Rainbow’s End is a family-owned business founded by Jim & Susan Johnson back in 2009 originally where the Annapolis Cider Company is before changing locations to where they currently are situated, almost directly across the street. The reason they changed locations was that at the time the building was smaller, and they needed more space. Inspired by His’s [Jim’s] love for Comics and not wanting to work for someone else while they both [Jim & Susan] worked at a call center.
When asked about the biggest challenge they’ve faced, it was said to be the Pandemic and trying to keep up with what consumers may want. As each year new people arrive in Wolfville for higher education or to just travel; while also alot of people leave each year due to graduating university or the school located in Wolfville. However when asked about what they wanted Wolfville or Acadia students to know about Rainbow’s End, it is to just check it out as you are bound to find something that you’d like in the store.
They sell a wide range of items for collectors or just people who want to get a gift for someone or get a book to read. Some items they carry include but are not limited to; Books, Comics, DVDs, CDs, Records, Cards, Toys, Board Games, Video Games, Action Figures, & Sports Jerseys. With Prices’ ranging anywhere from .50 cents which are usually toys, to 500 dollars usually being game systems or Hockey card boxes and sports cards in general.
When asked about if they offer discounts for Acadia students she [Susan] said, “We haven’t done that, I’m not even sure how’d we go about that one.” However, they do hold “discounts” during holidays like Christmas, and Black Friday. While they also had one during the music festival that happened over Remembrance Day weekend. According to Susan: “When we do a sale it’s usually just tax free, because we’ve tried other things and just doesn’t work.”
The first couple weeks at Acadia, I didn’t do much besides going to classes and meal hall, as I didn’t know anything about Wolfville or the business around. Which made things very lonely and isolating until I ran into someone who I knew who a year was ahead of me from Highschool. They showed me the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens and then after took me down to Rainbow’s End. It was honestly slightly overwhelming with all the stuff the first time. As all the shelves are always completely filled to the top and how big the store is in general; however, it got me out of my dorm and visiting other places downtown. So, when one Polaris came up with the idea of ‘Wolfville’s Essentials’ and brought it to the table I thought it was an amazing idea, for new students to learn about the community better and possibly explore the wonders that Wolfville has.
If you ever want to go to Rainbow’s End Books & Discs; and are interesting in any other cool nick-knacks you could find, they can be found on 395 Main St, Wolfville, NS.