Such was the case here. This idea has been used in Europe and other places for many, many years. It may have started as a joke, but it turned into a very good thing both for the owners and the tourists!
Old Country Market has a family of goats that live on the roof
The original market was created by Kristian Graaten. Kris and his wife, Solveig, emigrated with their children to Vancouver Island from Norway in the 1950s. Kris, who grew up in the small community of Lillehammer, was inspired to include a sod roof in his design of the market. Many Norwegian homes and farm structures are built directly into the hillside with the sod roof becoming an extension of the hillside. With the help of sons, Svein and Andy, and son-in-law Larry, Kris unwittingly began to build what would become perhaps the most famous sod-roof building in all of Canada.
On the weekend of the Coombs Fall Fair, the grass was getting rather long. Legend has it that, after a few glasses of wine, Larry suggested that they 'borrow' some goats to ‘mow’ the grass and perhaps provide some entertainment for passing cars.
Needless to say, the goats became permanent tenants of the Coombs market that weekend and have been there for more than thirty years. Each spring, a family of goats make their home on the roof, entertaining both locals and visitors from all over the world.
See what a blessing it may be having a few cute little farm animals around? Not only are they cutesy and a tourist draw, but once in a while they can actually come in handy for mowing the roof (or yard)!
Coffee in the kitchen this morning. I have a few white meat peaches to nibble on!
