Lakefield Pantry
Our Story
We’re an old-fashioned groceteria focusing on local products, quality bulk foods and everything you need to keep your family and home, happy and healthy. As a shop owner, I am honoured to be able to bring you some of our area’s best local fare, including Jen’s Home Baking, locally produced beef, cheeses, ice cream, breads, butter tarts, and so much more. For those of you who like to create your own culinary offerings, we offer an extensive collection of cooking and baking supplies, rices, beans, specialty flours, and over 100 spices to season it just right. If you are choosing gluten-free, we have a great selection of gluten-free baking supplies, treats, and, of course, breads and granola from Ste. Anne’s Spa. Visitors to our beautiful area will enjoy being able to buy “just the right amount” of ingredients for their cottage, camping or boating stay. We are happy to share our local knowledge and help you find your way around. I invite you to come in and browse our “amazing selection” (that’s what our customers say). Push your way through our sticky old front door and walk the century hardwood floors to enjoy an old-fashioned shopping experience with a modern selection. See you in Lakefield! Jennie
Our Products
We are pleased to be a Monday to Saturday source for many products typically available only at local Farmers' Markets including Molly's Jam Cupboard Chaga Health and Wellness Purity Hemp Hard Winter Breads Jen's Home Baking Paradise Butter Tarts Empire Cheeses Kawartha Dairy Milk and Ice Cream Bobcaygeon Meats Sticky Beeness Honey
Where and how you can purchase our products
Our store is open Monday thru Saturday (giving our staff a day to rest and enjoy family on Sunday) 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 44 Queen Street in lovely downtown Lakefield.
Our History
Established in 1980 by Cam Fraser and June McCartney, Jennie and John MacKenzie bought the Lakefield Pantry in 1989 and continue to operate it today. It is managed primarily by Jennie with John’s ongoing support and help. Now, over 30 years later, Jennie says, “I still love every day I come to work in the store. It has been my joy and privilege to know and serve the residents and visitors to Lakefield and the surrounding area.” The store has seen many changes over the years, often mirroring the stages of Jennie’s own life. The cake decorating phase, when they had young children. The homeopathic, herbal medicines and gluten-free phases, for their family’s good health. The bakery phase, which started when Lakefield’s last dedicated bakery closed and which has blossomed into the Pantry Bakeshop and Jen’s Home Baking. Always, there has been a commitment to supporting local food and local producers. “We like to think that the best of all of these transitions remain in the store today.” The Lakefield Pantry is identified as much by the people who have worked and continue to work there as it is by the quality of the products it sells. People who are passionate about our beautiful area and who care about the people in our Community. The care they have taken in the store has often had them mistaken as the owner and their commitment is truly appreciated by Jennie. Thank you to Margaret, Marilyn, Jane (Jennie’s Mom), Annette, Ashley, Angela, Carolyn, Marni, Heather and Beth. Thank you also to the many students who have kept us young and lifted the heavy stuff. The phrase most often heard from people who are visiting the store for the first time is, “This is an amazing store! I had no idea you had so much in here!” Jennie invites you to drop in to meet us and see for yourself. We’re happy to help you find your way around the store and the community.
Our Philosophy
Be the best you can be for yourself, for your community and for the person next to you.
What Makes Us Unique
We love what we do and we LOVE sharing this with our customers. Come in and we will share our enthusiasm and passion with you.
Experiences We Offer
Explore our century building and get the feeling of entering an old-fashioned groceteria. Shop for quality products in the quantities YOU need just like the olden days. We'll chat about the weather, your family, what's happening in the community and just have a good old time.