A new shop with a passion for local food and products is officially opening its doors this Saturday, with shelves — and a fridge — full of fresh, ethically sourced products from across the Ottawa Valley.
Golden Gatherings marks its grand opening this Saturday in Golden Lake.
Owner and entrepreneur Jessica Gibson spoke about getting the shop going with help from Enterprise Renfrew County’s Starter Business Plus Program, a program for new business or those that have not been operating for more than a few years.
Gibson praised the program’s step-by-step guidance.
“They walk you through the process of making a business plan and a cash flow step by step. And they have incredible resources. You know, each week we had calls with say, a lawyer or an insurance guy or an accountant. And we were able to ask questions pertaining to our specific needs for our businesses so it’s just a really great coaching program.”
Gibson, who went to university for environmental studies, says she left the academic field when she realized it wasn’t fully aligning with the direction she wanted to take.
“I felt like something was missing said Gibson,”, noting that often people who graduated from environmental programs would work in industry’s such as mining and big oil.
“Everything is interconnected… we breathe out and the trees breathe in and it’s all cyclical. So it’s that sort of understanding that I try and bring into what I do with my products”
Golden Gatherings features a fridge stocked with things like organic cream, milk from grass-fed cows, a variety of cheese, fresh mushrooms, eggs, and more.
There is an apothecary of ethically foraged goods, organic locally-sourced skin care, and shelves of handmade goods. Products come from local producers including Biemond Dairy, Upper Canada Creamery, Terramor Farm, Madawaska Mushroom Co., and others.
Starting this weekend the store is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and on Sunday’s 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Golden Gatherings is located at 3295 Lake Dore Rd. in Golden Lake.
