What’s New in The County in 2022 🌟

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or you’re coming back for more, it’s always fun to add something new and fresh to your itinerary. Like every year, 2022 has graced The County with so many new and exciting ventures, alongside old favourites which have returned after a two-year hiatus. Some familiar spots have also switched things up a bit this year, so read on to get the lowdown on what you can discover this year in PEC.

Related: 2022 Visitor Checklist

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Eat

Stella’s has been a fixture in The County since 2019 with their wine bar in Picton, but now you can experience the taste of Stella’s at their new location in Waupoos: Stella’s Eatery. At the former location of Stella’s Wine Bar you will soon be able to find Onesta, a new italian restaurant that will soon be serving up fresh pasta and sauce as they have been at their pop-ups at this location on Wednesdays this past Fall & Winter.

Bantam PEC – sister restaurant to The Marans Dinebar – has been serving up delightful lunches in Picton since last year. This summer, however, they have moved on from their Picton location to provide food at Closson Chase Vineyards. Follow them on social for updates about their opening.

Luckily, a new lunch spot has moved into town in Picton. Located in the lower level of the Picton Armory, Luso Bites is a luncheonette, snack bar and cafe, that will be serving up Portuguese-inspired dishes for your enjoyment. Follow them on Instagram for updates about their opening later this spring.

Speaking of lunch, Creekside Cafe is a new addition to Wellington Main Street that serves up Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch in Wellington from Thursday – Monday. Think big breakfast plates, beautiful benny’s, waffles and more.

Bloomfield Public House transformed into a market for the last two years, but we’re excited to say that kitchen service has returned, Wednesday – Sunday from 11AM – sellout. You’ll find favourites like their fried chicken sandwich, smash burger and shrimp roll on their menu, alongside goodies from their market and grab & go favourites.

After a successful summer of 2021 as a food truck pop-up in Waupoos, Harry’s Charbroiled is opening a physical location in PEC in 2022 to continue slinging smash burgers all year long. Find them sooooonish right next to Waring’s Corner (aka the roundabout) toward Bloomfield.

If you fancy eating in on one of your nights in The County, make sure you download the RAD Services app (available on Apple and Android) to have delicious eats from local spots delivered right to you.

Related: Reserve Now, Relax Later

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Arts & Culture

The Festival Players of Prince Edward County 2022 Season just launched and it’s filled with a host of unforgettable theatre, comedy, dance and music, all taking place at The Eddie Hotel & Farm. Explore their offerings and book your tickets on their website and check out their season launch video below.

Arts on Main Gallery is back at their original location on Picton Main Street after two years of operating as an online gallery (which you can still enjoy here). Be sure to check out their refreshed shop and discover original works of art and unique fine crafts created by a cooperative of local artists

The Prince Edward County Arts Trail is celebrating its 15th year this year, and alongside the celebrations they are welcoming four new members to the trail: Art Wagon, GRACE Studio, Hatch Gallery, and Bark Woodshop. Explore these and the other nine stops on the Arts Trail by downloading their 2022 bilingual Arts Trail Guide here.

If you’re looking to laugh, Roper & Roper are the comedy duo you don’t want to miss. This pair is will be popping up throughout The County this summer in their “Roper Force One” – a solar-powered mobile stage-in-a-sprinter-van. They’re also available for bookings for your private events!

Whether you’re celebrating a wedding, anniversary, or engagement, or you just want to capture a memorable family holiday, Wee Three Sparrows Photography and J Briginshaw Photography are available to help you make memories.

Did you know that an AGO-commissioned piece of art also graces the streets of Picton? Wisdom of the Universe by award-winning Metis artist Christi Belcourt appears, with permission, in mural form behind St. Andrew’s Church. This is a first in a series of steps towards reconciliation, on behalf of the Presbyterian Church of Canada, but its presence here offers all of us the opportunity to engage in conversation and contemplation around the crucial conversations of our relationship to the Indigenous stewards of this land, and our relationship with the environment.

Discover a new Garden County of Canada Exhibit, featuring the Doug Crawford Canning Collection, which finds its new permanent home up at the Ameilasburgh Heritage Museum.

Live Music is back in full force in The County after two challenging years. Get your fix with weekly Dinner and Show events at Karlo Estates, or with shows like Martha Wainwright and Justin Rutledege  at the Eddie. Combine those with regular live music at The County Canteen, The Acoustic Grill, The Waring House, the Drake Devonshire and more, there’s more than enough entertainment to choose from.  Don’t forget to check out the Hayloft for live music, dancing and drag!

The County Arts Lab is a community arts hub in the heart of Picton offering a wide range of arts workshops open to residents and visitors alike – from visual arts to music, theatre, writing and more! Check out their website for more details about upcoming programming.

Leslie Fruman of Clayshapes Pottery is a local ceramic artist, creating especially colourful works, both functional and decorative. Her work is available at The Local Store on County Rd 12 near Bloomfield, and at her studio, by appointment. She is also participating in the Prince Edward County Studio Tour, Sept. 30 – Oct 2, 2022

For more arts, music and entertainment, be sure to check out (and keep checking out) our events listing. New events are being added every day!

Related: How to Curate a County Art Collection

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Experience

If you didn’t book one of our curated experiences last year, we’re thrilled to say they are all around for another season of frolicking-in-the-fields fun. Get up close and personal with alpacas during a Bloomin’ Welly Trekk at Noble Beast Farms, learn about the life cycle of bees with Bees & Blooms at Curious Goat General Store, connect with nature at Pause at Melt Studio & Gallery, and make a soul connection during an Equine Soul Session at Heal with Horses Theraputic Centre. Be sure to check out their respective pages (or click “Experience” in the main menu of VisitPEC.ca) for updated hours and a deeper look at these special County experiences.

Don’t have time for the full experience but still want to visit these spots? MELT Studio Gallery is open Thursday – Sunday or by appointment for gallery viewings and Curious Goat General Store has a farm stand on site with plenty of bee-utiful goods for sale (1.492% of all sales go to Kenhteke Seed Sanctuary & Learning Centre in neighbouring Tyendinaga).

So you have experiences for you sorted, what about an experience for your furry friend? There’s no better place than The Sniffery. Located just outside of Bloomfield, The Sniffery is an immersive sensory experience designed to stimulate your dog’s natural instincts to forage and to follow its nose.  These sniff sessions are perfect for all dogs, but especially dogs who prefer to not have the company of other canine pals. We can’t think of a better morning activity for your pup before an afternoon of seeing the sites. Sniff sessions are by appointment only, so be sure to book in advance!

Looking for a unique, Instagram-worthy, al fresco dining experience? Look no further than a Glass Cabin Picnic at The Edward House and Loft. Each guest receives a personal graze box curated by The County Picnic and the opportunity to connect with their group in an intimate and special setting like no other.

Want to get on the water? Picton Harbour Pontoon Boat Tours offers 1.5 hour tours for up to 6 people, allowing you to discover natural history, habitats and sights you can’t enjoy from land. They also offer Sunset cruises and VIP tours if you’re looking for an extra special experience.

The Cutting Factory is a micro flower farm in Waupoos which grows and sells specialty cut flowers via their farm stand. Purchase gorgeous flower arrangements or make your own with their Flower Farm Experience (coming this spring). Or check out the Clayshapes & The Cutting Factory Tour, an a three-hour experience in partnership with Clayshapes Pottery,  that takes you along beautiful PEC country roads to visit a pottery studio to pick out a handmade vase, and a visit to a nearby flower farm where you will pick out blooms and create a unique bouquet.

 

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Shop

Bent Barn PEC is a charming home decor & gift shop with something for everyone. Discover farmhouse-style decor and gifts, artisan candles, purses and so much more, all in a relaxed comfortable setting of an old carriage house built in the 1800’s.

Locally owned and operated, The Community Store is Wellington’s first authorized cannabis retail store. Visit them for expert service and Health Canada approved product.

Menswear store Jeffrey Scott was a new fixture on Main Street Picton just a couple of years ago, but now you’ll find them in the same location but under a new name: The Merchant. As always you can enjoy their eclectic selection alongside their vintage barber shop, licensed bar, and special events.

free folk events has become studio free folk, a creative studio with a focus on hand poured candles and handmade paper. Their goods are made in small batches and sold exclusively to our mailing list, and is occasionally open to the public. They are also now offering candle making classes from their small studio on weekday evenings and weekends from May – September.

If you’re looking for antiques, curiosities and lovingly restored pieces, be sure to check out County Rust. Located in Wellington on Noxon Avenue this quaint shop is sure to leave you charmed.

[ah-bodh] Home Store is located just to your right as you cross the bridge from Belleville and is a home decor-lover’s dream.  They offer a vast selection of home decor, lighting, furnishings and rugs, as well as a specially curated selection of local products.

Anice Jewellery is a new addition to Wellington Main Street offering a multi-faceted jewellery experience with a variety of different services including Old Treasures New Love, Custom on the Spot, custom Wedding and Engagement and Jewellery-Making Workshops.

We love cheese in The County, and so of course we love the addition of Nellie’s Cheese and Party Shop to the scene. Located at The Eddie Hotel & Farm, Nellie’s provides a wide selection of local cheese (shoutout to Fifth Town and Lighthall) and international cheeses provided by the Cheese Boutique in Toronto, alongside all of the accompaniments you need for the perfect party cheese board.

Remember antique fairs? Well we’re excited to see that the Spring Antique Show at Crystal Palace organized by A Tick in Tyme is back again for the first time since 2019. Get your antique fix on May 21-22 this year.

Evergreen Kids Thrift got its start as an Instagram thrift shop but they are soon opening a physical shop for their second-hand kids clothes. Follow them on Instagram for updates about their opening.

Stella’s Collection is a new addition to the Picton Armoury serving up excellent service and French fashions.

Stella’s occupies the space previously occupied by Lustre & Tarnish, whose store is now located inside the Armoury behind Savon du Bois. This new location is also home to Brocade, which previously operated out of Bloomfield.

 

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Stay

The Royal Hotel in Picton opened earlier this year after much anticipation and everyone is excited for its first summer season. Stay in one of their 33, thoughtfully detailed rooms and suites (cleverly named after locally grown apple and pear varieties). Visit their spa for massage, facial and skin treatments, and more (their spa is now open to non-hotel guests). Or experience Chef Albert Ponzo’s culinary mastery in The Dining Room, or visit The Counter Bar for your morning coffee, grab & go lunch, and evening cocktails. The Royal also boasts a stylish gym and outdoor pool for hotel guests and a full conference centre for meetings and retreats.

If you’re looking for a extraordinary getaway, look no further than Mirazule. This boutique inn with strikingly modern architecture and a commanding lakeside positionwill transport you to a private world of peaceful relaxation.

You have likely said “hi” to the alpacas and shopped for delightfully soft knitted goods at SHED Chetwyn Farm on Closson Road already, or perhaps you’ve attended an alpaca yoga session. But this year you can even add a farm stay to your Chetwyn Farms experience, complete with a stay in a century farm-cottage and the option to participate in morning farm chores like feeding the alpaca and setting them out to pasture.

There are also several new spots to stay, such as Picton’s Brass Foundry, the Schoolhouse Loft, The Owens House, Old Milford House, Everly Inn B&B, and Summerland Summerland.

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Farms & Markets

The Wellington Farmers’ Market is kicking off the market season with a special market on Saturday from May 14th at The Eddie Hotel and Farm, just a short drive outside of Wellington toward Bloomfield. The market is also easily accessed from the Millennium Trail, making for the perfect Saturday outing!

At Wellington United Church – the former location of the aforementioned market – a new market will be taking over the parking lot every Saturday morning. The Wellington Community Market  The new Wellington Community Market is a not-for profit-market featuring a wide variety of food and artisan products.

If you didn’t get enough of the Saturday markets and want to discover even more local vendors, the Picton Town Hall Farmers Market is back for another season, rain or shine.

If you’re looking to get your hands on some local honey while you’re here, be sure to check out the newest farm stands stocking local, small batch honey: Here and There Apiary and 127 Bees at Loha Farms.

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Health and Wellness

NuLife Skin and Spa offers offers medi-spa and health and beauty treatments from their central Picton location. With an extensive menu featuring lash extensions, waxing, brow and lash tinting, lash lifting, facials, flotation therapy, mani-pedis, massages, and more, you’ll find just what you need at NuLife.

County Fields and Forest is a natural wellness education centre welcome all those who love nature to bask in its glory through sustainable, off-grid living and wellness practices from yoga and meditation, to reiki, animal therapy and beyond.

Serendipity Yoga has been offering pop-up yoga events throughout The County for many years and will continue to do so this summer, but this year they are opening an in-town studio location this year in Bloomfield right behind Green Gables. Follow them on Instagram for updates about their opening.

Also new to the spa scene in The County is DeeVa Spa at The Waring House. DeeVa Spa offers an extensive menu of many esthetic and spa services including everything from manicures and pedicures to massages and facials.

Second Wind Forest Therapy offers guided forest therapy walks through local parks and greenspaces. These walks are slow, rarely longer than two kilometers and have limited elevation change. The standard walk is 2.5 hours long and finishes with a communal tea experience. Visit their website to book a scheduled walk or arrange a walk on your time.

Body Matrix offers Pilates Mat, Pilates Reformer, Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis classes from their small Main Street studio in Picton. Want to add an hour of movement and mindfulness to your stay in The County? Body Matrix will also bring their pilates classes to you at your vacation rental.

Free Spirit – The Holistic Way offers private and semi-private sessions, group lessons and experiences allowing you to make a deep and healing connection with horses on their South Shore farm.

 

Stop and smell the lilacs – or rather ride past and smell the lilacs – with this year’s Rotary Lilac Ride. This popular ride through some of The County’s best “lilac lanes” is finally back for the first time since 2019 and will take place on May 29 this year. Sign up before May 1st for early bird pricing.

If you prefer to hit the pavement with your feet, the Terroir Run is back for their 10th year, and it’s bound to be as epic as ever. The run itself takes you on a 10K route throughout Hillier, culminating in a fresh, local lunch at The Old Third. There are also special events in the days before and after the run that you won’t want to miss!

 

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Drink

While you have been enjoying Slake Brewing‘s beers and views since 2019, there’s a lot to look forward to this year. Look forward to guided tastings of barrel-aged beers, perfect for small groups looking for a more personalized tasting experience. Booking is not available yet, but you can keep an eye out on their website for more details. Also, in terms of food you can expect a host of food pop-ups from fun local chefs as well as chefs from Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal, alongside a fresh new food menu when there are no pop-ups. On top of all of that, Slake is now open for private and semi-private event bookings for everything from weddings to casual gatherings. It’s the stuff of dreams!

The Cellar Sisters are busy working to bring you a beautiful new wine bar in Wellington called Decanter. Be sure to follow along on Instagram for updates as to the opening of this new sipping salon.

Amanda’s Vineyards is a family owned winery located in beautiful Prince Edward County, just five minutes away from Lake on the Mountain. its founder, Mihai Geangalau, invites you to sample its carefully crafted wines, which are the expression of the terroir of the region and his passion for wine.

Stillus Craft Spirits is a family-owned artisan distillery where they handcraft fine spirits in small batches in their custom-designed copper still made in Tuscany, Italy. Visit for a great neat spirit or a craft cocktail, complemented by savory appetizers (can you say pierogies?!) and sweet treats from their Stillus bistro while overlooking a vineyard (that of TerraCello) and a grain field. Stillus is expected to open to the public this May.

 

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Tour

PEC Cannabis and Wine Tours offers an infused start to your day of wine touring around The County with one of their tour partners. Your tour will then end where it started – back at The Community Store in Wellington – where you can shop their selection.

Wine O’Clock Tours is a boutique touring service in the County offering private tours for groups up to 7 people. Want to check out The County’s breweries, cideries and distilleries? No problem! Jeff will work with you to build the perfect tour for you.

Prince Edward County Custom Wine Tours offers tours for 2-6 people that are just over 5 hours in length, and you get to pick the start time and what wineries, breweries or cideries you visit.

 

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Celebrate

Whether you’re planning an intimate boutique wedding, a memorable farm-to-table dining experience, or a larger event or wedding, Lilac & Vine can help you create a celebration that exudes an upscale, rustic-meets-magical feel while highlighting the very best of The County.

Prelude Events is a local rental boutique, dedicated to helping elevate your event to be exactly as you’ve envisioned. They offer a large selection of quality décor that will fit into any theme or budget.

 

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25+ Places for Art in Prince Edward County 🖌️

Art runs in our veins – and down our back roads. Find an array of work in a variety of styles and price points or a wealth of workshops at a range of creative spaces, from intimate studios to restored barns and modern galleries. Here’s where you can find the muse or take home a piece of The County.

Amelie Silks & Fine Arts is set on the shore of West Lake, a stunning backdrop to the silk blouses, scarves, shawls, uni-sex shorts, accessories, sarongs, chemises and camisoles made by Amelie Koning de Bourbon. Her two dimensional work varies from paintings in mixed media, graphic arts and silk paintings. 

Andara Gallery is home to Love Nest Studios and the Andrew Csafordi Studio Gallery. A newly constructed year-round contemporary gallery features the encaustic sculptural paintings of Andrew Csafordi, and the photographs and fibre art nest sculptures of artist and photographer Tara Wilkinson. Andrew’s luminous, textural paintings bring the viewer into an organic sky or landscape, while Tara’s fibre art nest sculptures and works in mixed media and photography are inspired by nature and world travels.

Armstrong Glassworks is the hottest place in The County – sometimes quite literally, with three huge furnaces used for melting, shaping and colouring glass. Explore the fascinating world of glass in the demonstration room and then visit the showroom, where the light intensifies colours and patterns in each glass creation, casting shadows as beautiful as the pieces themselves. 

Baxter Arts Centre provides varied arts programs for visitors to and residents of Prince Edward County, giving people of all ages opportunities to be creative and to connect with the area’s vibrant arts community. In addition to painting and sculpture, the Baxter Arts Centre offers classes on dance, writing, jewellery making, pottery, singing, yoga and more, with Saturday morning programs specifically for children.

Bloomin’ Barn Studio is home to the vibrant and joyous work of Margaret McFetridge, a painter specializing in large-scale florals that are definite mood-boosters. Nestled in the garden of her Victorian 1880s Carriage House, Margaret’s work features large brushes and confident strokes, bringing poppies, peonies and hollyhocks to life on canvas. 

BlizzMax Art Gallery Studio is home to Alice Mennacher and the late artist Peter Mennacher, who was an etcher, painter and wood carver. BlizzMax is summertime host to some of the most exciting contemporary art shows between Montréal and Toronto. 

Carbon is an art space located in a former coffin manufactory behind  The County Canteen. Curated by Hri Neil, aka DJ Ombudsman, the space is a gallery, studio and common creative space in the heart of Picton.

Guildworks in Bloomfield stocks an eclectic mix of work in ceramic, glass, textile, jewellery, metal and wood; they also curate a small collection of visual art by both established and emerging artists. They also offer workshops where people can learn a new craft from some of Canada’s best artists and makers. 

Hatch Gallery features exhibitions of established, mid-career and emerging contemporary artists, with the work highlighted by the surrounds of a converted industrial space. Exhibitions primarily include painting, photography and sculpture, having featured work by Ronald, Mead, Urquhart, Bentham and other important Canadian artists. 

iconoclast studio is the home of the vibrant abstract art of Jennifer Topaz Bruce, who works primarily with acrylic on canvas and prefers the cut of a palette knife to the stroke of a brush. Her use of lines and colour, coupled with her attraction to angles and edges, result in paintings that have bite and are unapologetic.

J.D. Thompson Fine Paintings is a study of light, the way it travels across the grasslands, the way it interacts with stormy waves, the way it softens in the evening, producing subtle rust shades. His large, painstakingly-detailed acrylic paintings attempt to depict various atmospherics caused by light interacting with water in all forms, whether grand cumulous clouds, fog, waterfalls or crashing waves. His paintings are also personal metaphoric expressions of light-filled with hope, in juxtaposition to the challenges of life. 

Yes, there are really dogs at Mad Dog Gallery | Photo Credit: Eve Harvey

Mad Dog Gallery features outstanding traditional and contemporary fine arts exclusively by local artists, including Rosemary Brown, Brian Clark, Julie Duff, Ian Forbes, Elizabeth Jackson-Hall, Anne House, David James, Andrew Innes, Andrew King, Bill Reddick, Doris Richardson, Celia Sage, Marianne Sanders, Gerald Reilly, Susan Straiton and Susan Wallis. Group and solo shows alternate throughout the year. 

Melt Studio and Gallery is located just outside Picton in a historical air force barracks in the former Camp Picton. The gallery is managed and run by Canadian encaustic artist Susan Wallis and is the home to her encaustic working studio. Susan showcases her work in the gallery space along with a selection of other talented artists and artisans. Melt Studio and Gallery also offers PAUSE, a nature and art experience.

Mena Dragonfly Studio is home to deceptively simple, gorgeously hand-thrown and yet completely functional pieces for use in the home. Melanie’s beautiful ceramics are complemented by unique décor items. Visit to view the collection, or stay in the on-site B&B for a chance to learn how to throw pottery in a guided workshop.

Mixd Nutz Studio features the photography of Carol Noël, whose enhanced vibrant images can be viscerally felt. Common threads: curiosity, noticing what is often passed-by, oddities and love of human story, domicile and place.

Oeno Gallery is renowned for exceptional fine art, both dynamic contemporary and historical art, including paintings by the Group of Seven, Tom Thomson and other important Canadian and European artists. Situated at the Huff Estates Winery, the 2,400 square foot gallery hosts monthly exhibitions and a unique three-acre Sculpture Garden with more than 60 works by Canadian artists. 

Pamela Carter Studio is filled with light and classical jazz– perfectly reflected in Pamela’s warm, vibrant paintings in a range of sizes and genres: still life, local lush landscapes, dancing, joyful County living. Pamela’s work captures the people and places of The County, giving them life on canvas. 

SideStreet Gallery is housed in an historical 1862 building located on Main Street Wellington, featuring an extensive collection of works by regional artists. SideStreet’s focus is “authentically County” with art exhibits running during the year. It’s a good place to browse for a memento of The County, including the series of iconic “County Posters” by Marc Keelan-Bishop.

Spark Box Studio offers art and craft workshops, specializing in screen printing. Artists Chrissy Poitras and Kyle Topping are genius at customizing workshops based on what you’d like to learn, and adapting those workshops for kids, groups, parties and more. Their screen printing equipment allows you to return home with a truly handmade souvenir of your time in The County.

Art can be appreciated by all species | Photo Courtesy: Sybil Frank Gallery

Sybil Frank Gallery offers fine art ranging from contemporary modern to landscapes, a bit of whimsy and bold sculptural pieces. Named after the proprietor’s grandmothers, the gallery honours two amazing women, one bold and daring, the other graceful, elegant and ethereal. Sybil Frank promises to be an art experience where one can find unique talent with vision, artistry and the unexpected. 

The Local Store gathers the best of County art under one roof, showcasing pottery, jewelry, quilting, basketry, wood working, prints, original works of art and books in a converted barn and milking parlour. Find County-made preserves, jams, jellies and chutneys in the former lamb building and take in the gallery of large oil paintings and antiques in the hayloft.

Wellington Pottery is home to the work of Maggie Murdoch, David Drown and Hannah Melnyk. Maggie’s porcelain seems “caught in the act of becoming” with its free-form organic shapes and movement. David extrudes and hand-builds clay work to create highly-functional, inviting designs with strong graphic lines and an eastern flair. 

 

Content updated January 2020

15 Spots to Search for Antiques & Vintage Gems ⚓

Prince Edward County is renowned for its many antique stores and vintage shops, and there are more than a dozen different sellers stocking a large variety of furniture, collectibles, glass, china, pottery, tools, ephemera, home décor items, garden furniture and ornaments and more.

Written by Sue Hierlihy, updated by staff August 2020.

An antique by another name is vintage, and all things vintage are in favour at present.

Reduce, reuse, recycle is a necessary mantra of our times, and repurposing quality pre-owned goods ticks all the boxes with one-of-a-kind flair. Mid-century modern (MCM) is very popular, reviving décor from the 50s and 60s. Painting furniture is a trendy way to reuse quality outdated pieces. Think “What else could this be?” and you’ll be on your way to creating your own eclectic style.

Curated Collections

County antique shops are as diverse as the people who own them. When you walk through the door, nine times out of 10, you will be greeted by the owner. The antique and vintage market qualifies as very small business and few owners can afford to hire staff.  Many of the shops in The County are on the owner’s home property so be aware that opening hours can be less than exact due to life getting in the way!

Shopping at an antique store is not like shopping at Walmart.  There are no suppliers, or offshore factories, or the ability to “order 20 more by next week.” Each and every article in the shop has been painstakingly found, purchased, transported, cleaned and placed for you to find as you search through many hundreds of inventory items.

Antique dealers are hunters by nature, and there is an auction, yard sale, house call, newspaper ad, or phone call preceding the acquisition of every single piece in the shop. Time is spent curating each wonderful, beautiful, individual element and presenting it to you.

Settling on a Fair Price

While haggling is a time-honoured practice at flea markets and bazaars, there may not be as much wiggle-room for a bricks-and-mortar antique shop with overhead costs like heat and hydro.

If an item is priced at $10 and you ask for a discount, chances are you will be refused.  The dealer probably paid $5 after driving somewhere to acquire it and then cleaned it and placed it in the store that requires heat and light.

On bigger ticket items (more than $100) asking for a 10% reduction in price may not be out of line, but be advised that there are times when the dealer’s margin is very thin indeed. Asking for a discount is best done politely and respectfully. The fastest way to ire a shopkeeper is to say, “I’ll give you….” Let’s face it; you wouldn’t say that at Whole Foods.

“Would you take [a figure that’s more than 75% of asking price]” is a good beginning. Cash is always preferred, but most shops can take a credit card, and some can take debit thanks to internet banking.

Planning a Trip

Hours of operation can be quite fluid from November to May.  The ambient temperature inside the bricks and mortar, and the proclivities of the owners, dictate whether a shop will remain open over the winter. It is always best to call ahead to make sure the shop is open. Some shops are happy to open by appointment.

Plan your trip, check store websites for days and hours of operation and call ahead if necessary, then head out to see what treasures you can find. Most of all have fun and enjoy your antique hunting adventure!

Feeling inspired to hunt Prince Edward County for something new old? Check out these antique shops in The County:

 

1. Amor’s Antiques 212 County Rd 16 Black River, 416-835-1770 |  Curated collections of transferware, Canadiana and English furniture in a century barn. Lover of natural patina, brass and all things rattan, bamboo and wood.

2. Carbon Life 281B Main Street Picton, 613-885-1796 | An art-gallery-turned-market, Carbon Life is a curated collection of products from County makers and pickers, featuring vintage clothing, retro housewares, books and art. 

3. Collier Collection 2594 County Rd 13 South Bay, 613-438-9057 | Barnboard and hardware, duck carvings, paintings, photos, frames, Japanese handpainted items, majolica, pyrex, retro glass and glass caddies and much more.

4. County Traders 39 Stanley Street Bloomfield, 613-393-9993 | A consignment warehouse of furniture, art, books, kitchenware and other finds.

5. Hickory Tree 14938 Loyalist Pkwy Bloomfield, 613-393-5040 | Specializing in furniture restoration and custom furniture built from recovered century old  and new wood.

6. MacCool’s Reuse 1149 County Rd 12 West Lake,  613-393-5797 | Mid-century modern and cool 50s finds abound in this old barn, where vintage pieces are mixed with handmade pieces.

7. Memory Factory 21712 Loyalist Pkwy,  613-438-2331 | Stocking contemporary and vintage books, depression and carnival glass, primitives, vintage and costume jewelry, Nippon china, kitchenware, bakers’ tables, postcards, Gate-leg tables, vintage furniture, Royal Doulton figurines, vintage buttons and military items.

8. Porkie’s Place 1540 Hwy 62, 613-393-5027 | Tools, dishes, antiques, toys, oil cans, blacksmith anvils, tongs, hammers, forges, vises, planes, cast floor grates and tractor seats, furniture, old hardware, books and pictures.

9. Retrospective 280 Main Street Bloomfield, 613-393-3339 | Dishes, furniture, decor and more.

10. Stowaway Vintage 1606 Cty Rd 10 Cherry Valley, 613-920-1085 | Selling quality vintage clothes and furniture, old school toys, art, vinyl records, lighting, collectibles and more, it’s worth a stop for the amazing vintage toy train running through the rafters.

11. The Local Store 768 County Rd 12 Bloomfield, 613-393-1797 | Canadian folk art, baskets, crocks, English serving pieces, crystal, pottery, silver plate everything, American pressed glass goblets, European china, silks and more. bi-weekly car boot (trunk) sales too!

12. The Sword 20581 Loyalist Pkwy Consecon, 613-392-2143 | Specializing in antique muskets, rifles, shotguns and pistols, reproduction and replica weapons, costume jewelry, Blue Mountain pottery (including Collingwood, Ontario potters), ceramics, crystal and art glass.

13. Tick in Tyme 35 Wellington Street (Loyalist Parkway) Bloomfield, 613-393-5886 | Featuring interesting clocks, watches, china, pottery, kitchen collectibles, linens, oddities and small furniture.

14. Young’s Antiques 1214 Cty Rd 3 Rednersville, 613- 969-1905 | Re-purposing specialists, Young’s also offers a wide range of vintage wooden wares, pottery/yellowware, along with sporting, nautical, hunting and fishing items, old church and century home windows, vintage whimsical folk art pieces.

Content updated August 2020