By: Ryanne McIsaac
On the rugged shores of Newfoundland’s west coast, Joe and Amanda Young turned a pandemic setback into a vibrant new chapter of their lives.
After returning home to Port au Port from St. Thomas, Ont., the pair began offering walking tours of the area – until the pandemic hit in 2020.
“My wife and I moved back home six years ago, and we always had a dream of doing something in tourism,” Joe Young said. “We decided we would take people on walking tours. We had everything planned out, but the lockdown and social distancing put a halt to that.”
Instead, they turned their attention to establishing the Salt Shack, an eco-friendly gift shop featuring baked goods, one-of-a-kind Newfoundland and Labrador art, and home décor. With a view of the Atlantic Ocean from the back door, the shop is a cozy haven filled with delicious treats, including Young’s unique boiled egg cookies.
Turning driftwood into dreams
The couple has discovered new ways to connect with the community and nature. Young’s love for the outdoors inspired the idea of collecting driftwood, fishing twine, and other treasures from the sea.
“We continued our walks together and started to collect wood and other items from the beach,” he said.
Originally from Marches Point, Young graduated high school in 1982 and joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1983.
“I served with the Royal Canadian Dragoons and got posted to Germany shortly after,” he said.
It was while serving overseas that he met his future wife.
“I met my wife in Germany. As it turns out, I went to school with her sisters, and she was a year behind me. Unbeknownst to me, she had a crush on me,” he said. “She came to Germany as a nanny for her brother’s son, and 35 years later, the rest is history.”
Young is also a recent graduate of the Baking and Pastry Arts program at College of the North Atlantic (CNA). He attended the Bay St. George campus and thoroughly enjoyed his time there.
“A favourite moment during my time at CNA was our Thursday bake sales. They were fun, and I enjoyed the interaction with the public,” he said. “The instructor is awesome, and the staff are very helpful.”
In fact, he enjoyed the experience so much that he decided to go back for more.
“I am currently taking the Tourism & Hospitality Services program in Stephenville,” he said.
When he is not busy with school or his business, Young enjoys spending time with family and friends.
“I am a father of two beautiful children and a grandfather of four wonderful grandchildren.”
Young is also an avid volunteer with the Royal Canadian Legion and serves as the fire prevention officer for the Port au Port fire department.
For more information, visit the Salt Shack Gift Shop on Facebook.
For more information about the CNA programs fueling Young’s entrepreneurial endeavors, visit:
- Baking and Pastry Arts-College of the North Atlantic
- Tourism & Hospitality Services-College of the North Atlantic
