Kabin: Escape with Colin + Justin
VOLUME ONE / ISSUE TWO / SUMMER 2023
Our July issue is now available at participating retailers and locations in Cottage Country.
Click HERE to find a location near you.
Welcome to Kabin
Ah, summer. A time to kick back and immerse in nature. Such thoughts in mind, we join van living aficionados Dan Alonso and Candice Sheriff to learn how Cottage Country influences their creative journey. And we explore the quirks involved in taking to the road as van dwellers. Hey, are you ready to get your nomad on?
Further escapism settles as we meet Altius, a Toronto-based architectural firm that recently re-envisioned a Lake Muskoka property, decreeing the best option to raze it and start afresh. The resultant respite is all about enjoying an up-close and personal lake experience, one that’s respectful, at every turn, of Mother Nature’s seductive bounty.
Toronto based chef Matt Basile believes that gastronomy should be fun and that, in the food biz, you must do things differently to stand out. Creator of street food brand Fidel Gastro’s, host of Rebel Without a Kitchen and author of Street Food Diaries and Brunch Life, Matt shares his mouth-watering Smoked Birria Beef Tacos recipe. And you can take it from us (we tried it) it’s delicious.
Cottage Country is the ideal place in which to explore passions and hobbies, being that, generally speaking, time is freer and the grind of work can be set aside. Horology – the measurement of time – is one such hobby that’s gathering momentum, especially for those who feel their choice of watch should represent who they are. To this end, Kabin contributor Saul MacNeil catches up with keen cottager James Stacey, principal editor at Hodinkee.com (a preeminent watch website and retailer) to explore what makes the hobby tick.
Balancing a healthy forest with stellar waterfront vistas can be achieved through careful planning and smart pruning. Andrew Cruickshank talks to Josh Burk, an arborist instructor with Arboriculture Canada, to learn that pruning requires finesse – if, that is, you hope to achieve a natural aesthetic.
Robinson’s General Store in Dorset isn’t simply a shop, it’s an institution: a place to grab groceries whilst hearing the latest town gossip, or to bump into neighbours when buying hardware supplies. The much-loved business, which has survived two world wars, four generations of family ownership and radical shifts in the real estate market, now finds itself with new owners. Kabin meets cousins Venkata Kommina and Satya Jyesta to hear how they plan steering a Cottage Country landmark into a bright new future.
To help get your feel-good factor in check, Christy Wright suggests that chemical sunscreens aren’t the only way to block out harmful rays. Furthermore, she advocates it’s time to take a shine to human and lake-friendly mineral options. Hey: protection for your skin and the environment sounds like a smart idea to us.
So, are you ready to kick back? Leaf through our inspirational pages and unravel the best that summer has to offer. Cue wellness advice, colour tips and our guide to making your summer parties the talk of the county. Aye, life is good at the lake, huh? Without further ado, dive into the pages of Kabin, and let the good times roll.
Colin + Justin
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Living like the river
by Kelly Warne / photography by Caitlyn Dunlop
Dan and Candice embrace life in the same way the river travels: in any direction it desires. It’s a philosophy that has led to some interesting journeys through the forests and rivers of Muskoka and beyond.
Sitting in a bustling local watering hole, the conversation with Dan Alonso and Candice Sheriff became ever more animated and, as the laughter rose, I almost forgot what I’d come here to do. Their stories spiralled into passionately fueled facts about the complexities of trees, and how the couple enjoy incorporating the various wood species into their artwork. Why softwoods are better for decor and hardwoods are better for countertops. How freeing it is to spend a day trudging through Muskoka’s forests, foraging for fallen timber, or walking knee high in a river collecting stones to incorporate into stunning art.
The stories Dan and Candice share have a common thread, and every leg of their journey has a compelling narrative, from their first meeting – when Candice purchased Dan’s first-ever sale at a London art market – to their Netflix debut, outfitting a Restaurants on the Edge feature on Lake Muskoka. They once put a dining room table they’d crafted into the back of a van, placed a mattress on top, and drove across the country, leaving the table in a Rocky Mountains art gallery, where it would later sell. The stories to which I listened were endless, each full of life, laughter, adventure, wonder and partnership.
The owners of Live Edge Forest, an international success story located in the heart of Port Carling, have transformed their business into something that speaks to exactly who they are. Dan points to a tattoo on his foreman – their company logo, a classic pewter coin stamped with the LEF emblem, which you’ll find embedded in their furniture and art – explaining that their way of life is inspired by the rivers, lakes and forests that surround us.
It certainly seems they’ve found their true passion: giving new life to fallen trees left in the shadows on the forest floor, creating timeless pieces out of old-growth wood and bringing the outdoors in. Their stone artworks are handcrafted masterpieces that look as though the winds swept in so forcefully that the water in the river was displaced, leaving the stones arranged like some wondrous fantasy painting.
New growth, new perspectives, and always in motion: Live Edge Forest is part of that off-grid existence. “Life always needs to progress and change, and we should always be doing what serves us best, just like a river,” Candice explains.
“There’s something familiar about the way wood grain looks. It reminds us of a country road that meanders under a canopy of green through the silence of the forest, or the way the river travels in any direction it desires. Nature creates its own path, with all its ups, downs and bends. We so often work endlessly, leaving little room for things to take a turn. And we always seem to be battling thoughts of the uncertainties that lie ahead. So, why aren’t we living just like the rivers, and what could life be like if we were?”
For years, the perfectly crafted art and furniture of Live Edge Forest entered homes from Lake Joseph in Muskoka to Alpsee Lake in Germany. Becoming the centrepiece for dining spaces, kitchens and living rooms, word spread about their conversational artwork, and business soared. As they continued to expand, Dan and Candice were pulled between two worlds – their Port Carling workshop and their other passion, the open road.
Like many full-time Cottage Country residents, down time comes with the first fall of snow and, as the lakes freeze over, the silence descends like a thick fog. This is when most of us find a quiet piece of Earth in which to rejuvenate. For Dan and Candice, a tiny spot near the water in Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island is where they take their hearts each season.
A personal project in the summer of 2019 became their future. After purchasing a van that would take them on their travels, Dan and Candice spent five months tirelessly creating a Showroom on Wheels, which allows them to take Live Edge Forest across the country by way of a moving look book. Inside, stone art pieces were positioned over handcrafted countertops, and cupboards buoyed with serving boards and other wares. Heading west, they slept on a mattress resting atop a dining table, and, as they documented their journey online, Van Living grew to become an open road lifestyle brand all of its own.
Continuing their path, they posted a slew of pictures: some of them cooking dinner over a campfire in Pancake Bay, others laughing while immersed in natural hot springs in British Columbia. The popularity of their story caught the attention of a well-known company that features alternative lifestyles through an online video platform. After arranging a meeting during their cross-country travels, Dan and Candice were able to show their vehicle – up close and personal – to a larger audience.
Shortly after the feature hit the internet, the popularity of their state-of-the-art van conversion rose, and it became apparent there was a large market for the lifestyle, and, indeed, the van itself. Living on the open road may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Van Living Muskoka has grown to become a little more luxurious than the visions we have of 1969’s Woodstock camping – let’s just say there’s significantly less mud and much more sophistication.
Picture it: shoulders wrapped in a favourite cashmere throw, van doors open, legs dangling over the edge of your handcrafted hotel room on wheels, as you take in the stunning beauty of Lake Louise. A mini wood stove is crackling behind, and the aroma of a favourite meal is drifting from a fully-equipped kitchen – outfitted with a sizable fridge freezer, and live-edge countertops – as your favourite wine rests in a handcrafted cabinet made from fallen Muskoka maple.
You’re in your own corner of Earth, with no cords to hook up, and no need to plug in to charge overnight. Just you, the turquoise water stretching into the mountains, and the birds and the trees. You enjoy a long, deep breath and think to yourself, “Now, this is living!” You realise you don’t need a lot and this simple life is an incredible way to see the country.
Candice articulates the entire concept as one perfectly rounded statement: “Just close the doors and you’re home.” Smiling, Dan adds: “And home is where you park it.” It is indeed a lovely sentiment. As conversation continues, I learn that’s precisely the experience Van Living Muskoka offers. And it all starts with your selection of one of three custom builds: the Cub, the Grizz or the Kodiak.
The Cub will take you where you want to go on any given weekend – after you lose your tie, kick off your stilettos and jump into your sweats – with sufficient power from a lightweight Jackery solar generator that you can work remotely, if you feel so inclined. There are roof racks for extra storage or sporting equipment, a two-burner stovetop, a toilet, fridge, and, of course, a cubic mini wood stove for year-round adventure.
Taking that sabbatical about which you’ve been dreaming, and thinking you may want to spend a little more time on the road? Consider a Grizz. Nothing takes you on a cross-country journey like the upgraded version of the dreamy Cub. The Grizz is perfect for the seasonal worker, or anyone who needs to unplug for a while. The upgraded spec comes with plentiful solar power, a mini wood stove, a fridge/freezer combo, a dry-flush toilet, an awning and a private rooftop deck.
Hung up your ties, sold your heels and looking for a new way to see the world? Then you’re a Kodiak, the strongest bear of them all, willing to wander for as long as life allows. The Kodiak is a fully equipped home on wheels. In addition to everything the other options have, this van comes with a complete off-grid power system, a composting toilet and a shower.
Once you’ve chosen your inner bear, Dan and Candice will work with you to design your complete package through meetings and calls with Canadian suppliers. They take personal requests and incorporate them into the van, creating a one-of-a-kind experience and a future home of which you can be justifiably proud.
Van Living Muskoka is a home-based company, created by one of the industry’s most talented and caring artistic duos who’re currently expanding, and creating a space in Port Carling that will be an entirely off-grid forest showroom. “It won’t be long before you’re invited to our land to immerse in our lifestyle,” Dan raves.
Of this you can be certain: after meeting Dan and Candice, there’ll be no turning back. And if you take just one thing from my encounter with the creative pair, it’s that life should be led as fluidly as possible. Just like the river.
Find out more at https://www.liveedgeforest.com/ and https://www.vanlivingmuskoka.com/
Rip it up and start again
by Colin + Justin / photography by Naomi Finlay
Tasked with envisioning a property on Lake Muskoka, Toronto-based architects Altius decreed the best option was to raze and start afresh. The resultant respite is all about enjoying an up close and personal lake experience, respectful, at every turn, of Mother Nature’s arsenal.
The phrase “going on a journey”: an assembly of words that’s oft overused. Somewhat hackneyed, the phrase has become default verbiage for many, an uttering that now straddles anything from mundanely getting out of bed and passing time, to setting out, with unbridled ambition, to visit all corners of the Earth.
For the intrepid owners of Scarcliffe Cottage, however, we feel that “journey” is warranted terminology. It certainly describes the relationship nurtured between architect and client, as both sides of the partnership searched for the ideal spot in which to build the ultimate getaway. Covering off multiple terrain – and multiple diamonds in the rough – the exhaustive journey reached its conclusion when the team stumbled upon a prospect on the north side of bustling Lake Muskoka.
As discovered, the structure was the very antithesis of everything for which the Altius clients dreamed. But oh, that location. Positioned just a few feet from the shoreline, with toe dipping proximity to the beautiful waterway, the potential was indeed palpable.
The cottage itself, however, a collection of additions built and renovated (several times) across an original structure from the early 1900s, was beyond lacklustre. Stained light grey, and with excessive white trim, it dominated the shoreline of what is actually a modest lot, one that boasts just 139 feet of frontage and a challenging 0.7 acre parcel of land.
On the plus side, positioned as it is on a blunt point, the cottage enjoyed privacy on both sides, and spectacular southward views across Lake Muskoka. Additionally, it featured a marine railway (that serviced an attached dry boathouse cantilevered over the lake) and an expansive dock that covered much of the shoreline.
The demolish or restore conundrum that hung over the project was eventually settled, following careful analysis of the existing structure. Reports revealed that some portions were winterized, though others were constructed without the benefit of climatic foresight. Deteriorating foundations, ramshackle plumbing, problematic electrical and compromised mechanical issues (spanning 50-plus years) sealed the fate of the Frankenstein structure.
We caught up with Graham Smith, managing principal at Altius, to discover more about the fascinating project. The design brief, as tasked, was specific – to create a contemporary home within the dimensional envelope of the existing cottage, one that would ultimately become a generous, five-bedroom home from home, sensitively positioned (and grandfathered) at the water’s edge.
The other must-have was the boathouse – upon completion, expectation was that it should serve as an essentially connected structure rising out of the water to extend the cottage’s architectural language. We so appreciate the way in which many modern builds now strive to blend seamlessly into the topography: an understated home, in our book, is always timeless.
The building’s configurative lines are designed to follow the flow of the hill upon which it’s positioned, the first-storey living space projecting forward, the two-storey volume (containing the bedrooms) stepping back up the hill to create an interesting split-level plan. This arrangement delivers four flat-roof layers, a veritable stairway to heaven, that cascade down the hillside towards the water.
The underlying DNA of a typical Altius project ensures that dominant elements settle quietly into the surrounding landscape. Throughout the project, this was successfully achieved, not least because the cottage is built on terraced foundations (meticulously clad in hefty granite) that appear to grow from the natural shoreline.
Two siding variants were specified: locally sourced shou sugi ban burnt wood and wine-red phenolic cladding. The combination of grey granite, carbon black siding and deep burgundy, which together compliment the green pines, ensures the cottage is the least visually prominent on the shoreline, despite occupying the most prominent site. As viewed from the water, the building appears to regress, like some furtive, camouflaged secret.
The boathouse, itself a commanding structure, is deftly positioned in front of the cottage, and appears to taper towards the lake thanks to a sloping roofline that’s a mere nine-feet tall at the southern end, rising (as it approaches the water) to accommodate a boat lift and sufficient height for a ski tower. The drive-through boat slip – its pedestrian bridge linking the main dock to the shoreline – serves enclosed volume that offers discrete storage for sports gear, paddleboards and kayaks. Positioning the boat slip to the rear protects boats from the southern and western storms that sometimes whip up on the lake, and leaves the front dock free for entertaining and to enjoy the wondrous spectacle that is Lake Muskoka.
The focus of the cottage interior centres around a double height open hallway that affords gorgeous lake vistas whilst simultaneously flooding everything with natural light. The main floor is dedicated to family gatherings and stretches across the waterfront portion of the building. Here, in a compartment that encompasses living, kitchen and dining, each function opens onto a screened porch. A generous outdoor deck and built-in barbecue caters space for al fresco meals, with a motorized awning installed to provide relief, as required, from the sun.
A central hallway divides the master suite to the east, from the kids’ and guest bedrooms on the west, with each space enjoying spectacular lake views. Separated by an open breezeway is a main-floor nook with custom bunkbeds and entertaining quarters: this appointment allows younger family members to come and go, via a secondary staircase, without having to traverse the main hallway.
Home harmony continues via choices made for interior finishes: materials move from outside to in, providing, as they do, visual continuity that grounds the cottage to the site. The aforementioned charred siding and granite flow seamlessly indoors, joined by raw Douglas fir and locally sourced stained white pine. The softly purring aesthetic is harmonious with the surrounding landscape, in an architecturally precise home that’s inviting and never austere: think minimalist with a maximalist side of warmth and personality.
The takeaway from this smart cabin? That size isn’t everything. A huge plot of ground isn’t necessarily required to create a home that caters to one’s every lakeside need. But, of course, it all comes down to planning: if you want your “from the ground up” cottage journey to be successful, then you sure as heck better hire a competent architectural practise to appraise your eventual route.
Facts
Project name: Scarcliffe Cottage
Location: Lake Muskoka
Dimensions: Irregular, 79-feet wide, 48-feet deep multi-level two-story cottage
Architects: Altius, https://www.altius.net/
Engineering: Hamann Engineering Structural Consultants Ltd.
Builder: Altius
Kitchen: Altius
Landscaping: Altius
Materials: Muskoka granite, Douglas fir, Fundermax Exterior Panel, shou sugi ban charred wood siding, stained pine
Fabrication techniques: Wood and steel frame construction on ICF foundations
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Lots of sizzle
by Gale Beeby
Nomi Resort offers more than simply smokin’ hot Miami ribs; its holistic wellness philosophy includes stunning scenery, a state-of-the-art spa and cosy accommodations, all tucked away in the tranquil forests of the Algonquin Highlands.
Settling down to feast at Lands 8FIFTY, Nomi Resort Club’s main dining room, one can’t help but think the menu is more epicurean adventure than it is country inn repast. That’s because the resort places an emphasis on giving guests a sophisticated experience, a cut above the usual rustic fare, boasts owner and developer Elise Blouin, a priority that extends to the destination’s every aspect.
Elise is a force of nature, one whose impressive curriculum vitae includes various corporate positions, not least working as a project manager and director with large communication companies such as Nortel and Bell Canada. In 2016, she obtained the 850 acre parcel of what had previously operated as the Martinwood Resort in Harcourt, and immediately started planning for the future. “I wanted to emphasize the healing effect of nature and rustic luxury – letting nature fall fully into our thoughts – and this seemed like the perfect spot to watch it all come alive,” says Elise, adding that Nomi stands for Nature Occupies My Imagination. “It was a fascinating transition from IT, but I’ve really enjoyed it, and I’ve learned such a lot.”
Elise is passionate about the resort and has spent countless hours learning the hospitality industry: both where it has been and where it is going. “It’s a lot of hard work,” she notes, “but I never give up. If you want something badly enough, you make it work.” The implantation of her strategic plan has been “backwards” she notes, finishing a completed product first, and then accomplishing each project element individually and making sure it all works perfectly before moving on to the next stage.
One aspect of Elise’s incredible concept is holistic wellness, and to that end Nomi boasts a state-of-the-art spa inside its 40,000-sq.-ft. main lodge that offers not only traditional treatments, but several unique experiences, including outdoor spa areas, a Nordic spa, treatment rooms with forest views, outdoor showers, an infrared sauna and full weekend wellness retreats.
“We’ve partnered with SpaDerma and now offer an expanded skin care menu that includes hydrating medical facials. The technicians are trained to help clients deal with skin marks, tags and other lesions,” Elise explains. “There’s also a full array of botanical and aromatherapy treatments, and we have registered massage therapists on staff. I feel these distinctive elements offer something unique to entice and engage guests.”
The spa also features a special food menu designed by Nomi’s executive chef, Hugo Saenz, who oversees all the resort’s kitchens. Hugo, who hails from Acapulco, has worked in all types of restaurants, from boutique eateries to franchised establishments, from Mexico City to Toronto. “I trained in hospitality and tourism in Mexico where I learned about international cuisine. It was intense, but I had fun and learned a lot about different cultures.” The talented chef brings all that experience, and more, to the table at Nomi.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he explains, when restaurants were struggling to survive, he connected with Elise and started what he calls “the long interview process,” adding that “it felt more like long chats with a friend than a job interview. Then I came up here to check it out, and I was impressed by Elise’s vision and by the beauty of the area.”
The transition from dedicated urbanite – “I’m a lifelong city person” – to a rural lifestyle wasn’t a difficult decision for Hugo, who was looking to make a change that would benefit both his mental and physical health. “I needed a change, I wanted to look after myself, and I’ve become a better person because of the move. I have a much better life/work balance and I’m much happier.”
Having designed a menu for Lands 8FIFTY inspired by international and Mediterranean recipes, the kitchen creative adds that each dish has a unique Ontario flavour. “I’ve tried to keep all my ingredients as local as possible, but it’s been challenging sourcing food that I feel conforms to good ethics in growing and harvesting,” he says with pride. To this end, he adds that all the beef used in his kitchens derives from Wellington County in Southwestern Ontario.
Nomi offers several culinary options, including a tapas and flatbread menu at its 8FIFTY Lounge, an outdoor fire pit on the edge of Lake Benoir – Nomi boasts 1,800 feet of shoreline – and a bespoke catering and room service menu through Lands Cassoulet. 8FIFTY Lakeside – a casual eatery located at the boathouse – is slated to open later this year.
Lands 8FIFTY also offers a Chef’s Table where Hugo personally selects the menu and the wine and cocktail pairings in connection with sommelier Adrian Caravello. What’s more, he personally delivers food to the table and explains each dish, its flavours and ingredient sourcing. “Serving is part of the ritual of the Chef’s Table, and I really enjoy it,” Hugo tells me.
As for his favourite menu item, the chef says everything is good, but the sizzling Miami beef ribs, which he cooks over wood and brings to the table smokin’ hot, are one of his favourite dishes. He also recommends the French onion soup, which takes him four days to make, and the braised beef short ribs. The duck confit and the steelhead trout, I learn, are also signature dishes.
Nomi, an oasis of fine dining and personal wellness, exudes rustic luxury, an indulgent experience that extends to the resort’s guest rooms and suites. Each suite boasts Frette linens and pillows, fluffy towels, a Nespresso coffee machine, high-speed WiFi, an in-room iPad that connects users to all the resort’s amenities and – best of all – stunning forest views.
If the spa and restaurant aren’t enough to keep you busy, then grab a fishing pole and head down to the lake, or visit the glass-walled Beau Lake Boathouse and avail yourself of a paddleboard, canoe or kayak. Or simply visit the Nespresso coffee bar if you want to sit and take in the stunning beauty of Lake Benoir.
If the water isn’t speaking to you, then the forest may call out. There are kilometres of hiking and biking trails to explore – take binoculars and engage in a spot of birdwatching – or just sit and listen to the sounds of the woodland.
Furthermore, winter enthusiasts can indulge in various snowmobile, snowshoe and ski trails, all the time basking in Algonquin’s stunning colder climate scenery.
Elise has even more up her sleeve for Nomi, and hopes to install artistic sculptures along the trails, fascinating walkways where you can already arrange for guided foraging hikes and learn about the bounty found among the trees. With plans for outdoor hot tubs and a sports court, much adventure lies ahead.
For now, she’s excited about Nomi’s most recent offering: 51 detached three-bedroom condo homes, each nestled into its own little piece of the Algonquin forest. Every home is turn-key ready, fully equipped and furnished, and can be put into the rental pool so that owners can earn income from their investment when not in residence. The homes can also be divided into three units – two studios and a one-bedroom space – each with a separate entrance.
“I’m thrilled to see things unfolding the way they are, and oh, the views,” Elise exclaims. “No matter where you find yourself on the resort, you are always in the forest. It’s truly, truly magical.”
Find out more at https://nomiresort.com/
A Cottage Country institution
by Andrew Cruickshank | photography by Danielle Meredith
Robinson’s General Store in Dorset has reopened with new owners who promise to maintain the shop’s iconic merchandise.
In many ways, Robinson’s General Store isn’t a store at all. It’s an institution. Sure, it sells goods – lots of goods – but the sprawling brown and white building in the heart of Dorset is really a community hub. It’s the place to grab your groceries while hearing the latest town gossip, or to bump into a neighbour while reupping your hardware supplies.
Dorset without Robinson’s is unfathomable. The business has survived two world wars, 19 prime minister changes, four generations of family ownership and radical shifts in the real estate market.
But after 102 years in business, Robinson’s has changed ownership. Cousins Venkata Kommina and Satya Jyesta took over the general store from the Robinson family on March 31. But don’t worry! The cousins plan to follow the same business model as the Robinsons, selling groceries, hardware supplies, branded apparel, cottage decor and, of course, ice cream. The one major change is that the general store will operate on extended hours, opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 9 p.m., just in case you have any late-night hankerings.
Brad Robinson, whose parents, Harry and Marguerite, founded the store in 1921 off Bobcaygeon Road, says he has full confidence in the cousins. Both Kommina and Jyesta already operate nearby general stores in Baysville and Kirkland Lake. Although, at 14,000 sq. ft., Robinson’s is a whole different animal, employing up to 65 staff in the summers. Managing a store that size will likely come with a steep learning curve.
But Robinson’s wasn’t always that big. When founded, the store was 25 feet wide and 50 feet long. At that time, Dorset thrummed with loggers. Perched between Big and Little Trading Bay, the town is split by Bobcaygeon Road with half in Haliburton County and the other half in the Muskoka District. Its waterside location made it an ideal spot to ship lumber to nearby Huntsville and Kawartha Lakes. The logging business boomed: so much so, in fact, that the town, at one point, boasted five hotels, three churches, two sawmills, a jail and four general stores.
Long before the days of self-service – let alone online shopping – customers would waft in and approach the counter, listing what they needed. The Robinsons would grab the goods from shelves and place them on the counter. If the customer was running low on funds that week, they might ask to put their order on their store account. “I remember my father saying that we hardly lost any money. He said 99 per cent of the people paid,” Brad recollects.
The store did experience a rough patch during the Great Depression in the wake of the Second World War. The logging industry dried up and many residents moved away in searchof work. By the 1950’s, however, Dorset enjoyed a resurgence. To stimulate the area, the Ontario government, which owned a large swath of land on the Haliburton side of Dorset, started selling parcels as cottage lots.
To buy a lot, you went to the Department of Lands and Forests, which was located on the site of today’s Dorset Museum. There, you were handed a stake and a map, and told to wander off into the woods until you found a parcel you liked. Buyers would write their name on the stake and drive it into the ground. “It was like the Wild West,” Brad says. Stake driven, you’d return to the Department of Lands and Forests and pay $250 for the lot – not bad compared to today’s prices. To keep the land, owners were required to build a structure valued at $1,000 or greater within two years of purchase. “Consequently, the area grew really quickly,” Brad recounts.
More landowners meant more customers for the store. As revenue flowed in, Brad’s father decided to expand. Around this same time – 1955, to be exact – Brad took over operations from his parents, although they continued working there until eventually passing away in the 1970s. Each time enough money came in, a new addition was added, although many of the additions weren’t insulated and had to be closed off during winter.
In 1991, Brad handed the reigns to his daughter, Joanne, and her husband, Willie Hatton. At that point, describing Robinson’s as a “family business” would have been an understatement. By the 2000s, four generations of Robinsons worked in the store. Joanne and Willie’s son, Ryan, was putting in shifts, and Brad still made appearances, interacting with customers. He points to this as one of the reasons the store has been so successful. “People are giving you thousands of dollars a year. You have to be there to show your appreciation,” he asserts. “That’s what small businesses are all about. That’s how small businesses survive.”
It helps that Brad and his father made some smart land purchases in the store’s early history. They bought several lots surrounding the store, which now act as a parking lot, accommodating 150 vehicles. “If you can’t stop, you can’t shop,” Brad says. “That ability to get people to stop, that’s what really made the town. We were just lucky to be able to get hold of the other properties.”
Today, the store has undergone 15 additions (all insulated) and houses four different departments. It’s so successful that it’s now the only grocery store in town. But running a store this size is a commitment, and, by 2021, retirement looked awfully appealing to Joanne and Willie. Ryan had ambition beyond Dorset, and so, after 100 years in business, the Robinsons put their store up for sale. They sold it to a couple from Orangeville, who ran into financial problems, resulting in foreclosure and the property reverted back to the Robinsons.
With the store closed, locals had to drive to the next town for supplies, not an ideal situation when the next town is half an hour away. That’s when Kommina and Jyesta swooped in to save the store. “I just felt bad for the community,” Kommina explains, “because they had to travel to Huntsville, Baysville or Bracebridge just to get groceries.” When Kommina heard about the closure, he was about as far away from Dorset as you can be: visiting family in India. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, Kommina pitched the idea of buying Robinson’s to Jyesta, and together the two submitted a winning bid.
The cousins are still in the early days of operations, restocking the shelves and hiring staff. So far, they’ve hired 25 employees for the summer rush and Kommina promises they’ll hire more as needed. They’re also getting to know the community, acquainting themselves with regulars and learning the ins and outs of running a business in Dorset – not to mention a business with so much history. But Kommina sounds confident they’ll succeed. Not because of any inherent business secrets, but because of what the store means to the people of Dorset.
“We’re supporting the community,” he says proudly, “and they’re supporting us.”
Rising above it all
by Gale Beeby
The new Eagle View Tower atop Sir Sam’s ski hill will offer stunning vistas of the Algonquin Highlands and beyond.
Doug Wilkinson was heading for retirement after spending 35 years in the high-pressured and fast-paced world of finance, serving as vice-chair at Deloitte Canada in Toronto. But at 55, he wasn’t ready to settle into his rocking chair and watch the world pass by, no matter how beautiful the view from his porch.
Doug, an energetic man by anyone’s definition, is a lifelong cottager. Growing up, his family owned a cabin in Kinmount. Later, he and his partner, Kim Barclay, bought a four-season recreational home perched on Lake Boshkung. Their blended family of two plus two children, aged 14 to 26, loved the lifestyle their home away from home afforded, and participated in many Cottage Country activities, during the winter and summer months.
One of those was learning to ski at Sir Sam’s Ski/Ride, which rises almost 400 feet above Eagle and Moose lakes. Owned for over 55 years by the Bishop family, Sir Sam’s is an iconic destination for many residents and guests of this stunningly beautiful provincial sector. It’s been the place where many visitors have spent memorable winter days, schussing down hills and enjoying views from the chairlift’s highest point.
However, the second generation of Bishops were planning their exit strategy and looking for a buyer. That’s when Doug stepped in. “I couldn’t let it close!” he says with the passion of someone who wants to protect an important part of their personal history. “It’s where I learned to ski and where my kids learned to ski. It was super important to me that it survive for future generations.”
On Nov. 1, 2021, Doug and Kim took possession of Sir Sam’s. With only 45 days in which to make myriad necessary upgrades before the ski season opened, there was much to be done. “It was a beautiful old place,” Doug recalls, “but it needed significant modernization. We had a picture in our minds of a modern rustic chalet, and we also wanted to make it a four season affair. And we only had a short window to accomplish that goal.”
In those 45 days, they managed to complete the renovations, which included a new kitchen, new bathrooms, replacement of walls and floors, installing new furniture and converting the cafeteria into a sit-down restaurant. On Dec. 15, Sir Sam’s opened on time, with all facilities operating as planned, a testament to Doug’s stamina.
Although Sir Sam’s Ski/Ride was primarily a winter destination – there are 23 kms of cycling and hiking trails for summer enthusiasts – Doug wanted to offer more warm weather activities and his imagination took flight. And so began the next stage of planning, not just for the ski venue, but also for his new adventure, Eagle View Wedding and Event Centre.
Although the chairlifts were operating during summer weekends (so guests could enjoy the breathtaking views), that wasn’t a big enough climb for Doug, who started planning a 60-foot viewing tower to be positioned atop the summit. The Grand Opening of the tower is planned for the August long weekend. “We have the most awesome vistas in Ontario,” Doug boasts, not thinking for a single second that his statement might be even a little exaggerated.
Don’t think you can make it to the top? Worry not: The Eagle View Tower has five viewing platforms on the way to the peak so that climbers can rest or turn back. Once the top platform, which can accommodate up to 60 people, has been reached, there are 360-degree sightlines of the stunning landscape.
Doug sees numerous possibilities for using the event centre and tower in tandem. “How about a wedding in the sky? We envision couples getting hitched at the top of the tower, or on the ski hill, with their receptions held at our facility. But that’s just the beginning. We see lots of events happening on the tower, including photography and painting clubs, family gatherings, engagements, reunions and more. And just imagine what it’ll be like in autumn when the colours come out in all their beauty.”
Crucially, staff will work with clients to make their ideas a reality. “If you can dream it, we can do it!” Doug promises. And that includes any culinary challenges that may exist, being that Eagle View is in the process of hiring an internationally trained chef to oversee both the event centre and Sir Sam’s kitchens.
Part of the plan for Sir Sam’s Ski/Ride involved an expansion of its food and beverage services, including a fire pit and grab-and-go windows. But it’s the new sit-down restaurant that serves as the centrepiece of the revamped chalet. “We’re staying open longer on Saturdays for après ski, and we’ve added live music with local talent.” Essentially, Doug and his team are doing everything they can to keep adults engaged in winter, after darkness falls.
“Although we’re family oriented – our tagline is ‘Family memories are made here’ – I want to ensure everybody is happy.” And with Doug and Kim at the helm, I have no doubt that promise will be fulfilled.
Find out more at https://www.sirsams.ca/
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