The long weekend marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Muskoka North Good Food Co-Op. Today they officially opened the doors to a new satellite location at 26 Main Street East.
“Over the last few months since COVID we have seen a shift in people’s mindset with supporting their local community. We also saw a shift with how people look at and consume food. Everyone was cooking more since they were home and were really appreciating food,” said general manager of the co-op, Kelli Ebbs. “We experienced a huge spike in sales at the co-op and our membership has risen.”
When Whimsical Bakery called the co-op to say they were closing and could no longer supply bread, the wheels started turning and the discussion about a second location downtown began.
After crunching numbers and careful planning, the co-op decided a second, more central location was the perfect way to expand.
The Main Street location will be a combination of a food market, espresso bar, and café/bistro; the co-op’s original location on Crescent Road will continue as usual.
Look for the food co-op’s new sign on Main Street across from Town Hall (Sydney Allan)
“Our market will offer tons of local produce and food products,” said Ebbs. “We want to promote local and whole foods so will have lots from around Ontario as well as products from right here in Muskoka.”
Those products include milk, eggs, cheese, juices, condiments, maple syrup, coffee beans, produce, kombucha, and much more.
Along with the space, they have also retained Whimsical’s resident baker whom they can’t rave enough about.
In addition to the market, customers will be able to pop in for takeout food that is made in-house and from local ingredients. This includes coffee, picnic-style and individual-sized salads, soups, wraps and sandwiches, baked goods and treats, as well as vegan and gluten-free options.
There will be a few bistro tables in front of the shop if anyone wants to eat at the shop.
“We are so excited to have a presence on Main Street,” said chair of the co-op’s board, Susan McGrath. “It will strengthen our food services and complement the downtown area so well.”
Both co-op members and non-members are invited to shop and eat at the Main Street location and new members are always encouraged to join.
The new location will be open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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This will be a wonderful addition to our downtown.
Congratulations on your newest venture.
Fantastic news! As someone who takes advantage of the Crescent road location; whenever I find myself in the area, I’m thrilled to be able to avail myself of their amazing food and hospitality even more. And it truly is a win-win for our downtown; as we also maintain the baker from Whimsical Bakery.
This is wonderful news, thank you!
As someone who can’t drive, this is great news.
This sounds lovely, and a nice addition to the downtown core.