Georgian Bay’s Treasure Harbour

STYLE: A Mix of Classic Cape Cod Cottage and Rustic Labrador Lodge.

IN A NUTSHELL: Bernice and David Anderson, whose family owns and operates Island Queen Cruise, established Huckleberry’s to serve a growing population in and around Parry Sound, as well as an emerging market for home and cottage décor. Their original waterfront gift shop in the ship’s ticket office, now called the Boathouse, was bursting at the seams. To continue growing, more space was needed for the retail side of their business. The Andersons found that space just across the road. While the Boathouse now carries mostly clothing, handbags and jewelry, Huckleberry’s focuses on gifts and home accents.

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THE ANGLE: Housed in a carefully preserved 1873 heritage building overlooking Georgian Bay, Huckleberry’s appeals not only to cottagers, but also tourists from the Island Queen and Festival of the Sound, transient yachters moored overnight in local harbours and year-round local residents.

UNIQUE: Inside its maroon exterior, Huckleberry’s offers two floors of home and cottage décor and gifts. Furniture, dinnerware and a wide assortment of home accessories are displayed in rooms that reflect spaces typically found in a home or cottage. Every year, the Andersons travel to at least two or three out-of-country trade shows in an effort to differentiate their store’s offerings in the marketplace. “You have to be different from the competition,” says David.

MISSION: “We want customers to come in and have a welcoming and inspiring shopping experience,” says Bernice. “We accomplish that. Every day people tell us it’s their favourite store. It’s the highlight of their summer. On an overcast day like today, it’s just swamped in here.”

THE PRODUCTS: Huckleberry’s carries well-known brands such as Camlen pine furniture from Quebec, Denby pottery and Woolrich throws, as well as trendsetting lines from the United States, like Dash and Albert rugs, Thymes bath lotions and Uwharrie outdoor furniture. Woolen pillows and seat cushions, stoneware and bubble glass are a colourful feast for the eyes.

FAVOURITES: Camlen kitchen furniture, rattan accent chairs, quilts, bubble glass tumblers, Thymes bath lotions, and Muskoka coffee fly out of this store. “Cushions from Vermont and Dash and Albert rugs are also very popular,” says David. “Every year we buy more of them and every year we seem to run out. We don’t know where the ceiling for those products is just yet.”

GET THERE:
14 Bay Street, Town Dock
Parry Sound
705.746.2799