Business Spotlights

Meet Archie From Archie's Fishing Charters & Lighthouse Tours

Posted Sunday, September 01, 2024

Archie Hoogsteen has been operating Archie’s Fishing Charters and Lighthouse Tours for 17 years on Lake Superior. His early childhood belongs to the Seine River near Atikokan, Ontario, and his love of fishing stems from early memories of water and boating there. His family relocated to Thunder Bay in 1963, and Hoogsteen began recreating on Lake Superior.

Hoogsteen fondly recalls the inception of his charter boating business. He and his brother had a boat docked at the Thunder...

Meet Louise Thomas From The Ahnisnabae Art Gallery

Posted Sunday, September 01, 2024

Woodland Art, with its vivid colours and deep connection to the Indigenous cultures of Northern Ontario, is more than just a style of painting—it’s a worldview. It depicts the interwoven relationships between people, animals and nature, each piece telling a story rooted in the land and the spirits that inhabit it. Among the most renowned Woodland artists is Roy Thomas, a beloved figure born near Longlac, Ontario, whose work still resonates deeply after his passing...

Meet Liisa Karkkainen From The Fish Shop

Posted Monday, July 01, 2024

Liisa Karkkainen’s The Fish Shop has been in business for 54 years and has become a popular stop for both visitors and locals within the region of Thunder Bay. Upon entering the shop visitors are sure to notice the prominent initialled antique scale that is the heart of this bustling local business. The Fish Shop with its boutique elegance and style is best known for both its traditional Finnish smoked fish and impressive selection of amethyst rocks, ornaments, figurines,...

Meet Paul Kimberley from Black Cat Antiques

Posted Saturday, June 01, 2024

Nestled in the heart of Thunder Bay's Westfort Village, Black Cat Antiques has been operating since 1993, as a family run business.

Paul Kimberley and partner Lee Searles' lifestyle as passionate and enthusiastic antique dealers is deeply rooted in family history across generations.

Kimberley's first antique purchase was at the age of 12 years old, followed by his first antique sale at 15 years old. As a child, Kimberley recalls seeing the sentiment and value in an old un-restored...