Creemore's Mill Street is one of the best small-town shopping streets in Ontario, and it is not close. A single block of heritage buildings packed with independent shops, good restaurants, a famous brewery and zero chain stores. The village has roughly 1,300 people, but Mill Street punches well above that weight class.
The street runs about 300 metres from the old Creemore Springs Brewery at the south end to Foodland at the north. You can walk the entire thing in five minutes, but most people spend an hour or two browsing, eating and wandering. On summer weekends, the street fills with day-trippers from Collingwood, Barrie and Toronto. Weekdays are quieter, which is often the better time to visit.
The Shops
Curiosity House Books
122 Mill Street. A proper independent bookshop in a small village. Curiosity House stocks a carefully curated selection of fiction, non-fiction, children's books and local interest titles. The space is warm and browsable, with staff who actually read and can make recommendations. They host author events and book clubs throughout the year. In a world of online ordering, this place is a reminder of why bookshops matter.
Heirloom 142
142 Mill Street. A home decor and lifestyle shop with a well-edited collection of furniture, textiles, candles, kitchenware and gifts. The aesthetic leans toward modern rustic without tipping into farmhouse cliche. Prices reflect the quality: this is not a dollar store, but you will find pieces that hold up and look good for years. A reliable spot for housewarming gifts or something for yourself.
The 100 Mile Store
176 Mill Street. Everything in this shop is sourced from within 100 miles. Local honey, preserves, sauces, baked goods, cheese, charcuterie, and seasonal produce from nearby farms. If you care about where your food comes from, this is your store. It is also the best place to assemble a picnic before heading to one of Clearview's parks or conservation areas. Inventory changes with the seasons, so repeat visits always turn up something new.
Mill Street Vintage
Vintage clothing and accessories on Mill Street. The stock rotates regularly and tends toward well-chosen pieces rather than random thrift finds. Quality varies with what comes in, but the prices are fair and you can occasionally find something genuinely special. Worth a browse even if vintage is not usually your thing.
The Keep Refillery
A zero-waste and refill shop offering cleaning products, personal care items, and household essentials in bring-your-own-container format. They also carry eco-friendly goods, reusable products and natural beauty items. A niche concept that works well in a community that values sustainability. Bring your own containers or buy them there.
Food and Drink
Mill Street has some of the best eating in all of Clearview Township. The options are small in number but high in quality.
Bank Cafe
179 Mill Street. Located in a former bank building, Bank Cafe is famous for its cinnamon buns, which are genuinely exceptional and sell out regularly. Beyond the buns, they serve good coffee, sandwiches, soups and baked goods. The space is cozy and the line can stretch out the door on weekends. Tip: go early or go on a weekday. If the cinnamon buns are gone, the other pastries are still worth the trip.
Chez Michel
150 Mill Street. A French bistro in a village of 1,300 people, and it works. Chez Michel serves classic French dishes with local ingredients: think onion soup, duck confit, steak frites, and seasonal specials. The dining room is intimate, the service is attentive, and reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. This is easily one of the best restaurants in Simcoe County, not just Clearview. Prices are mid-range for what you get.
Creemore Springs Brewery
139 Mill Street. The brewery that put Creemore on the map. Founded in 1987, Creemore Springs started as a true craft operation long before craft beer was fashionable. The original Premium Lager remains their flagship, and you can tour the brewery and sample beers in the retail shop. Yes, they are now owned by Molson Coors, and some locals have opinions about that. But the beer is still brewed here, the facility is part of the village's identity, and a visit is worth your time. The Batch Gastrobrewery next door pairs their beers with solid food.
Groceries
Foodland Creemore
187 Mill Street, at the north end of the strip. A small-town Foodland that covers the basics for Creemore residents. It is not as large as the Stayner Foodland, but it handles everyday grocery needs and stocks some local products. Handy if you are spending the day in Creemore and need to pick up supplies.
Visiting Tips
Parking is free on Mill Street and the surrounding side streets. On busy summer weekends, you may need to park a block or two away, but it is never a serious problem. The village has public washrooms near the community centre.
Seasonal hours matter here. Some shops reduce hours or close entirely from January through March. If you are planning a winter visit, check ahead. Summer and fall are peak season, with the best selection of open shops and the liveliest atmosphere.
Creemore is about 15 minutes south of downtown Stayner on County Road 9. It pairs well with a day that includes stops at local farm markets along the route. The drive itself is scenic, rolling through Clearview farmland.
If you are new to the area, Creemore is one of the first places you should visit. It will recalibrate your expectations of what a tiny Ontario village can offer. This is not a tourist trap. It is a real community with exceptional independent businesses that happen to be worth driving to.