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.
Located in downtown Bracebridge, the Muskoka Natural Food Market has been a staple in the town for over 30 years. It began as a labor of love for a young woman who had an intense passion for holistic health and wellness. Her vision was to create a space where those looking for natural health products could not only come to shop, they could stay and enjoy a variety of delicious ready-to-eat whole food meals that cater to virtually all dietary restrictions. The health food store became quite a hit, so much so that a few eager local entrepreneurs took notice and expressed serious interest in keeping the health food store alive, once the current owner decided to embark on an incredibly deserved journey into retirement.
The young entrepreneurs worked tirelessly to find a new home for the old store for they had a huge vision and the refashioned Muskoka Natural Food Market was born. The new store is home to a massive living green wall that welcomes you into the space like a fresh hug from the great outdoors. Round the corner and the incredible smells of fresh baked goods and hearty home cooked meals will lead you straight to the Deli Lama and Buddha’s Bakery. The gift section is filled with beautiful creations from local artisans and the grocery section provides healthy options that cater to all dietary needs. The vitamin and supplement collection has been carefully selected and is made up of the highest quality products on the market.
Through the global pandemic, the Muskoka Natural Food Market has stepped up and constantly evolved their business to continue serving our amazing community. From modifying their hours, limiting numbers through their space, offering a sanitization station and more, they have worked hard to prioritize safety while still providing their patrons with all of their favourite and much-needed products.
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is a registered charity, established in 1873. The Society and its network of animal welfare communities facilitate and provide for province-wide leadership on matters relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals and the promotion of animal well-being. Offering a variety of mission-based programs including community-based sheltering, animal wellness services, provincial animal transfers, shelter health & wellness, high-volume spay/neuter services, animal rescue, animal advocacy, Indigenous partnership programs and humane education, the Ontario SPCA is Ontario’s animal welfare charity.
We are proud to say that we have had a long relationship with the local OSPCA Muskoka Animal Centre here in Bracebridge. For many years, we have been donating $5 from every Doggie Bandana sold directly to their initiatives. With the help of our passionate supporters, we managed to donate over $13,000 in 2019.
Although the centre has been temporarily closed due to COVID-19, the animals in their care continue to receive excellent love and support. Providing additional exercise and activities to keep them engaged and comfortable is keeping both their staff and the animals busy.
We want to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible hard work that the OSPCA Muskoka Animal Centre and their team have been doing. We believe their work is vital to our community and we are grateful for all they do.
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.
Moose Delaney’s Sports Bar & Grill is located at 3 Cann Street in Huntsville and typically offers fun for the whole family. Before COVID-19, Moose Delaney’s was a great place to meet before, during or after the big game. You could relax and enjoy your favourite draft and signature menu items while watching the game on one of their 10 large-screen televisions. They even have billiards tables, arcade games, lunch & dinner specials and kids could eat free every Tuesday.
Like practically everywhere else however, the pandemic forced Moose Delaney’s to adapt and they have really stepped up. They are currently offering a special menu for Curbside Pick-Up Wednesday to Saturday 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM so that you can continue to enjoy all of your favourite pub fare classics. We highly recommend the poutine!
It is also worth recognizing that not only have they stepped up during this difficult time, but also that they recently celebrated their 25th Anniversary. An incredible milestone for a hardworking, community-focused team and organization. Happy 25th Moose Delaney’s – and keep up the stellar work!! Way to go!
Located at 390 Ecclestone Drive in Bracebridge, Seasons in the Country offers a beautiful Garden Centre, Florist & Gift Shop and Landscaping Service. First opened in 1986, Seasons in the Country is entering their third season under new ownership with – Stacey & Winston Miller, Will Miller and Christine Alexander.
Early on during the COVID-19 closures, Seasons in the Country was forced to close their physical location but continued to serve our wonderful community through call-in orders, offering curbside pick-up and even local delivery. It was a tremendous amount of work taking photos of everything and finding new ways to allow people to choose the seeds and products they wanted, but Seasons in the Country rose to the challenge.
Today, now that the Province has allowed them to re-open, Seasons in the Country has again stepped up and put safety first with a long list of safety measures and procedures at their Garden Centre and Flower Shop. They offer hand sanitizer to patrons, have installed plexi-glass at the cash areas, put up signage indicating flow through the space, limited the number of patrons at a given time, opened a side entrance and more as they prioritize safety for visitors and their team. They have also re-opened their Landscaping service with several safety measures in place as well. Additionally, they still offer curbside pick-up and local delivery for those who request it.
It is truly inspiring to see the thoughtfulness and effort that Seasons in the Country has taken to allow our community access to the tools & supplies they need to tend to their gardens at home. For all your perennial and annual floral needs and so much more, we encourage you to connect with Seasons in the Country and applaud their remarkable effort to serve community through these tough times.
In 1959, Fritz and Ursula Rebelein and their family moved to Gravenhurst and purchased a small bakery business at 141 Brock Street. The original business came equipped with a small pizza oven for baking and an old bathtub for washing dishes. The business grew over the years and so did the family. Five children were raised playing and working in the back of the Bakery. In 1974 their oldest child Peter and his wife Judy purchased the business from Fritz and Ursula. Peter and Judy continued to use and increase the tried and true family recipes that had brought them so much success over the years. They too, raised their two children, Jay and Robyn playing and working in the back of the bakery and to this day they are both a very intricate part of the family business.
Like any good strong business, The Bakery has committed to hard work, dedication, quality control, and being versatile to change as trends come and go. Their secret is consistency, listening to their customers, and always being willing to go the extra mile.
In 2019, the Rebelein family celebrated their 60th year serving our wonderful community.
On May 7th, after having been closed due to the pandemic, The Bakery re-opened their doors, much to the delight of their dedicated patrons! They installed a Quick Service Express Window for quick, safe orders as well as installed plexi-glass screening and put signage in place to encourage social distancing and flow through their space. They are now open Thursday – Sunday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
We want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Rebelein family for their long-standing success and applaud them for their adaptability to update their service delivery during these tough times. They are ensuring that families throughout Muskoka can continue to enjoy all their favourite treats and sweets from The Bakery in Gravenhurst.
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
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 Furniture – Where the Customer Feels at Home.”
Located at 195 Wellington Street in Bracebridge, Muskoka Furniture boasts an 11,000-sq ft showroom that features solid wood furniture built by skilled craftsmen from all over Ontario. Each piece of furniture is heirloom quality radiating a feeling of warmth and comfort and it is no wonder why they have become a destination store, drawing visitors from across southern Ontario.
Like many businesses however, Muskoka Furniture was forced to close their showroom to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. They did not let that keep them down for long however as they made themselves available for phone orders for curbside pick-up and home delivery. Muskoka Furniture rose to the challenge and worked tremendously hard to adapt to the times by shooting video of their showroom, sharing it on their website & Facebook Page and continued to offer exceptional customer service to their patrons.
We would like to acknowledge Muskoka Furniture and their entire team for their hard work and dedication to serving our great community. It is incredible the things we can achieve when we work together and work towards the greater good of the community.
“It all starts with the layer closest to your skin.”
Situated right in the heart of downtown Bracebridge, Little Black Bow is a beautiful Lingerie & Bra Fitting Boutique. They also proudly carry a wide variety of bridal, maternity, activewear, sleepwear and loungewear.
Through the challenges presented by these difficult times, Little Black Bow has turned to digital innovation to adapt their business. They now offer Virtual Fittings as a whole new way of helping their clients and have paired that with online shopping, shipping and local, contactless porch drops.
We think this kind of innovation and commitment to serving our community is inspirational and we want to acknowledge Little Black Bow and their team for their incredible work. They take “support local” to a totally different level. Way to go guys!
Located in downtown Gravenhurst at 260 Muskoka Road South, The Butcher’s Daughters is a Café, Deli and General Store that specializes in gourmet grocery items, fresh and frozen take home meals, unique sandwiches, soups, salads and specialty coffee.
Though it has been a challenge with having to close their doors to the public through the pandemic, The Butcher’s Daughters has not only done a tremendous job serving community through their curbside pick-ups – AND allowing the public to order grocery items through their wholesaler – but they have also gone above and beyond with their support towards Gravenhurst Against Poverty (GAP). Through a collaboration with Well Fed, The Oar & Relish (all from Gravenhurst), these restauranteurs have been preparing boxed lunches for GAP and their food bank.
We think it is awesome to hear that The Butcher’s Daughters has been able to adapt their service delivery to continue to serve the community, but we are just blown away to hear that even through these tough times, that they are teaming up with other local businesses to support such a great charity like GAP. What an inspiration for the rest of us. Way to go guys!
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.
“Homemade goodness on the go; it’s a labour of love.”
From a 100-year-old stable to comfort food on your table, Well Fed is one of Gravenhurst’s best food stops, offering a wide variety of authentic Muskoka fare. Owned & Operated by Annette Gillan, Annette’s recipes are from a 4-generation-old family cookbook that is ever expanding. Ready to heat or ready to eat, Well Fed offers food you can take home to pop in the oven, or food that is hot and ready to pop on the table.
COVID-19 has certainly affected us all and Well Fed is no different as they quickly adapted their services to remain, as they call it, ‘slightly open’ for curbside pick-up and local home delivery. Annette has even gone one step further as to allow her patrons to order wholesale from her suppliers to ensure locals have consistent access to the supplies they need to survive comfortably at home.
We want to take this opportunity to acknowledge all of the hard work and energy that Annette and her family have poured into operating and adapting to these tough times and say THANK YOU for all that they continue to do to serve our wonderful community.
If you are in Gravenhurst, be sure to follow Well Fed on Facebook as she often posts what fresh foods and family feasts are available in the days to follow. Keep up the great work Annette!
Christmas Tyme is a unique, year-round Christmas store located in historic downtown Huntsville. They carry personalized Christmas ornaments, Jim Shore figurines, s’mores, movie & tv memorabilia, nativities, home décor and much more.
And though these tough times have forced Christmas Tyme to close their physical store, they continue to offer their heart-warming, happiness-inducing line of products online for curbside pick-up. Most recently, they offered a wide range of beautiful gifts for Mother’s Day and committed to ensuring locals were able to spoil Mom.
We think it is amazing what they have continued to do and want to give them this special shout out to thank them for all they do to serve community. Be sure to follow them on Facebook for regular product updates and to visit their website to see what is available from their online store.
The building next to the Kee has been many things; from the original “Eldorado”, the “Bob Inn”, “Latern Loft” to the “Kee Café”. And now, in its current iteration, established in 2002, the Bala Falls Pub has been welcoming locals, cottagers and visitors alike to its relaxing family atmosphere for classic homemade pub fare and refreshing beverages.
Through these tough times, Bala Falls Pub, owned and operated by David Fisher & Jacinta Cowan, have risen to the challenge and remain open 7 days a week. They are currently offering take out and through a collaboration up with Bala Taxi, also offer home delivery Monday to Saturday. In addition to ensuring the Bala community has access to delicious pub fare, they also host Virtual Trivia every Sunday at 3:00 PM. To get involved, simply e-mail balafallspubinfo@gmail.com and they will send you log-in information and details on how to participate.
Today we salute David, Jacinta and the entire Bala Falls Pub team for their hard work and dedication to community. It is wonderful see local businesses that are stepping up to support others and helping everyone get through these tough times. Way to go guys!!
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.
Perfectly situated in the heart of downtown Bracebridge, The Pedicure Room has been helping their patrons relax, refresh and rejuvenate since 2015. Owned and operated by Jennifer Oakes, the Pedicure Room offers a wide range of spa services that include manicures, pedicures, massages, sugaring, waxing, tinting, facials, microdermabrasion and more.
And like all spas, salons and hands-on services, The Pedicure Room has had to adapt to the ongoing pandemic and modify their services as to continue to reach and support their clientele. Specifically, this has involved them offering gift certificates and their spa products on-line through their website as well as offering both curbside pick-up and home delivery.
While the at-home products are certainly no replacement for the exceptional customer service and rejuvenating experience of going to the Pedicure Room in-person, it is a perfect example of how much Jennifer and her team care about the community. We want to acknowledge that hard work and thank Jennifer and her team for their dedication to supporting community. Thank you for all you do!
“Driven by innovation in the marketplace, excellence in customer service, and integrity and respect in our actions.”
We want to take this chance to give a HUGE, and we mean HUUUUUGE, Bear Wear Shout Out to Janet and her incredible team at the Canada Post Postal Office in downtown Bracebridge. Not only are they fantastic to work with on a regular basis year-round, but during the extra stressful COVID-19 pandemic, they have been stepping up to manage the influx of on-line orders and shipping with grace and poise.
Many businesses have turned to on-line sales through the pandemic and without the dedication put in by our local Canada Post – and those working across the country – we would not be able to continue sending out our comfy, cozy Bear Wear line to families nation-wide.
Thank you to Janet and her team for all they do to support our community. We are extremely grateful. Please join us in saluting Canada Post in today’s #MBWShoutOut.
Those familiar with the expression “Like being a kid in a candy store” must have been talking about The Nutty Chocolatier in Huntsville because for anyone who has visited their store, you understand the true meaning of BLISS. The Nutty Chocolatier is one of Ontario’s finest retailers of hand-crafted chocolates, sugar-free chocolates, novelties, candy, fudge, imported and domestic candy, gift baskets, corporate gift items, and so much more.
Despite these challenging times, The Nutty Chocolatier has continued to inspire joy and delight throughout the community, by offering curbside pick-up, local delivery and shipping. So whether you just needed a quick fix of that special something, or you were putting together a large basket to spoil mom for Mother’s Day, or you’re stocking up the pantry for your munchy fix, The Nutty Chocolatier has always got you covered. We are proud to acknowledge their hard work and commitment to the community and hope you’ll show them some love the next time your sweet tooth is calling.
