Collingwood — Blog

Lokal Babes | Vivek Bhatia of Big Trouble

Look out - Vivek Bhatia is one to look out for on the local food front. By day he dances through the kitchen as Jeff Beltran’s right hand man and sous chef at Low Down but by night, he’s testing recipes and building his hot sauce empire also know as Big Trouble. Vivek has a very sweet nature to him. He isn’t the loudest voice in the room but will gladly share his life’s adventures if you ask. He has a lot of great ideas and an obvious passion for cooking, pulling loads of inspiration from his mother and upbringing in India.

Deck the Halls with Lokal Goodies: 2021 Gift Guide

It’s true, I’ve got a passion for shopping small over the holiday season and South Georgian Bay is the Grand Central Station of entrepreneurs. It seems there is someone on every block doing something different and offering up a cool product or service. Check out my 2021 round up of products that are locally-sourced and easy to shop this holiday season.

Lokal Babes | The Conscious Kitchen

There is a new meal delivery service comin’ to town. Meet THE CONSCIOUS KITCHEN CO ~ a prepared meal, recipe box, and grocery subscription service founded and operated by Celeste Lopreiato. Everything offered is organic, sustainably harvested + sourced and 100% plant-based. I’ll tell you from my experience, Celeste makes everything from scratch - including her take on “feta” and falafels. Both FREAKIN’ DELICIOUS.

Sweet Treats for Lokal Love Day

If you love showering your friends, fam, + loved ones with cute gestures (all year round) and tasty goodies – you may just be writing out your grocery list, like now. Whether that is through a box of cookies, a few voice notes, a revealing story or a clog vlog ~ I’m always thinkin’ about it. It lights me up knowing I cracked a smile or two. If you’re looking for some wicked and easy treats to whip up at home, I’ve rounded up a few of my go-to’s that are sure to bring about some smiles and warm feels.

Lokal Babes | Kasten Company

It’s all in the details when it comes to the work of Kasten Company - a local cabinet and furniture business in the Blue Mountains. Refined, gorgeous, retro, sexy and slick are other words I’d toss around to describe the handmade pieces but I’m not a professional, just someone who completely admires the work of Kasten.

Lokal BabesStefanie RichardsonJanuary 11, 2021Kasten Company, Thornbury, Blue Mountains, Lokal Digs, Collingwood, Furniture Design, Lokal BabesComment

Lokal Goodies to Sweeten the Holidays: GIFT GUIDE

Every year I round up some of my favourite local items that YOU can wrap up and gift as the ideal teacher appreciation, the under $50 stocking stuffer or one of those just-freakin’-because type of prezzies. This year is no different! Let’s support our lokal friends, neighbours and small business owners this holiday season.

Feel the Magic This Holiday Season at Blue Mountain

There is simply no better way to get in the spirit than a trip to the Blue Mountain Village for their one-kilometer, Holiday Magic winter stroll – especially you locals! Running through to December 25, there is still plenty of time to grab a hot beverage and explore the epic light installations, interactive mascots, and festive tunes that’ll probably get you grooving (It got me!).

A Lokal Girls Night Out at the Blue Mountain Resort Summitview Pavilion

Summer isn’t over yet! Well, at least not in my books. There are still evenings that await the fun and munchies + even a handful of patio sippers that deserve our love! A few weeks ago, I rounded the gals and suggested a girls night out at the Blue Mountain Resort Summitview Pavilion. Nights like these usually consist of real good stories, wine and something tasty.

Support Home Horizon Through the Picnic Project

If you’re into yummy food + wine then this is totally up your alley! This summer, Home Horizon has teamed up with Roadrunner Foods, Georgian Hills Vineyard and The Pop-Up Event Company (all local businesses) to bring a really cool fundraiser to life called The Picnic Project. If you don’t know, Home Horizon is a non-profit organization based out of Collingwood that provides support, programming, and necessities for youth at risk of homelessness.

Lokal Babes | Crowe Leather Co.

I’m always so intrigued when I see first-hand all of the integral + fine tune details that go into making a locally made product. Crowe Leather Co., owned by Evan Finbow, is a shining example of this quality craftsmanship. He’s mega talented you‘ll see that in all of his pieces. If you can believe it, every stitch, every cut, every part of the process is handmade and done by Evan himself.

Lokal Babes | Primitive Patterns

The continuous encouragement and good vibes that PP shares with their community is something that sets them apart from the rest. As a part of their collective, I personally feel challenged, supported and straight up inspired. Inspired to show up for the workout, hit that last rep, make better choices and simply move my body ~ for physical + mental health benefits. Efficient movements, focused breath work and a healthy mindset - all components of a solid session with Primitive Patterns.

Lokal BabesStefanie RichardsonJuly 15, 2020Primitive Patterns, Collingwood, fitnessComment

Lokal Babes | Blue Mountain Tea Co.

If you’re a tea lover, the Blue Mountain Tea Co. in Collingwood, ON is your one-stop shop for all your tea needs. Katherine (Owner) has not only recently underwent a mini renovation (for easy and safe shopping) but has managed to keep the store packed with a wide selection of loose leaf tea, filters, pots + fun accessories. I tell ya, she’s a gem.

Lokal BabesStefanie RichardsonJuly 6, 2020Blue Mountain Tea Co., Collingwood, Lokal Digs, local business, shop localComment

Lokal Babes | Black Bellows

Ever-changing brew flavours, a fun and quirky dining hall and THE COOLEST patio coming soon. That’d sum up Black Bellows in a sentence. I had never met the owners pre-lokal babes and figured it was about time. Read on to learn more about the 3 fellows behind this operation.

A Dreamy Staycation at The VanderMarck

Insert The VanderMarck. Our first real staycation as true ‘lokals’ in our hometown and we couldn’t wait to take it all in. I’m a committal type so when I say staycation, I really do mean it. It doesn’t matter how close to home I may be, the minute I cruise into the parking lot consider me checked in, shoes off, glass of Roost wine poured, robe on and the ketchup chips close by.

A Lokal Gift Guide - Collingwood Edition

Time to lokal the heck out of your holiday gifting. Whatever you’re doing this year, good on you! There is no “right way” to do-up the holidays but for me, it’s usually the good food, wonderful people and local goodies that make the fondest of memories. In case you need to pick-up something for someone special, I’ve rounded up 10 items from around the Collingwood area that are on my love-it list all 365 days of the year.

Primitive Patterns - Helping Us Reconnect Through Fitness

Primitive Patterns is becoming locally known for their dynamic outdoor fitness classes that they run at the heart of Sunset Point, the inukshuk. Rain or shine the team is 100% committed to providing you with an experience that’ll leave you replenished, connected and clear minded. Currently they have 5 trained instructors on the roster, each bringing their own unique educational knowledge and passion to the programs - each and every day.

Always Cooking With Soul - Jeff Beltran

Known for his Ch’waffle creations and most recently his ramen pop-up events at Gibson and Company, Collingwood local Jeff Beltran deserves a high-five and gold star for his flavour packed dishes. Dishes likes the breakfast poutine he whipped up for me a few years ago that I’m STILL talking about. He’s a true local gem!

Admiring the Town from a New Perspective

We have such a diverse amount of talent in the South Georgian Bay area and for me, I wake up feeling so grateful for the fresh water, the lush hills, the forests and of course the hardworking small business owners that truly bring our community together and make it so dang special. One local business that resonated with me was Blink Eyewear, owned and operated by the lovely Jessica Strype. Giving us a lens to see this local beauty.

All Good Things at Press Juice Co.

There is something so special about this quaint spot that I frequent on my days off. Located in the heart of bustlin' Collingwood, Press Juice Co. has been slinging nutrient packed smoothies, whipping up next-level salads and offering meal options using natural + organic ingredients since day one. Fit for the gluten free, the vegan, the vegetarian, the dairy free, and the girl like me who more often than not needs a healthy change-up from all that pizza consumption.

PlaceStefanie RichardsonFebruary 2, 2018Press Juice Co., cold pressed juice, organic, Collingwood, Lokal Digs, SmoothiesComment

Wake Up and Smell the Apples

It's no secret that I love autumn and all that it brings. If you didn't know, now you do! From cozy sweaters and pumpkin carving, to apple picking and craft shows, there is no shortage of things to do in the Georgian Triangle. It's a quick season, but just enough time to pack everything in before the big Thanksgiving feast.