Organic offerings in the north country

Oct 14, 2010

Photo:Janet Ducharme, owner and operator of Johnston Lake Organic’s near Ompah

Likely the biggest challenge facing Janet Ducharme's new home-based business called Johnston Lake Organic’s is its location. Thankfully because word travels fast in these parts, that is slowly changing. Johnston Lake Organic’s is located at 1222 Struthadam Road, off River Road between Ompah and Ardoch. The shop is housed in Janet’s decade-old home on a one-acre lakefront property with an expansive view of Johnston Lake. It caters to consumers looking for organic body products, gluten-free and other organic food stuffs and much more. For shoppers who want to avoid a long trip to Perth or Kingston, Johnston Lake Organic’s is a friendly alternative.

The business opened in February 2009 but Janet has been making her own body products for over a decade from recipes that were handed down to her from both of her grandmothers. “At first I was just selling my products to friends and family members but soon realized that there was a steadily increasing demand for them.” Her line, also named Johnston Lake Organic’s, includes a wide array of hand and body lotions, massage oils, lip balms, bath salts, soaps and medicinal creams.

The majority of the first floor of her home makes up the retail space of the shop. Janet manufactures her products in the basement of her house and it is a time-consuming process since she renders down many of the ingredients herself.

Since opening last February her shop has already undergone three expansions, which have increased her overall store space and have also included new shelving. This has allowed her to increase her stock to include other natural organic products and medicinals that are not readily available in other local stores.

Some of her new products include J.R. Watkins all natural and organic vitamins and minerals, medicated ointments, oils, cough syrups and bug sprays. She also caries a variety of gluten free products from CELIMIX, Pane Riso and Schar, including gluten-free cookie, cake and muffin mixes; gluten-free breads and croutons and ice cream cones; rice pastas from Rizopia as well as products for diabetics like Stevia, the plant-based sugar substitute. She also stocks a wide variety of beans from Eden Foods and organic salad dressings and condiments by Simply Natural.

Her shelves also showcase the work and products of other local area makers and include herbal cleaning products and flea protection for pets, Brigid's Balms Debbie Kiss' spiritual Rune products and Shari Gunsinger’s candles, along with purses by local artisan Debbie Emery.

Janet happily refers to her shop as “Ompah's best-kept secret” but that will likely no longer be the case as shoppers are coming to realize that they can save a long trip to the city and find much of what they need at her new store.

Janet continues to develop her line of products and also plans to pursue further training at the Toronto School of Homeopathic Medicine, where she hopes to acquire a doctorate. “My hopes are that one day I to be able to treat people right out of my home.”

She is also currently in the process of acquiring Health Canada certification for her Johnston Lake line of products, which will allow them to be sold in more retail outlets. Currently her products are also available at the Double S Marina in Ompah and Barnabee's in Perth.

Her store is open 7 days a week from 10AM-5PM and she can be reached at 1-888-479-2898 or 613-479-2898