Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring DBIA, NFP Seminar, The Cottage and Nine Ships 1825

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

There’s an end-of-summer sidewalk sale and block party in downtown Peterborough on Aug. 26.

Organized by the Downtown Business Improvement Area, the event will offer exclusive deals, unique finds, and a lively atmosphere as George Street is closed between Simcoe and Hunter streets. There will be live acoustic music and a pedestrian-friendly space to shop and explore downtown. Get more info at theboro.ca.

Would you like to master the art of a successful grant application?

The Chamber of Commerce is holding a seminar for not-for-profits with facilitator Gail Moorhouse of Recharge Solutions. The seminar will include essential skills and strategies to create compelling grant proposals, best budgeting practices, demonstration of budget impacts, and aligning with funder priorities. The seminar will be Sept. 20th from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in the Chamber boardroom at 175 George St. N.  Get more details at pkchamber.ca.

The Cottage in Havelock is celebrating its 10th anniversary with an entire year of festivities and fun.

They have added an 18-hole mini golf course, café and outdoor patio to their retail store. Each hole in the mini golf is thoughtfully crafted to provide a unique challenge to keep you entertained and making memories. Be sure to check out their showroom of top clothing brands with goods and gear that extend from apparel to water toys. While you are there, grab an ice cream, coffee, latte, milkshake and a world-famous Dooher’s donut. It’s always cottage season. Drop in or connect online.

The Nine Ships 1825 board of directors hosted Irish Consul General of Toronto– Janice McGann for the Nine Ships 1825 Bicentennial Project launched on July 30 at the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

The Nine Ships 1825 organization has been created to co-ordinate and promote this 200th anniversary in 2025 of the Peter Robinson Emigration of 2,024 Irish people to the Peterborough area. Visitors are expected from all over the world for the bicentennial and the Nine Ships 1825 project looks forward to welcoming them to the area. Visit nineships1825.com for information.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Great Outdoors Landing, Gauvreau Accounting, Summer Soul Yoga and Goatchella

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Looking to get out on the water this summer?

Great Outdoors Landing have added some new 2024 Yamaha Waverunners to their fleet. Rentals are available for half or full day. Located in Bridgenorth at 888 Garthorne Ave. Great Outdoors Landing offers boat docking, cottage rentals, a boating store, ice cream, and rentals of kayaks, boating accessories and personal watercraft. Visit greatoutdoors.life for more information and to book your rental.

Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory has launched their third annual Gear Up for Good campaign, an initiative dedicated to providing essential resources to under-served children in our community.

This year they’re doubling their target to 200 backpacks filled with school supplies. In addition to backpacks and supplies, they are providing complimentary haircuts to boost students' confidence as they start the school year. The donations will benefit both Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Children's Aid Society. Gauvreau is looking for additional support, including providing haircuts, backpacks, and supplies. Donations need to be dropped off at 150 King St. by Aug. 16.

There is free yoga in downtown Peterborough this summer.

The Downtown Business Improvement Area has partnered with Summer Soul Yoga and Wellness Studio to hold free outdoor yoga outside the Venture North building at 270 George Street North on Saturday mornings. These free sessions will be Aug. 10, 17 and 24. It’s a great way to kickstart your Saturday morning with some wellness.

Each class will be followed by a small downtown vendors market with some downtown businesses setting up booths for some post class shopping and refreshments.

Don’t miss Goatchella, this summer’s premier goat festival.

This annual event will be held on Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Haute Goat at 1166 5th line in Newtonville. Goatchella is a celebration of local farms, local makers, and local goats. There will be more than 30 artisan vendors, live entertainment, music, a pink tie gala and of course, goats. The Barn Door Stage will feature Melissa Payne. Find out more at hautegoat.com.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Innovation Cluster, Dr. J's BBQ & Brews, The Local Show and Baxter Hunt

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Innovation Cluster Peterborough and Kawarthas has three new board directors: Waun Broderick, Jan d’Ailly and Kelly Hagen.

The organization is celebrating 20 years of propelling growth and entrepreneurship in the region and is at a pivotal point as it reinvents its approach through a new strategic transformation. The three new board members bring skills the organization is looking for as it moves forward, reflecting its commitment to building a prominent and vibrant centre for the incubation and commercialization of innovation to support the needs of companies, partners, and the ecosystem.

Dr. J’s BBQ and Brews is heading to the lake.

After 10 years downtown in the historic Montreal House at the corner of Aylmer and King Streets, Dr. J’s is moving to Bridgenorth on the grounds of its sister restaurant, Chemong Lodge, at the corner of Hatton Avenue and Hunter Street. It’s a seamless transition for catering customers and now dining out on their amazing barbecue comes with a lakeside view eight minutes north of Peterborough. Downtown Peterborough will be missing the smell of barbecue.

The Local Show, hosted by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce at Lansdowne Place, is back on Saturday, September 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Local Show is the perfect event for new residents, students, and those considering relocation or retirement to this picturesque region. As you explore the exhibition, you'll have the opportunity to discover unique offerings from local businesses. Booths are still available for businesses looking to meet new customers as we expect about 14,000 people to pass through the mall that day. Visit pkchamber.ca for more information.

Peterborough hosted US Consul General Baxter Hunt last week, providing an opportunity to showcase what our community offers for American visitors and business investment.

This visit discussed growing businesses, local investment, and strengthening the economic relationship between Peterborough and U.S companies, hosted by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce at the new Canadian Canoe Museum location. The event included Mayor Jeff Leal, Warden Bonnie Clark and a diverse group of local businesses.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Carin' Crystals, Watson & Lou, Community Futures and Ghost Taco

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Carin' Crystals is now open in Bobcaygeon.

The shop is located at 232 Main St. on the east side of the Shell station. Owner Karen Francis officially launched her new business on June 8. She carries rocks, minerals, fossils and crystals, including spheres, towers, tumbles and raw. She has one-of-a-kind gifts and home décor ranging from more affordable items to high-end. Drop by and you’re sure to find something unique.

After seven years, Erin Watson, co-founder of Watson and Lou, is passing the torch to new owner Katie Küntz.

Watson started the shop with Anna Eidt back in 2017 with their mutual love for contemporary art and design. Their objective has been to host a creative shop that helps local artists and makers reach a wider audience, invites people to try new skills, and helps people find unique items to brighten someone's day while also investing in the local creative community.

Looking for entrepreneurial expertise and support to start or grow your business?

Community Futures is taking on the local Business Advisory Centre services, offering access to funding and advisory services all in one location. This includes delivering Small Business Enterprise Centre programs and offering the popular Starter Company Plus. These services had previously been offered by Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development. Community Futures is a not-for-profit organization that offers flexible financial support for small businesses. You can find them at Venture North at 270 George St. N.

There’s a tasty new option in Peterborough’s west end.

Ghost Taco has opened at 110 Chandler Cres. Dine in, take out, or get it delivered. Ghost Taco started as a pop-up after the pandemic forced their events business to close. Right from the start they’ve been inundated with orders. They took two years to perfect their menu and are now building an empire of chef-inspired tacos with quality ingredients. They currently have locations in Newmarket, Maple, and Peterborough with another location coming soon in Whitby.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Kitchens Depo/Original Flame, 100 Acre Brewing, Dreams of Beans and Summer Soul Yoga and Wellness

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Kitchens Depot and the Original Flame are partnering together on an expanded and shared 5,000 square foot showroom.

This one-of-a-kind showroom will feature fully functioning custom kitchens, bathrooms, and fireplaces to offer a whole luxury home experience. The showroom is at 810 Rye St. and will open this month. The Original Flame offers full-service fireplace and wood stove installation and finishing. Kitchens Depot brings 25 years of experience in the kitchen and bathroom industry.

100 Acre Brewing has a new beer called Perennial, a haskap fruit ale.

It’s a seasonal fruit ale inspired by experimentation and seasonal ingredients. It features Peterborough’s renowned Red Fife Wheat and haskap berries from local farms, resulting in a stunning ruby-coloured beer brimming with natural fruit notes and light acidity. Perennial is a must-try this summer season. 100 Acre Brewing is a family operated farmhouse brewery located on a 100-acre homestead property at 390 Ashburnham Dr.

Dreams of Beans, a fixture on Hunter Street for nearly three decades, is on the move.

The new location will still be in downtown Peterborough, but will re-open in the former Whistle Stop Café location at the corner of Charlotte and George streets. Owner Andrew MacGregor is looking to grow the business and expand hot meal offerings. Dreams of beans offers quality coffee and food with a commitment to fair trade coffee beans and paying a living wage.

Ashley Woollacott, owner of Summer Soul Yoga and Wellness, will be returning to both Little Lake and Stoney Lake for stand up paddleboard yoga for the first time since the pandemic.

Wollacott has been teaching stand up paddleboard for eight years now and originally began providing classes on Little Lake. She will also continue offering lessons on Chemong Lake. Summer Soul offers a variety of services and has a studio at 394 George Street North in Peterborough. Find out more or book your class at summersoul.ca.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Cheeks Ahoy, Wanderlight Alpaca Experience, Canada's Dinosaur Park and Love You, Mean It

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Cheeks Ahoy is turning 10!

Founder and creator Leah Black started the business shortly after having her first child and wanted to reduce waste by going the reusable diaper route. She encountered a lack of options for reusable wipes and decided to make her own. She soon found that the reusable wipes had a lot more uses. 10 years later, Cheeks Ahoy has a wide range of offerings, including bathroom, beauty, baby, parent, and kitchen products. Her team produces the products locally and they ship across the country and beyond. Check them out and put in your order at cheeksahoy.com.

Wanderlight Alpaca Experience in Douro-Dummer is launching a new offering starting June 25.

Wanderlight Alpaca Quest is an escape room-style game with the nature-based wonder of an alpaca walk. Ancient alpaca guardians have travelled through time to save their beloved alpacas from relentless hunters. It’s up to you to solve the puzzles they left behind to find the alpacas' secret hiding place before it is too late. Book your experience at wanderlightalpaca.ca.

Canada's Dinosaur Park is officially open for the season including their new Dinosaur Museum.

The popular Norwood-area attraction features a dinosaur drive-thru park with animatronic dinosaurs, a croc-walk, reptile sanctuary with 200 reptiles from around the world, mini-golf, and a bone yard for kids to dig for dinosaur bones. All proceeds go toward caring for the rescued reptiles in the sanctuary. Drop by 2206 County Road 38 in Asphodel-Norwood and take a tour.

There’s a new bar and restaurant coming to downtown Peterborough – Love You, Mean It.

It’s a joint project between Sam Sayer and Owen Walsh. Sam is the hard-working entrepreneur behind Sam’s Place and Sam’s Place Wienery and Owen has worked his way up at the deli from line cook to manager. The new restaurant will be at 135 Hunter St. W. in the former Food Forest location and will bridge the gap between casual and fine dining.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Ken Brown, Innovation Cluster, Peterborough Chamber and Senior Showcase

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Ken Brown has a new book about an intriguing bit of local history.

It’s called Macdonald and Mrs. Hall and it explores the relationship between John A Macdonald and Peterborough widow Elizabeth Hall, whom he refers to as loving Lizzie. The book uses original primary source research to follow Macdonald, at the time an out-of-town developer, who arrives by train to meet with Hall about developing a 471 acre waterfront land parcel that includes what is now Beavermead Park.

Get a copy of the book, which includes many never before published images, at Ashburnham Alehouse, Sullivan’s Pharmacy, The Canadian Canoe Museum, Peterborough Museum, Take Cover Books, Mark Jokinen Books, Trent Valley Archives, and in Lakefield at Happenstance.

It's time to develop practical artificial intelligence skills for your business.

The Innovation Cluster Peterborough & the Kawarthas is launching a new workshop "Hands on: AI made easy for non-geeks" on Wednesday June 19 from 12 to 1 pm at Venture North at 270 George Street North. The workshop includes a free lunch and will be led virtually by renowned AI expert B.L. Ochman. She is known for her successful campaigns at IBM and Meijer. For more information go to innovationcluster.ca.

There’s a new podcast from the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

It’s a spinoff of the popular Voice of Business column and will feature a different guest every second week to talk about local business issues. It’s hosted at Bennett’s Furniture and Mattresses in Peterborough. The first edition features Heather Watson, president of local marketing agency Acorn30, in conversation with me as we talk digital adoption and upcoming technology. You can find it at pkchamber.ca.

Don’t miss the Living Well Senior Showcase this Wednesday at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre from 9 am to 4 pm.

Do you have some business news you want to share? The Business Beat is here to promote and share what’s happening locally, like new businesses, new ownership, renovations, new product lines, milestones, new business partnerships, and retirements. We talk about big businesses, small businesses, and people who dabble in business. If you have a suggestion for us to profile, let me know. You can find me at pkchamber.ca or email joel@pkchamber.ca.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Kawartha Barbershop, Bargain Binz, New Canadians Centre and Habitat For Humanity

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

After six years working in Canada as a barber, Shiar Mourad opened his own barber shop five months ago.

Located at 245 George St. N. in downtown Peterborough, Kawartha Barbershop offers stylish cuts with excellent service and attention to detail at reasonable rates. Customers rave about their experiences. Drop by the new shop or get in touch online to book an appointment.

Bargain Binz has a new Peterborough location at 1135 Lansdowne St. W., Unit 25, in Peterborough.

They have an everything must go business model. Each week they receive truckloads of overstocked and customer returned items from large online retailers across Canada. The sales begin Saturday with prices dropping every day until they hit rock bottom on Fridays. Then it’s cleared out and new merchandise is available Saturdays. The inventory is always changing. Drop by and see what interesting deals you might find.

The New Canadians Centre is celebrating 45 years in our community by holding a block party on June 28 from 2 to 6 pm.

It’s going to be a fun-filled afternoon that includes a talent show, multicultural crafts, henna, face painting, a bouncy castle, and delicious food. There will be a cultural fair to learn about some of Peterborough’s multicultural and faith-based groups and their programing. It’s planned for outdoors with a rain backup inside their building. It all takes place in and around 221 Romaine St.

Habitat for Humanity has a new location opening in Lakefield.

The new store is planned this summer at 3001 Lakefield Road in the former Overstock Liquidation building at corner of Buckhorn Road. Habitat is currently winding down operations at its south end location on Braidwood Avenue and will continue operating its north end and Lindsay locations. The new location will be more than 10,000 square feet. The Restore is a non-profit home improvement and building supply store that accepts and resells donations of gentry used items that include building materials, décor, appliances, furniture, and tools.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Little Lake Cemetery, AON Inc., Canadian Canoe Museum and Four Mayors Breakfast

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Jeff Wakeford is retiring after 38 years at Little Lake Cemetery and Highland Park Funeral Centre.

He’s trading in his suit for a set of golf clubs. The team thanked him for his many years of hard work, wisdom and outstanding service to the community. Little Lake Cemetery offers a full range of funeral, cremation and cemetery services. They also operate Highland Park Cemetery and Crematorium and Highland Park Funeral Centre.

AON is hard at work in Havelock.

Construction has begun on a new 128 bed long-term care home, called Station Place, which is planned to open in August of 2025. This new facility is expected to bring 140 jobs to the region. In preparation for this, they’re holding a career expo on June 27 at 6 pm at the Havelock Centre. They have opportunities for experienced professionals, students, recent graduates, and those looking for a new challenge. At the expo, AON will share more about what opportunities will be available, what qualifications will be required, and what you can do to become qualified for the specific roles available.

After much anticipation, the Canadian Canoe Museum is open.

Drop by 2077 Ashburnham Dr. and check out the beautiful new location on the shores of Little Lake. Take in the new exhibition space and see the collection of more than 600 watercraft and learn their stories. Grab some coffee and a sandwich at the new Silver Bean Café location. Get some first-hand experience and explore the water yourself in a rented canoe or kayak.

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce is holding a Four Mayors Breakfast on Thursday at 8 a.m. at the Burleigh Falls Inn.

The event will include Mayor Carolyn Amyotte from North Kawartha, Mayor Sherry Senis from Selwyn, Mayor Heather Watson from Douro-Dummer, and Mayor Terry Lambshead from Trent Lakes. The event will include a full buffet breakfast, networking time, and a moderated discussion on local business issues with the mayors. Get your tickets at pkchamber.ca.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring East City Condo, DBIA, Kawartha Gymnastics and Living Well Senior Showcase

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

TVM Group has opened its new nine-storey East City Condo building at the corner of Armour Road and Hunter Street East, on the former St. Joseph’s Hospital property.

They refer to it as rivalling Toronto’s most upscale offerings. The building features a contemporary interpretation of the original hospital legacy with masonry architecture. The site of the new building was formerly a parking lot. Parking is underground and includes a host of electric vehicle chargers. Find out more and book a tour at eastcitycondos.com.

The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area has a new location and a new executive director.

The organization has moved into the Venture North building at 270 Water St. into unit 202A. They have also hired Nour Mazloum as their new executive director, taking over from Terry Guiel who left the organization in the fall. Nour brings experience and expertise from her time at Kingston Economic Development Corporation where she has worked for the last five years including the last two years as the marketing and communications manager.

Kawartha Gymnastics has a new location scheduled for a grand opening on June 15.

The new location is at 1575 Chemong Rd. in Peterborough. At 14,500 square feet, it’s twice the size of the old location. This new, bigger location will allow them to reconfigure the floor plan, enhance their equipment and training environment, and expand their programming and membership. The new building is going through some upgrades including a 30 by 20 in-ground foam pit.

The Living Well Senior Showcase is almost here.

Join us June 19 at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre for one of the largest seniors trade shows in Canada, featuring more than 100 exhibitors and two dozen workshops. Some booth spaces are still available for local businesses looking to participate. Chamber of Commerce membership is not required. The show provides a good opportunity both for those planning to retire and those well into their retirement years to see what the local business community has to offer. Learn more at pkchamber.ca.

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