8 Places To Go Shopping In And Around Thunder Bay

Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season? From Atikokan to Marathon, the Thunder Bay Region is the best place to find the most unique treasure for all your loved ones.

Though I love everything about the holiday season, as many people do, one of my favourite things is gift-giving. I am always searching for the most personalized, unique, and sentimental gift I can find, and lucky for me I live in the perfect area for this. Here in the Thunder Bay region I am surrounded by the best little shops that are as good as the ones in Santa’s very own workshop. Not only do I find the perfect gifts, but I’m also supporting the locally run small businesses that keep our region as quirky and remarkable as possible. So, here are some of my favourite places to find the perfect unique gift during the holiday season!

Thunder Bay Pagoda Rainbow

Thunder Bay

Goods & Co. Market

The Goods & Co. Market in the waterfront district of Thunder Bay is one of the best places to find your unique gifts. The popular market offers 25 vendors all conveniently located in one place—shoppers will find work by local Indigenous artists, baked goods, clothing, candles, and more, as well as several delicious restaurants.

A woman in a dress shopping.

In the Goods & Co. Market, every single business is local to Thunder Bay and most offer hand-made products. For example, Current + Coast has souvenirs and works of art, all made by hand with amethyst, wood, and glass collected from Lake Superior's shore.

For the Goods & Co. holiday hours, specialty workshops, and more information, visit their website or check out their Facebook page!

Fireweed Crafts

Fireweed Crafts is a quaint shop on South Algoma Street in Thunder Bay. This shop contains contemporary gifts handmade by local artists in Thunder Bay. They’ve got stained glass, fused glass, and metal ornaments that are all handmade by different artists around the area, but these are only a few treasures you can find here. 

Fireweed Crafts Thunder Bay

Along with the holiday-themed gifts, there are, of course, other things available. They’ve got handmade jewelry, pottery, soaps, and clothing all locally sourced and designed!

For their holiday hours or general information, check out their Facebook Page!

Dorion

Canyon Country Co-op

Located on Highway 17 in the township of Dorion, Canyon Country Co-op has so many treasures while being one itself. As per its slogan, this shop truly has “a little bit of everything,” as the things you will find include snacks and drinks, souvenirs and clothes, and your outdoor essentials. The best part about Canyon Country is that almost all the items they house are locally sourced or support a small business. For example, they sell knitwear, soap, jewelry, and coffee, to name only a few. 

Canyon Country Coop Dorion

For more information about their holiday schedules and events, check out their website

Nipigon

Twigs In Bloom

Just tucked away off the downtown strip in Nipigon is the cutest and coziest little shop, run by locals, that sells everything you need to make your home, or a loved one's home, as cozy as possible. The items you’ll find here are mostly home decor, consisting of delicious-smelling candles, pillows, plants, and various planter pots. 

Twigs In Bloom Nipigon

But that’s not all they have; they’ve got much handmade jewelry around the store, cute earrings or rings, knitwear, some clothing, and one of my favourite things, stuffed animals crocheted by hand by “Austen’s Creations,” a local youth from the Nipigon area! This holiday season, she is even offering a Holiday Surprise Gift Box, which includes a hand-painted print, sticker, and hand-crocheted stuffy, all done by Austen herself. 

Twigs In Bloom - Austen's Creations

If you are interested in one of these incredible surprise gift boxes or have any general inquiries, visit the Twigs in Bloom Facebook Page.

Terrace Bay

The Olive House

Located downtown in Terrace Bay’s Simcoe Plaza, The Olive House is the perfect place to look for the perfect gift. Here, you will find products that suit anyone, including home decor, jewelry, and many souvenirs. For example, they have fun mugs with various designs, including Indigenous art, dogs, and moose. Perfect for a coffee/tea lover! Sometimes, The Olive House will have sales according to holidays and gift baskets up for raffle, so be sure to check them out!

Olive House Terrace Bay

For more information on sales, raffles, and general inquiries check out their Facebook page

Manitouwadge

Bitz & Bobz

Located in downtown Manitouwadge, the little store of Bitz & Bobz not only has a great selection of bath and body products, jewelry, incense, and tea and coffee, but they also do custom prints on any product of your choosing! Whether it's a t-shirt, mug, or tote bag, Bitz & Bobz can take them and print anything you desire for family and friends to create the perfect unique gift!

bitz & bobz manitouwadge

To contact Bitz & Bobz for your custom prints or general inquiries, check out their Facebook page

Marathon

May's Gifts

While in Marathon, do not overlook little May’s Gifts, as you will find the most unique treasures with the friendliest customer service! Some of the things you will find here are cozy hats and mitts, clothing, slippers, solar chime holders, jewelry made of amethyst, mugs, and hand-crafted ornaments by locals - just to name a few! The shelves of May's Gifts are waiting for you to find the best gift for your loved ones! 

May's Gifts Marathon

For more information check out their Facebook page

Atikokan

Revive Marketplace 

Down Highway 11, Atikokan has a gem known as Revive Marketplace. Here, you can find food made by local chefs, clothing, home decor, jewelry, books, and art. For example, you can find locally made hand-crocheted gnomes, plant holders, and handmade mitts! Most products are made by local artisans, and whatever you find here will be a one-of-a-kind gift for any loved one.

revive marketplace Atikokan

For more information check out their Facebook page.

Time to Go Treasure Hunting!

Wherever you find yourself in the Thunder Bay region this holiday season, trust me when I say there is no shortage of unique stores for you to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones to put under the tree, just go and see for yourself!

About Josie Cormier

Josie Cormier grew up in Nipigon, Northern Ontario, and is part of the Red Rock Indian Band. She is passionate about sharing the love she has for her home with everyone she meets. You can always find her looking for new adventures by kayaking, hiking, and exploring the beautiful area she's lucky to call home. Josie is currently a student at York University in Toronto and hopes to start a career as a writer. 

Recommended Articles

The CP Holiday Train is Comin' to Town

Don't miss the festive fun and find a stop near you!

The Anishinaabe Legends

Learn about the The Crying Woman of Manitou Falls and the Little People of Doghead Mountain

Anishinaabe Stories

Learn about the Wendigo and Nanaboozhoo the Trickster.

Walking in a winter wonderland

Hiking through Ontario's Superior Country Region

9 Amazing Day Trips from Thunder Bay

Day trip adventures and local evening dine ins.

10 Reasons to *NOT* Travel the Lake Superior Circle Tour

Travel this scenic Northern Ontario tour at your own risk: no other destination will ever compare to this journey of a lifetime!

7 frosty adventures in Northern Ontario

Famous ice caves and Canada's best ice climbing await in Superior Country

9 Facts About Lake Nipigon

Did you know it's the largest lake fully within Ontario's borders?

Natural Wonders of Superior Country

Natural attractions that you should cross off your bucket list

Hikes, Bites and Sights Atop Lake Superior - Part 1

A Nipigon Adventure

Exploring Superior Country in Fall

A hike through the season

An introduction to the history of art on the North Shore of Lake Superior

From Indigenous pictographs to modern pottery, from art galleries to scenic overlooks, the North Shore of Superior is an art-lovers delight.

3 Winter Drives from Thunder Bay

Travel east or west and enjoy these three scenic day trips.

8 places for pie in and around Thunder Bay

“The portion sizes let you know that this ain't no Toronto-centric eatery."

Ouimet Canyon, One of Ontario's Natural Wonders

A place you have to visit to truly appreciate

Is this the hockey capital of Canada?

Discover why this town is known for churning out amazing players.

Best Roadside Picnic Spots in Northern Ontario

Plan the ultimate picnic on your next road trip with these scenic spots.

Cross Country Skiing in Northern Ontario

Cross county skiing is the perfect way to get out and enjoy everything Northern Ontario has to offer!

Why Snowshoeing is Good For The Soul

Even in the harshest season, I connect to and embrace the Great North through the free heeling it offers

7 scenic spots to picnic along Lake Superior

Delicious, locally-sourced dishes, serene lake views, plus great company = true adventure in Northern Ontario.