By Vivian Collings
Tipples North is opening its doors to offer the Highlands gelato and cocktails.
It’s an atypical offering in one location, especially in Haliburton County, until Tipples North started.
The new business is located at 201 Highland Street in Haliburton and currently offers hand-made peanut-free, lactose-free, gluten-free, and vegan gelato along with anything you may need to mix your favourite cocktail.
“We hope this is a place where people can come hang out and enjoy,” said owner Jessica Hardie. “We want Tipples North to become a destination spot, a fun place that will encourage people to come to downtown Haliburton and see what it has to offer.”
Hardie’s partner Liam Maloney and his family have had a cottage in Haliburton County for 15 years, and the couple always wanted to start a business in the area, but the challenge was coming up with the right idea.

When Maloney’s mother expressed her difficulty in being able to find the ingredients needed to mix her favourite cocktails locally, they knew they stumbled upon the perfect business venture.
After discussing the idea with a talented gelato-making friend, Tipples North was born.
“[Our friend] always found it hard to find a place to eat and enjoy because of his partner’s allergies, so he started to make his own gelato that is allergen-conscious and delicious,” Hardie said.
Hardie and Maloney are learning how to make the gelato themselves so that they will be able to expand their flavour selection. They currently offer mango, cookies n’ cream, brownie batter, birthday cake, french vanilla cherry swirl, and cocktail-inspired flavours like espresso martini, strawberry daquiri, mojito, and pina colada.
They are also working on acquiring their liquor licence so that Tipples North can be open late and invite people in to enjoy gelato and an alcoholic drink.

Tipples North aims to support local businesses and currently sells local honey from Honey from the Hills and will soon sell kombucha from Luc’s Brew and coffee from Rebel Coffee.
Tipples North can be found on Instagram @tipplesnorth and reached at 705-457-3884.
This is just the beginning of the couple’s journey with Tipples North, said Hardie.
“We have big plans for the store in the future. We hope to continue to expand and offer a fun place to come hang out with friends for a portion of their day … We want to make it the place to be, a destination spot, and something different from what anyone has seen before,” Hardie said.