history of the juniper island Store

After the American Canoe Association Meet of 1883 was held on Juniper Island, many people from Ontario and the bordering U.S. states bought Crown land and built cottages. These were generally simple, one storey frame structures whose amenities were virtually non-existent. To fill a need, people at Young’s Point, Kawartha Park, McCrackens Landing, Mount Julian and others around the lake, found new sources of income by helping cottagers in many ways: ice cutting, building, guiding, boat repairs and domestic chores. 

A regular source of supplies was needed too.

Over 100 years ago several men (Judge G Morrice Roger and Elihu Burritt Edwards) rented, then bought, the half dozen acres at the north-eastern corner of the island. From a humble loggers’ supply shack developed the two-storey store, post office and living quarters (1892) built by T.W. Robinson. Robinson of the Metropolitan Store in Peterborough thought that supplying basic campers’ supplies would be a lucrative summer business. He was right - it WAS a lucrative summer business!

The post office closed in 2000 and the living quarters eliminated when the building was rebuilt from fall 2015 to summer 2016 using the original footprint. But the store remains!

Originally started to supply cottagers with the basics, the Juniper Island Store now operates as a small take out restaurant with such classics as the Early Riser breakfast sandwich and the Juniper Island Burger. Of course there’s penny candy, drinks, ice cream, and coffee as well! (Memories of the open-air ice cream parlor and lunch counter started in 1910). And you’ll find new Juniper branded merchandise every summer.

Who’s minding the store?

One of the fabulous opportunities for older teens/early university students is the chance to run the Juniper Island Store for two seasons. Starting with a business plan, prospective teams meet late summer with the board for interviews. The team selected then spends that fall and winter planning and preparing to run the store for the following two summers.

Past store operators are listed here.

(source material from Ston(e)y Lake, A Jewel of the Kawarthas)

(photo by Sandra Harris)