Business Opening: Lost Bear Market

Ariel Somes, owner, Lost Bear Market

Lost Bear Market, The Cub and Coywolf Coffee are just three of the new businesses in Inglewood started by Ariel Somes. We asked Ariel to tell us a little about the businesses, growing up in Caledon and why she chose to invest in her hometown.

Tell us about Lost Bear, what can people expect when they come to visit?

For the concept of Lost Bear, I’ve tried to create a more contemporary take on the traditional market that you can find in small towns in Canada and all over Europe.

Inglewood has long been in need of somewhere for residents to have a great selection of food items, home wares, giftware, and fresh produce and this is what Lost Bear offers.

95% of our products are either locally made or Canadian made. It is very important to me to support local and there is so much to choose from.

Right now we are open Tuesday to Sunday. We have prepared food to pick up and take home for lunch and dinner as well. For dine-in, Coywolf Coffee down the road has tables and chairs in a cozy environment. 

What is your favourite thing on the menu and why?

My favourite thing on the menu is the Huntsman Pie, made with Canadian sourced Bison meat. It's a knock off of my own recipe using ground Venison or Moose that I named Huntsman Pie years ago.

If that isn't your style, our soups and take-home sandwiches are excellent. We will be adding some gluten free and vegan options and more baked goods to our menu in the new year.

We source the best ingredients and try to have everything taste delicious, easy to cook and wholesome while appealing to many different palates.

Why did you decide to invest in Inglewood with the opening of this and other businesses here?

Growing up in nearby Cheltenham, I spent a lot of time in Inglewood - playing hockey at the arena, baseball at the diamonds, and riding the Bruce Trail to visit my best friend who lived on the north end of town.

Over the years, I sadly noticed more and more businesses closing and less places for the residents to gather and shop. When these buildings came up for sale, I jumped at the opportunity to start to bring more life to the town, to offer something that hadn’t been done as well as offering job opportunities for people who live nearby.

Many of our staff are local and it’s so nice to get new families and see multi generations come out and support these new ventures.            

The different styles of businesses bring different things to the town, Lost Bear is an all-around Canadian and locally sourced marketplace with food, meals, household items, gifts and more. Coywolf Coffee is a centralized staple in town for a warm meal, delicious coffee or tea and to gather with friends. The Cub is a kids favorite during the warmer months serving refreshing ice cream, vintage sodas, milkshakes and smoothies. And Bird-Dog Fitness which is opening in January is a specialized fitness studio for all.

What does the future hold for your properties here – additional services/offerings to come?

I hope to continue to have the community support I’ve had so far with Coywolf Coffee and Lost Bear Market. It’s important to me that the businesses reflect the people who live here so I take their comments and suggestions to heart.

We will be opening Bird Dog Fitness (above Lost Bear Market) in the new year. This is a boutique fitness studio with reformer pilates machines and we will be offering a variety of fitness classes: pilates, yoga, kick boxing, etc. 

What do you love about Caledon?

I’ve lived in Caledon my entire life (apart from a brief stint out west). I travel a great deal and always look forward to being home. The country roads, rolling hills and forests are beautiful in all seasons. The hiking and biking trails are a favourite of mine and Belfountain is a lovely destination as well. This area has so much to offer but no one knows we are here!

I was raised on the dirt roads and farmers fields of Caledon and that is where my little ones will one day grow up too.

Lost Bear Market, The Cub, and Bird Dog Fitness (coming soon) are located at 15666 McLaughlin Road, Inglewood and Coywolf Coffee is just down the road at 15596 McLaughlin Road.