Community
Sunshine City Secrets.
The local businesses, hidden gems, and community staples that make Orillia worth calling home. Each one spotlighted with a behind-the-scenes Instagram Reel and a story about why they matter.
Why This Exists
I don’t just sell homes here. I’m invested in this city.
Sunshine City Secrets started as a simple idea: spotlight the local businesses that make Orillia special. Not chains. Not franchises. The independent, passionate, doing-it-their-own-way places that give this city its soul. When these businesses thrive, the whole community benefits — and that’s the kind of place people want to call home.
Coffee & Roasters
Mark IV Brothers Coffee Roasters
Small-batch, locally roasted coffee in the heart of downtown Orillia. Mark IV Brothers isn’t just a coffee shop — it’s a roastery, a gathering spot, and one of the reasons Orillia’s food scene punches above its weight.
The brothers roast their own beans in-house, sourcing from ethical producers and experimenting with blends that keep regulars coming back. Whether you’re a pour-over purist or an espresso drinker, this is the best cup of coffee in Orillia — and it’s not particularly close.
Grooming & Services
The Barber’s Den
A proper barbershop in downtown Orillia — not a chain salon with a barber pole out front. The Barber’s Den is the kind of place where you get a great cut, solid conversation, and walk out feeling like a better version of yourself.
It’s the details that set this place apart: hot towels, straight razor finishes, and a barber who actually listens to what you want. In a city full of options, The Barber’s Den has built a loyal following by doing one thing really well.
Specialty Food
The Rind & Truckle
A dedicated cheese shop in downtown Orillia — yes, seriously. The Rind & Truckle carries an expertly curated selection of artisan cheeses, charcuterie, crackers, and accompaniments that would feel at home in a Toronto or Montreal boutique.
The staff knows their product inside and out and will build you a board for any occasion — date night, dinner party, or Tuesday afternoon. This is the kind of specialty shop that makes you realize Orillia’s food culture is deeper than most people expect.
Books & Culture
The Book Review
An independent bookstore in downtown Orillia with a carefully curated selection, knowledgeable staff, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stay for an hour. The Book Review is a community anchor — the place you go when you want a recommendation from a real person, not an algorithm.
They host author events, book clubs, and carry a thoughtful mix of bestsellers, local interest, children’s books, and hidden gems. In a world of online shopping, places like this matter — and Orillia is lucky to have it.
Children & Family
Coach House Kids
A children’s boutique in downtown Orillia carrying quality kids’ clothing, toys, books, and gifts that you won’t find at big-box stores. Coach House Kids is where parents and grandparents go when they want something thoughtful, well-made, and a little bit special.
The owner has a sharp eye for brands that balance style, durability, and fun — and the shop itself is warm and welcoming. It’s the kind of place that turns a quick errand into a discovery, and a big part of what makes downtown Orillia feel like a real community, not a strip mall.
Home & Garden
Drenth’s
A local institution. Drenth’s has been serving Orillia for years with a mix of home goods, garden supplies, and seasonal products that keep people coming back. It’s the kind of store that has exactly what you need — even when you didn’t know you needed it.
What makes Drenth’s special isn’t just the inventory — it’s the service. Staff who know the products, who remember your name, and who genuinely want to help. In an era of self-checkout and warehouse aisles, that means something.
Entertainment
The Clubhouse Bar & Golf Sim
Golf simulators, craft drinks, and a vibe that makes winter in Orillia actually enjoyable. The Clubhouse is where you go when the courses are buried under snow but the itch to swing a club hasn’t gone away.
It’s not just for serious golfers — the sims are great for groups, date nights, and anyone who wants to try hitting a ball without chasing it across a field. Add in a solid food and drink menu, and you’ve got one of Orillia’s best entertainment spots.
Café & Breakfast
Apple Annie’s Café
A downtown Orillia staple for breakfast and lunch. Apple Annie’s has been feeding this city for years with generous portions, honest home-cooked food, and the kind of warm service that makes you feel like a regular from your first visit.
The menu is exactly what you want it to be — eggs, pancakes, sandwiches, soups, and baked goods made fresh. Nothing fancy, nothing pretentious, just consistently good food in a comfortable spot. There’s a reason the locals keep coming back.
Restaurant & Dining
The Ktchn
Tucked away in Hawkestone (just south of Orillia in Oro-Medonte), The Ktchn is a farm-to-table restaurant that has no business being this good in a village this small. The menu changes with the seasons, the ingredients are sourced locally, and every plate feels intentional.
This is destination dining — the kind of place people drive from Barrie and beyond to eat at. If you’re moving to the area and wondering whether the food scene can compete with the city, The Ktchn is your answer. Book ahead — it fills up.
Powersports & Recreation
Orillia Motor Sports
Boats, ATVs, snowmobiles, and everything in between. Orillia Motor Sports is the go-to dealer for anyone who lives the four-season Simcoe County lifestyle — which, if you live here long enough, is eventually everyone.
What sets them apart is the service department and the local knowledge. They know the lakes, the trails, and the conditions — and they’ll steer you toward the right machine for how you actually use it, not just the one with the highest margin.
Automotive Services
Shanty Bay Automotive
An honest mechanic in Shanty Bay, Oro-Medonte. If you live in a rural township, having a shop you trust isn’t optional — it’s essential. Shanty Bay Automotive has built that trust with years of straightforward service and fair pricing.
They work on everything from daily drivers to trucks and recreational vehicles. No upselling, no mystery charges — just competent work from people who take pride in what they do. When you move out of the city, finding a mechanic like this is one of the first things you need.
Café & Catering
Eclectic Café & Catering
Eclectic Café is one of the most well-known spots in downtown Orillia — and for good reason. Great coffee, creative lunch menu, fresh baked goods, and a catering operation that handles everything from corporate events to weddings.
The café itself has a warm, artsy energy that makes it a natural meeting spot. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch, working remotely with a latte, or ordering platters for an event, Eclectic delivers consistently. It’s a downtown anchor.
Love This Community?
Thinking about making Orillia home?
The businesses, the waterfront, the people — this is what makes Orillia special. If you’re thinking about buying here, I’d love to help you find the right spot.