Our History
Lockside began in 1987 with the purchase of the historic Young family homestead in the community of Young’s Point, Ontario (built in the 1850’s). It was originally the lockmasters house at Lock 27 on the Trent severn Waterway, and the home of the The Stoney Lake Navigation Company a steamboat company that offered transportation for the area. Lockside Trading Company was born when owners Susan Mattucci and partner Brian Holmes left the comfort of the 9-5 business world to begin their own dream in the country to fill the need of a great business right in the heart of cottage country. Originally fashioned as an antique and gift shop, Lockside has grown into the largest country store in the Kawarthas, showcasing four seasons of in-store design and merchandise. Lockside is a full service retail store operating 362 days a year. We offer a constantly changing environment and experience and have become a favourite destination for local and out-of-town visitors alike. Attracting more than 100,000 visitors a year, so many in fact, that in 1997 it was classified as an Ontario Major Attraction.
What began as a tiny, 400-square-foot shop has grown over the past 20 plus years to encompass more than 7,000-square-feet. We offer a mix of cottage and country items including giftware, decorative accents and home décor and features a wide selection of quality indoor and outdoor furniture, as well as comfortable clothing. Topping it all off with great services like the Design centre that helps customers in designing their dream home, to Steamer's Café offering everything from ice-cream to specialty coffees. It is the one-stop shopping destination that everyone has to experience more than once.
Brian, who passed away on June 30, 2003 after a 10-month battle with cancer, co-founded Lockside Trading Company in 1987 with partner Sue Mattucci. Since then, the over 7,000 square-foot, multiple-award-winning country store has kept up their vision of Lockside with Sues son Mike Mattucci and more by expanding with anouther location in Haliburton.
A way of life since 1987, it’s the place where friends and family meet, making it the destination in Peterborough, the Kawarthas, and the Haliburton Highlands.