Peterborough's Humour On Display From "Sign Wars" One-Year Anniversary

One year has passed since Peterborough and the surrounding area playfully poked fun at each other with the “Sign Wars” phenomenon that began last April.

The original friendly feud started as Anden Kitchen & Bath Centre called out Friendly Fires and Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre. Both businesses responded to Anden and the trend took off in Peterborough.

Businesses such as Trent Valley Honda, Whelan’s Flooring and Trent Security Systems Ltd., Peterborough Police Service and Pete & Dani of 100.5 Fresh Radio quickly joined in on the teasing among hundreds of participating businesses.

The trend began in Christiansburg, Va. where Jim Bohan, owner of music store Bridge Kaldro put up a sign challenging Super Shoes — the next-door shoe store — to a sign war on April 16 last year with a message, "Hey Super Shoes! Wanna start a sign war?"

Hundreds of photo submissions were given to PTBOCanada to showcase over eight days since the war began.

A running gag of “Aisle 15” being a party at Home Hardware was sparked by Whelan that inspired a fundraising t-shirt containing the same reference.

There was $6,360 raised that went towards the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation (KHCF) to fund their “Soaking Up Summer” program.

“When the call came through was just so thrilled that it’s going towards helping kids who are in need of our community,” said Deb Aben, Executive Producer of KHCF.

Anden was voted the best sign of all the wars with Home Hardware as the runner up and Franz's Butcher Shop & Catering as the third-best.

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A New Indian Street Style Restaurant is Coming to Peterborough

Chaska, a fast casual Indian Street food restaurant is bringing savoury spices, with flavourful herbs and marinades to Peterborough at it’s fourth location on George Street, on Oct. 18.

Photo courtesy of Chaska restaurant.

The restaurant first opened it’s doors in 2017 in Mississauga. After a successful launch, the chain opened three more locations in Toronto.

“We did a lot of research, and Peterborough seems to be lacking good quality Indian food,” said Naveen Seth, CEO and Founder of Chaska. “It has enough of a population both Indian and non-Indian to justify bringing this brand to Peterborough.”

Located at 441 George St. N, the former site of Pete's Subs and Burgers, Chaska will be both a dine-in and a take-out restaurant.

“We see this as an ‘Indian Chipotle’,” Seth said. “It’s made in front of you, it’s fast, but it’s good quality food, it’s not ‘fast food’.”

Customers will be able to chose menu items that are different from traditional curries and sauces that are commonly found at Indian restaurants, according to Seth.

“A lot of non-Indians only have knowledge of four or five dishes,” he said. “I wanted to make people aware of the modern, light and fresh Indian flavours that we can offer, which is true authentic Indian food.”

Seth says that Chaska, the Hindi word for obsession, was born from his childhood spent in India.

“Looking back on my childhood in India, some of my favourite memories are those of family road trips to different cities to visit friends and relatives. These trips were a feast for the senses; from the vivid colours and artistry of the trucks we would pass along the way and the distinctive sounds of their horns, to the delicious flavours and aromas of the street food,” said Seth on chaska.com

The new restaurant will open on Oct. 18.

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New Non-Profit Organization Launches in Peterborough

Hearts 4 Joy, a non-profit organization servicing adults over 21 with intellectual exceptionalities, celebrated their official launch on Sunday.

Artists Carly, Derek, Jessica, Jory, Josh, Kacee, Karsen and Luke celebrate Hearts for Joy official launch with MPP Dave Smith on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Hearts 4 Joy.

Hearts 4 Joy is a volunteer-run group that meets three times a week in President Norma Christensen’s backyard to create hand-crafted items.

Christensen and a group of parents started this group to help their kids and others gain independence, build relationships and gain experience in a workplace setting. Profits from sales go to paying participants a wage and purchasing more supplies.

“The idea is to provide something that families with intellectually exceptional young adults can have something to aspire to or become interested in,” said Christensen. “They can develop some real working skills and that’s what we hope to grow in the future.”

The group is currently working on their fall and Christmas inventory.

“We try to use recycled or environmentally-friendly supplies,” said Christensen.

The group sells hand-painted journals, wine glasses and lanterns. Their seasonal items include decorative pumpkins for Halloween and gnomes and Santa plates for Christmas.

“This gives them the idea that they all can be so productive,” said Christensen. “We just need to find the thing they’re passionate about. It’s about providing them those opportunities so that they can learn and they make money while they do it.”

Christensen hopes that soon their organization can find a space to host their meetings and store their inventory so they can continue working even through the winter.

“I actually considered moving my furniture outside so we could work in my house,” said Christensen. “We’ll do whatever it takes to keep it going.”

Hearts 4 Joy is having a pop-up sale at Avant-Garden shop on Sherbrooke Street, Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

You can e-mail hearts4joyptbo@gmail.com for questions or more information.

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Instructions Issued To Dining Establishments For Patron Information Collection

Peterborough Public Health has issued instructions to dining establishments on collecting diner information due to recent large-scale COVID-19 exposures in the community announced on Thursday.

File Photo.

These instructions, effective immediately, enhance the provincial requirements and are directed toward owners, operators and persons responsible for food premises with indoor and/or outdoor dining areas according to the press release.

Names, phone numbers, location of dining establishment and server name are the information dining establishments are urged to collect.

Collection of patron information is mandatory under O. Reg. 364/20: Rules for Areas at Step 3 and the Roadmap Exit Step.

As a result of recent large-scale exposures and insufficient patron contact records, Peterborough Public Health continues to follow a significant number of people who have been deemed high-risk contacts of a person with COVID-19. Two of the recent large exposures occurred at two different local food premises.

“Case management and contact tracing are essential components of our local COVID-19 response to prevent transmission and protect our community,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “These instructions, which ask operators to use the template that we have created for the collection of patron information, will help to ensure that sufficient and thorough details of exposure are provided to our office, which will allow for efficient and timely follow-up, when large-scale exposures occur. And I want to remind everyone choosing to dine out that you must provide accurate contact information to the operator. It won’t work if the data is wrong.”

Dr. Salvaterra noted that these instructions are an extension of a requirement that currently exists in the legislation governing Step Three of the current provincial restrictions.

The instructions aim to prescribe the exact information that restaurants should be collecting for patrons who remain onsite to dine. The instructions do not apply to food premises that require patrons to order and pay for their food, prior to sitting at a table such as cafeterias and fast food establishments.

Julie Ingram, Manager of Environmental Health advised the community that the Instructions are mandatory and enforceable under the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA).

“Public Health Inspectors are educating restaurant operators to ensure that they are aware of the importance of adequate record-keeping and to ensure that these Instructions are implemented within their establishments,” she said.

Ingram noted businesses are not the only ones that could face consequences for non-compliance.

“It’s important for the community to know that not only business owners and operators be charged but for failing to complement these instructions but customers themselves can be charged with obstruction under the Reopening Ontario Act,” she added.

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Retired Millbrook Couple Keeps Busy With Family-Run Charcuterie Business

Retirement has not slowed down Avril and Steve Greer of Millbrook as their charcuterie catering business Corks & Boards have kept them busy since November of last year.

Steve (left) and Avril Greer (right) showing off their homemade charcuterie boards and a sample of their array of foods that accompany them. Photo By David Tuan Bui

The business sells boxes of charcuterie boards full of ready-to-eat specialty meats, cheeses, chocolate, nuts, jellies, seasonal fruit and crackers to customers. Their products are ideal for parties, showers, sympathies, date nights or social gatherings.

The charcuterie is available for pickup or delivery in the Peterborough County or Durham region from their home-run business.

The couple moved to Millbrook in October last year after Avril and Steve retired as a daycare and an IT worker respectively.

The idea of Corks & Boards came from Avril’s sister since there were plenty of charcuterie businesses in the Niagara area where she lives. The couple wanted to keep busy in a new era of their lives.

"There's not a lot of that (charcuterie) around,” explained Avril. “We were looking, there are cupcakes and cookies but we're not bakers. We want to eat something where we're not making food, that we wanted to prepare food."

Avril (left) with daughter Ashley McGavock (right). Both daughters aid their parents in the social media of the business. Photo Courtesy of Corks & Boards.

While the business started out small, they quickly grew from word of mouth and some social media marketing and found themselves busy in a hurry.

"We thought we'd be selling to friends and family but it quickly got busy around Christmas time and realized we need to do not just Facebook and Instagram but we need to do a website."

The charcuterie comes in several sizes such as a sampler, spicy, gather or grand gathering. Every option aside from spicy has a “plus” option that includes wine jellies. Photo Courtesy of Corks & Boards.

All of their products used for the charcuterie are sourced as local as possible. Steve has the boards delivered to the business before he forms them then coats them with food-safe mineral oil and beeswax.

"I love giving them as gifts to people and love the look on people's faces when we surprise them at the door,” said Avril.

"We like to give people as much value for what they're getting,” said Steve. I think people see that and they appreciate it.“

All orders can be done online at their official website.

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Six Local Small Businesses Awarded $30,000 in Funding

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development awarded 6 local entrepreneurs $5000 each in funding to further support sustainable business growth.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough & The Kawarthas Economic Development

This funding was provided by the Government of Ontario’s Starter Company Plus program.

11 businesses successfully completed the five-week online business training course offered by the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre.

The following 6 businesses were awarded funding based on the strength of their business plan and pitch:

• Chris Carvalho: East City Knife Sharpening – knife sharpening for all types of knives with 24-hour turnaround service

• Emily Nigro: Dead End Lures – a family-owned eco-friendly fishing lure company

• Kelsey Watts: Worthy Truth Wellness – mindful movement yoga classes offering a kind space of compassion and non-judgmental awareness

• Lucas Graham: Countdown Creative – a full-service E-Commerce agency that helps small businesses start selling online

• Suzanne Schmidt: Suzanne’s Hot Stuff – hand-crafted, small-batch gluten-free hot sauces, pepper jellies, jerk marinade, mango salsa and more

• Tuncay Alkan & Laura Wilson: MEZE – a vegan deli and café serving traditional Turkish food and drink

“This Starter Company Plus class was a group of enthusiastic entrepreneurs. From start-ups to early-stage businesses, this group is representative of the diverse and thriving small business community within the City and County of Peterborough,” said Entrepreneurship Officer Hillary Manion, who oversees the program for Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. “These entrepreneurs have all created products and services that fill a need within the community. I look forward to watching their businesses grow and succeed.”

Since its launch in 2017, the Starter Company Plus program through the Business Advisory Centre has assisted over 175 local entrepreneurs and over 140 small businesses.

The Starter Company Plus program is designed to provide business training for entrepreneurs from aspiring to experienced, aged 18 and over in the City and County of Peterborough who are launching a business or expanding an existing business.

The next intake of the Starter Company Plus Program will be open from September 1st – 27th, 2021. Eligibility criteria and upcoming workshop dates can be found here.

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Local Budding Entrepreneurs Pitch For Business Startup Grants In Summer Course

Twelve entrepreneurs were selected for the Summer 2021 Intake of Starter Company Plus offered through the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre (BAC).

Photo Courtesy of the BAC.

The program provides a five-week course in business training from business experts across Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

It is funding by the Government of Ontario and has been running through the BAC since 2017. This program is designed to provide business training for entrepreneurs of all levels in Peterborough County who are launching a business or expanding an existing business (that has been operating for five years or less).

"I am excited to kick off this intake of Starter Company Plus. The group of entrepreneurs and small business owners joining us are varied in backgrounds, experience and have each created a unique business,” explains Hillary Manion, entrepreneurship officer.

Six of the participants will be awarded a grant of $5,000 based on the overall strength of their business plan and pitch.

“When we discussed why they were starting their businesses on the first day of the program, we heard stories of people new to Peterborough and people who are turning their hobbies into a full-time business,” said Manion. “COVID-19 has given people time to think about following their passions.”

All workshops and consultations will be done online with a focus on digital platforms, marketing and communication as well as financial acumen and mental well-being.

"These entrepreneurs are a testament to the strong business community in the City and County of Peterborough,” added Manion. “They are all confident and looking forward to joining their fellow small businesses owners in supporting the residents of Peterborough and the Kawarthas."

An overview of the 12 participants follows and full biographies for each business can be found by visiting peterboroughed.ca/starter.

• April Roy: Shopkwe – a personal shopping business dedicated to helping busy people

• Barry Wiskel: Bearcat Games – developer of original card and board games for all ages

• Chris Carvalho: East City Knife Sharpening – knife sharpening for all types of knives with 24-hour turnaround service

• Emily Nigro: Dead End Lures – a family-owned eco-friendly fishing lure company

• Jeremy Pastic: The Karma Hammer – a natural builder, specializing in the use of healthy, sustainable building materials

• Kelsey Watts: Worthy Truth Wellness – mindful movement yoga classes offering a kind space of compassion and non-judgmental awareness

• Ken Seaboyer: Ask Transport – quality, reliable and on-time transportation service

• Lucas Graham: Countdown Creative – a full-service E-Commerce agency that helps small businesses start selling online

• Mike Mullin: Double M Contracting – a year-round property maintenance and management business

• Sam and Nate White: Nateure’s Plant Based Food Company – producing plant-based meat and cheese alternatives

• Suzanne Schmidt: Suzanne’s Hot Stuff – hand-crafted, small-batch gluten-free hot sauces, pepper jellies, jerk marinade, mango salsa and more

• Tuncay Alkan and Laura Wilson: MEZE – a vegan deli and café serving traditional Turkish food and drink

Anyone eligible is invited to apply when the program reopens in the fall. Eligibility criteria can be found by visiting peterboroughed.ca/starter.

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Sign Wars Take Over Local Businesses in Peterborough

UPDATED POST (April 29):

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Day Four: The momentum of #PtboSignWars has not stopped as day four comes to a close on Thursday.

The usual suspects such as Anden Kitchen & Bath Centre, Trent Security and more are going strong but several places including neighbouring townships have got in on the fun.

Great Canadian RV Ltd., McKnight's Flowers Plants Gifts, McThirsty's, Peterborough Public Library, Blue Diamond Window Cleaning, Printhub and Craftworks at the Barn were the newcomers who got in on the action.

Lakefield and Selwyn have started to join on the friendly feuds that have trended in Peterborough. Places like Lakefield Cemetery & Crematorium Inc. St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Selwyn Public Library and Lakefield Animal Welfare Society got into the sign-war spirit.

Day Three: The sign-war bug has not stopped biting other businesses as day three gets more participants as well as past ones keeping up.

100.5 FM Fresh Radio and The Wolf 101.5 FM opened the morning with a huge front-lawn message thanks to Card the Yard.

Trans Canada Nissan and Russelle Toyota have joined in with fellow car dealership Trent Valley Honda.

Several places called out Paris Marine and Dairy Queen but neither has yet to issue a response.

Newcomers include Peterborough Appliances, Franz’s Butcher Shop, Kawartha Lakes Construction, and St. Martin’s Catholic Elementary School have joined in the fun.

Day Two: Day two of the sign wars have got more businesses involved, continuing the trend of poking fun at each other lightheartedly on Tuesday.

Day One: Trent Valley Honda, Whelan’s Flooring and Trent Security Systems Ltd. have joined in on the second day after Anden Kitchen & Bath Centre provoked some of them into the war.

The trend is branching out quickly as participating businesses and organizations are trying to work up others to join. Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre called out the Peterborough Police Service while Trent Security referenced Pete & Dani of 100.5 Fresh Radio. Both callouts have yet to publicly respond with their own signs.

The original friendly feud started on Monday. Anden calling out Friendly Fires and Home Hardware with the latter responding on day two but the former quickly responded to the challenge. All three day-one businesses have participated on day two.

The trend began in Christiansburg, Va. where Jim Bohan, owner of music store Bridge Kaldro put up a sign challenging Super Shoes — the next-door shoe store — to a sign war on April 16 with a message, "Hey Super Shoes! Wanna start a sign war?"

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Here Are Pictures Of Businesses That Have Been On The Move Lately Throughout Downtown

A short walk downtown and it's hard not to spot the ever changing store fronts. Some unfortunately were unable to make a go of it so new businesses are moving in, while others have simply decided to move to different locations. Here are just a few of the store changes I noticed while walking about one recent afternoon, and who's settled in where. 

If you know of other local stores changing locations, contact Julie Morris by clicking here. 

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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