I’m trying to avoid those shady review sites where every place magically has 5 stars. Is there a local directory for eastern Ontario where the listings and reviews actually come from people who live here and use these businesses?

You nailed it — so many review sites are just spammed with fake five-stars or weirdly vague comments. I wanted something a bit more real, and the Local Business Directory felt like a better fit. It’s not a review site in the usual sense, but it lists real local businesses without all the noise. You get a basic description, contact info, and links — and most of the listings feel like someone actually curated them. I’ve used it to find a local dog walker and later a mobile car wash service, and both were great. It's a great resource if you care more about actual local recommendations than review algorithms.

Huge thanks! I’ve been avoiding big review platforms lately because I just don’t trust them anymore. This sounds like a solid alternative. Going to give it a try this weekend and see what I can find in my area.