Pursuing a dream by starting a small business and creating a new community is no easy feat. But as the pandemic subsides and people are itching to enjoy life again through summer vacations, the market is ripe for new products and experiences. This Canada Day weekend, consider going out and supporting one of these new Canadian businesses. Don’t forget to share your Canadian pride on social media!
For Foodies – Superfresh Night Market, 384 Bloor St W, Toronto
You don’t have to travel to the other side of the world to enjoy a bustling Asian night market with delicious eats. Discover flavours from China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, and more at Superfresh in downtown Toronto! There are hand-pulled noodles from Lanzhou, plump baos with Taiwanese fried chicken, delicate shokupan sandwiches, mochi muffins, and a snack-filled superette with imported items from all over Asia. The fun and neon-tinged shared space also features a cocktail bar with unique and original drinks and the whole experience is very Instagrammable.
For Getaways – June Motel, 11 Sauble Falls Pky, Sauble Beach
Best friends April Brown and Sarah Sklash quit their city jobs to open an adorable, rosy-hued motel in Prince Edward Country in 2016. Having reimagined a seedy roadside attraction into cozy accommodations (with lots of chilled wine and a major throwback vibe!), they opened a second location in Sauble Beach. The thorough renovation process was turned into a Netflix show called Motel Makeover, but as of 2021 the latest June Motel is open for business! A stay includes pool access. Don’t forget to check out Heydays, the onsite restaurant that mixes East and West coast aesthetics and food.
For Rest & Relaxation – Vettä Nordic Spa, 3210 3 Line N, Oro-Medonte
Head to Horseshoe Valley for year-round fun! The newly opened Vettä day spa brings Finnish wellness culture to Canada with hot–cold hydrotherapy circuits, registered massages, steam rooms and more. Vettä also boasts the largest wood-burning sauna in the world, built with materials imported directly from Finland. Surrounded by nature (and with a strict no-cellphones policy), guests can enjoy full relaxation and harmony with their environment. Vettä also offers different dining experiences from coffee and snacks to multi-course tasting menus inspired by Finnish sustainability. Needless to say, the spa is environmentally conscious.
For New Looks – Luna Grooming Co. (Online)
Proudly made in Canada, Luna offers a curated line of men’s grooming products made of premium, organic, and locally sourced ingredients. With two styling pastes, a nourishing and strengthening shampoo, and sea salt texturizing spray in clean black and white packaging, Luna sets men up for their best hair styles. Plus, the products smell great and are full of beneficial botanical extracts like lavender and sage. Various moisturizing ingredients also help to fight dry scalp and dandruff while clarifying ones help keep hair vibrant and healthy.
Rose Ho | Assistant Editor