Me, one fine Wednesday morning. My phone buzzes and I flip it over to find a text with those fateful words, “On my way to go get a pumpkin spice latte.”
Fall products. They’re back.
Yep. It’s that time of year again. Leaves are starting to change, mornings are getting colder, and the smell of apple pastries is in the air. For some of us, this is a melancholy time. As put by Melinda Wenner Moyer of the New York Times, “I’m rarely ready for the annual transition to pumpkin spice lattes and cooler weather, but this year, the shift feels especially unwelcome—perhaps because this has been the first somewhat normal summer in more than two years, and I’m not ready for it to end.”
Melinda couldn’t be more right. Saying goodbye to the summer months after two years of COVID summers isn’t easy. Who wants to trade bathing suits and sunscreen for sweaters, rakes, and fallen leaves? I get it. Who likes raking? But I am a firm believer that falling into Fall can mean so much more than raking dead leaves. Maybe Fall, especially this year, just needs more spice—and not just the pumpkin variety.
But where to start?
Well, how about a little local online shopping? Let’s take a minute to explore what Fall and our local Maritime businesses have to offer. After a few minutes of browsing some Fall fun, trading in the warm weather for a latte won’t seem so bad after all.
Falling into Fall Products
Fall, like Christmas, is aesthetic. You gotta start with a Fall feel before you can really be in Fall. And where better to start than…
Candles
Candles are a hallmark of Fall weather—and perfect when embracing the cooling evenings. Lucky for us, Nova Scotia local businesses have their candles ready for you.
Hand-poured and fitted, Circle and Wick Candles fit right into everything cozy. With their Fall line just coming out, Circle and Wick has got every aroma ready, from Milk and Honey to Harvest (“Sweet top notes of mulled apple cider and berries. Warm mid notes of cinnamon.”) But who buys just one candle? Not me. Circle and Wick have that answer. You can even buy packs of 3-4, with varying scents from their Fall line. This will probably keep you going until we have to switch to Christmas. Hopefully.
Burning Flame Candles has it all. Soy wax, cotton wick, clean burn. They’re even vegan! Didn’t even know candles could be vegan. Better yet, their new collection of Fall candles is out. With over 40 different candles in this collection, you can really get any Fall scent you need. They even have the Nova Scotia icon, Moon Mist. I know, doesn’t fit the season, but come on, it’s Moon Mist. How Maritime is that!?
Cozy Home – Candle Melts & More
All candles don’t have to be circular either. Cozy Home Melts takes this to another level. Making wax melts of every different shape. Just opening their Fall line, Cozy Home Melts offers ten different scents, including apple pie, pumpkin spice and Bourbon Butterscotch Type. And, best of all, they deliver!
Fall Products: Decor
But Fall isn’t all candles. Fall, like the changing leaves, is about the look too. Locally-owned Nova Scotian décor can do that for you.
Family-run in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Re. Defined takes antique Nova Scotian furniture and décor and gives it a new spin. And with Fall around the corner, Re. Defined has just begun redefining new Fall pieces for you to enjoy.
All handcrafted, created and painted, Swanwick Crafts offers Fall décor that can be customarily made in the colour palette of your choice. Coming in many dimensions, sizes and shapes, Swanwick Crafts offers all the Fall necessities—from Pumpkins to Candy Corn.
Carefully made, Pieces of Wood brings local artists all together to offer their hand-made treasures. This includes décor items such as locally sourced and hand-made Fall baskets!
Fall Products: Clothing
Getting excited for sweater weather? Here are some local clothing businesses that can keep you warm.
Located in Bedford, PHIT Cetera is locally sourced, sustainably made, and environmentally friendly. Phit Cetra fits perfectly with Fall fashion—making you cozy as the temperature drops.
Lemonade Stand Designs & Necklings
Looking for some wearable art to freshen up your Fall look? Check out the beautiful accessory stylings of Nova Scotian textile artist & fashion designer, Marie Webb!
For the fashion (and socially) conscious thrifter, The Social Boutique is the place to go for gorgeous pre-loved women’s fashion. And the best bit? All the proceeds go towards funding Dress For Success Halifax—a non-profit organization whose mission is, “to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.”
They’re currently moving to a new store location, but you can keep up with all their news and when they’re opening on their Facebook page in the meantime!
Coffee, Cafes… and Pumpkin Spice Beer?
Sometimes a pumpkin spice latte just hits. Homemade pumpkin pie? Even better. But pumpkin spice beer Fall products? That’s something else. By the way, if you’re looking to stock up your own pantry with locally blended Pumpkin Spice (and much more) check out Axe to Grind Foods.
But I digress (slightly). Let’s continue with those yummy local Fall drinks—soft & hard.
A new business opening just this year, Hyve Cafe takes a new and unique look at all things pumpkin. Hyve features their Pumpkin Spice Latte… Shake Coffee. You heard me, not just a coffee or a pumpkin spice shake. No. Hyve takes the two and makes it into one.
And it doesn’t stop there. Coming out in a week, Hyve is releasing its new Fall Menu. This is going to include delectables such as:
- Apple cider doughnuts
- Pumpkin doughnuts
- Pumpkin spice protein doughnuts
And more!
Just releasing their Fall menu, Side-Kick Cafe has everything Fall, from pumpkin muffins to maple pumpkin squares. But, according to them, it’s not all pumpkin there, with their newest Fall drink being far from that. Bringing in the Cherry Mocha latte, Side-Kick Cafe is offering more than just pumpkin spice and Apple this season.
Fall Product: Ciders & Drinks
And if we are bouncing out of pumpkin spice, why not fall out of hot drinks as well! Lake City Cider does this perfectly with their mix of apple cider Fall drinks. This includes variety packs and free delivery for orders within the HRM over $45!
Apple cider, that I’m sure we can see. Pumpkin spiced ale? Never tried that. With their seasonal release, Halifax local brewery, Propeller, just brought out their Pumpkin Spiced Ale. Brewed using “Howard Dill’s world-famous pumpkins from Windsor, NS”, this drink is as Nova Scotian in the Fall as it really gets and is even advertised as “pumpkin pie in a glass.” Someone has got to try this and let me know.
Planning Out Your Fall
You aren’t going to find everything here. The trick about buying local is sometimes, it’s hard to find. But where better to look for local Fall gear this year than at a market? The only thing is, they’re closing soon. Most close mid-October, so get there while you can. To help you out, I’ll include a link to Market Finder below. Just put in your location and find the market nearest to you!
Click Here to Find Your Market!
And if that’s not enough, you can come to us for more Fall planning! We have already released our local things to do post. Click here to scroll and find lots of stuff to do during the Fall months. And remember to keep checking back as we update regularly with cool new activities and events.
Alright, Enough Window Shopping
You may be thinking this can’t be it. There’s got to be more. And you’re right, there is! This is only a taste of what some of the local businesses are offering this Fall in the Maritimes. So kick that post-summer blues and get out there to try them out! And when you do, post about your favourite Local Fall Product finds in the comments so that we can all enjoy!
