COUNTY KEEPSAKES
MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE “COUNTY SWAG” SCENE
Looking for a souvenir? Or a keepsake from your stay in Simcoe County? Well, look no further. We’ve hand-picked a few locally made, one-of-a-kind, suitcase-worthy, and somewhat packable items for you to get your hands on. There’s nothing that says Simcoe County more than swag that was made right here, with ingredients from here, by people that live here. We hope you enjoy!
1. Bulbs of Fire
Tiny Township
Farming over 35 different strains of organic, heirloom garlic in Tiny Township, Bart & Simone Nagel are passionate Dutch farmers who sell seed and garlic varieties, as well as amazing garlic products such as their Black Garlic Jam, Smoked Garlic Red Pepper Jelly, and even their Smoked Garlic Mustard. They’re insanely good! Available at FARM2DOOR on Balm Beach Road in Tiny. Or visit northsimcoe.farm2door.ca.
2. Chelsea Chocolates
Oro-Medonte
A family owned and operated, local business out of Oro-Medonte, Chelsea Chocolates works with local producers of maple syrup, honey, garlic, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar; along with VQA wine producers, mead cider, and even whisky to create unique, outstanding flavours. They do caramel too, by the jar and in their turtles. Which simply must be tried. Stop by for a taste test and say hi to Dan, Kathy, Meagan & Jason! Or visit chelseachocolates.com.
3. Copperpot Nuts
Coldwater
Copperpot Nuts started as a garage start-up in 2009. Stephanie and Alethea built their own production facility and launched the brand right in Coldwater. They started with just three varieties of your favourite beer nuts and have since grown to offer close to twenty delicious flavours. All their nuts are double roasted and packaged by hand in small batches. And they source their ingredients from local producers too! Cool, eh? Check them out at: copperpotnuts.com.
4. Cedar Hollow’s Alpaca Farm
Severn
Carolyn and Ted Cook have 29 huacaya alpacas, 50 babydoll cross sheep, 2 myotonic (fainting) goats, and 2 miniature donkeys (Thelma & Louise) – right in Severn Township. Alpacas produce a wool that is silky, radiantly warm, and durable; so be sure to pick up a pair of hand-knit alpaca mittens or slippers as a perfect keepsake! You won’t be disappointed! Find the alpaca fibre products for sale at the Barrie Farmers’ Market every Saturday or stop by their market room at the farm! For all the alpaca cuteness, it’s worth the follow on Facebook too!
5. Dirty Leather Work
Collingwood
Based out of Collingwood, Josh is truly your local leather guy. He makes the most beautiful hand-crafted leather products including belts, mason mugs, scrapper wallets, keychains & more! Find him at the Stayner Farmers’ Market and watch him cut you a custom belt on the spot! You don’t want to be caught with your pants down, now do you? Check him out on Instagram: @dirty_leather_work
6. Lamb & Kiss
Penetanguishene
Combining all natural essential oils, premium soy wax, and 100 percent cotton wicks, Nikki from Penetanguishene creates Lamb & Kiss candles with eco-friendly and biodegradable ingredients and sustainable, zero-waste, 100% recyclable packaging. Be sure to check out her holiday scents! Sold online at lambandkiss.com and throughout the county at home stores like Halliday House in Cookstown.
7. Labeille Co.
Alliston
Labeille Co. is a small shop that makes beeswax food wraps and believes eco friendly can also be oh-so chic! Lacey is a small-town gal from Alliston who is an eco-warrior with dreams bigger than her love for guacamole. She has been making beeswax food wraps and other sustainable products since 2017 in hopes to assist families in becoming waste free and eco-conscious. Check out her cool designs and products at labeille.co.
8. Two Sisters Naturals
Midhurst
Homemade soaps, essential oils, after-sun spray, baby bum cream, bath bombs, bath soaks and salts, body oil, body scrub, body butter, clay masks, deodorant, dry shampoo, facial cleanser and more! All made right here in Simcoe County by two sisters, Crystal and Jillian who care about the world and themselves and want to share their plant-based home care products with you. Find them all available for purchase at twosistersnaturals.com.
9. Echoes in the Attic
Bradford
Now who doesn’t want a new sling bag? If you want to support a local, zero waste designer from Bradford, then these small batch fashion bags are the way to go! Meet the maker, Laura. Laura’s eco-concept is to re-design, re-fashion, and re-purpose everything that she gets her hands on. She diverts landfill-bound, excess textiles by the ton from other designers and manufacturers to create Echoes signature line of Canadian, handmade, upcycled, vegan leather, small-batch, zero waste eco-bags. Follow her incredible designs on Instagram! @echoesintheattic
