Prime Video’s latest romance series, “Every Year After,” follows teenage friends Percy and Sam as their summer love blossoms and later unravels in the fictionalized version of Barry’s Bay, Ontario. Though the show was filmed in British Columbia, the real lakeside community of roughly 1,300 residents is now drawing attention from viewers worldwide.

Barry’s Bay population of 1,300 sparks tourism curiosity

The source notes that the actual Barry’s Bay is a small Ontario town of about 1,300 people ,a figure that underscores how a modest community can become a cultural touchstone when featured on a global streaming platform. Visitors are already planning trips to see the real‑world locations that inspired the series, from the public beach bench inscribed “Percy and Sam were here” to the railway station bench honoring characters from Fortune’s other novel.

Filming in Vancouver and Bowen Island, not the real bay

According to the report, production took place in the summer of 2025 on Vancouver and Bowen Island, British Columbia, rather than on location in Ontario. the decision to recreate Barry’s Bay in B.C. was likely driven by logistical considerations, but the visual language still captures the town’s lakeside ambience that fans associate with the story.

Carley Fortune’s hometown roots anchor the narrative

As the source explains, author‑creator Carley Fortune grew up in Barry’s Bay and mined her teenage journals for the nostalgic summer moments that shape the novel and series. Her personal connection lends authenticity to the setting, and two commemorative benches in the town—one at the publiic beach and another at the railway station—serve as tangible tributes to her fictional characters.

Local businesses like Wilno Tavern gain unexpected exposure

The article highlights the Wilno Tavern, a family‑run bar‑restaurant known for pierogies, and the Pinewood Inn, where the adult Percy stays, as real‑world inspirations for on‑screen locations.. While the series was not shot there, the mentions have already boosted online searches for these estabilshments, suggesting a potential economic lift for the community.

Will the fictional Barry’s Bay boost the real‑town economy?

One open question the source leaves unanswered is whether the surge in viewer interest will translate into measurable tourism revenue for Barry’s Bay. no concrete visitor statistics have been released, and the town’s infrastructure for handling a tourism spike remains unclear.