Goats on the Roof

The Eco Tip in this month’s edition on page 13, made me think of Vancouver Island, located in British Columbia, Canada―a great place to visit, with lots of outdoor activities and a plethora of towns and rural communities to explore, including Coombs, which is home to a unique store called Old Country Market.

The market was developed in the early 1970s by a family who had immigrated from Norway, and they fashioned the store after a Norwegian architectural design featuring a sod roof. But there was the challenge of mowing the roof, and the solution? Goats! They borrowed some obliging ruminants to “mow” the grass, and this started an instant tourist attraction—“goats on the roof”—that has spanned decades. It’s hard to believe that something so simple could create one of the top tourist destinations in British Columbia.

Along with the draw of the goats on the roof, the market has wonderful local and old-world foods available for purchase, and I have to say it’s an incredible place to shop. And there’s more than just one store―there’s a garden center, fresh produce stand, ice cream shop, Italian restaurant, among others.

I plan to return to Vancouver Island for a visit, perhaps a goal in 2024―hiking, paddle boarding, sightseeing and, of course, shopping at the market where I hope to see the iconic goats who reside atop their summer “home” from spring to fall each year. What fun!