LOVE LOCAL

One of greatest joys of travelling to a different community is experiencing the unique businesses that community has. Often times, it is the local businesses that encourage visitors to return time and again for their unique products, charm, service, and experience. Local Businesses are the fabric of any community, and learning the history and stories behind them make our connection to them and their community that much stronger.

TIMBER SIGNS

Owned and Operated by: Jake Blosser

Location: Sioux Narrows

Q - What inspired you to create Timber Signs?

The business started with the request for a hand carved sign for Big John’s Mineshaft Tavern. Then my brother and I were asked to make 18 signs and 32 Totem Poles for Totem Lodges and the orders kept growing. As the orders increased we bought more and more tools and the business evolved into what it is today. I always knew I wanted to live in Sioux Narrows and in order to do so had to create my own opportunities for employment.

Jake is the son of Brock and Karen Blosser. Brock and Karen are well-known around the region for their Wood with Whimsey carvings.

Q - Wood Carving runs in your family. How did you come to start carving?

I learned to carve when I was around 4 years old. I had a chisel in my hand and my parents would put lines on the wood and we would try to follow the lines.

Q - Do you have a favourite project that you have worked on?

My brother and I had a great time carving the posts in the Northern Ontario Sport Fishing Centre.

Q - Where can visitors to the community see your work?

Timber Signs has made many signs throughout the region. In Sioux Narrows these signs include the Municipal Entrance Signs, The Parks and Trail signs, many local business wooden signs and my brother and I carved the support beams in the Northern Ontario Sport Fishing Centre.

Readers are encouraged to visit www.timbersignsworkshop.com to learn more about this business and to see some of the beautiful wooden signs they have created.

KATE’S FARM STAND

Owned and Operated by: Katie Walker

Location: You can find us at the end of 60 Sabaskong Bay Road. Look for our chalkboard sign. Every Saturday 8:30-12. The first weekend in June- September long weekend.

Q - What inspired you to create the Farm Stand?

Kate’s Farm Stand was opened in June of 2020. Really, what inspired me to start the farm stand was wanting to keep busy during Covid19 and the unknown summer ahead- 2020. I’d been behind the stove at Tinker’s Places for 15 years and the Farm Stand was a place for me to keep cooking and spend more time in my garden. We are surrounded with fresh, wild food. Foraged berries, fiddleheads, mushrooms & edible flower petals, it’s fun showcasing our local ingredients.

Q - What types of fresh goods do you feature and how do you source/ grow/ bake them?

I get so excited every week when I see the fresh produce! We feature local grown seasonal veggies, berries, microgreens, fresh eggs + baked, frozen & canned goods. Kate’s Farm Stand is so lucky to have partners like A.G’s Produce, Fifth Avenue Farms, Harbourfront Oil & Vinegar & other fine local producers.

I do the baking and canning. We offer pies, cookies, tarts, sourdough breads, muffins, croissants and more. We also offer frozen cabbage rolls, perogies & soups.

Q - What do you feel is really unique about your business?

I think we are a very unique place! We are the first farm stand in Nestor Falls.

I love our location & have lived on Lake of the Woods my whole life. Finding our little farm stand is hopefully a happy surprise- keep an eye out for the old red truck!

*We offer unique jams & jellies. Dandelion & Peony are crowd favourites.

*I make Finnish pastries like Pulla & Piirakka which my grandma Impi taught me.

*Our Father’s Day charcuterie boards with Ontario crafted meats & cheeses that also come with a wood burned cheese board.

*The “Surprise Tomato” in the spring is fun! I mix up a bunch of tomato seedlings with no label and you can buy one or more to grow all summer and see if you have grown the winning tomato

(last year was Purple Cherokee) All winner’s get a $25 Gift Certificate to the farm stand.

Readers are encouraged to follow Kate’s Farm Stand on Facebook & Instagram to learn more about the business and watch for seasonal updates.