Clothing Designed to Reflect Muskoka (2003*)

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