Stop 107 brings home baking, local produce to Amulree

Family members behind the new Stop 107 Market Stand in Amulree include, from left, Jake McPherson, Samantha McPherson, Kris Evanski, Kelly Evanski and Angie McPherson. Gary West photo

By Gary West

There is a new business in downtown Amulree where butter tarts, Chelsea buns and other homemade baked goods are coming out of the oven fresh each day.

Stop 107, The Market Stand, opened in late spring in the hamlet north of Shakespeare and is quickly becoming known as a place to pick up fresh vegetables, baked goods and locally made products.

Kris and Kelly Evanski, along with several family members, say they have been surprised by the number of customers stopping by since opening.

Kelly Evanski said the original plan was to offer homegrown vegetables to area customers, with baked goods added to help keep the stand stocked until the vegetables were ready.

Support grew quickly.

Kelly Evanski said Jesse from Dine in 519 stopped in while travelling home from a community farther north and purchased some baking. Within about 30 minutes of his post appearing online, more customers began arriving.

Since then, the Evanski family has welcomed visitors from across Ontario and from as far away as Virginia, Boston and Chicago, as well as Ottawa, Whitby, Montreal and Kingston.

Family and friends have also helped before and during the opening, including nephew Jake McPherson and his wife, Samantha, along with sister-in-law Angie McPherson.

All baked goods are made fresh daily, and the stand also provides space for local artisans and producers to sell their products.

Those products include items from Spring Rose Naturals, Andriessen Apiaries, Donna Schyff, Old Lady Quilts, Son of Mine Co., Rolling Hills Maple Syrup, Cody’s Egg Shack and Story and Stone Company.

At a time when buying local remains important to many consumers, Stop 107 has been drawing repeat customers from Stratford, Kitchener-Waterloo, Listowel and the Woodstock-Ingersoll area.

The family says customers want to support local businesses and Canadian-made products, particularly with ongoing economic uncertainty and trade tensions involving the United States.

For Kelly and Kris Evanski, the goal is simple: provide fresh baked goods, healthy food and locally made products while supporting neighbours and other small businesses.

Kelly Evanski’s butter tarts, in particular, are already gaining a reputation.

Some customers have told her they are the best they have ever tasted, earning Kelly Evanski the unofficial title of “Butter Tart Queen of North Easthope Township.”