Many people are finding themselves staying at home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the responsibilities of childcare, home schooling and trying to maintain a regular routine can be time consuming, for some this crisis has created some down time at home. What better way to spend some of this time then by doing some gardening, landscaping or home renovation? Most garden centres and hardware stores in Huntsville and Lake of Bays are now open for in-store shopping and the majority have online shopping options as well. While it is imperative to practice physical distancing, you can now head to your favourite store and choose your hardware, lawn care and garden centre supplies while browsing in a safe and clean environment.
It is important to mention that the list below is made up of Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce member businesses and is not inclusive of all hardware stores and garden centres in our region. As our shared economy begins to reopen, the Chamber is working collaboratively with community partners on a recovery plan to help our members and the region as a whole. Chamber members are the backbone of our local economy and it is vitally important in our current situation to support them as best we can, to ensure that as we gradually begin to reopen our community these crucial businesses will be able to return strong and healthy.
*Please note that these hours and services may differ. We recommend calling the businesses to confirm details.
Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire’s Huntsville location is open for in-store shopping, including their garden centre. You can also shop online with free in-store pickup, free curbside pickup or have your order shipped to your door. Canadian Tire continues to implement strict safety measures to ensure the well being of employees and customers. In store you will find reduced occupancy levels with signage, enhanced cleaning and sanitization and PPE for all employees with partitions at check-out. Customers are asked to respect physical distancing and use contactless pay options where possible.
Canadian Tire is fully stocked with an extensive supply of hardware including all the tools you need for projects big or small. They have plumbing and electrical hardware and supplies as well as fixtures such as sinks, toilets and light fixtures. Canadian Tire also boasts a full paint department for all your colour and stain needs. The store has a lawn care department with fertilizers and grass seeds as well as lawn tools including mowers, trimmers and garden tractors. Their garden centre is stocked with the soils, a variety of plants including garden seeds as well as hanging baskets and tools. The store also stocks outdoor furniture and decorative supplies to spruce up any backyard project.
Canadian Tire is open Monday to Thursday 8:30am-6pm, Friday 8:30am- 8pm, Saturday 8:30am-6pm and Sunday 9am-5pm.
Lake of Bays Garden Centre
Lake of Bays Garden Centre in Dwight is now open to customers in a responsible social distancing manner. You can also place an order online or by phone at (705) 635-1696 for curbside pickup or delivery.
From humble local roots Lake of Bays Garden Centre has expanded to include two greenhouses and a 2,400 square foot building housing the garden centre, home and cottage décor, fashion store as well as a full-service florist. They have a huge supply of perennials and shrubs to choose from, as well as annuals and hanging baskets while in season. They stock a wide variety of trees, including native species like red maple, black spruce and eastern hemlock which are available for pick-up or delivery with or without planting. The garden centre has vegetable plants and seeds and a full selection of herbs for fresh home cooking. They have bagged soils and mulches to suit any application. They also have bulk aggregates for pick-up or delivery including sand, granite screenings, decorative and drainage stone as well as river rock. Lake of Bays Garden Centre also offers design options as well as contractor and landscaping services. They also provide workshops and special events throughout the season.
No trip would be complete without browsing the home and cottage décor and fashion available at Lake of Bays Garden Centre. You can even purchase cut flowers for that special someone you have been spending your isolation time with! The garden centre is open Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm, with contractor services available earlier (call to confirm!).
Home Depot
Home Depot in Huntsville is open for customer entry both in store and in their garden centre. You can also shop online with convenient pick-up and delivery options. In order to protect the health and safety of workers and customers, strict safety measures have been implemented. These include a limit on the number of customers inside the store with physical distancing signage and plexiglass screens at check outs and increased cleaning and disinfecting including carts and baskets.
Home Depot stocks everything you need for home and garden needs. A full selection of tools and safety gear complements the fasteners and specialized equipment for plumbing, electrical and drywall projects. They stock light fixtures, sinks, tubs and showers as well as flooring and tile. They have a vast array of construction materials including lumber, concrete and drywall, as well as doors and windows. Home Depot also has kitchen appliances and cupboards as well as washers and dryers. Their garden centre has a large stock of plants, soils and bagged decorative products such as mulch and stone, as well as mowers and trimmers both gas and battery powered as well as garden tractors.
Home Depot is open Monday to Friday 7am-8pm, Saturday 7am-7pm and Sunday 8am-6pm.
Home Hardware
Home Hardware has three locations open in our region. The company is now offering in store shopping with full safety measures in place for sanitizing and disinfecting, physical distancing and cashier and associate PPE. You can also place your order online with free shipping to your nearest store or home delivery.
While selection can vary across stores, Home Hardware provides tools and the necessary hardware to complete projects big and small. They offer plumbing and electrical supplies including tools, fasteners and fixtures. The staff at Home Hardware is always ready to share expertise and advice, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. The stores also have lawn care and garden centre supplies. You can find a variety of lawn and garden tools, soils, planters and pots as well as landscape products such as weed barriers and decorative garden stones.
Dean’s Home Hardware in Port Sydney is open Monday to Saturday 8am-6pm and Sunday 10am-3pm. Huntsville Home Hardware is open Monday to Saturday 8am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm. Home Hardware in Robinson’s General Store in Dorset is open Monday, Friday and Sunday 9am-6pm and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 8am-6pm.
Sandhill Nursery
Sandhill Nursery’s garden centre in Huntsville is open to customers with social distancing measures in place. However, they still encourage customers to browse their new online store and purchase products for curbside pickup or delivery. You can also call them at (705) 789-5319 to place your order by phone. They also operate Garden Market in Burk’s Falls, where you can find many of the same services and supplies.
Sandhill offers customers and contractors a vast array of products. They have a range of trees, from evergreens in sizes ranging from small pots to 8-foot-tall ball and burlap, as well as maples, birch and other specialties like ornamental hydrangea and lilac trees, all of which can be delivered and planted. They stock perennial shrubs and flowers, as well as annuals and pre-made planters while in season. Their aggregate yard is stocked with their extremely popular mushroom compost as well as other soils, mulches in different colours as well as gravels and river rock. You can bring your own truck or trailer or have them deliver. The garden centre also carries a full line of outdoor furniture as well as planters, fire bowls and home décor and giftware. Sandhill Nursery also provides design consultation and installations from small accent gardens all the way up to full landscape installations with stairs, patios and decorative features.
If you are thinking about a trip to the nursery, plan to take the time to explore the on-site gardens, landscaping and water features for some inspiration for your next project. Sandhill is taking health and safety extremely seriously in order for you to feel safe while browsing and shopping. Sandhill is open Monday to Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday 8am-5pm and Sunday 10am-5pm.
No matter the size or the scale of the garden or home renovation project you have been planning, local garden centres and hardware stores are open for business and ready to help with supplies and know-how. Short on time or like to shop from the comfort of home? Each of these businesses have online ordering and pick-up or delivery services you can take advantage of. Looking to browse for yourself? Respect social distancing rules and safety guidelines and head in-store or wander through a garden centre to be inspired and entertained. Whichever business you choose, you can feel confident that your safety and the safety of employees is the number one priority. Make your dreams come alive with the help of a garden centre or hardware store near you!
Your Chamber of Commerce works tirelessly to support hundreds of local businesses. We are your voice and advocate on your behalf to develop and maintain a strong local economy and to market the region for continued growth. Working together, we can all rebound after this crisis with a strategy to bring customers back into our businesses and get revenue flowing once more. Join the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce now to have your business featured in our directory, in future content, and to allow us to start working to help you grow and prosper in the future.