Meet the Makers: Purple Haven Lavender Farm

FOR THE LOVE OF LAVENDER

With a love and passion for flowers and herbs, Lavender clearly being at the top of her list, Kim Drew envisioned creating a special place, somewhere magical that would offer visitors a sanctuary filled with natural beauty, genuine artisan goods, and a celebration of healthy living. So, along with her family – three generations to be exact – she set out to make her ambitious vision a reality. The result is the uniquely enchanting Purple Haven Lavender Farm

Located about an hour-and-a-half drive from Toronto and an hour from Niagara Falls, amid the serene countryside along the north shore of Lake Erie in the small farming community of Canfield, Purple Haven welcomes visitors with its spectacular landscape, delightful aromas, unique products, and small-town hospitality. This beautiful setting feels almost like a mirage, a dreamlike scene beckoning all those who visit to forget about the daily stresses of the world.

“I always tell people that it’s very easy to lose yourself here,” says owner and chief lavender lover Kim Drew about the atmosphere that awaits guests at Purple Haven. ”The irresistible scent of lavender’s sweet fragrance and sight of beautiful purple-violet flowers swaying under the summer sky is one of the most calming and relaxing sensations you could possibly experience,” she explains. “We feel truly blessed to be lavender farmers. Our whole family is involved, so it’s truly a labour of love. It fills us with so much joy and hope.”

Visitors to Purple Haven will also feel blessed and joyful as they stroll through the picturesque grounds (this is prime “selfie” snapshot territory) and take in the abundant sensory delights. Wanting to share the many benefits of lavender beyond the flower’s elegant beauty, Drew offers an incredible selection of handcrafted products to choose from, taking full advantage of the many uses and qualities of lavender, as well as other botanicals and naturally derived goods.

From cooking to cleaning, entertaining to relaxing, and everything in between, Purple Haven offers a vast range of locally made and sustainably sourced products, all focusing on quality, purity, safety and value. “You name it and chances are we’ve got a natural lavender-based version of it,” says Drew. “There are just so many amazing uses and applications for lavender. It’s so versatile as a plant.”

When you visit Purple Haven, you’ll quickly see what Drew means. The onsite shop offers an incredible array of all-natural and organic items, including bath and body care, facial care, hand lotions, aromatherapy, home décor, culinary creations like specialty jams, preserves, seasonings and spices, and home cleaning products. You can even pick up something special for your furry best friend with the “Purple Dawg” collection of dog products, guaranteed to get a bark of approval from even the pickiest pooch.

On a more serious note, the calming and therapeutic effects of lavender have never been more relevant and useful, especially in light of the current pandemic. “We saw a real need and opportunity to offer something special to help make things a little easier in these challenging times,” explains Drew. “We’re proud to offer a unique range of Covid-19 care packs that includes lavender-infused natural hand sanitizers, organic soaps and sprays, and of course masks.” Available for purchase online, these care packs make a great gift for friends, neighbours, teachers, and anyone else you want to help keep safe.

You can conveniently shop online at Purple Haven’s website or at online selling platforms such as Etsy. Depending on Covid-19 restrictions and public health guidelines, Purple Haven looks forward to safely welcoming back visitors to its beautiful property and onsite store. “Things will eventually return to normal,” assures Drew. “And when they do, we’ll be here to welcome our guests back just as we’ve always done – with plenty of lavender and lots of love.”