If you’ve ever found yourself wandering along the waterfront in Burlington, coffee in hand, watching the light hit Lake Ontario just right, you already know there’s something a little special about Spencer Smith Park. Born out of the need for something to look forward to during the Great Depression of the 1930s, Spencer Smith Park is deeply rooted in the city’s identity. And once you start looking into it, there’s actually a story behind how it became the heart of Burlington.

Coffee shops in Burlington have a little bit of everything. I love the variety; whether it’s the vibe or the location, the one thing that connects my favourite spots is a good cup of coffee. If you’ve ever seen Gilmore Girls, you know, “I need coffee in an IV.” So your girl here needs her fix. There are so many great spots, but these are my top five coffee shops in Burlington.

When I think of Jess Rickus, I think of Studio Ninety. And when I think of Studio Ninety, I think of Jess Rickus. The two are completely intertwined. Built from the same vision and the same energy. This is a woman who didn’t just find her way into this work; she grew into it, and somewhere along the way, it became clear she was exactly where she was meant to be.