Nothing makes us happier than backing the incredible local spots that make our town so special! We sent the Good Times team out to shop, explore, and share their favourite finds, here are our top picks.
REVIVE BEAUTY LOUNGE: COCKTAIL BOMBS
If there’s one thing I love during the holidays, it’s a good excuse to make a fun drink – and Revive delivered. When I spotted the Cocktail Bombs from Cocktail Bomb Shop, that was it for me. Holiday flavours, bright colours, fizzy fun… the WORKS. Are these meant to be gifts? Pretty much. Did I keep them for myself? Yes. No apologies. This is the perfect gift idea for hosts, friends, coworkers, or literally anyone: zero effort, high impact, an easy crowd-pleaser.
Cocktail Bomb Shop is a Canadian, women-owned brand, and every bomb is handmade in Montreal. They’re also easy to use: add your fizz, drop the bomb, ice + your favourite liquor. Want something non-alcoholic? Skip the booze and drop it into sparkling water – still delicious! 4 Pack $19.99 | 6 Pack $30.00
Revive Beauty Lounge offers spa and aesthetic services, including brows, manicures, pedicures, sugaring, eyelash enhancement and botox fillers, plus a full lineup of products! Go visit Revive at 39-620 Lakeview Drive, Kenora ON | Instagram: @revive.beautylounge | revivebeauty.ca
SWEET, LAKE OF THE WOODS: HOLLY JOLLY COOKIES
The moment I stepped into Sweet, Lake of the Woods, I was immediately overwhelmed, in the BEST way. Chocolate, treats, and perfectly festive decor… it was almost impossible to pick just one thing. Everything here is made from scratch, with lotsa love baked right in.
My pick? The Holly Jolly cookies. An Oreo dunked in chocolate and topped with crushed candy cane. HELLO, instant festive fave! This one had me feeling alllll the holiday cheer. These also make such an easy, foolproof gift – they’re cute, delicious, and guaranteed to disappear faster than anything else in the stocking.
2 Pack: $2.95 | 4 Pack: $4.95 | 8 Pack: $8.95
712 Lakeview Drive, Kenora ON | Instagram: @sweetlotw | Facebook: Sweet, Lake of the Woods Chocolate Shop | sweetlotw.ca
SURE THING: LAKE OF THE WOODS CLUB TEE
Sure Thing is one of those places where you walk in “just to browse” and somehow leave 20 minutes later with a bag full of treasures you didn’t know you needed. They curate clothing, gifts, and globally sourced goodies in a way that makes every corner feel like a mini adventure.
My FAVE? The Lake of the Woods Club tees! The perfect blend of comfort and cool – 100% cotton, durable, absorbent, super soft, and crafted in Venice, California. Each piece is inspired by Lake of the Woods, making it truly one-of-a-kind and a great pick for anyone who likes to keep the lake close. Created by Chip Foster of Chip & Pepper. If your Lake of the Woods Brewing Company tee is in the wash… this is the next best thing. 😉 $60.00
137 Main St S, Kenora ON | Instagram: @surethingkenora | Facebook: Sure Thing
SONGBIRD BABY & KIDS: HOLIDAY BOOK COLLECTION
Songbird Baby & Kids is packed with fun, functional, and cute goodies for babies, toddlers, and kids. Clothing, outerwear, sleepwear, wooden toys, puzzles, baby care essentials, and more. Got a little one in your life? This should definitely be your first stop!
Songbird is loaded with holiday-themed books – classics you know and love, plus some fresh new finds. My personal pick? “The Mitten” by Jan Brett. The illustrations are stunning, filled with detailed touches that weave in traditional Ukrainian elements, and flipping through it instantly brought back all those childhood memories. Books range from $15-$30.
243 Second Street South, Kenora ON| Instagram: @songbirdbabyandkids | Facebook: Songbird Baby & Kids | songbirdbabyandkids.ca
NORTHERN SOUNDS & SYSTEMS: JBL PARTY BOX
If you’ve got a friend who treats every gathering like a full-blown event (or you are that friend), the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go Essential is about to become the MVP of their holiday haul.
With 100 watts of powerful JBL Pro Sound, this little thing packs enough punch to turn anywhere into a full-scale dance floor. Comes with a built in light show, padded shoulder strap, rechargeable battery, guitar input, JBL wireless mic AND a bottle opener, this speaker has everything you need.
Available at Northern Sounds and Systems, Kenora’s go-to for tech, tunes, and everything in between since 1990. Perfect for: the weekend hero, the patio DJ, the karaoke enthusiast, or the friend who believes a soundtrack makes everything better. $449.98
25 Chipman Street | soundsandsystems.ca | instagram: @soundsnsystems | facebook: Sounds & Systems
LOTW SPORTS HEADQUARTERS: HATS
Wanna Get ahead? Get a HAT… at LOTW Sports Headquarters! This gift is the kind of easy, everyday gear anyone can get behind. No fuss, no overthinking – just some classic outdoorsy staples that look good, feel good, and hold up to whatever Northern Ontario decides to throw at you. Rope hat $34.99 | Beanies: $29.99
LOTW Sports Headquarters is the destination for fishing, hunting, and outdoor gear – serving locals, weekend warriors, and visitors from all over. With a second location in Winnipeg and a thriving online shop, they’re now helping adventurers across Canada and beyond gear up for whatever the great outdoors throws their way.
702 Lakeview Dr | instagram: @lotwsports | facebook: LOTW Sports Headquarters | sportsheadquarters.ca
THE HARDWARE COMPANY: SOCKS
The Hardware Company has been a local staple since 1985 for all your NWO necessities! From kayaking and snowboarding to paddle boarding, wakeboarding, e-bikes, kiteboarding, and electric foil boards they’re ready for your activity choice of the season.
A seasonal staple for our chilling winters that I never pass up on are the Smartwool Merino socks: thermoregulation, sweat management, and odor resistance join forces to help keep you stay comfortable all day long. The perfect addition to your outdoor gear collection! Socks range from $28-40.
834 River Dr, Kenora, ON | Instagram: HARDWEARCO | Facebook: The Hardware Company | 🌐https://hardwearco.com
SPIRIT OAK TEA COMPANY: TRAVEL MUG
Spirit Oak Tea Company, located in downtown Kenora was opened in 2012. With 90+ options of tea leaves, blends and tisanes and an ever-expanding collection of raw herbal ingredients. Every tea is hand blended with care and quality ingredients with a wide variety of 100% organic, all natural blends.
The Recharge by VIVA, may be the Swiss army knife for beverages. It’s a tumbler, teapot, tea infuser, iced tea maker, coffee press, thermos, and water bottle all in one! Perfect for your wish list or your favourite beverage connoisseur! $60
218 2nd St S, Kenora, ON | Instagram: SPIRITOAKTEA | Facebook: Spirit Oak Tea Company | https://spiritoaktea.ca
LAKE OF THE WOODS SUNRISE SOAP COMPANY: HOLIDAY MIXER
Since 1998, their handcrafted soaps have been made in small batches using natural ingredients, botanicals and essential oils. All vegetable, phosphate-free and 100% biodegradable, their soaps are gentle and kind to the earth and will leave your skin feeling soft and nourished!
This Holiday Mixer pack gives you a tester of each of their 2025 Holiday scents! Candy Cane, Cozy Cabin, Oh Christmas Tree, & Cranberry Swirl.
215 2nd St S, Kenora, ON | Instagram: LOWSUNSOAPCO | Facebook: Lake of the Woods Sunrise Soap Company | https://www.lakeofthewoodssoap.ca
