Since 1956, stopping in at the French River Trading Post has been a summer tradition. A treasure trove of Canadiana, it’s one of Northeastern Ontario’s oldest and largest gift shops.
French River Trading Post began as a dream for Lorne Biggs. Raised in the mining community of Copper Cliff, he moved to Kitchener where he worked at Christie's Bread and met his wife, Edith. Lorne always looked forward to the summers. He longed for the northern wilderness he grew up in and every summer he would pack the family up for a vacation in the region of lakes, rivers and forests that he so deeply loved. The Biggs had many happy times camping and fishing, and eventually, Lorne and Edith began to consider moving to the area.
Lorne had long envisioned a small trading post along a northern highway catering to cottagers and summer vacationers. With the growth of northern Ontario’s tourist industry in the post-war period, and concurrent increase in road-tripping, Lorne was certain such a trading post could thrive.
Determined to make his dream a reality, he began looking for a suitable location and eventually settled upon a roadside spot just north of French River. At the time, Highway 69 didn’t exist as such. Instead, the road linking Parry Sound with Sudbury was gravel and dirt, with few businesses along its route to break up the monotony of trees and rocks.
Lorne and son Bill cleared the land by hand and built a small, log-sided building (which is still part of the existing trading post today). By the summer of 1956, the post was ready to open to the public. It was a gamble because aside from a handful of wilderness lodges the area was hardly the tourist hot spot it is now. In fact, originally customers were mostly fishermen and hunters.
The first few years were lean ones for the new enterprises, so Lorne kept his job at Christie’s for a while and made the drive up on weekends. Edith and Bill, meanwhile, resided at French River year-round. But perseverance paid off.
By 1960 the French River Trading Post had established a strong enough foundation that not only was Lorne able to quit his job at Christie’s, but they were able to expand the business with a gas bar the following year. In 1964 cabins were constructed to give travelers a place to stay along what was still a rather lonely stretch of highway (these were removed in 2016). Sadly, Lorne passed away that following year.
It was during this period of heady expansion that Diane Daniels, a young nursing student, entered the picture. “In the summer of 1961 I was vacationing with friends on the French River, and Bill and I were introduced. We were married in October 1962,” Dianne recalls. She immediately took an active role in the business.
Additions continued. In 1969 they opened The Trapper’s Shack, a snack bar serving hot dogs, hamburgers, fries and ice cream. This proved so successful that in 1977 it was replaced with a full-fledged restaurant, The Hungry Bear. A large expansion of the store in 1995 was necessary to accommodate the increased range of retail goods.
Edith passed away that same year at age 85, having worked at the Post until the very end. In a very real way, the French River Trading Post had become her life and the many customers from across Canada and the United States—whom she loved to greet with a smile and brief chat—became an extended family. More tragedy was soon to follow.
Bill passed away in 2004. Since then, Dianne and their daughter Tracey Pearce have continued Biggs' legacy. “We are proud we have been able to uphold the family dream,” Dianne says.
Customers who enter discover an array of wares competing for space on the shelves and for one’s attention. Indigenous-made moccasins and handicrafts, books, local preserves and sinful homemade fudge, maple products, clothing, jewelry, and endless souvenirs provide something for every possible taste. It’s a place where people can spend hours browsing.
The Hungry Bear restaurant is well known for its home cooking and as a welcome stop for vacationers making long drives to their cottages. Open seven days a week, it offers a diverse menu including trademark Hungry Man breakfasts.
Children aren’t ignored; every hour on the hour, the Trading Post’s mascots, Hungry Bear and Blueberry Hound, emerge to entertain young ones for a few precious minutes. A few years ago, these characters, familiar to generations of little ones, were joined by a fresh face: Chocolate Moose. And then of course there’s the irresistible urge of the ice cream den with its 16 flavours of ice cream.
Diane says she often hears people say it’s a tradition to stop at the trading post on their vacation, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a slice of cottage country Canadiana, and there’s a little something for everyone.
The French River Trading Post has an almost magical allure, pulling in motorists as if by a siren’s call. It’s impossible to pass by without feeling a tug, an indescribable urge to stop in for a few moments to browse. That’s just what Lorne envisioned 60 years ago. Diane is proud of her father-in-law’s legacy.
“Lorne, if he were alive today, wouldn’t believe what his vision has become,” she says.
After almost seven decades in business, the French River Trading Post has become part of the fabric of the region and a “must-see” for any vacation in the north.
As a result of the recent widening of Highway 69 from two lanes to four, French River Trading Post is no longer alongside the highway. Instead, you must take the briefest of detours. It’s well worth the effort.
Travelling north, exit on the 607/Settler’s Rd. ramp almost directly after you see the Trading Post on the left. Turn left at the stop, and then left again onto Settler’s Rd.
Travelling south, take the 607/Settler’s Rd. exit ramp, and continue straight on Settler’s Rd.
Location: 20112 Settler’s Rd.
Web: frtpstore.com
Phone: 705-857-2115
Email: info@frenchrivertrading.com
