#ManitobaMondays – Gimli
Manitoba Mondays – Gimli
Staying close to home this summer? If you are planning on exploring our beautiful and vast province this season, why not show some love and support to our incredible women entrepreneurial community?
#ManitobaMondays can help! It’s our second season of the series where we share weekly highlights of women-owned and partnered businesses to add to your must-see list while you #exploreMB.
Today we are taking you through a town known for its festivals, beach, shopping and of course its Icelandic population. Welcome to Gimli, MB!
Gimli, MB
Situated in Treaty 1 territory in the “Heart of New Iceland”, Gimli is a beautiful lake town located along the West shoreline of Lake Winnipeg.
The community’s first European settlers were Icelanders and to this day maintain a strong connection to the Icelandic culture, which can be seen and felt at their annual Icelandic Festival. Gimli is also home to Manitoba’s premier Gimli Film Festival which showcases work from Manitoban and Canadian filmmakers and an exceptional selection of feature films and documentaries from around the world!
If you’re planning a trip to the area, we recommend taking a look at the Interlake Travel Guide or exploring the Gimli website including this everchanging list of Top 5 Things To Do.
With its rich Icelandic heritage, proximity to the lake, and so many women-owned businesses to support, you can see why this popular Manitoba destination is a great place to relax, enjoy and vacation.
Stop #1 | Sugar Me Cookie Boutique
Sugar Me Cookie Boutique recently changed hands from one woman entrepreneur to another. Michelle Wierda is continuing the legacy of this beloved bakery with from-scratch baking made fresh every day.
Be sure to try Amma Stìna’s Vinarterta, a traditional Icelandic treat with seven layers of the bakery’s namesake sugar cookie with prunes sandwiched between each layer. Yum!
Stop #2 | Beautiful Science Day Spa
Next, get your nails ready for the beach with a manicure from Beautiful Science Day Spa.
This spa is owned and operated by Leslie Leis and offers a number of services including gel nails, shellac and massage.
Stop #3 | Smile Thai Restaurant
Lunch time! While there’s an abundance of eateries to choose from in Gimli for dishes like burgers and fish and chips – may we recommend something a little different?
Owned by Sumalee Phanad, Smile Thai Restaurant is the place to go for a delicious array of authentic Thai cuisine (like green curry and pad see ew) that you can enjoy on the cute and cozy patio.
Stop #4 | Heaven Scent Flowers & Gifts
Owned by WECM client Lenore Chartrand, Heaven Scent Flowers & Gifts is where the community flocks to find unique and beautiful arrangements for special occasions.
In addition to fresh flowers, you can also shop for art made by local artists as well as a lovely selection of other boutique goodies.
Stop #5 | Inn on Centre
While in Gimli, stay the night!
Kim Giesbrecht is the entrepreneur behind the beautiful boutique hotel Inn on Centre, which is housed in a two-storey Victorian home.
The hotel is only a short walk from the beach, harbour and main area of town, making it the ideal homebase when exploring the town of Gimli. As each room is spacious, private and newly renovated – you’ll feel right at home!
Community Supporter Highlight
For our last highlight in this week’s #ManitobaMondays feature, we’re giving a shoutout to a woman-owned business that supports multiple businesses in Gimli and the Interlake region! Creative Community Promotions, owned by Samantha Hampton, not only assists in promoting local businesses’ products or services, it is a social community that highlights news in the region with a focus on bringing people, ideas and businesses together.
Thank you so much for tuning in to our second edition in the second season of our #ManitobaMondays campaign! Be sure to follow us every Monday this month as we highlight more women-owned and partnered businesses in rural and northern towns across Manitoba!
Looking to open a business in this area? Here are some additional resources to get you started:
Community Futures East Interlake
North Forge Technology Exchange
The Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba
Know of a vibrant entrepreneurial community that we should highlight next time?
Connect with our team! We always love learning about new women entrepreneurs we can support!
Listen to first-hand stories from enterprising women across Manitoba by subscribing to the “Here’s How It’s Done” podcast!
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