Ridgway Confections
Derek Ouellet, Owner
www.ridgwayconfections.com
159 Main Street, Seeley’s Bay ON, K0H 2N0
613-532-4468
Tell us about yourself! Hobbies? Fun facts? How did you get started?
I have been in retail for over 40 years. I started in the food industry then moved to retail. After 35 years, I was looking for a change. My partner, Cindy, had been making chocolate and goodies for our family for many years and had been renting the kitchen at the Nest Egg in the early mornings. After a year or so of making chocolate in the wee hours of the morning, before heading off to her day job, it was obvious that something needed to change. One day Cindy said she would you be interested in making chocolate, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Define your business in your own words.
Ridgway Confections specializes in fine hand-crafted Belgian chocolates. Each of our creations is made only with fresh ingredients - like butter and cream. We source our ingredients locally where possible and where it is not possible (i.e. chocolate) we ensure that our purchases are made from 100% sustainably grown cocoa beans. We also make a range of brittles (chocolate covered sponge candy is a customer favourite) and barks. Additionally, we make a 'bean to bar' chocolate bar that is sweetened with local maple syrup.
What business achievement are you most proud of?
I think we are most proud of the "Truffle Shuffle". It is a community focused event - a 5km fun run/walk that raises money for the local foodbank. This year was our 4th annual. We raised approximately $1,000 for the R.O.L.L. AID Food Bank. It is amazing the support we receive from the Township and our local community for this event. We are so grateful.
Why did you choose Leeds and the Thousand Islands to start your business?
Admittedly, we didn't choose to come to Seeley's Bay to start a chocolate business. It just evolved. We purchased the house from the MacPhersons because we loved it. Dale, from the Nest Egg, was the first person we met in the Bay. Cindy made her some fudge as a thank you one year at Christmas and Dale asked her if she would make it for her shop. Because we didn’t have a professional kitchen, we rented Dale’s for about a year until we finally decided to take the plunge and build our own. We turned the summer kitchen at our house into a commercial kitchen and have been building on this momentum ever since. In 2010, we decided to open a showroom in the house; the room where the doctor's office used to be - kind of the alchemy of chocolate. We have had such fun.
What words would you use to describe Leeds and the Thousand Islands?
This area is simply amazing! Each season is truly breath taking. I was out running early this morning and I stopped and stood and stared about mid run and just went "wow" we are truly blessed to live in such a magical area. We are so lucky to have found this hidden gem.
Provide a message to your future guests!
Come visit...relax...stay for a while and experience all this area has to offer.
Ridgway Confections described in one word:
Luxurious