Many early Gaspesians were fishermen, so they were able pick up supplies while at port in larger centers. The first general store was established at the "Basin" in the 1770’s, by Felix O’Hara. Several stores operated during the next century, including those owned by J. Dean, Janvrin, P. McKinnin, McKenzie, Payne, J. McDonnel, J. Perchard, and J. LeBoutillier. Later Charles Robin and W. Hyman had chains of stores, which dominated the market on the Gaspe Coast. Throughout the 19th century Sunny Bankers transported essentials, like flour, salt, sugar, and tea, by boat from merchants in Gaspe.

Although dates are hard to ascertain, the first store in Sunny Bank was that operated by Mr. John Eagle. He opened it just after the beginning of the twentieth century, and it was located where Terry Miller presently resides. Goods were generally bought in bulk, and packaged at the store. Even molasses was sold from a large tierce. Customers would bring their own jar and it would be pumped from the barrel by the gallon. Later the original building was moved and a house built on the same spot with a room for the store included. This enterprise continued to operate until the 1940's. Mrs. Edna Eagle, and her family always referred to the front room of their house as "the store".

Joseph Patterson and his sons, Stanley and Lawrence opened a small store on the north side of the highway near the present home of Elmer Patterson in about 1922. The building was constructed from lumber that had been sawed at a local mill. It was about 16' x 20' in size. Groceries, candy, home-made ice cream, and some dry goods were among the items stocked. Stanley and Lawrence moved away in 1924 and "Joe's Store," as it became known, continued to operate until it burned about 1933.

Sunny Bank's third general store was that of Douglas and Ada Palmer. It was situated near the road on the property where Mr. Elvin Miller presently resides. After they moved away around 1930 the store was continued by Mr. Robert Palmer. Soon afterwards he moved the business into his home, in which his wife, Mrs. Ella Palmer, still resides. In April, 1952, Wilson Miller bought him out and opened "Wilson Miller's General Store," using the original Palmer Store as an outside shed. This new building was located just east of the home of Dean Patterson, and operated successfully for ten years until Mr. Miller decided to leave Gaspe. On Sept. 1, 1960 the store changed hands once again, when it was purchased by Bruce and Ralph Patterson.

In the summer of 1970 the store was moved to its present location, about a quarter mile east. A sporting and dry goods section was added to the east end. Bruce Patterson became well known locally as an expert outdoorsman, and his advise on purchases of fishing and hunting equipment was well respected.

In spite of efforts to modernize the store it still maintained its rustic flavor. One could still see signs advertising Salada Tea as they would have forty years earlier. Upon entering one of the back sheds, one finds almost intact the original Palmer store, with its counter, shelves and even scales! B & R Patterson served the people of Sunny Bank for 31 years.

In July, 1991 Dale & Wanda Miller purchased the store which now operates under the name "Miller Grocery." Gone are the days of the 5¢ chips and coal oil by the quart, kept in a forty gallon drum "out behind the shed." However the friendly atmosphere of a small general store is still alive and well. Customers are always greeted with a friendly smile, and most are known on a first name basis.

Aside from these larger general merchants, others have, at various times during the past half century, operated small stores. Mr. Douglas Patterson operated a store for a few years near the home now owned by Mrs. Florence Palmer. This store only operated a few years and closed before 1935. Mrs. Lavern Patterson operated a booth for many years in the home presently owned by Mrs. Weldon Sinnett. She carried commonly needed groceries, candy for the kids, and for some years even sold gasoline from her own pumps. A booth has operated at the York Rink each winter since it opened. It serves people with chips, bars, drinks, and on special occasions, also offers hot-dogs and coffee.

OTHER

During the late 1800's the Miller family had a small lumber mill near the home presently owned by Mr. Yvon Cyr. It was a small mill, established primarily to saw lumber for their own use, however excess was sold locally. The mill consisted of a crude log carriage over a pit. A whip-saw, pulled up and down by hand, ripped the logs into boards and planks. One man stood on top and hauled up, while another pulled the saw back down from below.

Sunny Bank has also had many small businesses in the service industry. These enterprises include blacksmith shops, small scale contractors, and more recently, repair shops and hair dressers.

Around the beginning of the twentieth century Sunny Bank had its own Blacksmith Shop, under the name Eagle's Forge. Originally it was located behind the present home of Mrs. Fannie Patterson. Later it was moved into the original Eagle house approximately where Mrs. Sharon Reeder presently resides. After its closure Leonard Patterson ran a blacksmith shop near the present home of Morris Patterson. It was later taken over by Russell Patterson. These shops made bolts, spikes, sleigh runners, and of course, horse shoes. The bolts used in the framing of St. Andrew's Church were made at Eagle's Forge. At that time most families owned horses and some farm machinery, so plenty of work was available for a forge.

In the 1960's "Heather's Beauty Salon" opened. Mrs. Heather Patterson operated in her home for several years before moving her hair dressing shop to Place Jacques Cartier, in Gaspe. After selling that business, she once again opened in Sunny Bank under the name "Salon 80," where she continues to serve her customers.

Wayne Patterson established Wayne's Auto Body Repair Shop in about 1970, where he specialized in truck axle and transmission repair. His garage was a large steel structure about 20 m (60 feet) long, constructed near the lane heading toward Wakeham. It was later sold to Robert McGregor, who still uses it as a repair shop for his fleet of heavy equipment.

In about 1975 Terry Miller opened a Radio and TV Repair Shop near the home of his father, Kenneth Miller. In addition to providing repairs for all types of electrical equipment, he sold several brands of televisions, radios and satellite dishes.

In 1982 I opened Gaspe's first computer outlet under the name Patterson Computer Sales. The main brands sold were Texas Instruments and Apple. It wasn't long before larger stores in Gaspe began selling computers, and it became increasingly difficult to compete in such a rapidly changing field.

The Jehovah Witnesses began having organized meetings in the area in the 1930's. Several Sunny Bank families became involved in the religion, and in 1964-65 constructed Gaspe's first Kingdom Hall on lot #21. Around 1973 a French speaking congregation formed and soon this Hall was not large enough. In 1988 a new Kingdom Hall was constructed in Wakeham. The original building was sold. Sunny Bank now has two apartment buildings, one constructed from the old Kingdom Hall, and one from the old school.