Hours

The sun was shining today and it feels like the perfect time to say the countdown to opening is on! The store and kitchen have been scrub-a-dubbed squeaky clean and we are going into prep mode! It's back into the kitchen for Bill and I and we're looking forward to welcoming you all back. It was a long winter and we have missed you.

Unfortunately I have to address the elephant in the room... how are we going to operate this year? As always Bill and I keep a close watch on recent events and it would seem the "powers that be" have left it to us business owners to make our own decisions with regard to covid mandates.

I will start by saying we realize the Ontario government has dropped mask mandates for retail businesses, however, we have never subscribed to the politics of covid. We take our cues from the scientists and the medical professionals and have done whatever we feel will keep you and ourselves safe. Having said this, we are going to run the store the same way we have the past two seasons and we will require a well-fitted mask that covers from nose to chin be worn in the store( little plastic mouth coverings or visors are not acceptable). We do this for our many customers who are elderly and/or immuno-compromised. We do this for your safety as well as our own. If Bill or I get sick our businesses shuts down, something we can't afford. It's as simple as that.

Now, we recognize that this decision may be unpopular with many and we know people can be very passionate about their opinions. Please, please, please do not make our little business a platform for debate. We want to see an end to masks and covid as much as everyone else. We're trying to do what we believe is right for us, our business, our customers while trying against all odds to prevent becoming another business casualty.

On a positive note we are about to begin our fourteenth season! As always we will do our very best to offer the quality, fresh baking and friendly service you deserve. 

We sure hope you'll come visit!

Have a fabulous week! 

Opening April 30th!

Spring has arrived whimpering and whining and afraid of its own shadow. Winter has been relentless. I can sum up our winter in two words; shovelling and wood lugging ( ‘Kayso that’s three words… what-the-ev) It was a hard one and I believe that’s true no matter where you were this winter. But I’m not here to be a downer, dude. Nah, brah. It’s all good because I have - what Bill and I hope - comes as good news.

But… before I get to that I do want to apologize for my lack of activity online. I know it has been sporadic for the past couple of years and I’ve been MIA this past winter. I’d spent the better part of twelve years promoting The Little Tart online across multiple social media platforms and our blog. Google and the social media gods insist on a constant stream of content to keep its “creators” in their good graces. SEO optimization, algorithms and constantly coming up with new content ideas to satisfy the perpetually hungry beast can be daunting. 

Quite simply… I’m burnt out. I started to notice a couple of years ago (coincidently when covid struck). This past fall and winter I’d reached maximum interweb burnout. I have spent little to no time online this winter and it has helped considerably.

I will continue to maintain The Little Tart online and keep you up to date with what’s new, hip and happening here. I don’t want to disappear altogether. Who is going to listen to my bad jokes and ramblings?

And with that I am happy to say that The Little Tart will begin our fourteenth season on Saturday April 30th! We are already in “getting ready” mode and looking forward to getting back to baking. It’s been a long winter and we’re excited to welcome everyone back!

I’ll be back with details!

Bill and I hope you are well, and healthy and happy and look forward to seeing you again soon! 

Happy New Year!

This has truly been a special time for Bill and I. We are so happy with the  way our winter opening turned out. We can't thank you enough for being a part of our winter celebrations, especially those of you who lined up in the cold. You humble us.

Well, we've made another trip around the sun! The journey begins all over again tomorrow. It has sure been a bumpy ride and let's face it, if you're not confused, you're not paying attention. (I have to credit Bill for that witticism). 

I wish I could say something profound and uplifting to help make sense of the chaos and put a positive spin on the cycle of uncertainty we've been spiralling through. Hopefully we offer joy and happiness through our baking. Perhaps I should leave the profundity to the poets. I will, however - as I have done in the past - quote RUSH:

"Why are we here? Because we're here.

Roll the bones.

Why does it happen? Because it happens.

Roll the bones."

Also: "The point of the journey is not to arrive... Anything can happen."

On our journey we have met so many wonderful people and there are so many more to meet. In spite of the chaos and confusion, we wouldn't miss it for the world!

Thank you so much for being so absolutely fabulous. We wish you all that you wish for yourselves and a happy, healthy New Year!

Winter Opening Part Two

The prep's all done

There's treats to be had

So if you stop by 

We'll be... really... glad (okay, it's been a long day).

What we're trying to say is... if you're here, we'd love to see you!

Have a wonderful evening!

 

Winter Opening Part One

When we open at this time of year it is without expectation, especially with all the restrictions these past two winters. We prep, we bake and we look forward to seeing whomever walks through our door. So imagine our surprise this morning when we stepped outside to take our sign to the road and there was a line up! Wow! Joy of joys!

What a fabulous day this has been! Thank you so much to everyone who stopped by and made The Little Tart a part of their celebrations. You have made our day and our Christmas that much brighter!

Normally this is where I would offer salutations and best wishes and say "We'll see you in the spring". But we're not done yet! There are two parts to this winter opening and we're going to do this all over again next Friday! And so, if you happen to be celebrating in, around or nearby the Haliburton Highlands we hope you'll pay us a visit! 

Until then, from our home to yours, whatever you celebrate at this time of year, we wish you joy, peace, happiness, good health and love... lots and lots of love! ❤

The Countdown is On!

Prep began yesterday! Fresh peeled, chopped apples, golden raisins, currants and chopped almonds are just a few of the yummy ingredients that make up our mince filling. My favourite part is the final ingredient... brandy! The festive scent of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves waft throughout the store. It's beginning to smell a lot like opening!

Having said that, Bill and I are not only keeping an eye on the weather but also recent events in the news. As always we will be diligent in our efforts to keep you safe. We will continue to have strict covid protocols in place. Our capacity limit will remain at 2 people from the same household at at time. Everyone who visits must be wearing a properly fitted mask. The Little Tart isn't just our store, it is a part of our home and, therefore, there can be no exceptions.

While we promise to do our best to keep you safe, we ask the same in return so we can all enjoy this festive time of year.

As we write this post the snow is finally falling, an inspiring scene for a week of prep! Our winter opening has become a tradition for Bill and I. Nothing says holidays like waking up at 4am on a cold winter morning to bake, but you know what, it sounds great to us because you're worth it and... we're weird that way.

The count down is on!

Winter Opening!

Good afternoon!

We hope you are all safe and well, especially after yesterday's wicked weather. It has been a wild ride so far and let's face it, the recent weather has been less than festive.

It has become our tradition to open for a couple of days at this time of year and this year is no exception except we are going to do it a little differently.

Every year we are asked if we will be opening for New Year's and this year the answer is yes! We have decided to split our two day opening into one day and another day. (Yes, we are mathematical geniuses who happen to be bakers... or is it the other way around?)

Now, we have to add that we will be keeping a close eye on the weather and operating first come, first served.

If you plan to be in, around, or nearby the Haliburton Highlands we hope you'll make The Little Tart a part of your celebrations.

If you happen to be a Grinch, perhaps one of our fresh baked tarts or tasty treats will make your heart grow two sizes ('kayso... just read that back and it's not quite the semtiment I was going for. Let's try again, shall we...)

If you are a Scrooge, perhaps you can forgo your phantom friends and find the festive feelies with a fresh baked tart or tasty treat! (That's better!)

What I'm trying to say is... we'd love to see you!