In response to the challenging times that we are experiencing together regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to give props to some stellar local businesses who are stepping up to serve our great community.
Located less than a kilometre from Bala Falls, Cottage Cravings boasts an award-winning café and gift shop and has been serving locals, cottagers and visitors alike in Bala for over 8 years. Offering a wide variety of soups, sandwiches, coffee, ice cream, frozen yogurt, baked goods, a deli counter and an assortment of ready-to-make frozen meals, Cottage Cravings has been hard at work to keep the community well fed!
In March when the pandemic first began to affect businesses here in Muskoka – and throughout the rest of Ontario and Canada – Cottage Cravings braced for what would be a unique summer ahead. Driven by a passion to serve community, they endured to offer take out and expanded upon their selection of frozen meals which enabled them to continue to support essential workers, local contractors and seniors. They installed barriers, sanitized between guests and did everything they could to ensure a safe environment for their team and patrons.
Once permitted to re-open their patio, Cottage Cravings worked with the local municipality of Muskoka Lakes to expand their patio and even introduce an outdoor hand-washing station. As something like this was not mandated or required, it serves to demonstrate their willingness to go above and beyond for their patrons.
We spoke with the owners, Randy & Henny Brown, who remain humble through all of these challenges. They were quick to tell us that without the hard work and dedication of their amazing team that none of it would be possible.
Well, we’re blown away by all the effort that Randy, Henny and their whole team have made to be there for their community and want to recognize and acknowledge that through this Muskoka Bear Wear Shout Out. It certainly makes us feel proud to share the community with such awesome people! Way to go guys!
In response to the challenging times that we are experiencing together regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to give props to some stellar local businesses who are stepping up to serve our great community.
Located at 1295 Muskoka Road South in Gravenhurst, Melody’s Muskoka Ice Cream is hard to miss because of it’s bright blue-turquoise exterior. It’s also hard to miss because of just how amazing their ice cream and frozen treats are! Having first opened in the Spring/Summer of 2019, Melody’s offers a wide variety of frozen delights including Kawartha Dairy ice cream, milkshakes, banana splits and the newly introduced homemade ice cream pies that have been flying off the shelf!
As the pandemic came along, Melody’s wasn’t sure what 2020 would have in store, or whether they would be able to open at all. With community safety in mind, they struggled with what the responsible decision might be. After reflection and support from family, friends and the community, Melody’s decided to step up to the challenge, adapt their service delivery and open to the public.
Opening their doors this summer in the Covid-19 world has meant an increase in operating costs, but Melody’s has not increased their prices as to accommodate for everyone having a tough go this year. So while they opened one month later than 2019 and have seen their margins thin out, they’ve been busy since opening and are just excited to be serving up plenty of smiles.
We want to acknowledge and thank Melody’s Muskoka Ice Cream for their thoughtfulness when it comes to our community and the hard work that has gone into operating through these tough times. Giving people something to smile for and get excited about is super important right now and you’re doing a fantastic job! Congratulations to your entire team!!
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. #StayComfy
In response to the challenging times that we are experiencing together regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to give props to some stellar local businesses who are stepping up to serve our great community.
“Arrive with confidence, assured of great food, service and ambiance. Leave tasting life to the fullest.”
3 GUYS And A Stove in Huntsville, Ontario has been wowing visitors for years with their fresh and unique take on casual-fine dining. Their menu showcases multi-level seasoning and multi-layered flavours which are applied to real, honest comfort foods that are healthy, aromatic and addictingly good. From the spice and aroma of the Caribbean, a dash of Southeast Asia and a good dose of southern comfort food, they keep it simple and simply delicious.
As the effects of the pandemic began reaching Ontario and Muskoka, 3 GUYS made the difficult, albeit socially responsible decision to temporarily close the restaurant in mid-March. That did not mean they were not still thinking about the community however, and how they could continue to serve. They participated in the Stay @ Home Gala in May and launched an exciting new project altogether with the On Focaccia Food Truck. By late-May, 3 GUYS began offering Takeout for Curbside Pickup, and now just this week, as the Province enters the next stage of the Re-Opening Framework, 3 GUYS is preparing to re-open their doors for dine-in service.
We want to commend the entire team at 3 GUYS for their hard work and dedication to the community. Their passion for food and serving the community has been shining through these challenging times and been a beacon of inspiration. Way to go guys! We hope Friday is a success and wishing you all the best through the rest of the summer!
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.
“A little boutique curating the prettiest things for the prettiest babes.”
Conveniently located in downtown Bracebridge at 48 Manitoba Street, Belle’s Boutique specializes in fashion forward retail exclusively for women. Owned and operated by Krystal Darling, Belle’s is a small boutique full of carefully curated collections.
While facing the unique challenges presented from quarantine-life, Belle’s doubled down on their digital presence and remained a beacon of positivity to the community. It has been wonderful to follow along with Krystal and her family; 2-year old Beau who is absolutely adorable, and a soon-to-arrive second baby boy who we are all anxiously awaiting!! Through blogging and posting to various social media channels, Belle’s has continued to grow their brand and online community at a time when people are craving connection.
We want to applaud Belle’s for all of their hard work and risk taking through these tough times. Giving the community something to be hopeful about and feel good about is awesome!
Belle’s is currently offering shopping-by-appointment, but has an online store that is open 24/7. For the remainder of this week and weekend, Belle’s will be closed for the arrival of baby boy #2… but they are having an online sale to make up for it, so be sure to check that out!
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.
“Muskoka’s finest food truck turned brick and mortar serving up amazing cuisine in a great atmosphere.”
Owned and operated by Sean & Terri Sully – and their little helper, Emma – Sully’s Muskoka Gourmand began as a gourmet food truck, well actually, as a gourmet food BUS in 2015/2016. They made an immediate impact on the local food scene with their elevated take on classic pub favourites. Their Fish Tacos and Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich attracted crowds from far and wide.
Fast forward to 2019 and Sully’s made the decision to transition to a brick-and-mortar restaurant location. It was about efficiency and being able to prep and cook in their own space right where they serve their delicious food. As with all things, they experienced some delays and setbacks through the transition, but they were able to open their restaurant in late December of 2019, just a few days ahead of Christmas. Upon opening, it started off great. The restaurant was busy, guests were pleased with the new space and menu offerings and things were on the up and up. Of course, then COVID-19 came and forced Sully’s to temporarily shut down for the safety of their team and the community.
Then in late April, Sully’s and their team decided that they wanted to get back to serving our great community and re-opened for takeout and curbside pick-up. They are open Wednesday through Saturday 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM and boy are we glad! The Sully Burger – house ground chuck, brisket and short rib blend, truffle rosemary aioli, Monterey jackcheese, shaved ice burg lettuce, beefsteak tomato, red onion on a toasted sesame bun – is AMAZING!
Because of their dedication to the community and their ability to adapt to these uniquely challenging times, we want to acknowledge Sully’s and applaud them for all they do. We find their story to be heartwarming and are proud to have them here in Bracebridge, Muskoka with us. The next time you have a craving for some takeout, may we recommend Sully’s Muskoka Gourmand.
