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Bear Wear Continues to Grow July 19 2012

A traditional location is the setting for an exciting new store.

Gravenhurst gained a new gem on its main street when the latest location of Muskoka Bear Wear had its grand opening on June 30.

This is the fifth outlet for this exclusively Muskokan chain of casual clothing stores.

Kevin Saunders founded the chain on 2003. It all began with his original store on Bracebridge's main street at the former site of a downtown department store.

At the time, he had just arrived from his home town of Winnipeg, and with his cousin Mark Fishman, soon established an entrepreneurial team which has become a major asset to the Muskoka business community.

New locations followed in Huntsville in 2005, Port Carling in 2007 and Bala in 2011.

"We like the downtown core. We believe in it," says Saunders. "The minute we walked in (to this Gravenhurst location, we knew) it had so much character. We don't try to change the character. We didn't have to change too much."

The store lies directly across from the historic post office building and clock tower, and across the intersection sits the picturesque 19th century ALbion hotel building.

Being in such close proximity to major Gravenhurst landmarks, the new Bear Wear location carries on the neighbourhood feel. The store has diaginal pine boards along most of its walls from earlier times, and old hardwood flooring and wooden counters. Even the old winders, with separate panes high up that open inward for ventilation, add to the traditional setting. All these blend in well with the fixtures and shelves that hold the clothing.

Hoodies and fleece pants are the main product lines, along with jackets and T-shirts. Rather than do golf shirts and specific sporting wear, the target market consists of those who want comfortable clothing in which to relax at the cottage.

"We wanted to create a brand for Muskoka that's Ontario-made," says Fishman, "and back that up with quality. Every town has generic tourist clothing. Their tags say anything but made in Canada."

All the Muskoka Bear Wear merchandise is made in Toronto, not in far-off countries, says Fishman.

"That's why we're the industry leader," he says.

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This article was featured in North Country Business July 2012
Written by Kim Hawn

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Oh So Cosmo! March 07 2012

Check out Wilder Weir wearing our Muskoka Quarter-Zip on Oh So Cosmo!

Midnight Madness (Dec. 23rd) December 16 2011

The 12 Days of Christmas Sale! December 01 2011

Make sure Muskoka Bear Wear is on your shopping list for the 12 days of Christmas Sale! (Starting Dec.5th)

Check back to our website for exclusive sales.

Bala Cranberry Festival (Oct.14-16) October 13 2011

Join us this weekend at the 27th Annual Bala Cranberry Festival!

We had a great first year at our new Bala location and would like to thank the community for all the support. This will be the last weekend of the season, so come out and check out our Store Wide Sale. For more information: http://www.balacranberryfestival.on.ca

Wear your Bear Wear: Hoody Draw!

We are going to be giving away one Muskoka Bear Wear Hoody to one lucky person attending.

Here's how to enter:
1) Wear your Muskoka Bear Wear all weekend.

2) Our MBW Team will be hitting the streets to spot you in the crowds.
3) We will stop you with a special entry form, if not... tweet where you are @muskokabearwear

Draw will be chosen on Oct. 18th.

MBW: Muskoka Mixtape July 19 2011

This is the ultimate Muskoka Mixtape that was hand picked by the MBW Team, perfect for any dock party this summer!!!

Muskoka Bear Wear brings their cottage clothes to Bala June 30 2011

Muskoka Bear Wear has opened a new Bala location, which brings the company's total to four stores through-out the region.

"We're excited to expand the brand and open another location," says Mark Fishman, marketing and sales for Muskoka Bear Wear. "Bala has its unique area, visitors and cottagers. And it has the Cranberry Festival. It just seemed like a great place for us to bring in our fourth store."

The Bala store, located at 1004 Bala Falls Rd., joins Port Carling as seasonal locations open from May to October, while Huntsville and Bracebridge operate year-round.

In 2003, Kevin Saunders, owner and creator of Muskoka Bear Wear, opened the first store in Bracebridge. Since then, the company has seen continued growth.

"We're very fortunate with our success," says Fishman.

"We're really come into our own. This is our eighth season as a brand. We always felt there are so many places to get a T-shirt or a hoodie that says the word Muskoka on it. That's not hard, that's everywhere. The only problem is there're not made in Canada. So, we thought, let's make an identifiable brand name - the paws is our trademark and our signature. Our philosophy is if it's going to say Muskoka on it, shouldn't it be Canadian made?"

Not only are the products made in Canada, they are all made in the province.

"We're excited to be not only the largest in Central Ontario, but the only one to offer Canadian-made goods," says Fishman. "Not just Canadian made, but Ontario made. So, all of our T-shirts hoodies, any kind of sweat top in general, are all cut, sewn, made, dyed... everything's 100% made in Ontario."

Written by Chris Occhiuzzi (via The Weekender)

Download Article HERE

The Cottage Country Comedy Festival June 16 2011

Hey y'all,

As the warm weather heats up so does the events!

We are happy to be sponsoring The Cottage Country Comedy Festival this year. The Cottage Country Comedy Festival brings the absolute best in comedy entertainment to Cottage Country by combining the highest quality performers from Canada's new wave of comedy with top established world renowned headliners.

June 23-25th

Buy your tickets HERE!

Muskoka Outstanding Business Nomination 2011 May 24 2011

Muskoka Bear Wear has been offering comfortable cottage clothing since 2003 and the sweats continues to grow.

Kevin Saunders, who owns the Bracebridge-based company, explains that many years ago he saw a market for original, quality cottage-style clothing. The name Muskoka Bear Wear ad the bear paw logo was born. "I thought it could be fun little niche market," he says.

The business has expanded with Huntsville location added in 2005, Port Carling in 2007 and now Bala for the summer of 2011. Muskoka Bear Wear also has a shop at Deerhurst Resort as well as a successful online store.

Saudners says he especially enjoys designed the clothing and logos and picking the colours for the sweatshirts, sweatpants and other authentic cottage clothes.

"Working with the designers, I really love that side of the business," he says.

With a regular staff of about five, plus some seasonal employees, Saunders credits the whole team for Muskoka Bear Wear's success.

"Everyone puts their two cents in," he says. "I value everyone's input."

Saunders also values input from customers, taking note of what styles and colours people would like for the future.

Muskoka Bear Wear give back to the community in many ways. New this year, the company will be taking $5 from every pink garment sold and donating it to breast cancer research. Plans are also underway for larger community projets in the future.

Saunders has business degree but admits he didn't originally plan to develop a clothing line.

"Do something unique and something you truly love," he advises, adding his entrepreneurial spirit, a good idea and the determination to stick with it is his recipe for success. "Bear Wear was going to succeed because there was no plan B. We did not have a backup plan."

Muskoka Bear Wear was nominated in the category of Muskoka Business of the Year 5-14 employees

(Thanks for the nomination & congratulations to Lake of Bays Brewing Company for winning the Award)

BALA - Grand Opening May 08 2011

Girlfriends Getaway Weekend Winner! November 18 2010

We had a fun draw this weekend for our special customers that entered this past GGW and the Hoody & Pants Combo WINNER goes to Janice Anderson!

Thanks to everyone for another great weekend!

Girlfriends Getaway Weekend: Fashion Show November 16 2010

The Hockey Card Show - Muskoka Bear Wear October 29 2010

Darrin (Dink) Reynolds proudly supporting Muskoka Bear Wear in episode #78 on The Hockey Card Show. Check out the full episode at: http://bit.ly/hockeycardshow

Show some love and subscribe to Justin & Dink's weekly podcast at: http://www.thehockeycardshow.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/hockeycardshow

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thehockeycardshow

Shopping Spree Winner! October 15 2010

We received tons of submissions throughout the summer to our online shopping spree and selected our winner.

Winner – Terri Urman

1st Runner-up – Kate
2nd Runner-up – Barb Huehn

We randomly picked 2 more runner-up winners that will receive a 30% discount code online. Thanks again for everybody that entered!

Run for a Way August 29 2010

REGISTER NOW! ( Space is Limited )

Online: Register Online Here
(We will contact within 24 hours until we go live July 7th . Please provide contact information)

Deadline MIDNIGHT, September 4, 2010

Registration Kit Pick-up:
Pick-up your Race-day kit, Goodie Bag & Race Bib Number
at Muskoka Fitness and Personal Training – 646-1848

Friday September 3rd, 2010: 6am-8:00pm
Saturday September 4th, 2010: 9:00am-4:00pm
On Race Day, September 5th, 2010: 6:30-7:15am at Santa’s Village.
Please don’t leave this to the last minute – it makes for a hectic race start.

Download Full Details [PDF]

Muskoka businesses tap into social media August 17 2010

Muskoka Bear Wear, a clothing brand with locations throughout Muskoka, has an established e-commerce and social media presence.

"Our goal is to be as relate-able and engaging to customers as possible without pushing. Let the product and brand speak for themselves. The same goes for social media outlets," says marketing and sales manager Mark Fishman.

Whichever site you join, your postings should be relevant and engaging, says Tim Lum of Pixel Flex, a creative design studio in Huntsville, that supports Muskoka Bear Wear with its web presence.

Content is crucial, says Lum. You need someone to maintain the community - someone knowledgeable who can answer questions fast and accurately.

Businesses of all sizes can take advantage.

"The beauty of social media is it puts everyone on the same page," says Lum. "Take the time to check out and see how easy it is."

Read the full article (PDF)

Clothing Designed to Reflect Muskoka (2003*) May 26 2010

By Karen Eardley

A new business which specializes in “Muskoka-made” clothing opened its doors in downtown Bracebridge on Nov. 27.

Offering comfortable athletic clothing with distinctive graphics, Muskoka Bear Wear has complete line of clothes for men, women, and children, all designed and made locally. “It’s all inspired by Muskoka – everything is made in Muskoka,” says Kevin Saunders, the business owner.

The clothing line is designed for locals first and tourist second. “It’s functional clothing line,” he explains, with the aim being high quality and comfortable products which have a distinctive image. Saunders says: “There is nothing quite like it around here. It’s basically designed about clothes I like to wear.”

For five years, the owner was a retail manager for a small – and later, a national – store, until he decided he wanted to work for himself. Saunders went back to school and recently graduated with a business degree. He knew he wanted to own his own business, just didn’t know what it would be. He finally chose clothing because, he says, “I felt there was a market for it.”

Many people advised him not to open his store until the summer but Saunders wanted to target local business primarily; that is also why the prices are kept so affordable. “We want people to enjoy it, afford it and wear it!”

Saunders came to Muskoka just three months ago, all the way from Winnipeg. He says a family member came here, then persuaded him to come for a vacation to check out the area. He only needed to be here for two weeks before deciding to stay. “It was obvious this was going to be my new home!”

A grand opening celebration is planned for January but, until then , watch for a huge Boxing Day sale, he says.

Red Rocket Graphics of Bracebridge and an embroidery company in Parry Sound are among the regional businesses involved in creating the Muskoka Bear Wear products, Saunders notes.

*This was one of the first published articles when we launched back in 2003

Technology Leaders Honoured May 05 2010

By Sandy Lockhart

Muskoka’s technology leaders, champions and innovators were recognized on March 17 at the Muskoka technology Achievement Awards, organized by Muskoka Community Network.

Businesses, students, not-for-profit organizations and public companies were among those nominated. About 120 people attended the wards event at Deerhurst Resort, which opened with a speech by Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran. She shared information about her city’s Intelligent Community of the Year award in 2007.

The hightlight of the evening was the awards presentations…

Muskoka Bear Wear earned the award for Best Web Presence. The award sponsored by Muskoka Futures, recognizes a public, private or non-for-profit organization with an exceptional website.

Muskoka Bear Wear, which carries an assortment of sweatshirts, sweatpants, hats and more, launched their online e-commerce website in 2004. “A lot of hard work has gone into it so it was nice to be recognize,” says owner Kevin Saunders.

He says a lot of customers learn about the business through the website. Many come into the store and others order online.

Saunders credits Tim Lum of Pixel Flex with the design of the award-winning website. The Muskoka Bear Wear website is midst of another transformation, and will be relaunched in early May.

Download the full article