Gem of a town: Fenelon Falls is full of cozy shops and feel-good charm

There’s a reason Fenelon Falls, a cozy town in Kawartha Lakes, is nicknamed the “Jewel of the Kawarthas.” Located on the glimmering waters of Trent Severn Waterway’s Lock 34 and Cameron Lake, it bustles with summer out-of-towners, who come for the cascading waterfalls, bike-friendly trails and procession of houseboats.

For beauty founder Amandine Azran, however, the charms aren’t reserved for peak cottage season. Though she’s a newer addition to the town of 2,500 — her parents bought a farm here a few years ago, and the former Torontonian made the move in 2020 — she was quickly enchanted. “I just felt connected and inspired,” she says. “I could really imagine making something special here.”

In fact, the natural beauty she discovered sparked the launch of her skincare brand, Amandine Sol Botanicals, co-founded with her mom. She developed her line, which includes a glow-boosting face oil and dewy spray serum, on the 80-acre family farm, growing lavender, bergamot and other ingredients for formula experiments. The eventual goal is to harvest botanicals to use in the final products, and one day, invite skincare fans to Fenelon Falls to see how they’re made and explore the town.

Here are just a few of Azran’s favourite stops for your next visit.

For the retro collectibles: Grr8 Finds Markets (27 Colborne St.)

This antiques destination has Fenelon Fall’s signature feel-good charm and stocks an eclectic mix of wares from more than 50 vendors. “I’m a sucker for stuff like this,” says Azran, who’s drawn to the wall of ornate frames and cheeky plates designed with phrases like “I’m a social vegan. I avoid meet.” Azran adds, “I love to imagine the story behind older objects.” The classic candy counter, with jars and jars of colourful delights, will sweeten your stop here, too.

For the summer fro-yo: Country Cupboard (9 May St.)

Locals head to this bulk store for health-food products hard to get elsewhere in a small town, Azran says. Find everything from Kawartha Lakes local raw honey and organic coconut milk kefir to an assortment of zero-waste home goods. Come summer, the shop also makes a popular in-house frozen yogurt blended with fruit — including a pineapple-based vegan option — that’s as much of a draw as what’s on their shelves.

For the butter tarts: The Little Pie Shack (6 Francis St. E.)

“The Little Pie Shack is adorable — really cozy and homey,” Azran says of the grab-and-go spot, which is small but hard to miss, thanks to its bubble-gum pink exterior painted with vibrant desserts. The sandwiches are breakfast and lunch staples, but for Azran, nothing beats their quintessentially Canadian butter tarts.

For the arts appreciation: Colborne Street Gallery (moving to 36 Colborne St. this spring)

Located in the centre of town, this gallery is dedicated to displaying contemporary art in different media, including paintings, sculptures and photography. There are works by artists around the world and close to home, too. “They really try to think about interactive and modern ways to support local talent, which is cool,” says Azran.

For the local brew: Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. (4 May St.)

“It’s almost like Toronto was transported to Fenelon Falls, but with added small-town charm,” Azran says of this waterside brewery, housed in a former livery stable dating back to the early 1800s. The craft beers — lagers, IPAs and an award-winning Belgian Farmhouse Saison — are made in small batches, and a new seasonal menu, designed around their brews, is in the works for their rustic-meets-contemporary taproom.

The Star understands the restrictions on travel during the coronavirus pandemic. But like you, we dream of travelling again, and we’re publishing this story with future trips in mind.