
Bunkies in Bay of Quinte: Build a Good Business to Live a Good Life
January 30, 2025
The Bunkie Co. arrived in the Bay of Quinte region during the pandemic. Co-founder, Evan Bare, was attracted to the lifestyle the region had to offer. The company has established itself here successfully, as many businesses do, in part due to their access to affordable land and facilities and plenty of economic development support. The company’s manufacturing element makes Bunkies and the Bay of Quinte – a manufacturing hub – a perfect fit.
Bunkies are tiny cabins that don’t require a permit to build and easy to assemble without highly specialized skills or tools. The cabins are insulated for four-season use and can be used as cottage annexes or as guest rooms and offices in people’s backyards (especially popular during Covid). The cabins are fire resistant and contain insulation that won’t grow mold. There is little to no formaldehyde in the wood, and the high-performing glass walls allow lots of light to come in. They do not have any hard plumbing – there is no kitchen and bathroom – but owners often make it their own by adding, for instance, incinerator toilets or sinks from off-grid product suppliers.
The Bunkie Co. sources their materials right here in the Bay of Quinte region, fulfilling their aim to source locally. Because the plywood is cut to precision using CNC routers, no new tooling is needed to build them.
The Brighton-based company benefits from its close proximity to the region’s shipping corridor, right off Highway 401 at the edge of the Greater Toronto Area. Since they ship their product all over North America, that transport feature is a must.
Affordable Land for Lifestyle and Plenty of Space for Manufacturing in Bay of Quinte
Evan Bare is an industrial designer by trade with a background in furniture design. Evan wanted to build a meaningful, high-quality product focused on sustainability and local materials. He and his family also have a vision and passion for creating a sustainable lifestyle – growing their own food and as well as building ecological and sustainable structures with a view to design for disassembly and right to repair.
The Bunkie Co. was originally located north of Toronto. Since a small manufacturer like this one can exist anywhere as long as it has power, basic machinery and access to wood and steel, Evan moved his family and business to the lower-cost and higher quality of living eastern Ontario region.
Evan has a future vision for agro-tourism that will welcome new residents and create new jobs for the region. He would like to build a tiny house community in the region and is looking into partnerships to help him do that. He pictures a subdivision of 300-400 square foot units that cost around $175,000, which would include a community center. Evan even pictures age-in-place and senior care settings in the community.
Learn more about The Bunkie Co.’s tiny cabins online and how QEDC helps Bay of Quinte businesses, support entrepreneurs, and the local workforce.