Team Writer, Author at Look Local - Celebrating Community

In Shop Local

Downtown Burlington’s End of Summer Sale

August 19, 2020 No Comments

Fall is just around the corner, which means that retailers are clearing out their summer items for an end-of-season sale! The Burlington Downtown Business Association compiled this list of incredible deals & promotions being offered throughout #BurlON’s downtown core.

Are you a downtown Burlington BIA member and have a summer sale to be added to the list? Email us at info@looklocal.ca to be added!

Bocana Boutique | 435 Pearl Street
Annual swim sale! 30 to 50% off collections like Shan, Prima Donna, Luli Fama, Roidal & Seafolly

Bush’s Men’s Wear | 375 Brant Street
Up to 50% off suits, sport coats and seasonal casual clothing until September 5th.

Forever Summer Swimwear | 389 Brant Street
30 – 50% off select items

Handmade House | 460 Pearl Street
Free shipping site wide until September 30th. Check out handmadehouse.ca for individual vendor sales.

Joelle’s | 457 Brant Street
Buy 1 item get 30% off, buy 2 items gets 40% off, buy 3 items get 50% off (on select items, in-store only).

Lingerie D’Amour | 374 Brant Street
Full bust swimwear and bras up to 80% off!

Mirella’s Ladies Boutique | 453 Brant Street
All Frank Lyman design spring and summer collection now 50% off, All yoga jeans starting at $59 to $89 Summer shoes 30% off

Modella Ladies Wear | 449 Brant Street
Most items 50% off. Last year’s items 70% off!

ODDSPOT & Bandzone | 480 Brant Street, Unit 7
10% store wide for the month of August. Follow them online for daily flash deals! Plus they’re celebrating their 5 year anniversary Labour Day weekend with a giant end-of-summer sale!

Painted People Tattoos | 472 Elizabeth Street
Re-brand sale! Select bath & body products half-price.

Posh Couture | 372 Brant Street
50% off select items

Pure Boutique | 389 Brant Street
Buy 1 item get 25% off, buy 2 items gets 30% off, buy 3 items get 35% off. The more you buy the more you save! Sale is on select cushions, all purses including pixie mood, all kimonos, as well as some awesome select summer accessories for you and your home!

Scrivener’s Men’s Apparel | 389 Brant Street
50% – 70% off, Buy 1 Get 1 Suits & Sport Coats

TiVesto Boutique | 1455 Lakeshore Road (entrance off Locust St.)
15% – 70% off Canadian and European apparel

The Artisanville | 431 Pearl Street
Up to 60% clearance sale on selected women’s clothing
20% off on selected summer scented candles, bath soaps and body scrubs.
40% off on selected greeting cards & Art prints.

The Ornate Room | 1455 Lakeshore Road (entrance off Locust St.)
20% off on most items PLUS we pay the tax so no tax included customers!

Village Cigar Company & Barbershop | 2049 Pine Street, Unit 64
“Cigar Of The Month” the Debonaire Habano Robusto from the Dominican Republic. All August long while supplies last.
Regular price $32.50 featured at $22!

Village Square Supplements | 414 Pearl Street, Unit 8 & 9
Buy 1 get 1 Free Smoothies until Friday, August 21st

Wish Boutique | 534 Brant Street, 2nd Level
Weekly markdowns 20% 30% & 40% off!

Article provided by: burlingtondowntown.ca

In Articles

#ShopLocal with Look Local Marketplace

August 9, 2020 No Comments

Since the beginning, our mission at Look Local has been to celebrate the community and promote local small business. Over the past few months we’ve had time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished with this magazine, but we’ve also been innovating and working on new ideas to help small businesses and better serve our community.

We’ve built a local online shopping marketplace where small businesses can showcase and sell their products. Think of it as the ultimate ‘Shop Local’ page, where you can find all your favourite local products in one place – and check out in one easy transaction from the comfort of your couch.

The benefits of shopping local are huge, and they impact the entire community. We hope that by providing this platform it will help everyone in our community, residents and businesses alike.

Browse our 27 vendors and hundreds of products currently on Look Local Marketplace (looklocal.ca), including: fashion, home decor, health & beauty, toys & electronics and food & drink items!

When you visit looklocal.ca, you can also sign up to our e-newsletter to receive updates about new businesses we continue to welcome onboard in the future! To stay in-the-loop with us on social media, follow us on Instagram (@looklocalmarketplace), Facebook (@looklocalmarket) and Twitter (@LookLocalMarket).

If you are a local business (in the Halton/Hamilton region) interested in joining the marketplace, email us at info@looklocal.ca to learn more.

In Articles

Singing the Praises of Arthouse

August 6, 2020 No Comments

It’s hard to believe that something like art – or simply pursuing the passion of art – could be a privilege in our community. In a poll taken by Global News in 2018, they found that parents in the GTA spend an average of $1,160 per child per year on extracurricular activities. Of these parents, 55-percent feel their finances are stretched thin because of the cost of after school programs. Millennial parents (ages 18-34) are struggling the most – with nearly 40% putting themselves in debt to support their children’s talents and passions.

Don Pangman, the founder of ArtHouse in Oakville, understands this pressure. During his involvement as a volunteer with the United Way of Oakville in the late 90s, Don started to learn more about poverty in his community – and how many of the unsung heroes (various charitable agencies) are crucial for support. Oakville and Burlington are certainly thriving communities – however, many families and individuals are living in poverty, and therefore are unable to afford any extracurricular services for their kids.

With inspiration from his time at the United Way, Don began to look for voids where existing service organizations were unable to meet a need. After completing some research and in conjunction with Don’s passion for the arts, he incorporated ArtHouse in 2009. During his research, Don discovered some astounding facts that drove the inception of ArtHouse. The key takeaway was learning that the arts enhance development, inspire passion, teach life skills, and can lead to success in education, emotional well-being, and future employment.

In 2009, ArtHouse began as an Oakville based charity offering free arts programs for children and youth ages 7-12. That year, they provided two programs to a total of 60 children. Now, just over a decade later, ArtHouse still maintains the same mandate, but has delivered 634 programs to over 9,000 young people aged 5-17 at 90 locations throughout Halton.

With over 50 partners, including agencies like the Children’s Aid Society (CAS), Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK), Nelson Youth Centre, Halton Multicultural Council, Halton Community Housing Corporation (HCHC), Halton Environmental Network, elementary and high schools, and one very special institution – Sheridan College – ArtHouse can provide diverse programming with more than 30 highly trained instructors – truly bringing out the best in each participant.

And then suddenly in March this year, COVID-19 struck and dramatically affected the lives of many ArtHouse families, including kids’ access to school breakfast programs. AND, no more ArtHouse after-school programs.

The organization transitioned quickly to become an Essential Service provider, partnering with a number of local restaurants that offered to prepare fresh dinners for ArtHouse families. As of mid-July, the Emergency Meals Program has provided over 1,500 meals to 66 families in Burlington and Oakville, and later in the month, ArtHouse will be supporting Milton families with a similar program.

ArtHouse has also innovatively transitioned its arts programs, and now offers 23 online instructional Youtube videos on its website, plus an interactive ZOOM program, enabling it to reach hundreds of young people throughout Halton.

Don says the organization has learned so much more about ArtHouse families and their needs over these past weeks. Going forward their program focus will be in two key areas: neighbourhoods – subsidized housing, cooperatives, and community hubs; and agencies – working in partnership with the CAS, ROCK, Halton Multi-Cultural Council
and HCHC.

Current virtual and eventual physical programming will always include musical theatre camps, improv, visual arts, glee, puppet making, music, and more options.

Registration for some programs is available on the ArtHouse website. Spaces are given first to those who are affiliated with one of their partner agencies or to kids who would not be able to access ArtHouse programs if there was a registration fee.

With an even stronger resolve to reach vulnerable families, ArtHouse has enhanced its mission to support the Whole Child; creatively, physically, socially, emotionally, intellectually, educationally and nutritionally. It will do this by providing consistent, safe, FREE arts programming and strong role-model relationships, that may include homework help, cooking, gardening, environmental education and maybe just a great conversation.

By: Anneliese Lawton

In Community

Surviving a Pandemic – How our local businesses are adapting to life with Covid-19

August 3, 2020 No Comments

The impact that COVID-19 has had on all of our lives is staggering, and for the hundreds of thousands of small businesses that are the lifeblood of the Canadian economy, these last few months have been especially challenging. From a sudden complete lockdown in March to a gradual reopening with new mandatory safety measures in place, our community’s shops, restaurants, personal care services, independent grocery stores, and so many more have had to quickly pivot to stay afloat.

Whether they’ve amped up their digital presence to offer online shopping, created spaces for safe and effective curbside pickup, or fearlessly opened a business despite the pandemic, these survivors are incredible examples of tenacity and persistence.

Ontario’s Business Improvement Associations (BIAs) have been doing the best they can during this crisis to maintain the thriving, competitive, and safe business areas that attract shoppers, diners, tourists, and new businesses.

We asked our local BIAs to share some of their COVID strategies and shed some light on particularly creative businesses. There are many! Here are just a few of their stories.

Doug Sams, executive director of the Kerr Village BIA, says more than 25 Kerr Village businesses have taken advantage of the Digital Main Street platform. Through a $2,500 grant administered by the Ontario BIA Association, small businesses receive funding to adopt new technologies and embrace digital marketing.

“Businesses like Farmhouse Artisan Cheese and Claude’s Vacuum Shop have enhanced their digital presence dramatically by making use of this opportunity,” Sams says. “We know that lives are lived online, and the pandemic merely exaggerated the need for a strong digital brand.”

Also in Kerr Village is Sandwich Society – an authentic Tuscan-style sandwich shop that has thrived over the last few months. Owner Lynn Foster says, “We’ve been finding our packed picnic lunches are on fire! We’re even getting orders for backyard weddings, with charcuterie for one or a boxed lunch for each guest.” Like many small businesses, Lynn feels the mandate to work-from-home has provided residents an opportunity to discover and experience local gems.

Maureen Healey, Executive Director of the Bronte Village BIA, tells us that several entrepreneurs have hustled and used technology to remain sustainable.

Rose Luxton, owner of Lakeside Livin’, took advantage of the Digital Main Street grant last year to add to her website – it advanced her 5-year business plan by 2-years. Because of her website upgrades, she has continued to sell her products online during COVID. But, that’s not all – Rose updated her window displays even while her doors were closed, and even posted messages of encouragement for passersby.

At The Flavour Fox, located across the street from Rose’s home decor store, business owner, Rano Dandybaeva, learned to navigate gelato sales during a lockdown. In just a few days, Rano added e-commerce to her website which enabled curbside pick-up for takeout gelato cakes and bulk gelato orders. Now open under new protocols, Rano has hired summer students – but in a different role – line control. With support from her staff, Rano can continue to serve her popular gelato all summer long both in-store and online.

These stories of success are to be celebrated – and even more so, there’s a certain homage that must be paid to new business owners who continued their plans to open despite the circumstances.

Goldwyn & Sons, a high-end barbershop, only opened in Bronte in early March before being forced to close due to COVID. As they did not have time to establish a loyal client base, Goldwyn & Sons have partnered with business neighbours to offer joint promotions as businesses re-open.

Then there’s The Wine Bar, an adorable new wine bar and small-plate eatery, also in Bronte. Owners Devon Masciangelo and Andrew Rytwinski postponed their opening from May to just before Canada Day, and also
took advantage of the Town of Oakville’s bylaw for extended patios. Wine Bar’s neighbour, Ecofillosophy (also a new business), offered some of their sidewalk space to extend the patio as well. Ecofillosophy is an eco-friendly shop that allows shoppers to refill containers with products such as soaps, and they will be opening in a few days!

Andrea Dodd, representing the Aldershot BIA, says she’s been greatly impressed by the number of businesses that have embraced digital technology. “We’re seeing many shops and services that were previously reluctant to even have a Facebook page or an Instagram account jump on board,” she says.

Like Sandwich Society, The Platter Company has seen an uptake in business. With orders for their gourmet frozen foods and fresh gourmet platters booming, The Platter Company is moving to expand their business to include a market: specialty oils and vinegar, mustards, dips and spreads, jams, olives, artisan crackers, and caterer’s cheese – all available for purchase at their Plains Road location in Aldershot.

The Downtown Oakville BIA has utilized social media to help local businesses reach the community through Instagram live takeovers and even hosted their annual sidewalk sale online. However, over the last few weeks shops and restaurants have been allowed to re-open under safety guidelines, and the downtown core is bustling with foot traffic once again.

While many popular events such as Midnight Madness and Songs of Summer have been canceled for the 2020 season, the BIA still plans to drive traffic to the core while making visitors feel safe. This begins with the hiring of the BIA’s Beautification Coordinator, Erec!

Marketing Manager, Milan Bowie, says “We’re happy to announce we received funding through the Canada Summer Jobs Program to hire a Beautification Coordinator to help maintain the cleanliness of Downtown Oakville this summer. Erec will be picking up litter, tending to weeds, and reporting larger issues like illegal dumping, graffiti, overflowing garbage bins, etc. to the Town of Oakville and Halton Region. Erec will also be sanitizing high-touch surfaces throughout Downtown Oakville to help maintain cleanliness for visitors.” With this in mind, visitors can feel safe hitting a local patio for a bite to eat or even stopping by a local boutique for some shopping. Milan adds that from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays for the next 10 weeks, jazz music will be played in Town Square to add ambiance for patio diners.

In Burlington, the Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) has been actively assisting its members in navigating the changes in COVID safety procedures. Manager of Marketing and Events, Samantha Statham, says the BDBA has hired a consultant to assist restaurants one-on-one to ensure measures are taken into consideration to keep patrons and staff safe against COVID-19, including:

Samantha adds that many businesses, not just restaurants, have had to adapt to support their client base and maintain operations. “Where possible, businesses have been moving their events online – such as online performances, or at-home fitness and dance classes (F45, danceScape,
BellyUp Belly Dance, & more). They’ve been so creative to still offer their services online. Similarly, our 8th year of Fit in the Core presented by Lisa-Marie Winnin of Winning and Associates Private Wealth Management will be coming online this summer!”

A few businesses in Downtown Burlington have stepped up
to support the community with COVID recovery. From the beginning, fashion designer Joseph Tassoni pivoted his business to produce locally sourced, reusable face masks, and gloves (non-medical grade) for the community. Five dollars from every purchase is donated to Joseph Brant Hospital.

Mirella’s Ladies Boutique has also been selling masks with proceeds going to the Burlington Food Bank. To date, sales from the masks have fed 20 Burlington families in need.

Then, there are the businesses helping businesses. Both
Black Robot and Branded Burlington are two downtown print firms assisting other downtown businesses with signage and floor decals to notify patrons of various safety measures in place.

With Ontario in Phase 2 of re-opening – a gradual, staggered approach – we’re all learning how to re-incorporate ourselves back into society. As a customer, patience is critical. Small businesses, restaurants, and shops are learning to navigate changing guidelines – and they’re doing so with one thing in mind: our safety. Over the last few months, we’ve learned that times aren’t always certain – but one thing that is certain, is our love of local business. So, thank you to the BIAs, thank you to our local businesses, and thank you to the customers who continue to support our community. We’re all in this together.

By: Kristy Elik & Anneliese Lawton

In Articles

Sailing the Seas – Oakville’s History of Yacht Racing

August 2, 2020 No Comments

Today, Oakville Harbour at Sixteen Mile Creek and Bronte Harbour at Bronte Creek are known for their picturesque vistas of pleasure boats bobbing at their moorings. Oakville Harbour’s merchant history of grain-carrying schooners and Bronte’s story of intrepid fishing fleets are well known, but Oakville’s position as a centre for the design and construction of leading racing yachts is now all but forgotten. What is even more amazing is that this phenomenon happened here not once, but twice, decades apart.

In the 1870s yacht racing on the Great Lakes had become an increasingly popular pastime. Cecil G. Marlatt, the wealthy owner of the Oakville tannery and a keen sailor, commissioned local shipbuilder Captain James Andrew to build the Aggie. Launched in 1887, Aggie was named for C.G. Marlatt’s wife and became the most successful boat in Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC) history with 83 victories, including beating designs from yacht design luminaries such as Fife, Watson, and Payne.

Sadly, the Aggie was driven ashore in a gale and wrecked at the Burlington lighthouse in 1945. Elements of the Aggie were saved, however, and her barometer, for example, was given to the Oakville Museum by the Marlatt family. C.G. Marlatt was very active in sailing on the Great Lakes and served as Commodore of RCYC. After his death in 1928, the club instituted a trophy dedicated to him and the Aggie as a memorial. The Oakville Museum holds a miniature ‘keeper’ trophy of the 1938 Marlatt championship, won by the renowned yacht Patricia.

Andrews would go on to build boats, often to a more famous designer’s plan, that would beat the best vessels any of the rival American clubs could field. These were skippered by Aemilius Jarvis who was a capable and confident sailor from a young age. He navigated Lake Ontario from Hamilton to Niagara-on-the-Lake to Whitby and back, solo in a dingy at the age of twelve. Jarvis was a consummate tactician and considered the greatest freshwater skipper of his time.

The Andrews / Jarvis combination first found fame in a match between the sloop Canada and Vencedor of the Lincoln Park Yacht Club in 1896. The US vs. Canada contest would henceforth be known as Canada’s Cup and it continues to this day. After losing in the Beaver in 1899, Jarvis was to reclaim the cup against Cadillac in 1901, three wins to one, sailing Invader – another Andrews-built boat.

Decades after the retirement of James Andrews, cutting edge yacht building would return to Oakville. Erich Bruckmann, working out of his shop near Speers and Third Line, built the Cuthbertson and Cassian designed Red Jacket, the world’s first balsa-core composite racing yacht. Lighter and faster than its competitors, the Red Jacket became the first Canadian boat to win the famed Southern Ocean Racing Conference (SORC) in 1969.

Bruckmann was a founder of C & C Yachts and his Oakville plant became the C & C custom shop, turning out Canada’s Cup winners Evergreen, Manitou, and Magistri 82, which rivaled and surpassed the marks set by the Andrews yard of old.

Today, there are still C & C Yachts in the town’s harbours, less famous than Evergreen, perhaps, but they still win races.

However, it’s not all fiberglass and space-age composites down there. In a prominent mooring at the Oakville Club, you can find Anitra, the oldest wooden schooner on the Great Lakes. Designed by Montye Macrae and launched in 1926, Anitra carries gear from the Aggie, and the mainmast from Canada’s Cup winner Seneca. She also has a racing pedigree of her own with some 100 pennants and four championships, including the 1939 Edward Prince of Wales Cup. She is regularly sailed by her current owners Jamie Macrae and Jane Hawkrigg. Next time you’re down at the lakeshore, you might be lucky to see Anitra flying under full canvas.

If you’re looking to get involved in club sailing, the Oakville Club, Oakville Yacht Squadron (OYS), and Bronte Yacht Club all have sailing memberships. Some clubs offer inexpensive crew memberships which are a great way to see if racing is right for you. OYS has several popular kids’ camps and a borrow-a-boat program. Oakville’s National One Design Sailing Academy offers fully-accredited sailing instruction.

Even if you never intend to set foot on deck, Oakville and Bronte harbours are still great places to spend an afternoon. Both harbours have great shopping and dining nearby, plenty of walkable shoreline, and a plethora of beautiful boats to admire.

Local Links

By: Julian Kingston

In Articles

Niagara Winery Spotlight: 13th Street Winery

July 31, 2020 No Comments

Since its opening in 1998, 13th Street Winery (located near St. Catherines) has grown into a wine leisure paradise offering the full experience of wine, food, and art. For over three generations and 100 years of farming in the region, the Whitty family certainly knows the lays of the land – and it has come in handy in the success of the winery. The retail and tasting bar are open Monday to Saturday and offers a wide array of wines and styles for tasting and purchase.

Grab a glass a wine and explore the sculpture gardens or wander around the extensive grounds.

Doug Whitty, co-owner and president of 13th Street Winery, and a Niagara local is passionate about making Niagara a destination. “We would like to make our wine region yours. It is too beautiful not to share. There is a unique opportunity to celebrate local food and culture, to live off the land. As people in Europe have done for generations, enjoy the fruits of nature from your own region”.

The winery is less than 45-minutes from Oakville making it easy to discover and explore. Doug says, “In these difficult times where so many activities have become unavailable, visiting Niagara is affordable and accessible and a great day out. Right on your doorstep, it offers world-class food, wines, and experiences.”

Fridays and Saturdays a “to-go” menu is offered where you can enjoy house-baked goods and artisanal cheese either at home or casually onsite.

There is accommodation at the Vineyard Cottage with the Vineyard Farmhouse opening soon (available for booking through Airbnb), making it easy to enjoy a few summer days exploring the region.

If you have been meaning to visit the area, now is the time to explore and enjoy all that is on offer.

By: Jenny Ratcliffe-Wright

In Home & Garden

Burn Responsibly – How to safely enjoy a backyard blaze

July 29, 2020 No Comments

On a clear, star-filled summer’s evening, there’s nothing quite as cozy and satisfying as enjoying an outdoor blaze in your backyard’s woodburning or gas fire pit, or perhaps a chiminea. Watching the flames grow into a warm, crackling fire is a rite of passage during this, our most fleeting of seasons.

Beware, however. There are rules and restrictions for Burlington and Oakville homeowners who want to use a fire feature. But if you’re careful and responsible, it’s easy and affordable to add this stunning natural light show to your yard.

There are many types of fire pits available, from functional to purely decorative, so you’ll need to discern what you’re using the pit for. Are you making pizzas and spider dogs? Or is your fire there to simply provide heat and light and impress your guests?

Wood Burning Fire Pits

Ah… the smell, the crackle, the deliciousness of roasted hot dogs and gooey smores! Nothing beats the rustic charm and natural beauty of a real wood-burning fire pit. While a traditional campfire can be dangerous, causing burnt ground or grass and the risk of spreading fire, the latest low height, wood-burning fire pits have none of these issues thanks to their iron construction and optional (but highly recommended) mesh cover, which are especially necessary for yards with lots of plants or grasses or if you want to place your pit close to the home.

Gas Fire Pits

Safer and lower maintenance than wood-burning and available at several heights, a gas fire pit is a more versatile option for a broad variety of homes. Available in levels including chat, dining, and counter, many feature a surrounding table area perfect for placing dishware and glasses while you enjoy conversation or dinner. Cooking on a gas fire pit, however, is not recommended.

Chimineas

Another option is to use a chiminea. Basically, a portable outdoor fireplace, chimineas have recently become popular in urban settings, where they’re placed on a patio or lawn creating a warm, interesting focal point for outdoor activities.

Traditionally constructed from clay and mud, chimineas originated in Mexico, where they were used by tribesmen to bake bread and generate heat. With a bulb-shaped, potbelly base that rises up to the chimney or neck, today chimineas are safely fabricated with cast iron and aluminum.

Jeremy Kalapacz, sales and advertising coordinator at Oakville Home Leisure, says fire pits are a hot ticket item this summer, “If you’re looking to maximize time spent in your backyard, a fire pit is a great way to extend the season – taking you right through to the fall, even into November.” Kalapacz notes that the biggest trends right now are concrete, faux timber, and slate, all of which pair beautifully with any outdoor décor.

While fire features are lovely to admire, they can also be dangerous. Any kind of fire should be placed at a minimum of ten feet away from your home and your neighbour’s yard, and it should also be in a place where there are no overhanging branches, fences, or other structures that could easily catch fire.

In addition to determining a location for your fire pit, you will need to figure out the ideal surface for it. Safe fire pit surfaces include brick, stone, gravel, concrete, or some type of fire-resistant composite material.
Kalapacz says Oakville Home Leisure is happy to complete home visits and site surveys in order to help clients identify the best place for their fire pit install.

Both Oakville and Burlington have regulations around outdoor fire burning. In the Burlington area, a fire pit, a chiminea, and any kind of outdoor fireplace is considered open-air burning and you will need to obtain an open-air burning permit (for online link, visit burlington.ca/burnpermit). For each new permit, a Fire Prevention Inspector will inspect the site to assess any danger to nearby combustible materials. Oakville allows recreational burning in all areas as long as residents follow a few simple rules, such as time constraints and pit size.

Whether you’re looking to gather with friends around a fire and roast marshmallows or cozy up with a cup of tea in the cooler months, a fire pit is sure to bring warmth to your backyard and extend the
outdoor season.

Local Links

Oakville Home Leisure, Oakville: oakvillehomeleisure.ca
Barbecues Galore, Burlington: barbecuesgalore.ca

By: Kristy Elik

In Articles

Top Summer Sippers: Celebrating Niagara’s Diverse Wineries

July 27, 2020 No Comments

Summer is here and the timing could not be better. With social distancing recommendations still in force, our backyards are the place to be: chilled wine in hand, barbecue sizzling. Most wineries in Ontario are offering free delivery to your doorstep, making it is easy to avoid the lines at the store. It has never been more convenient or appropriate to support local wine producers. Niagara wineries, with their glacial soils and lakeside vineyards, are open for business, either with retail stores open, curbside pickup, or delivery (which is most often free with a minimum purchase). Here are our top picks to enjoy over the summer… (and nobody minds if you add a block of ice or two to your glass):

Wayne Gretzky No. 99 Collection Rosé ($16.95)

A luscious blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, and Gamay Noir, this light and fruity pink wine from the famous hockey legend is easy drinking and goes perfectly with most barbecue treats or even on its own as
an aperitif.

Inniskillin Niagara Estate Series Riesling ($12.95)

Pinpoint freshness like a squeeze of lime with honey and fresh flower notes, Canada’s premier estate winery never fails to deliver.

Peller Private Reserve Pinot Gris ($20.95)

Laden with tropical fruit salad notes, this wine pairs with Asian inspired dishes. It is the perfect wine if you prefer something in between Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. It is not surprising that Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio is one of the most popular grape varieties in the world.

Château des Charmes Sauvignon Blanc ($15.95)

Beautiful pungent elderflower, lemon zest, and passion fruit aromas waft from the glass. This winery was established in St David’s Bench in 1978 and has been producing quality wines ever since. Best enjoyed young to preserve the fresh zingy aromas.

Konzelmann Pinot Blanc ($14.95)

This gem won a gold medal at the Ontario wine awards in 2019. It is a steal at the price for a high-quality tipple from a winery established in 1984. A creamy texture on the palate with a long, zesty finish. Perfect with roasted chicken on the barbecue.

Ravine Charmat Rosé ($27.80)

From a winery whose original building dates to 1802, Ravine’s wines are produced according to organic and biodynamic methods. Crushed raspberry fruit leaps out on the nose of this everyday sparkler, it is the perfect start to fire up the barbecue.

Southbrook Wild Ferment Chardonnay ($34.80)

Produced with biodynamic and organic methods, this wine was fermented using only the natural yeast on the grape. This Chardonnay matured in French oak barrels is as perfect as nature intended.

Stratus White ($39.00)

An exotic blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Semillon and Gewürztraminer; this serious white blend is produced sustainably and matured in French oak barrels. A rich, heady, layered wine that would go perfectly with grilled salmon.

Trius Brut ($29.95)

Home to Canada’s largest sparkling wine cellar, this Méthode Champenoise (Champagne method) bubbly is a traditional blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, like Champagne from France. It has notes of brioche and citrus with an apple and honey tart finish and is a fine example of the high-quality sparkling wines Ontario is capable of producing.

Two Sisters Blanc de Franc ($61.80)

The first sparkling Cabernet Franc in Ontario, this unique and exciting wine won the Sparkling Wine of the Year award at the All Canadian Wine Championship in 2019. Although made from a red grape, the wine is very delicate with small persistent bubbles and citrus and red currant flavours.

13th Street Gamay ($19.95)

A super versatile, lighter style of red that is best served well chilled. Raspberry and licorice tones with soft juicy tannins and a slightly smoky finish that makes it the perfect match for your
summer barbecue.

By: Jenny Ratcliffe-Wright

In Community

The Flavour Fox wins Best Ice Cream Talk of the Town Award

July 23, 2020 No Comments

Note: Each business listed below has made changes and are taking precautions to ensure customer and employee safety during this time. Please contact the businesses directly to confirm up-to-date products, offers, hours and safety procedures.

Escape the summer heat and take a little “sundae” stroll to our Best Ice Cream Talk of the Town Award-winner, The Flavour Fox!

This family favourite is the perfect place to grab a cone of gelato, sorbet or Kawartha Ice Cream and enjoy the lakeshore sights in Bronte Village.

Indulge in unique twists on classic flavours like toasted marshmallow, salted peanut butter and strawberry basil, or stick with the old favourites like mint chip, lemon or Nutella.

The Flavour Fox also makes vegan gelatos and sorbets for those sticking to a plant-based diet, and they take personalized gelato cake requests for any occasion.

No need to “waffle” between ice cream or cookies when you can get it all at Nyla’s Room, Best Ice Cream runner-up!

This Downtown Oakville hotspot specializes in more than just incredible gelato and sorbet, offering Italian cookies, pastries and espressos as accompaniment. Take the experience home with you and pick up a cone, pint or a bag of cookies for the road.

Experience gelato differently this summer at Best Ice Cream second runner-up, La Dolce Vita!

Sink your sweet tooth into gelato pops, cones, cups, milkshakes, cakes or affogato at this beloved Kerr Village cafe. You won’t want to miss their delicious variety of gelato cookie sandwiches.

Thank you so much to everyone who voted! We will be announcing our next category on August 1, 2020 over Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

2020 Talk of the Town Awards: Best Ice Cream

The Flavour Fox
Nyla’s Room
La Dolce Vita
Marylebone Cafe + Creamery
La Diperie

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In Community

The Sale Must Go On! Downtown Oakville’s Sidewalk Sale Goes Digital

May 20, 2020 No Comments

For 46-years, retailers along Oakville’s historic Lakeshore Road have pulled product to the street in celebration of Downtown Oakville’s Annual Sidewalk Sale. However, this year – year 47 – is going to look a little different than years passed. Great sales will abound, but online through a giant ‘cyber’ sidewalk sale that allows you to get the deals you look forward to regardless of physical distancing restrictions. Those businesses that can open may offer in-store sales.

Due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, the Downtown Oakville BIA and its retailers have stepped outside the box and are determined to make this year’s Sidewalk Sale better than ever. With a special online platform, folks can shop #DTOakFromHome at their Cyber Sidewalk Sale. From May 28 – 31, shoppers can access ‘bigger than the sale rack’ sales from participating #DTOakville retailers online.

What does this mean for you? Some pretty great stuff, actually. With the Sidewalk Sale taking a virtual approach, shoppers can access great deals at any time (day or night) throughout the event. There will also be free shipping and local delivery offered by many retailers. Now is the perfect time to stock up on gifts and support #smallbusinesses when they need us most.

With street-facing retailers permitted to reopen as of May 19, some stores will also be open for in-store shopping with physical distancing measures in place. Be sure to follow the Downtown Oakville BIA on Facebook (@downtownoakville), Instagram (@oakvilledowntown), and Twitter (@oakvilledwntown) for regular updates leading up to and through the event.

In addition to the Cyber Sidewalk Sale, the BIA is working hard to support the community and downtown businesses through an Instagram LIVE Auction on Wednesday, May 27th at 7 p.m.

The auction, which features items from local businesses, also brings with it a lot of fun and community spirit; not only do you leave with great items but with a smile and full heart! While we cannot get together in person, we can still come together to support local, with a live chat with fellow shoppers. The auctions support local businesses, with previous sales of over $5000 in a few short hours, as well as local charities, with over $2,500 donated (past recipients include Fare Share Food Bank Oakville and Lighthouse for Grieving Children). The next LIVE Auction is anticipated to be just as successful with a lineup of great items up for bid (details to be released soon). Tune in by following Downtown Oakville on Instagram (@oakvilledowntown).

The Downtown Oakville BIA truly believes that even under physical distancing circumstances and the unknowns of these strenuous times, together we can continue to support the community, our local charities, and our small business.

For a full list of retailers participating in the Cyber Sidewalk Sale visit oakvilledowntown.com/event/virtual-sidewalk-sale-downtown-oakville