
The origin of the phrase “from little acorns do mighty oaks grow” is subject to some debate. Some accounts say it’s a 14th century proverb, others attribute the saying to an essay by D. Everett published in The Columbian Orator in 1797 who penned, “Large streams from little fountains flow, tall oaks from little acorns grow.” Either way, the adage captures the history of Warkworth’s SOS Lounge in a nutshell. Founder and owner Justine Vikse, "bar wench and food stylist", is "loving every minute of it."
She first moved to Trent Hills in 2012, operating out of a rented studio in Campbellford, until she opened the Serendipitous Old Stuff (SOS) storefront in Warkworth in 2014. At the time, Justine's business was all about antiques, both in raw condition for resale or refinishing by the purchaser and items already refurbished with her own creative Scandinavian and French Country touch.

Last summer was a busy time for the SOS Lounge. In June, a “huge” furniture and accessory sale made room for expansion with a second lounge area. At the same time, the charmingly decorated outdoor patio became even more functional with the construction of a new stage for live entertainment. At the end of June, Justine partnered with Ian LeBlanc, founder of Upper Canada Axe Throwing, to start an Axe Throwing League in Trent Hills. Lounge patrons were able to try their hand at the sport on the SOS grounds on Friday nights throughout the summer. Justine also acquired a custom-designed outdoor smoker last spring which has been used throughout the patio season to prepare everything from ribs and sausages to bologna and burgers. The smoker figured prominently in a fund-raiser for The Bridge Hospice on Labour Day weekend which brought in over $1,300 for the cause.

The Lounge celebrated Gay Pride Month last June, urging local residents and other businesses to do the same.
"So tonight we introduced ourselves to our patrons wearing our solidarity shirts for Pride Month. Every Friday for the month of June the team at SOS will happily be donning our shirts to make a statement about LOVE=LOVE. We encourage others to join us at The Lounge in the same expressive vein of action," she said. "Just because the vision of tomorrow is inclusive, understanding, and built on the foundation of love."
"So tonight we introduced ourselves to our patrons wearing our solidarity shirts for Pride Month. Every Friday for the month of June the team at SOS will happily be donning our shirts to make a statement about LOVE=LOVE. We encourage others to join us at The Lounge in the same expressive vein of action," she said. "Just because the vision of tomorrow is inclusive, understanding, and built on the foundation of love."
The SOS Lounge continues to amaze and amuse with its food offerings, unique events and entertaining social media posts announcing upcoming specials. ”I love marketing my meals on social media," laughs Justine. "That’s the fun part. And if I can make someone giggle, or wonder about something that’s about to occur, then I’ve successfully executed my intention.” Live entertainment is an ongoing feature in all seasons. Local favourites Roy Borden Jr., Jeanette Mackintosh and Lauryn Alexandra Macfarlane are regular performers there, and the Lounge has hosted Nicole Lisa Craig and The Tanya Wills Quartet, both featured in this publication. Tanya appeared there as part of Westben Festival Theatre's Jazz Fringe Festival.
The Lounge was very much a family affair when it first opened its doors. Although daughters Leah and Hunter have now gone off to university, Leah still jumps in when she’s in town. Skyler, who also works at The General on Main in downtown Warkworth, toils at SOS part time as the "fry queen". “Peyton is my right hand girl,” Justine says. “For 15 years of age, she could single-handedly run the kitchen or the upstairs if I were to bow out, quite successfully.”

Hannah Clark, daughter of the owners of Sandy Flat Sugar Bush, works full-time at SOS in the off-season of her family's business, and a number of part-timers return from university or college when they’re able to do so. "I like to refer to myself as The Kitchen Troll," says Justine. "The kitchen’s in the basement, and I rarely see the light of the upstairs. I also have a few highly competent adult women keeping me afloat on the team as well as employees.”
She continues to put in brutally long days, both at the Lounge and on her days off. “My days are frenetic,” she says. “Usually 18 hours without exaggeration, even on my days off, but I’m connected to the process of the evolvement of this place. The Lounge is like a baby in its infantile stages.” She takes weekly jaunts to Toronto to hunt and gather the supplies for her culinary creations. “I actually take great pride in hand picking my ingredients and ensuring they’re of the utmost quality so that there is peace of mind in the realization that the foundation I’m beginning with is pretty near perfect,” she explains.
Hannah Clark, daughter of the owners of Sandy Flat Sugar Bush, works full-time at SOS in the off-season of her family's business, and a number of part-timers return from university or college when they’re able to do so. "I like to refer to myself as The Kitchen Troll," says Justine. "The kitchen’s in the basement, and I rarely see the light of the upstairs. I also have a few highly competent adult women keeping me afloat on the team as well as employees.”
She continues to put in brutally long days, both at the Lounge and on her days off. “My days are frenetic,” she says. “Usually 18 hours without exaggeration, even on my days off, but I’m connected to the process of the evolvement of this place. The Lounge is like a baby in its infantile stages.” She takes weekly jaunts to Toronto to hunt and gather the supplies for her culinary creations. “I actually take great pride in hand picking my ingredients and ensuring they’re of the utmost quality so that there is peace of mind in the realization that the foundation I’m beginning with is pretty near perfect,” she explains.

Justine lives in Warkworth with her partner Scott Kiar, who is a “fantastically encouraging man”, she says. "He backs my workaholic personality 100%.”
She has "lots of plans for the not-so-distant future", she confirms. "I’m a risk taker financially, but a cautious risk taker. I have children to provide for.....young women. More than anything, it is tantamount for me to show them that a female can make something of herself in this world If she shows diligence, passion, determination, and can be self-effacing enough to be able to laugh at herself through the trials, tribulations, and successes. They also need to understand the process is not always easy in life, but the reward of making others happy, will extend to making you feel self-fulfilled and elevated as a human being and professional. I think it’s important that in life one must be a little bit bad to be a whole lot good. I kinda apply this theory to most things I do. Whether it’s the unconventional interplay of certain ingredients in food, the cocktails we offer, or the social events I put together. All have this underplay of concept." One would be hard-pressed to find a better role model than Justine to exemplify this philosophy.
"Those who enter the doors of SOS Lounge may enter as strangers, but hopefully they enjoy our comfortable environment enough to return and visit us as friends," she notes. "If I can create that atmosphere for others, I’m happy, and I’m doing my job successfully."
The SOS Lounge is open Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. In the interests of providing our readers with a little holiday cheer, Justine has shared a 10-second video of herself, hard at work in the kitchen with her kids during last year's festive season.
Click here to enjoy!
She has "lots of plans for the not-so-distant future", she confirms. "I’m a risk taker financially, but a cautious risk taker. I have children to provide for.....young women. More than anything, it is tantamount for me to show them that a female can make something of herself in this world If she shows diligence, passion, determination, and can be self-effacing enough to be able to laugh at herself through the trials, tribulations, and successes. They also need to understand the process is not always easy in life, but the reward of making others happy, will extend to making you feel self-fulfilled and elevated as a human being and professional. I think it’s important that in life one must be a little bit bad to be a whole lot good. I kinda apply this theory to most things I do. Whether it’s the unconventional interplay of certain ingredients in food, the cocktails we offer, or the social events I put together. All have this underplay of concept." One would be hard-pressed to find a better role model than Justine to exemplify this philosophy.
"Those who enter the doors of SOS Lounge may enter as strangers, but hopefully they enjoy our comfortable environment enough to return and visit us as friends," she notes. "If I can create that atmosphere for others, I’m happy, and I’m doing my job successfully."
The SOS Lounge is open Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. In the interests of providing our readers with a little holiday cheer, Justine has shared a 10-second video of herself, hard at work in the kitchen with her kids during last year's festive season.
Click here to enjoy!
Links
Facebook, www.facebook.com.Serendipitousoldstufflounge/
Website, www.serendipitousoldstuff.com
Read more: Article by Sue Dickens, Trent Hills Now, April 2018
Facebook, www.facebook.com.Serendipitousoldstufflounge/
Website, www.serendipitousoldstuff.com
Read more: Article by Sue Dickens, Trent Hills Now, April 2018