There aren’t many places where you can pick up produce, enjoy a high tea experience, shop at a year-round Christmas room, and visit farm animals. Dutch Mill Country Market is a unique find for locals and tourists alike.
Started in 1997 by Ed and Elaine Scharringa, the business changed hands in 2008 to Tony and Janet Simeone, who ran it for 14 years. Businessman Thanh Dang purchased it two years ago, and plans to continue and expand the appeal of the business to families.
Under its different ownerships, Dutch Mill Country Market has consistently remained a one-stop shopping adventure. The business sells garden decor, home decor, fashion, accessories, and jewelry. The year-round Christmas room is a popular attraction, as well as the gourmet grocery section.
Dutch Mill also has an open-air produce market that used to run from springtime until October, but is now open year-round thanks to new renovations. The Market strives to support local farmers and Ontario produce farmers in the spring and summer months, and sells seasonal plants from their greenhouse.
What makes Dutch Mill Country Market really stand apart is their tea rooms. They serve lunch in the front tea room every day from 11AM-5PM, and sell prepared food to-go from their retail counter. The business is open from 9AM-6PM every day (5PM on Sundays). The back tea room is available to rent as an event space, holding up to 45 people comfortably. The room has hosted a range of events from bridal showers to business meetings to more intimate celebrations of life.
The back tea room also hosts high teas, which must be pre-booked by phone or email. The high tea comes with sandwiches, scones, jam, clotted cream, fruit, desserts, and tea, all served on fine china.
“The high tea is very popular, especially for Mother’s Day and bridal showers,” says Barb Posavad, manager of Dutch Mill Country Market.
Previous owner Tony Simeone and his family have left their mark on Dutch Mill Country Market. They still sell “ugly heart tomatoes,” which are described as sweet and meaty. Tony’s father brought the seeds back from Italy, and people drive from the GTA just to pick up the unique heirloom tomatoes.
Barb says the business attracts tourists from Barrie, Kitchener, Toronto, and beyond. In the busy summer months, groups of visitors come on tour buses. For visiting children, there are many animals to see, including goats, horses, alpacas, chickens, and a pond with a bridge. There’s a playground as well to keep little ones entertained.
In addition to these loyal customers, the market still surprises locals and attracts new fans.
“When people come for the first time, they’ll say they could spend the day here,” says Barb.
“You need a lot of time when you come here, to see all the different aspects of the business and what we have to offer.”
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