HardyWares Preserves

06/03/2026

Years ago, I had a dream.

I wanted HardyWares Preserves to be available in every county in Nova Scotia.

It was an ambitious goal, but I was determined. By the end of 2022, our preserves could be found in 17 of Nova Scotia's 18 counties.

We were living the dream—our dream.

We had two wonderful employees, a daily production goal to meet, and an incredible collection of retail partners. Our preserves were on the shelves of gift shops, market stores, pharmacies, coffee shops, general stores, museums, and restaurants from Yarmouth to Sydney.

Every week, we'd load up the van and head off in a different direction. We travelled highways and winding country roads, through villages and towns, stopping for road-trip coffees, the occasional ice cream, and overnight stays at country inns or with friends and family.

Those trips never felt like work. They were adventures, and I looked forward to them every week. You will remember as I usually brought you along!

Then something happened that I hadn't planned for.

Our retailers started ordering more. Some doubled their orders. Others ordered even more than that. It was wonderful news—but we simply couldn't keep up.

By the end of 2024, the dream of being in every county was no longer sustainable. We were stretched beyond our production capacity. Short shipments and late deliveries were becoming the norm, and we weren't serving our retail partners the way they deserved.

We had to make a difficult decision.

We reduced our retail clientele and dramatically scaled back our geographic reach. No more regular trips to Yarmouth. No more deliveries to Cape Breton. We focused on serving customers within about an hour of Halifax Regional Municipality.

I sent what I jokingly called my "Dear John" letters to retailers across the province, explaining that we had reached our maximum production capacity.

When I sent the last email, I sat at my computer and cried. We wouldn’t be the success we are without those retailers and now I had to let them go.

Most of our retailers responded with disappointment, but also with kindness and understanding. They knew how hard the decision had been.

Fast forward to 2026.

Our partnership with the Prince Edward Island Preserve Co. has given HardyWares Preserves something I wasn't sure we'd have again—the opportunity to grow.

Today, we are excited to welcome Boyd's Pharmasave on Agricola Street in Halifax as a new retail partner. Barb even sent me a photo of our preserves featured on a front end cap—the kind of prime retail real estate every artisan producer dreams about.

This relationship is a turning point - we are once again growing Hardy Wares Preserves.

So I'm going to revisit that old dream.

The dream of seeing HardyWares Preserves on shelves in every county of Nova Scotia once again. ❤️

06/02/2026

I’ve always enjoyed my morning coffee, made in our old percolator. I’m not fussy — Maxwell House or Folgers will do just fine. I’m certainly not a coffee snob, but it must be hot!!

It’s been 12 days since surgery, with more plot twists than an ’80s soap opera, but here I am, enjoying my morning coffee and counting my blessings.

Thank you, everyone, for your kindness and support. A special thank you to my mum, who dropped everything to spend the weekend with me, arriving with a delicious homemade steak pie and her famous bread.

Thank you as well to my brother James and Christina, who popped by with homemade soups and spaghetti sauce to help keep us fed during my recovery.

Meanwhile, Larry is off today in the big van making deliveries of HardyWares Preserves. He’ll miss his sidekick, but I have a feeling it won’t be long before I’m back riding shotgun beside him.

Thanks again, everyone, for your well wishes, encouragement, and cheerleading. Every message, phone call, and act of kindness has meant so much.

— Margaret ❤️

05/28/2026

We are super excited to have our preserves back in Mahone Bay at Spill The Tea in Mahone Bay!

HardyWares has RETURNED to the shelves and Lady Spillington would like the public to conduct themselves accordingly.

Please remain calm. Do not trample the elderly.And for the love of civilized society, stop clutching the last jar of Traffic Jam like it contains the secrets of the monarchy.

Now admittedly… a few favourites are still making their dramatic entrance at a later date. Such is the nature of small business in this province where many companies are lovingly run by couples, exhausted humans, tiny teams, strong coffee, and what can only be described as blind faith and sheer determination.

People often imagine small business owners gliding elegantly through production in linen aprons while birds assist with inventory.

In reality, someone is usually labeling jars at midnight while another person whispers,“We are absolutely not mentally prepared for Christmas.”

And yet—they continue.They create.They restock.They somehow keep the wheels of civilization turning one jar at a time.

So yes…some favourites are still missing from the carriage.

But we are THRILLED to announce HardyWares is officially back in stock at Spill The Tea and Lady Spillington strongly suggests you secure your beloved pickles and preserves before the town descends into chutney-based chaos once again.

05/25/2026

Homeward Bound ♥️

Finally Home - in my comfy clothes - and resting

But through it all, I have been surrounded by extraordinary care.

It astounds me how many people came together to help one patient. Surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, LPNs, CCAs, paramedics, pharmacists, lab technicians, recovery room staff, and the cheerful cleaning lady who asked me how I was doing every morning.

I didn’t remember names but I will never forget the kindness. - including the paramedic who endured a very chatty, heavily medicated Margaret for 2.5 hours on the return trip from Sydney. We talked about everything and his parting words were - I’ll make a point to track down a jar of HardyWares Preserves Christmas Jam

Thank you to all the healthcare workers at St. Martha’s hospital and Sydney hospital and to everyone who sent messages, prayers, phone calls, humour, encouragement, and support. Larry has been my constant companion, advocate, and biggest cheerleader through all of this.

Recovery will take time, and I’ll be moving a little slower for a while, but today I leave feeling incredibly grateful — for skilled healthcare, for community, for kindness, and for the simple joy of going home.

— Margaret ❤️

05/24/2026

Recovery update:
I was a bit sleep deprived this morning, awaking with a bad case of the doldrums.

But then Larry arrived with the cure - a
Tim Hortons coffee and two plain donuts.

Side effects include renewed cheerfulness, optimism and a reason to move from the hospital bed to my chair

The day continued to hold a few more surprises including a special visitor - Judy. Judy is one of our HardyWares Preserves doorstep delivery customers who happens to live in Antigonish. She stopped by the hospital with a beautiful card and two Tim Hortons gift cards. She stayed for nearly an hour and we chatted away like old friends.

That’s the thing about this business — the connections, the community and the caring that was all built around a traditional preserves business.

I’m feeling very grateful tonight. ❤️

05/22/2026

Good Morning — just a wee update ❤️

First and most importantly — surgery went well.

There was one unexpected glitch during the procedure which resulted in a return ambulance trip to Sydney and an additional procedure.

I won’t lie — the road trip portion over Nova Scotia pothole roads immediately after abdominal surgery was not especially enjoyable! I’m still quite sore and currently recovering at St. Martha’s Hospital in Antigonish, but I know this is temporary and brighter days are ahead.

The surgeons, nurses, hospital staff, and paramedics have been absolutely amazing — attentive, compassionate, reassuring, and professional every step of the way. I truly cannot say enough good things about the people caring for me.

I also want to thank everyone who has reached out with messages, prayers, humour, phone calls, and encouragement. Larry has been trying to keep friends and family updated — though it’s fair to say Facebook is not exactly his department!

Recovery may take a little longer than originally planned, but I’m grateful, optimistic, and very much looking forward to feeling stronger again.

In the meantime, my typing fingers are working just fine, so I will continue answering emails and taking orders. We obviously took this week off, but Larry — my biggest cheerleader and faithful sidekick — will be back on the road next week keeping shelves filled.

Thank you all again for your kindness and support. It means more than you know.

05/19/2026

A personal update ♥️

HardyWares Preserves has always been more than just jars on the shelves - over the years we’ve shared our journey with you - through story telling Ive shared our triumphs and challenges.

You have encouraged us and cheered us on - giving us the momentum a small business needs.

So in the same spirit - I want to share a personal update. This Thursday, I will be undergoing surgery - I’m more than optimistic this operation will give me a new lease on life. I have quietly been dealing with health challenges from Crohn’s Disease.

I will be focusing on recovery and getting better in the coming weeks.

I also want to reassure our customers, retailers, and our wonderful partners at Prince Edward Island Preserve Co. that it will very much be business as usual. Larry will continue holding down the fort while I focus on getting well, and HardyWares products will continue to be available as always.

Looking back, the timing of our transition and partnership with PEI Preserve Company could not have been better, and we remain incredibly grateful for their support and friendship.

Thank you all for continuing to be part of our HardyWares journey. Your encouragement and kindness over the years has meant more to us than you will ever know.

Here’s to brighter days ahead, good health, and not taking life’s simple pleasures for granted.

— Margaret ❤️

05/19/2026

Celebrating Local ❤️

We had visitors this weekend — cousins and spouses from my homeland of Scotland.

On the menu were barbecue pork chops from Withrows Farm Market After one bite, Liam declared, “These are the best chops I’ve ever had in my life.” Honestly, we couldn’t agree more. The chops were so large they practically filled the plate.

And yet, everyone still managed to make room for HardyWares Preserves Sweet Mustard Pickles and Sweet Pickled Beets — emptying two jars by the end of the evening.

From across the ocean to across the table we enjoyed delicious local fare, good conversation shared with family ♥️

05/17/2026

Traffic Jam 🚗🍓

We have a super fan of our best-selling jam — Traffic Jam!!

Charles loves vanilla ice cream topped with Traffic Jam so much that he keeps a jar in his neighbour’s fridge so he can enjoy it while pet sitting. Now that’s dedication!

But it gets even better…

Charles wants to spread the word and would love to see Traffic Jam featured on restaurant menus as an ice cream topping. We have to admit — we think he’s onto something!

Have you tried Traffic Jam on ice cream yet?

05/17/2026

Doucette's Market & Clay's Confectionery Store - we are grateful to be back on the shelves of this family run business in Ingonish, Cape Breton!