About Us

Environmental Efforts

We are committed to initiatives that benefit our team, customers and the communities in which we operate. We believe that caring for the environment is a global responsibility and everyone must help to make a positive impact on the planet.

We actively seek to minimize our impact regarding our use of paper, packaging and energy.  We pursue this initiative by reusing and recycling glass, paper, metal, plastic, and textiles as much as possible.  We hope to increase our impact in this regard by partnering with suppliers and other businesses who conduct their operations in a similar fashion. Reducing our carbon footprint has resulted in cost savings that allow us to keep our prices competitive and offer better value to our customers.

In the interest of responsible forest management, we only use bags made from 100% recycled paper.  We do not produce paper catalogues, nor do we offer decorative packaging such as tissue, ribbon or ink-printed bags.  In 2017, we switched to logo-free bags in an effort to reduce the environmental impacts printing dyes may have in the event our bags are not recycled when they reach the consumer’s home. 

Each evening, we set our non-operational lighting to 15% of those lights used during operating hours. The lights we do leave on act as a security and safety measure for staff exiting the premises. We are actively switching our lighting systems to energy-saving LED bulbs and we turn off our point-of-sale equipment each evening.

First Name Basis

We are especially proud to offer a large selection of product where we can share, by name, the person behind the creation. We enjoy knowing that Colleen and Cathy hand pour our eco-friendly soy candles. That Dani creates the cushions and signs that touch your heart and make you laugh. We love it when you admire the craftsmanship of the furniture made by Jeff and Keith.

It is true, Sheri's sea glass note cards are just right for the occasion ahead of you and that Lindsay is the creative genius behind our selection of gorgeous Georgian Bay Boards. We agree with you that Jodie's pottery is perfect for every occasion and that Amanda's stained glass art is ideal for commemorating a celebration.

We hope to offer you a personal connection with your investment in our merchandise by providing first name familiarity with the quality you are receiving and the many entrepreneurs you are supporting.

We love to meet and represent new local and Canadian artisans.

We strive to keep our product selection as unique as possible.  To achieve this,  we commit to our artists in that we won't sell a similar product made by another artist. In some cases, we may have two artisans using wood or creating pottery but their creations are distinctly unique within their own mediums. In exchange for our exclusive commitment, we require the artisan to provide us selling exclusivity within 30 kms.  The exception being local artists who operate their own studios/websites within the area.  We understand wanting to take ownership of selling your own product and wouldn't realistically expect you to stop selling from your own studio just so you can be represented at Houghton Creek.  

We operate strictly on consignment.  We offer a business relationship that creates a symbiotic partnership where artisans are motivated to promote Houghton Creek to their followers as an alternative purchase location.  In exchange, artisans benefit in a number of different scenarios.   The primary benefit is the difference between your hours of operation in comparison to our 7-days a week operating hours.  A sales relationship with Houghton Creek also grants you access to participate in selling events organized and promoted by the various business organizations of which we are members.  It may also continue to generate income for you while you are on vacation or otherwise away from your studio.  You set the retail prices allowing you to keep consistent "value" assigned to your product(s) across all selling platforms.  Payment is remitted on the 15th day of the month following.  

If you feel this is something you would like to pursue we invite you to submit a portfolio of your work complete with photos, retail prices and a description of what unique attributes (eg. Sustainable creation process, charitable organizations supported, environmental benefits/impacts) are associated with your work.  Basically we want you to tell us why your work is amazing, why we wouldn't want to go another day without selling it in our store and how customers will feel good about their purchasing decision.

Our website showcases the environmental champions and community building heros who are also the artisans responsible for creating so many of our proud Canadian made products.  We want to see our product offering grow.  Please share your unique story with us by sending an email to info@houghtoncreek.com 

Our Name

A childhood spent in the more rural areas of the Kawartha Lakes, meant wide open spaces to roam, ample free time for adventure seeking and most importantly, family and neighbourhood friends to share those times.

 
Some of the best memories were from time spent by a creek bed on our grandparents' farm.  In the summer, we would climb the rail bridge that spanned the water and dangle our legs over the edge. We shared stories, skipped stones and tried our hand at fishing. On especially hot days, we would muster the courage to wade out into the water as far as the posts that supported the rail bridge above and hope the leeches didn't take hold of our bare feet. The creek bed didn't have a formal name but to me it would always be "Houghton Creek".  A place where memories were made, friendships were forged and family spent time together.
 
Decades later, a new "Houghton Creek" evolved. Still rooted in family traditions, we hope our merchandise will be part of your own special moments and treasured memories.  We value our friendships with the artisans who craft our products and also with you, our customers who support us.  Our name hangs proudly above our doors and we look forward to welcoming you as a friend when you next visit Houghton Creek.

Payment Methods Accepted

We accept Cash, Interac, Visa, Mastercard, American Express (Amex), Apple Pay and E-Transfer as forms of payment.

Refund Policy

We offer a full refund within 7 days of purchase on all regular priced merchandise. Merchandise reduced in price will be considered final sale at time of purchase.