carefully selected dry goods, flowers and health and beauty products from local and international suppliers.

“That’s been really important to me,” said Lane. “It’s actually taken me about a year to really look at what the other places are offering and do what I can to compliment what they are offering and create something unique.”

Lane says she and her partner have involved themselves with their new community and have quickly settled into a more rural lifestyle.

It was that change in pace and attitude that helped her settle on the name for her shop.

“The reason I chose the name is because, when we moved here, we live on pleasant street and our lives have really changed since we've moved here,” said Lane. “In the fact that, when I was in Liverpool, we were working over 100 hours a week. We really didn't get to enjoy a lot of down time and [now we get] to work on our land and to do the things that I think really, just give a person overall health and wellness.”

Pleasant Street Living opened in mid-August and Lane says the website and Facebook pages are up and running.

She says they are happy to deliver and are always pleased when familiar faces from Queens pop in.

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