Skip to Content

Leeds and the Thousand Islands Logo

Main menu icon
Home Contact Us Feedback
Twitter page Facebook page Instagram Linked In Training Centre
  • Living
    • About Leeds and the Thousand Islands
    • Animal Services
    • Cemeteries
    • Community and Social Services
    • Events Calendar
    • Garbage and Recycling
    • Hospitals and Health Care
    • Maps
    • News and Public Notices
    • Places of Worship
    • Roads and Sidewalks
    • Seniors Services
    • Taxes
    • Township Times Newsletter
    • Trees and Yards
    • Utilities Water and Sewer
    • Waterfront Living
    • Youth Services
  • Playing
    • Arts Culture and Heritage
    • Boat Launches
    • Casino
    • Events Calendar
    • Facilities
    • Grants and Funding
    • Hunting and Fishing
    • Leisure Interest Activities
    • Library
    • Local Flavours
    • Maps
    • Seeley's Bay Harbour
    • Parks Lakes and Trails
    • Recreation and Sports
    • Recreation Subsidy
    • Special Event Permits
    • Transportation and Getting Here
    • Visiting Leeds and The Thousand Islands
  • Growing
    • Available Lands and Buildings
    • Bids and Tenders
    • Broadband Initiative
    • Building and Renovating
    • Business Chronicles (Profiles)
    • Business Directory
    • Business or Event Advertising
    • Business Support & Economic Development
    • Chambers of Commerce
    • Digital Footprint - Online Resources
    • Grants and Funding
    • Invest Now
    • Maps
    • Planning and Development
    • Visiting Leeds and The Thousand Islands
    • Zoning
  • Governing
    • Accessibility
    • Agendas and Minutes
    • Animal Services
    • Applications Licenses and Permits
    • Ask a Question/Report a Problem
    • Budget and Finance
    • By-Laws and Enforcement
    • Careers
    • Commissioner of Oaths
    • County and Jurisdiction
    • Departments
    • Elections
    • Emergency Services and Preparedness
    • Freedom of Information
    • Frequently Requested By-laws
    • Grants and Funding
    • Mayor Council and Committees
    • News and Public Notices
    • Reports Studies and Plans
    • Taxes
    • Volunteer
    • Watch a Council Meeting
Main menu icon Menu
I'd Like to...
    • Apply for a Burn Permit
    • Ask a Question
    • Find Job Opportunities
    • Learn about the election
    • Report a Problem
    • Watch Virtual Council Meeting

Ridgway Confections

Show or hide navigation More
Decrease text size Default text size Increase text size
Print This Page
Share This Page
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email This page Email
Receive Email Updates...

More in this Section...

Default Inteiror Banner

Quick Links

Ridgway ConfectionsBusiness Owner
Derek Ouellet, Owner
www.ridgwayconfections.com
159 Main Street, Seeley’s Bay ON, K0H 2N0
613-532-4468 

Tell us about yourself! Hobbies? Fun facts? How did you get started?
I have been in retail for over 40 years.  I started in the food industry then moved to retail. After 35 years, I was looking for a change. My partner, Cindy, had been making chocolate and goodies for our family for many years and had been renting the kitchen at the Nest Egg in the early mornings.  After a year or so of making chocolate in the wee hours of the morning, before heading off to her day job, it was obvious that something needed to change. One day Cindy said she would you be interested in making chocolate, and the rest, as they say, is history. 

Define your business in your own words.
Ridgway Confections specializes in fine hand-crafted Belgian chocolates. Each of our creations is made only with fresh ingredients - like butter and cream. We source our ingredients locally where possible and where it is not possible (i.e. chocolate) we ensure that our purchases are made from 100% sustainably grown cocoa beans. We also make a range of brittles (chocolate covered sponge candy is a customer favourite) and barks. Additionally, we make a 'bean to bar' chocolate bar that is sweetened with local maple syrup. 

What business achievement are you most proud of?
I think we are most proud of the "Truffle Shuffle".  It is a community focused event - a 5km fun run/walk that raises money for the local foodbank. This year was our 4th annual. We raised approximately $1,000 for the R.O.L.L. AID Food Bank. It is amazing the support we receive from the Township and our local community for this event.  We are so grateful.

Why did you choose Leeds and the Thousand Islands to start your business?
Admittedly, we didn't choose to come to Seeley's Bay to start a chocolate business. It just evolved.  We purchased the house from the MacPhersons because we loved it. Dale, from the Nest Egg, was the first person we met in the Bay.  Cindy made her some fudge as a thank you one year at Christmas and Dale asked her if she would make it for her shop. Because we didn’t have a professional kitchen, we rented Dale’s for about a year until we finally decided to take the plunge and build our own.  We turned the summer kitchen at our house into a commercial kitchen and have been building on this momentum ever since. In 2010, we decided to open a showroom in the house; the room where the doctor's office used to be - kind of the alchemy of chocolate. We have had such fun.

What words would you use to describe Leeds and the Thousand Islands?
This area is simply amazing! Each season is truly breath taking. I was out running early this morning and I stopped and stood and stared about mid run and just went "wow" we are truly blessed to live in such a magical area. We are so lucky to have found this hidden gem.

Provide a message to your future guests!
Come visit...relax...stay for a while and experience all this area has to offer.  

Ridgway Confections described in one word:
Luxurious

Read More Business Chronicles

Contact Us

  • Ask Question/Report Problem
  • Agendas and Minutes
  • Community Events Calendar
  • Facility Rental Request
  • News and Public Notices
  • Recreation and Leisure

Leeds and the Thousand Islands footer logo

© 2023 Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands, 1233 Prince St., P.O. Box 280, Lansdowne, ON K0E 1L0  
Phone: 613-659-2415 Toll Free: 1-866-220-2327 Fax: 613-659-3619
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
After Hours Emergency: 1-855-961-7018

AccessibilityContact UsTerms of Use Sitemap
  • Living
    • About Leeds and the Thousand Islands
    • Animal Services
    • Cemeteries
    • Community and Social Services
    • Events Calendar
    • Garbage and Recycling
    • Hospitals and Health Care
    • Maps
    • News and Public Notices
    • View All...
  • Playing
    • Arts Culture and Heritage
    • Boat Launches
    • Casino
    • Events Calendar
    • Facilities
    • Grants and Funding
    • Hunting and Fishing
    • Leisure Interest Activities
    • Library
    • View All...
  • Growing
    • Available Lands and Buildings
    • Bids and Tenders
    • Broadband Initiative
    • Building and Renovating
    • Business Chronicles (Profiles)
    • Business Directory
    • Business or Event Advertising
    • Business Support & Economic Development
    • Chambers of Commerce
    • View All...
  • Governing
    • Accessibility
    • Agendas and Minutes
    • Animal Services
    • Applications Licenses and Permits
    • Ask a Question/Report a Problem
    • Budget and Finance
    • By-Laws and Enforcement
    • Careers
    • Commissioner of Oaths
    • View All...

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.