THIS BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT SHINES ON
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One of Huntsville’s favourite delis, The Butcher’s Daughters, has been closed since late October 2017. Owner Kim Barnes was forced to shut down her Hwy 60 business following a flood, and has been searching high and low for a suitable location.
Now, almost 18 months later, she’s found the perfect spot. Huntsville-area fans of the café’s soups, sandwiches, salads, and to-go meals will have to drive a little farther, though—The Butcher’s Daughters will reopen this spring in Gravenhurst across from the opera house.
Barnes looked at more than 20 different locations, she says, but none satisfied her needs for commercial kitchen and retail space, adequate seating and parking, and easy access for delivery trucks until she came across this option. The new deli will be where The Gypsy Market Mews currently is at 260 Muskoka Road S. in Gravenhurst. (The gypsies will be moving to a new space at the Gravenhurst wharf.)
“I’m ecstatic, and relieved, and excited,” says Barnes, adding that she continues to get emails and messages from former customers asking when and where she plans to reopen. Those fans will be pleased to know that they’ll be able to find all their old deli favourites along with some new additions when Barnes opens her new doors.
“I’ve had a little bit more time to work out some interesting recipes that will appeal to a broader swath of people,” says Barnes, including those with gluten and dairy intolerances. “We’ll be able to offer a little bit more than what we have in the past.” And there will still be oven-ready entrées like Shepherd’s Pie, Chicken Pot Pie or Lasagna and desserts like carrot cake for people to fill their freezers with and enjoy at home.
“It’s such a cute space,” she adds of the new location, and hopes that Huntsville fans of The Butcher’s Daughters will make the drive to check it out when it opens this spring. “It’s not that far.”
Barnes hasn’t ruled out offering some of The Butcher’s Daughters products in Huntsville stores or at one of Muskoka’s farmers’ markets, but that decision is still off in the future while she finishes plans for the new space and gets it up and running.
Watch for updates at butchersdaughters.ca.
Henk Rietveld says
Fifty kilometres may not be that far for some people, but if you happen in Huntsville and would like a great deli lunch during an hour lunch break, it might as well be on the moon. Our great loss.
Marike MacDonald says
I really, really hope she decides to open up in Huntsville again. I’ve really missed it.
Esther Hannaford says
Happy for you but very disappointed in the location. My daughter Lynn and myself were two of your best customers at lunchtime but I’m afraid Gravenhurst is a little too far to travel for lunch. too bad you couldn’t find somewhere a little closer to Huntsville. In spite of that we wish you well. All the best.
Sandy Inkster says
Congratulations, Kim!
Gravenhurst, you are SO fortunate!
I hope you are successful at confirming a depot or Market Day in Huntsville for your fantastic food, Kim, so I can enjoy it again!
Sue Dixon says
Gravenhurst is very fortunate! Just grateful you are back!
Karen Cassian says
The Huntsville Co op is a great place for lunch and has a choice of three incredible soups everyday!
Mary Potts says
Very disappointed about the location. Too far from Huntsville! We will continue to miss your presence in Huntsville
Rob Millman says
Kudos, Kim! Across from the Opera House is indeed a great location; although I am unaware of your particular space. And please don’t worry about the gypsies: they are inherently a peripatetic breed. The wharf is nice for the summer, but you have the superior year-round location; as there are so few non-franchise restaurants in Gravenhurst. At one point, the Town was searching for an occupant like yourself adjacent to Kent Park (which will become a major people place under the 2020 streetscaping project); but perhaps those plans changed.
.
Being no stranger to the Highway 11 corridor, I’m thrilled to have a favourite spot to relax and break up my trip. Calling it a “flood” was an interesting choice of words, but all’s well that ends well. I’m thrilled for you.
Henk Rietveld says
Oh, and by the way, “return” does not mean “revive and relocate”. Wish Kim all the best in her new location….but.
Joan Sutton says
Congratulations Kim! Glad to here you are back. Exciting for you. Holly and I will be down to see your new place for sure. See you soon.
Bill Beatty says
Kim can you deliver on your way home ? See you soon ….PS.. Don’t forget We Plant Based Folks !
Nadia Juhasz says
Congratulations Kim
I know how hard you tried to find something in Huntsville but unfortunately nothing worked out !!
You are going to do Amazing in Gravenhurst
A new location, A new beginning!!!
Can’t wait to come and see your grand Opening !!!
Brian Tapley says
Here we are, being admonished to reduce our carbon footprint so I guess I will have to get a really efficient bike to get to Gravenhurst or eat elsewhere as my chunk of V-8 powered “Detroit Iron” will burn more in gas than the lunch will be worth!
Too bad as I loved the Huntsville location and product but as someone else noted, when you consider the time and cost to get to and from Gravenhurst…. well you might as well set up on the Moon!
Kim Barnes says
Thanks everyone for the encouraging words of support. It’s another new chapter for The Butcher’s Daughters and for me; I am really looking forward to getting back into the kitchen. And Bill Beatty, I will gladly meet you down at the dock with a veggie sandwich. See you in Gravenhurst!
Tanya Sprathoff says
I’m delighted that the Butcher’s Daughters will be reopening! But I have to ask, what does it say about the rent landlords in Huntsville are demanding when an established and successful business can’t find a new location despite all the empty storefronts on Main St, Brendale Square and the Mall? Our loss and definitely Gravenhurst ‘s win!
Shirley Pratt says
Congratulations, Kim, on your new deli. I know you had a difficult time finding the right location that suits most of your requirements. You had a spectacular business in Huntsville with many valuable customers, and I’m sure it will all work out for the best in Gravenhurst. Keep up the good work. As always, I know you’ll come out on top. I guess I’m just a little prejudiced.
All the best. Love, Mom
Joanne Stoneburgh says
I am so excited to have you open in Gravenhurst 🙂 I just moved here from Huntsville not long ago myself . My daughter & I would come for lunch every time she was home from school, looking forward to our lunch dates again ❤️ So yummy ?