06/02/2026
Well, this absolutely sucks.
Recently, someone took the time and energy to file a complaint with the local fire department about our floral entrance arch. Yes - that flower/basket display.
Their complaint was investigated and determined to be unfounded, however the inspection that followed identified an issue under the Ontario Fire Code related to the decorative baskets and materials around our entrance. As a result, we've been ordered to remove the display.
The timing was difficult. The complaint happened on the eve of a long weekend and by the time we received the report, we were away on a family vacation. We came home knowing that our first task would be taking down something we had poured an incredible amount of time, creativity, money, and heart into.
Many of you followed along as we built this display. What started as an idea became a project we were genuinely proud of. We planned to keep evolving it throughout the season, changing the flowers, baskets, and overall look every few months to give people something new to enjoy.
We understand that rules exist for a reason - our issue isn’t with the law in question, we have
chosen to comply with the order.
Small businesses are often judged by what people see on the surface, but behind every project is a family, a team, and a lot of sacrifice. The things that make a place feel special don't happen by accident. They come from late nights, financial risk, hard work, and a genuine desire to create something memorable for the community.
This display brought smiles, photos, conversations, and countless kind comments. So we took it down. We're angry, we're disappointed, and yes, we're heartbroken. It's hard not to feel that way. The hardest part of this whole process was having to tell Ginette that we would have to take it down. It broke me.
At the end of the day, we're people. We're a small business trying our best to create something special for our community. We don't always get everything right, we make a ton of mistakes, but we show up every day with good intentions, and we'll continue to do so.
You don't have to like us. You don't have to visit our bakery. You don't have to enjoy our food, and
you certainly don't have to follow our page. What we hope is that if you ever have a concern about something we're doing, you'll bring it to us
directly.
We're human. We make mistakes, we learn, and we're always willing to have a conversation and take responsibility when we get something wrong.
We'll keep finding new ways to make Iron Kettle a place that feels special for those who choose to be a part of it.
Ben
