Friday, February 27, 2026
Keep It In The Kawarthas
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kawarthaNOW.com's Keep It In The Kawarthas® is a choose local campaign that helps connect consumers with locally owned businesses in the greater Kawarthas area. kawarthaNOW.com is a locally owned independent media publisher. We choose and support locally owned businesses first.

Located in the Township of Cavan Monaghan, Staples Maple Syrup is a family business that has been producing award-winning maple syrup for over five decades, with its products available at local businesses and farmers' markets including the Peterborough Farmers' Market. Since they are often too busy to promote their product, the farm is an active participant in agricultural programs led by Peterborough County, including Kawartha Choice FarmFresh and the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale project. (Photo courtesy of Staples Maple Syrup)

The Local Advantage with Peterborough County: Staples Maple Syrup taps into local economic development initiatives

Megan Gallant -
Cavan Monaghan producer strengthens local network through Kawartha Choice FarmFresh and Kawartha Local Food Wholesale projects.
Dave Kranenburg is the founder of Graze & Gather, which originally launched as a virtual farmers' market during the pandemic and now functions as the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program's Green Circle Food Hub. Supporting expanded production and procurement within Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough, and the City of Kawartha Lakes, the Green Circle Food Hub is seeking participation from local food producers and buyers interested in showcasing local ingredients. (Photo: Graze & Gather)

The Local Advantage with Peterborough County: Graze & Gather makes it easy for local food producers to connect with buyers

Megan Gallant -
The Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program's Green Circle Food Hub aims to support local agriculture by expanding both production and wholesale procurement.
Burleigh Falls Inn is one of 18 local businesses participating in the Lakefield Village Lions Club's sixth annual Lakefield Chocolate Creations Festival, serving up a Chocolate Love Bomb made with rich chocolate brownie, raspberry coulis, freeze dried raspberries, and pistachio. Running until February 17, 2026, the festival invites community members and visitors to tour participating businesses in the village to try specialty chocolate creations and vote on their favourites. The success of the event has inspired the Millbrook & District Lions Club to launch the inaugural Roar for Chocolate Event across Millbrook until February 21, 2026. (Photo: Lakefield Village Lions Club)

Know Your Locals: Lakefield Chocolate Creations Festival inspires Millbrook to ‘Roar for Chocolate’

Megan Gallant -
The 6th annual Lakefield Chocolate Creations Festival runs until February 17, while the inaugural Roar for Chocolate Event in Millbrook is on until February 21.
Located in Selwyn Township, McLean Berry Farm is one of more than 800 farms operating on more than 180,000 acres of farmland across Peterborough County. To support the farms that significantly contribute to the region's economic prosperity, Peterborough County Economic Development is supporting and promotes initiatives like the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program, which makes it easy for food buyers to purchase wholesale from local producers. (Photo: Peterborough County Economic Development)

Growing local: Peterborough County is strengthening the farm economy

Megan Gallant -
County calls for local food producers and buyers to participate in the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program.
Jena Trimble founded Zen Home and Cottage Cleaning Services in 2020 to support clients across The Kawarthas. Now taking on more residential clients, the company and its dedicated team offers deep cleans and regular maintenance as well as additional services including wash-and-fold laundry services with free pickup and delivery. Jena's team of full-time and part-time cleaning professionals uses an original all-natural and all-purpose cleaner that's also available for purchase and refills. (Photo: Zen Home and Cottage Cleaning Services)

Know Your Locals: Zen Home and Cottage Cleaning Services will clean your space and clear your mind

Megan Gallant -
Owner Jena Trimble's Havelock-based business offers personalized plans with sustainable cleaning practices, laundry services, and more.
Katy Shufelt, pictured with Scott Murson of Wild Rock Outfitters, won the grand prize draw of $1,500 in Boro gift cards as part of the annual Holiday Shopping Passport program organized by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA). Shufelt is donating a portion of her prize to Wild Rock's ComPassion Project, which raises funds and awareness for six local organizations working on the front lines of social and environmental change. (Photo: Peterborough DBIA)

Katy Shufelt wins Peterborough DBIA’s Holiday Shopping Passport grand prize draw

kawarthaNOW -
Shufelt is donating a portion of her $1,500 prize of Boro gift cards to Wild Rock's ComPassion Project.
From locally made gifts to holiday décor to hosting festive gatherings, locally owned independent small businesses on Water Street between Hunter and Simcoe streets in downtown Peterborough have you covered this holiday season, including Needles in the Hay, Watson & Lou, The Neighbourhood Vintage, Sweet Fern Floral Studio, and St Veronus and Bijoux Bar. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Shop the Boro: Find one-of-a-kind gifts and celebrate the holidays at the eclectic businesses of Water Street in downtown Peterborough

Megan Gallant -
Whether you're Christmas shopping or hosting a holiday celebration, these five businesses have you covered.
Give the gift of fresh cut flowers this holiday season by shopping at Sweet Fern Floral Studio on Water Street in downtown Peterborough. Owner and lead designer Angela McDonald offers stunning pre-made and custom floral arrangements and wrapped bouquets, including customizable holiday arrangements and centrepieces, as well as home décor, locally made art, and sweet treats to add to your gift or enhance your holiday celebration. (Photos courtesy of Sweet Fern Floral Studio)

Shop the Boro: Decorate your home with fresh cut flowers at Sweet Fern Floral Studio in downtown Peterborough

Megan Gallant -
From gift arrangements to stunning centrepieces, Angela McDonald's Water Street flower shop is blooming with festive finds.
Boardwalk Board Game Lounge in downtown Peterborough first opened its doors on November 29, 2018. Opened and operated by brothers Dylan and Connor Reinhart, over the past seven years the small business has more than doubled its board game collection, greatly expanded its food and drink menu, and welcomed thousands of visitors to connect and experience the nostalgia of playing board games. (Photo courtesy of Boardwalk Board Game Lounge)

Boardwalk Board Game Lounge celebrates seven years of bringing ‘nostalgic’ fun to downtown Peterborough

Megan Gallant -
With a library of over 700 games and a chef-crafted comfort food menu, brothers Dylan and Connor Reinhart have built a uniquely Peterborough take on the board game café.
Alicia Doris, owner of the award-winning Living Local Marketplace in Peterborough, has set up a Christmas Marketplace at Horlings Garden Centre in Selwyn until December 22, 2025. The boutique shop's home for the holidays offers a wide range of products from Canadian artisans and small businesses while crafting a holiday experience that includes beautiful Christmas displays, hot cider and cookies while you shop, and gift wrapping services, with both customizable and ready-made gift boxes available, including for corporate gifting. (Photo: Amy Zand / Elmwood & Baker)

Know Your Locals: Living Local Marketplace’s new home for the holidays offers a one-of-a-kind Christmas shopping experience

Megan Gallant -
Enjoy complimentary hot cider and candy cane shortbread cookies while shopping for Canadian-made products at Alicia Doris' Christmas Marketplace at Horlings Garden Centre in Selwyn.
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