'Better than a bar hop': Hot Cocoa Trail bubbles to the surface

'It’s vital to all work together, support local and have community-driven events that help lift one another. It makes all the difference in the world,' says downtown merchant

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1 / 1 Parker Sandiford makes an orange creamsicle hot chocolate, the signature drink at Beaver Rock Cafe during this year's Hot Cocoa Trail in downtown Barrie.Nikki Cole/BarrieToday

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It may not be trackable by breadcrumbs, but Downtown Barrie’s Hot Cocoa Trail is a great way to keep warm while exploring the city this month.

More than two dozen local businesses are participating in the annual tradition, where visitors to the downtown are invited to come indulge themselves in a variety of “deliciously unique hot beverages, savoury and sweet treats, and cozy winter retail finds."

“It’s better than a bar hop, I’d say,” joked Mike Spencer, manager at Homestead Artisan Bakery and Cafe on Dunlop Street East.

The cafe has been participating in the popular downtown event for several years, he said, and it's a great way to bring people into all of the businesses involved.

“You come in for a drink and then we can showcase what else we have in stock. And, you can get to know what is going on downtown,” he said.

This year, Spencer says their signature drink is a white chocolate mocha called 'The Bum Bum.'

"I haven’t heard customer feedback because they tend to just grab it and leave, but we have all tried it and it is really good," he said.

Heather Kennedy, owner of Blueberry Moon, said although her shop may not be selling hot drinks, customers can still find some “cozy goods” like packaged hot chocolate and mugs, adding she felt it was still a great event to participate in.

“We are just happy to be a part of anything that brings people to downtown Barrie,” said Kennedy, adding it’s nice for those taking part in the initiative to have another stop even if it’s not something to drink. “It’s something to make them think of cozy hot chocolate.”

Across the street at Beaver Rock Cafe, customers have their choice between an orange creamsicle hot chocolate or latte, said manager Jesselyn Prophet.

She said the cafe, which opened next to Memorial Square in June, took part in the cold cocoa trail this past summer and felt it was a great opportunity to get involved as the newest member of the downtown business community.

“It helps business and brings (people) in and it’s also just something really fun to be a part of the community,” said Prophet. “We have our own hot chocolate that we make here and it’s a really great initiative to hopefully bring people downtown and to get our name out there.”

The initiative, which kicked off over Winterfest last weekend, has been a great way to get new customers through the doors, she said, adding they even had someone knocking on the window just minutes after they closed in the hopes of getting a taste of their special orange creamsicle hot chocolate.

“That was kind of cool to know people were actually doing it,” Prophet said. “It’s been good.”

As for their signature drink, she said staff wanted to think outside of the usual hot chocolate box.

“Orange is kind of wintry. We were just playing around with some orange syrup and candied oranges … It actually tastes like a creamsicle,” she said.

A couple blocks away at The Wired Owl, manager Christian Moto has been enjoying whipping up not only their salted caramel hot chocolate drink, but also new relationships with people as they come through the doors of the narrow cafe for the first time.

“Community relationships are key to small business thriving, especially in a neighbourhood like this,” he said. “It’s vital to all work together, support local and have community-driven events that help lift one another. It makes all the difference in the world."

While ongoing construction on Simcoe Street has been a bit of a deterrent to visitors, Moto said he has seen some foot traffic come through the doors specifically on the hunt for their hot chocolate offerings.

“It never hurts to have events like this going on,” he said. “We have a few different hot chocolate-themed drinks (such as) a salted caramel hot chocolate … listed for this event specifically for those seeking something different.”

Participating businesses include: