Happy Sunday, everyone! I hope you’re enjoying this beautiful fall day.
Recently, you may have noticed that several of my posts have been focused on the Southwestern Ontario region, and there’s a good reason for that! Now that we live further west, Tania and I have been doing many more day trips out that way, and we just keep discovering more and more fun spots as we go. There’s just so much to explore in this region, from Norfolk County’s craft breweries to Oxford County’s cheese factories to Elgin County’s beautiful beaches. And today’s post is no exception! Today I’ll be taking you on a virtual tour of one of my favourite spots in Oxford County: Coyle’s Country Store.
When you hear the words “country store”, you probably picture something small, quaint and rustic. Well, Coyle’s may be quaint and it may be rustic, but small it ain’t! Their whopping 25,000 square foot space is filled with everything from food, gifts and toys to books, home decor and even furniture.
Located in the town of Tillsonburg, Coyle’s is not only a must-stop shop on any Oxford County road trip: it’s truly a destination in its own right. (Seriously guys, I could spend hours in here!) The store is beloved by locals and tourists alike, and is very well-known thanks to its century-plus-old history. In 1899, Aubrey James Coyle opened a small store in Kinglake (a town about 20km south of Tillsonburg) where he sold fruits and vegetables. In 1924, his family moved to Tillsonburg and officially incorporated their business under the name Coyle’s Products Limited. The family business continued to expand and evolve over the decades, and they moved to their current facility in 1979. Clearly it was the right move, because they’re still thriving over 40 years later!
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you probably already know about my love for seasonal decor. Every summer when HomeSense stores start getting their autumn collections in (no, it’s never too early!) I’m there scouring the aisles for all the cute decorations I can find. And as much as I love a good HomeSense haul… they’ve got nothing on Coyle’s! The store is filled to the brim with cute farmhouse-style fall decor, from wreaths to throw pillows to wooden porch signs. Everything is priced very reasonably, and there’s the added bonus of supporting a local business!
Coyle’s is also a foodie’s paradise. They stock a wide array of kitchen staples, from baking mixes, honeys and jams to spices, herbs and seasonings. Everything is fresh, small-batch and locally made!
Sweet tooths will be tempted by Coyle’s massive selection of chocolates, candies, and their famous fudge. (Pro tip: get the German Chocolate Cake.)
If you’re more of a savoury snacker, Coyle’s got you covered there too. The store is renowned for their delicious roasted peanuts, cashews, almonds and Brazil nuts. In fact, they roast a whopping 30,000 pounds of nuts every year! You can fill your own bag at the front of the store, and the staff will even let you try some samples. Other snacks on offer include trail mix, chips and popcorn. (I did have to laugh at this “Amish Country Microwave Popcorn” I found… what’s wrong with this picture??)
Coyle’s Country Store is one of the stops along the Oxford County Cheese Trail, which invites visitors to embark on a self-guided tour in the Dairy Capital of Canada. The thirty stops include shops, restaurants, museums (yes, we have our own cheese museum right here in Ontario) and even cheese factories you can tour! Coyle’s is on the list because they sell a variety of gourmet products from acclaimed local cheesemakers, including Bright Cheese (Ontario’s oldest cheddar manufacturer) and Gunn’s Hill. Side note: Gunn’s Hill makes some of my favourite cheeses, and touring their plant has been on my must-do list forever… I’ll let you all know if (when) I end up going!
Some people dream of visiting all 195 countries… I dream of visiting all 30 stops on the Oxford County Cheese Trail. Go figure!
My plan is to return to Coyle’s in December to stock up on some cute holiday decorations. I was so impressed with their collection of fall decor, and I have a feeling Christmas is going to be even better!
Do you have any favourite local stores you love visiting? Please let me know in the comments or send me an email – I’d love to hear your suggestions!
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