Simpler Times is great for two Simple Reasons:…read more 1) Its inventory is a little bit of everything: quilts and bedding, wall art, chunky bracelets, vintage vases, colorful umbrellas, pin-up girl tweezers, old table lamps, homey sideboards, tea towels, canvas totes, garden tools...a little bit of everything. 2) It's located in the former Bala Presbyterian Church. They definitely get an "A" for atmosphere.

Saturday Afternoons opened probably two or three summers ago in Bala, but this was the first year…read morehusband and I bothered to go in. What we found was a high-end (read: well-crafted but fairly expensive), somewhat generic (read: could have come from Pottery Barn/Restoration Hardware/Crate & Barrel/West Elm) home decor store. While I appreciate that style for anchor pieces like sofas and end tables, I'd definitely rather fill a glass lamp with my *own* found seashells than buy one pre-filled. I wasn't all that surprised to learn, then, when composing my Yelp review, that Saturday Afternoons is a small Ontario chain. Because nothing in the Bala outpost seems particularly Muskoka specific like so many other home goods stores 'round these parts.

Great rustic and authentic items but are rather pricyread more

Wow. The best shop in Muskoka, maybe even Canada!read more

Excellent espresso based drinks, teas, sandwiches, etc. in the front. A cheese counter too! Go…read morethrough the door to the back and you enter a whole world of antiques, collectables and artwork. A real gem for Gravenhurst!

A real great mix of interior items. I picked up some stemless wine glasses etched with dragonflies…read moreas a gift. And for myself French milled soap, Shea butter hand lotion and a really cool metal storage tin for makeup with a Swiss Army cross on it. Everything was reasonably priced to boot. Another reason to stop in Lake Rosseau.

From the owner: Visit Hilltop Interiors Inc for home furnishings and interior decorating services in Seguin. We…read moreprovide to seasonal and permanent residents of Muskoka with a complete range of cottage-inspired furniture and home accessories for every room in their abode, all under 8000 square feet of retail space.

I went to the Grape Vine Cottage today. I was greeted in the store by a salesperson. She did not…read moreintroduced herself, she was tall with dark medium length hair. I was looking at the store goods and as I went through the store I turned around to ask how much an item was and i received the most bizarre response from this salesperson. She pointed at the door screaming at me to get out! Please be aware if and when you go to this place. You can be verbally abused and humiliated for no apparent reason. This is an awful place. And I wish I will never experience anything like this in my life.

My experience in this shop was not a positive one. I walked…read morein to hear the owner/s griping about customers, and i was ignored. My Covid related safety question was answered with a snippy reply, and I was then informed about how they could spot a person from the city right away because they are so rude, not like the locals. Well, I have to say, the owner is the only rude person here, and if she doesn't care for customers from 'the city' she is in the wrong business. I'd advise she keep her generalizations to herself. I remained pleasant my entire time in the shop, but walked away feeling very insulted, demeaned and judged for no apparent reason.

Andrea and her staff went over and above to help us pick out furniture for our cottage, including…read morestaying late while we made our decisions. There were no high pressure tactics, they double checked on pillows etc. after we placed the order and then delivery was actually faster than expected. Everyone we dealt with at Lockside obviously has pride in their business. We will certainly shop there again.

From the owner: With top-notch service from the beginning of your shopping experience to the end. From buying the…read moreright furniture, to helping you with turnkey projects. Having a successful Interior Design Service covering everything for your home, cottage, and commercial space. Including in-store, on-site and now virtual consultations. Working with customers, giving direction and confidence creating a space they dream of. With qualified staff and quality products, Lockside caters to customers on any budget, in any location, with any look and style. Offering this interior design service complimentary when purchasing furniture, lighting, and window treatments. Helping with floor plans, color, fabric selections and so much more. Also offering Gift Registry making shopping for weddings, housewarmings, babies, and other celebrations, simple, and seamless. With expert advice and personalized shopping, getting you set up with a registry where guests can get what you desire. Lockside is that place helping you celebrate all life's milestones, come and experience it for yourself! Lockside is dedicated on supporting Canadians by offering Canadian Made products at great pricing and superior quality. Specializing in custom Canadian made furniture, the team at Lockside knows the importance of keeping it local, supporting our community, and fellow Canadians. Because it matters to us all, in-store and on-line.

the owner goes above and beyond to satisfy customers. a wonderful place to visit if you are a…read morecollector of any kind

From the owner: We are a family owned small business. We are not just a run of the mill antique store, as we sell a…read morevariety of items at our shop! We have collectibles (cards, comics, toys, coins, and more), jewelry (gold, silver, costume), decor, furniture, music (cds, records, tapes, instruments), and much much more! You never know what you'll find when you walk through our doors!

Yes, this store is called Willys. I can hear you laughing down there in North Carolina, Brian B…read more Willys sells clothes, bathing suits, and accessories for men and women. Much of it is overpriced, but the sales (which seem to happen with surprising regularity) are real deals: typically buy-one-get-one-half-off, or buy-one-get-one-free. They do have some really nice merchandise here, and I've picked up a few things over the years that have become staples: a pair of oversize sunglasses, a bathing suit or two, a sweet floral sundress, and a much beloved Muskoka baseball cap I finally had to replace this summer after one too many sweaty hikes and afternoons by the pool. Fortunately, the Muskoka cap seems to be a signature item at Willys, always available in a huge variety of colors. Willys accessories are also really fun, costume jewelry you'd pair with your Halloween getup or a cocktail dress: peacock feather earrings, hot pink Lucite bracelets, rhinestone skull-and-crossbones pendants. Accessories are more reasonably priced, and every time I come in they've been buy-one-get-one-free. As cheesy as Willys is, I always stop by a few times a summer. And I always find *something* I just can't leave without.