Shop #tbay this Holiday Season

When you see the fully decorated Christmas trees on the roof of Janzen’s Pharmacy, you know it’s time to start thinking about holiday shopping. Frederica Street in the Thunder Bay neighbourhood of Westfort Village (also known simply as Westfort) offers a friendly retro vibe thanks to the many independent shops housed in historic buildings.

Ready to shop?

You can check off much of your list in Westfort Village.

Eats and Tasty Treats

Start just east of the Edward cross-street and visit the locally owned Bulk Zone to pick up all the sugary delights you need to build a gingerbread house with the kids. The store also offers a range of attractively packaged Wildly Canadian products like apple cider vinegar and maple syrup (great teacher or hostess gifts).

Next door is Westfort Foods, a handy source of local products like Thunder Oak cheeses and Murillo Bakery bread.

Across the street, you can order a delicious deli platter for your holiday party at Fresco’s Deli (and likely hear some Italian conversation too).

Unique Gifts for the Whole Family

Award-winning Rollason Flowers, in business since 1952, can help you out with festive floral arrangements plus gift items like glowing glass balls and Christmas ornaments.

Feeling chilly? One of the new additions to the block is Tontu Cafe-Boutique a comfy cafe, bookstore and clothing boutique featuring locally-roasted coffee and Elfarrow apparel.

Another must-see is J. B. Evans, destination shopping for multiple generations of Thunder Bay residents. It’s the perfect place to score quality men’s and women’s fashion brands like Scotch & Soda, Hunter, Michael Kors, Guess and Tom’s. Similarly, Swartz Fine Fashion, known for its cool window displays (right now there are giant moose antlers) offers higher-end names like Mexx, Citizens of Humanity, Hudson, Belstaff, Diesel and John Varvatos.

Strictly speaking, Maier Hardware isn’t on Frederica (it’s just south on Brown) but it’s a minor detour. Housed in a historic building complete with original tin ceilings and creaky hardwood floors, it has the usual hardware store gear plus gift ideas like pizza stones, flags for camp and a GrillPro vertical charcoal smoker.

Back on the north side of Frederica you’ll find Black Cat Antiques, which carries an ever-changing inventory of unique items like beautiful old cameras, delicate antique chainmail evening purses, costume jewelry, collectible Matchbook cars, local vintage signs and Kaministiqua-made Strawberry Hill pottery animals. 

Before you head home

Stop by Mount McKay Plaza (which does in fact have a great view of Mount McKay at James Street to indulge in a beer and gourmet pub food crafted with local ingredients at Cheer's The Village Pub, or pick up an extra-large pizza with unlimited toppings at Golden Bakery. You’ve earned it!

Great Shopping in Thunder Bay!

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