July 24, 2007

Lakes of Muskoka Cottage Brewery was started in 1996 and is one of the few remaining Canadian owned microbreweries.  Lakes of Muskoka Cottage Brewery Inc.(LMCB) specializes in the production of craft brewed beer products.  The products are premium, organic and value brand beers sold in bottles and kegs through licensed establishments, as well as in the Brewers' Retail, Ontario Liquor Store network, and on-site at the brewery.

Since its inception, the Brewery has been able to grow, survive and build awareness of its brand in an extremely competitive beer marketplace.  Beers produced by LMCB have pushed out well-established international brands at various beer competitions.

The Brewery presently employs 9 full-time personnel, and has an additional 6 permanent part-time packaging staff.  Additionally, the brewery hires 2-3 students during the summer months.  There have been many additional spin off benefits for the local area.  The Brewery focuses on using local suppliers whenever possible; examples include point of sales materials, publications, and mechanical support.  As a reflection of Gary McMullen's high regard for the importance of business mentors, he offers students of the Young Entrepreneur Program (YEP), a tour of his brewery and shares his experience.  This information is extremely valuable and inspiring, as he is living proof that youth can succeed and overcome adversity when starting a business.  The Brewery is very focused on becoming a key tourism attraction for the Muskoka region.

LMCB received CFDC funding in 2001.  Being only 26 years old when he started, Gary claims that the importance of the CFDC role in communities is that they are prepared to take greater risks on loan applicants.  For Gary, Muskoka Futures business financing built confidence among chartered banks and shareholders.  CFDCs, therefore, open the doors to financing for youth and other "high risk" applicants - giving them a chance to prove themselves in the competitive world of business.