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!
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.
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 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.
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!
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.
For more information about their holiday schedules and events, check out their website.
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.
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.
If you are interested in one of these incredible surprise gift boxes or have any general inquiries, visit the Twigs in Bloom Facebook Page.
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!
For more information on sales, raffles, and general inquiries check out their Facebook page.
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!
To contact Bitz & Bobz for your custom prints or general inquiries, check out their Facebook page.
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!
For more information check out their Facebook page.
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.
For more information check out their Facebook page.
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!
