Normally this time of year we’d be counting down the days until cottage season but in the midst of everything that is happening we continue to encourage everyone to stay home and stay comfy so that hopefully we can enjoy summer in Muskoka.
With that in mind, here are a few of things we miss and look forward to resuming when all of this has passed.
1. Sunrises on the Dock with a Hot Beverage
You hear the call of a pair of loons echoing over the still water and squint your eyes as that first beam of sunlight breaks the horizon. You picked up some fresh coffee beans from Oliver’s on the way to the cottage, so you are now sitting comfortably in your Muskoka chair, holding your Bear Wear mug and it is like time has stopped. You can hear the wind passing through the leaves, the birds springing to life and the gentle waves as they hit against the dock. Nothing will ever replace moments like these.
2. Live Music Concerts
Hunter’s Bay Radio in Huntsville is a great example of a local business adapting to the times to give local artists a platform to be seen and heard while we all hang out at home. And as much as we have been loving watching their virtual concerts, there are few experiences in life like being in the crowd at a live show for one of your favourite bands or artists. The shared energy of the fans around you, the music as it hits you and that indescribable magic that happens during that exchange is truly something special. Whether you are preparing to take in a show at the Kee to Bala or maybe heading south for the next Boots & Hearts, Muskoka Bear Wear always has your back all the way!
3. Lunch Dates
Zoom chats and FaceTime have been a great alternative fill-in for meeting up with your besties to catch up, but it will never replace huddling around the table with your squad – say at Main Street Delicatessen – and serving up the tea on all the things going on in our lives. Who unfollowed who on Instagram? Did you see what your fave celebrity wore on the red-carpet last night? Did they really leave your message on ‘read’ all day? Have you tried the latest Tik Tok challenge? We can’t wait for things to return to normal so we can all pile into our favourite restaurants and dish.
We know times are tough, but we also know these times will pass and we will be jumping in the lake and roasting s’mores by the fire with all of you again soon. Just think of how much sweeter it will be and how much more we will appreciate those simpler, meaningful experiences together.
Be sure to check out this week’s #MBWShoutOuts Week 5 Round-Up for local businesses that are doing what they can through these tough times to continue to serve our awesome community.
Just remember… #StayHome #StayHealthy and #StayCozy
In response to the challenging times that we’re all experiencing together regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to spread love and levity across the community.
We brainstormed various ways we could do this and one of the things we landed on was highlighting some of the incredible local businesses who are stepping up and modifying their services to continue to serve the community through these tough times. These are local businesses who have local champions who are doing what they can to be leaders through this unprecedented historic time.
“We know locals. We remember cottagers. We love to meet new visitors!”
Today we would like to give a special Muskoka Bear Wear Shout Out to our friends at Oliver’s Coffee. Locally owned & operated since 2003, Oliver’s Coffee roasts their own coffee and bakes their fresh goodies daily and boasts locations in Gravenhurst, Bracebridge (x3), Huntsville, Port Carling and Bala. They have become well known for their wide selection of signature blends and flavoured coffee. They also cater AND have a strong social and environmental conscious.
And while they have been closed during these tough times, they have re-opened their flagship location in Bracebridge (203 Manitoba Street) TODAY (April 27th) from 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM to deliver their delicious line of coffee and goodies to the community. They told us that they intend to test re-opening their various locations for one day at a time to see the response. So, be sure to follow Oliver’s Coffee on Facebook or visit their website to stay up to date for their next opening… and be sure to zip down to their Bracebridge location to get your caffeine fix before 3:00 PM today. They’ve recently installed some plexi-glass guards for the front counter, have upped their cleaning & sanitization practices and are eager to see your smiling faces again.
We wish Oliver’s all the success through these difficult times and look forward to seeing all of their physical locations re-opened soon!
Hunters Bay Radio (HBR) is a not-for-profit community radio station based in Muskoka. They offer a great variety of music, news, and community talk shows. You can listen within Muskoka or Almaguin Highlands at 88.7 FM, or anywhere via their FREE Hunters Bay Radio App, Alexa, or on-line at MuskokaRadio.com.
Through quarantine life, HBR has stepped up to deliver a series of virtual concerts that they have named QUARANTUNES. The series has been running every Thursday and Saturday night through April and will continue through May. Beyond the fact that the concert series has been providing a wonderful bit of escapism and entertainment for all of the viewers, but these have been paid gigs for the artists who are streaming from home while they have been unable to perform live because of venue closures.
We applaud HBR and their partner for the program – Lake of Bays Brewery – for providing these opportunities to local artists and for striving to deliver these great ‘live’ music experiences during these tough times.
For more information about the concert series, including the list of upcoming artists, please visit here: https://bit.ly/2WcDl6P. Be sure to tune in for the next performance, Thursday, April 30th at 7:00 PM to watch and listen to Matt Allen.
A gem for locals and cottagers alike, Main Street Delicatessen is located in the heart of downtown Bracebridge and has been serving up delicious, mouth-watering fare since 2013. With a wide variety of homemade soups, sandwiches, salads and several other amazing favourites, they also run a deli counter, offer gourmet pizzas and cater.
And while these tough times have affected us all, it certainly has not crushed their spirit as they continue to provide Take Out options and now also offer Local Delivery. They are working hard to keep the community strong, united and well fed and we would like to acknowledge their dedication to our community.
Be sure to check out their modified Take Out & Delivery menu on their Facebook Page and continue supporting this great local business as they adapt to the times.
In response to the challenging times that we’re all experiencing together regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to spread love and levity across the community. We brainstormed various ways we could do this and one of the things we landed on was highlighting some of the incredible local businesses who are stepping up and modifying their services to continue to serve the community through these tough times. These are local businesses who have local champions who are doing what they can to be leaders through this unprecedented historic time.
“Providing unique, high quality, homemade jams, jellies, vinaigrettes and condiments – free from artificial preservatives and chemicals.”
Whether you’re from Muskoka – or have been lucky enough to visit Muskoka – there’s a good chance that you have come across the oh-so-yummy Yummies in a Jar. For almost 30 years Lynn & John Murden have been the dynamic duo behind this incredible line of homemade jams, jellies, maple syrups, dressings, BBQ sauces, marinades and many other pleasant preserves.
Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, Yummies in a Jar not only continues to operate from home – where they always have – but they have also recently expanded their inventory and revamped their website as to allow for on-line ordering for pick-up or delivery.
We applaud Yummies for their hard work and commitment to ensuring our community will continue to have access to all their favourite happiness-inducing Yummies in a Jar products!
Since 1981, the Bracebridge Business Improvement Area(BIA) has been building a vibrant and prosperous business community. Now made up of over 200 diverse businesses, the BIA continues to grow. Led by Administrator Tracy Larkman and a dedicated Management Board, the Downtown Bracebridge BIA has adapted to these tough times by working from home and holding their board meetings through video conferencing software such as Zoom and FaceTime.
The BIA’s work is vital to the Bracebridge business community as they continue to market & promote the businesses who remain open, as well as serving as a helpful resource for information and business supports. One initiative worth noting is their LOVE LOCAL giveaway that includes $500 in gift certificates to various downtown businesses and has drawn plenty of buzz for the businesses involved.
Today we salute the Bracebridge BIA for their hard work and dedication to our community. Keep up the great work guys!
Bracebridge BIA Management Board: Lindsay Alexander (Little Black Bow), Cindy Rushton (CR Flowers), Claire Jordan (Kala House of Colour), Chris Wilson (Councillor), Archue Buie (Councillor), Randy Mattice (Town of Bracebridge), Penny Burns (Martins Framing), Scott Creed (Camp Muskoka), Carmine De Santo (Dr. Comics), Karen Fish (Studio K)
Founded by Danielle Ryan in 2018, Lifestyle by Design is a mobile wellness studio curating yoga classes, guided meditations, and mindset coaching services across Muskoka and anywhere with an internet connection.
Lifestyle by Design had originally planned to open a new home-based studio this year right around the time that the State of Emergency was declared. It forced them to take a step back and take time to re-evaluate, but ultimately, they decided that they were committed to carry on. There was still a need in the community for programs that were geared to protecting and nurturing mental & physical health, so they didn’t let the challenge prevent them from switching things up and focusing more on digital and virtual experiences. Lifestyle by Design offers one free yoga class on their Facebook & Instagram Page each week that has been attracting a growing following.
In May Lifestyle by Design will be launching a private membership service and enhancing their Soul Society program. This will include more livestream yoga opportunities such as a new 30 Days of Yoga for $27 program geared at helping people keep active at home during covid-19.
We want to recognize Danielle and her Lifestyle by Design tribe for all the amazing work they’re doing and love they’re spreading during these tough times. Working from home isn’t easy, so considering how they can motivate others and help to transform their lives, from home, is quite the accomplishment. Namaste.
For some, the fight against covid-19 has meant time away from their jobs and the normal day-to-day, while for others, some continue their fight directly on the front lines. But there’s also a third category during these challenging times… those working from home; caught in this strange in-between space where one moment your Zoom-calling your colleagues and the next you’re walking around in your housecoat and slippers.
Well, you aren’t alone – Muskoka Bear Wear is here to help you keep it comfy while you work from home!
Business on top and cozy on the bottom. Go ahead… schedule and conduct all the FaceTime, Zoom & Skype meetings you need. Your boss or co-workers only really need to see you from the waist up, right? Keep it profesh on top with a button down, a tie, maybe even a blazer. Then slip into a comfy pair of Fleece Paw Shorts or Men’s Cottage Comfy Pants and enjoy the soft, comfy bottoms – your colleagues will never know!
2. Bad Self Haircuts Keep it covered with a Ladies Cabin Hoody now available in Lilac with Lilac Plaid OR a Men’s Sherpa Hoody now available in Navy with Charcoal.
You went for it. You probably thought to yourself ‘just a little off the top’… ‘maybe just a bit here’… ‘maybe another snip there’… and the next thing you know you look like an early 90’s Andre Agassi or a 2007 Britney Spears meltdown. We’ll give you an ‘A’ for effort and applaud your handiwork. Now you’re wondering what to do to cover that mop until the quarantine is over and you can rush to your local salon. Solution. Rock a Ladies Cabin Hoody or Men’s Sherpa Hoody and hide that melon at all costs! No one needs to know what’s going on under that hood!
Want to show off your love for Muskoka while making all those extra Zoom calls? We got you. Download our Muskoka Background Image for Zoom and let people know where your heart truly is: in Muskoka.
Keep it comfy & cozy while you work at home!
Be sure to check out this week’s #MBWShoutOuts Week 4 Round-Up for local businesses that are doing what they can through these tough times to continue to serve our awesome community. You may notice a ‘Working From Home’ theme there as well.
In response to the challenging times that we’re all experiencing together regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to spread love and levity across the community. We brainstormed various ways we could do this and one of the things we landed on was highlighting some of the incredible local businesses who are stepping up and modifying their services to continue to serve the community through these tough times. These are local businesses who have local champions who are doing what they can to be leaders through this unprecedented historic time.
“Chocolate is
the food of the soul, and the answer to all questions.”
Conveniently located in
the heart of Muskoka, right in downtown Bracebridge, Momma Bear’s Ice Cream
& Sweets serves freshly brewed local Muskoka Roastery coffee, warm butter
tarts & date squares, generous scoops of Kawartha Dairy premium ice cream,
AND hand-crafted on-site chocolates and confections.
Knowing the joy and the
up-lifting power of something sweet, ‘Chocolate Margaret’ and her team strive
to keep the sweets flowing through these tough times by offering curb-side
pick-up and free in-town delivery. Take advantage of their pick-up/delivery
menu that includes tubs of Kawartha Ice Cream, custom ice cream cakes, butter
tarts, date squares, dipped Oreos, fudge and an impressive list of other candy
and treats!!
We’re tipping our hat to
Momma Bear’s and her amazing team for adapting to these challenging times and
ensuring everyone has something for their sweet tooth!!
It’s one thing for these
tough times to be having an affect on us, but it has yet to truly be seen what kind
of affect it will have on our children. One local business is doing everything
they can to keep children playing, creating and learning and that’s Minds Alive
Muskoka Toy Store!
With locations in
Bracebridge, Gravenhurst & Huntsville (PLUS: Midland & Collingwood),
Minds Alive offers a wide variety of toys and teaching tools from books &
craft supplies to board games, puzzles, baby toys, outdoor activities, building
toys, figures and so much more.
Despite their physical locations being closed to the public, they are still offering on-line shopping on their website for curbside pick-up in Bracebridge (and once a week in Gravenhurst & Huntsville). Their dedication and commitment to supporting youth in our community is inspiring and we are very grateful to have such a wonderful team in our community.
It is critical during
this time to ensure we’re eating healthy and continue to have access to fresh food
– especially produce. And boy oh boy are we ever lucky to have a business such
as Northern Produce based right here in Bracebridge!
Northern Produce is
Muskoka’s year-round, one-of-a-kind market. A family-run business serving
Muskoka for over 20 years, Northern Produce offers a wide variety of grocery
items – from fresh fruits & vegetables to dairy, cheese, pastas, soups and
honestly too much for us to list.
Despite the challenges and tough times that we’re all facing with COVID-19, Northern Produce continues to step up to offer curbside pick-up on everything they carry. They typically post an updated inventory list on their Facebook Page, patrons call to submit orders, and then are given details as to when they can pick up their order.
The number of families that Northern Produce is supporting through this pandemic is incredible and we couldn’t possibly run these shout outs without giving them a special mention.
Thank you so much for all you’re doing!!
If you know a local business who deserves a
shout out, send us a direct message with a photo and why they should be
featured.
• And Remember • #StayHome
#StayHealthy #StayComfy
