Going to Shaws Maple Syrup in Oro-Medonte Township has been a March break tradition for generations of families in Ontario for more than 100 years.
But last year was one of the strangest years in the history of the family-owned business due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, owner Tom Shaw says things are going much better this year since opening on Feb. 19.
“We are hearing over and over again that this is the first time families have been out to eat in two years,” Shaw said. “People are always happy to be here and have our pancakes, but this year people are jacked to be here.”
Shaw says business is back to normal and he expects the March break to be very busy. Families are looking forward to the horse-drawn wagon rides which came to a halt during the pandemic.
“It’s a big part of this place,” Shaw says, “We are really excited to have them back.”
Shaw says the tradition of the popular sugar bush is what community members missed the most during the pandemic.
“There is a tradition here of families and extended families getting together,” he said. “People missed coming here with their grandparents and grandchildren, which is what this place is all about.”
Despite the difficulties of the pandemic, Shaw says the family business learned new strategies to ensure it evolved.
“One thing we found interesting is how much people love eating with their dogs,” Shaw chuckled. “We are thinking on warmer days we need to do outdoor seating like we did last year.”
When it comes to the maple syrup itself, Shaw says everything is on schedule.
“We have good volumes early on,” he said. “Our shelves were empty and we couldn’t even sell syrup at one point because we had to hold onto what we had from last year for the pancakes, which has never happened before.”
Luckily, the shelves are fully stocked now at Shaws. Shaw thanks the community for all their support over the years.
Easter Monday is the last day before Shaws closes for the season. For more information and hours of operation, click here.
