Leading Ladies in Bracebridge

With the majority of Bracebridge businesses being operated by women, supporting a women owned and operated business is effortless! March is Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day was on March 8th, so we continue to reflect on this important topic and applaud all the women who impact our community. Strolling through our beautiful town, many restaurants, retail stores and service providers you enjoy have women at the forefront. Let us introduce you to some of these leading ladies! 

Restaurants:
El Pueblito - Marlene and her family pride themselves on bringing an authentic Mexican flair to Bracebridge with El Pueblito! The delicious food, drinks and warm environment welcomes locals and visitors to downtown and creates a gathering spot with a strong sense of community. Beyond their food and drink offerings, Marlene and her team also host Salsa Dancing every other Saturday from October to May, a unique way to immerse yourself in Bracebridge.

Service Providers:
Pedicure Room - Recently expanding to a larger space, Jennifer Oaks and her team create an inviting and beautiful day spa experience for clients to relax and feel comfortable. Jennifer notes “Having been born and raised in Bracebridge, I feel a strong connection to my community and love to give back any chance I can.”
Parkwood Chiropractic - Purchasing Parkwood Chiropractic a few years ago, Dr. Mackenzie Thurston and her team provide critical services to the community. Dr. Thurston acknowledges her Office Manager, Dale, for her dedication to the business and community, while noting “There is so much to adapt to as a business owner and the Town of Bracebridge has been so welcoming and supportive. It is so encouraging and empowering to see the other female owned businesses doing well! “
Muskoka Dance Connection - Friends Meagan Landry and Tammy Boese are co-owners of this dance studio which opened in 2008. Everyday they work with their all women team to create a positive and inclusive environment for young people through dance classes, camps and yoga practice. MDC is a creative outlet for so many local young people, who are heavily engaged in the community with performances at events such as the Bracebridge Fall Fair and Santa Claus Parade.
Martin’s Framing - The team at Martin’s, lead by Tracy Kilgour, offers so much knowledge and expertise to the local artist community. With many years of experience between the team members, bringing your works of art to life is their goal! There is a large art community in Bracebridge and Muskoka region so a shop with these resources in our downtown is a great asset.

Retail Providers:
Shine Jewellery & Mimosa Boutique - Kelly is the devoted owner to these two businesses in the heart of downtown. First opening Shine in 2006, followed by Mimosa in 2021 these shops both offer a vibrant place to shop with stunning window displays. Shopping for yourself or others, Kelly’s team is dedicated to helping you find your shine!
Tiggs & Belle’s Boutique - Julia, her husband and their daughter Krystal own this clothing boutique in the downtown core. Tiggs has been open for 23 years and in April, Belle's is celebrating 10 years in business! Krystal notes “We are constantly innovating to help serve our community with new brands, products and events. It is truly a passion for all of us and it is so wonderful to be able to continue to build our business together as a family.”
The Creative Cook - A popular stop in downtown since 2005 is The Creative Cook, offering specialty kitchen supplies, cooking classes, professional demonstrations and resources. Beth Kelly saw a gap in the market for this type of offering and now delivers high quality products, skilled local chefs and vendors to our community. Beth and her knowledgeable team are ready to be hands on to help you improve your amateur chef skills. 

Whether you are a local or visiting our community, the support to these and all local businesses is so impactful. On your next downtown shopping trip, be sure to share your experience and use #ShopTheBridge and #VisitTheBridge on social media. 
More information on these businesses and others in our community can be found here.