Peterborough Blogs
Couture Candy PTBO Announces Grand Opening Date of Lansdowne Place Location
/Couture Candy PTBO’s second location on Lansdowne Place is having its grand opening on Sept. 3 announced on social media on Monday.
Couture Candy PTBO owner Lisa Couture (pictured) has had one Tiktok video go viral with over 1.6 million views. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The second location was donated storefront space from Lansdowne Place offered to Lisa Couture, Couture Candy PTBO owner. The space was given to aid in her $10,000 fundraiser goal in support of Peterborough Regional Health Center Foundation for cancer care.
Couture says her business has had non-stop action in preparation for the Lansdowne storefront.
"We have to double our ordering,” she explained. “Our vendors are fantastic, most of them know what's happening so they're super-supportive and it's all hands on deck making sure that the time we're at the mall for the fundraiser is a huge success."
All select products sold at the store see $1 of each product towards the foundations. Several charity candy bags feature freeze-dried brand candy and assorted mixes.
During the store’s first six weeks of its 15-week campaign, $5,000 was raised with some assistance from local businesses. Reclaimed Garden Co. donated $255 while Jolly Painters within 10 minutes of the fundraiser update donated funds to make it exactly $5,000.
Donations can also be made at the store or online.
The Lansdowne location will have the same operating hours as the mall and will run until the end of the year.
Voice of Business: Broadband Internet Expanding But Pressure Is Still Needed
/Access to high-speed internet is a must for life and business for most people.
With more and more processes moving to cloud-based and remote access, businesses depend on reliable internet for bookkeeping, client management, scheduling, and meetings as well as applications like marketing and research. There are very few aspects of business that don’t have an online component. It also spans all business sectors, with rural sectors like agriculture and mining pushing for better connections so they can make better use of technology to make them more efficient and competitive.
Our personal lives are very similar. It’s where we interact socially, find entertainment, shop, make reservations and attend school.
Yet our community, along with many others across the province, has been lacking in consistent, reliable high-speed internet access.
While the problem is more prevalent in rural areas, there are places within Peterborough’s city limits that are considered underserviced and have been put on a provincial priority list.
Recently, the Government of Ontario announced it had concluded its procurement process and signed agreements with eight different internet providers for its plan to expand broadband internet access.
Locally, this includes the City and all eight townships of Peterborough County as part of a deal with Rogers Communications Canada, Bell Canada, and Xplornet Communications worth $894.8 million. The agreements should provide an estimated 266,600 un- and under-serviced businesses and homes with high-speed broadband internet.
This deal will build on the ongoing efforts to increase connectivity. It follows years of advocacy from chambers of commerce, boards of trade, business improvement areas, municipalities, the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus, industry associations, cottage associations, and many of the people who have struggled with internet access in their home or business. It’s largely a non-partisan issue with different governments passing on the broadband torch to the next government.
The issue isn’t about intention. There isn’t really any opposition. The issue is follow-through. This is part of a program that has been running for more than a decade. Progress has certainly been made over that time with many communities receiving or getting upgraded internet service thanks in part to government investments. But there are still 266,000 homes and businesses in Ontario struggling to interact with the modern world.
Adding further complexity is that the remaining areas left to service are likely the more difficult ones. Infrastructure projects like this tend to focus on the easy wins that provide the best bang for the buck off the start before making their way to the more complicated and sometimes hyperlocal issues.
The last couple of years have certainly added urgency to the situation as the need for online access moved ahead in leaps and bounds.
The Government of Ontario has set a target of connecting every corner of the province by 2025. For those without proper internet, that’s still three long years away.
Our advocacy efforts need to focus on keeping pressure on our government and internet providers to keep the momentum up. We need the continued voice of municipalities, businesses, organizations, and residents. Everyone should have a level playing field when it comes to accessing businesses, government services, schooling, social interaction.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Deanna Spence, Sino's Fine Foods, GreenUP and Peterborough Chamber
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
Deanna Spence is a Registered Massage Therapist with 28 years of experience and she recently made the leap into her own massage therapy practice.
Located at 2226 Woodglade Blvd in Peterborough, Deanna offers therapeutic massage, including an assessment and treatment plan, as well as salt glow and massage, which is a 90-minute session and includes head-to-toe exfoliation followed by an hour-long relaxation massage. For details and to make an appointment visit westendmassagetherapy.ca.
Ilir Sino is well known for the Original Spaghetti House, the landmark restaurant at the corner of George and Lansdowne in Peterborough.
Sino recently started his own production facility to produce his sauces, dressings, soups, oven-ready dinners, panzerottis, pasta, pizza and more. Located at 597 Monaghan Rd., across from Nisbett’s, be sure to check out Sino’s Fine Foods for take home, delivery or catering. Sinosfinefoods.com.
Peterborough GreenUP is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this Thursday (August 11) from 4:00 - 7:00 at Ecology Park. Ecology Park is just one of many remarkable accomplishments over the past three decades, in fact GreenUP has been recognized both nationally and internationally as a model that other communities have followed. The celebration on Thursday will feature lots of family-friendly programming, refreshments and light dinner. Please RSVP at greenup.on.ca
A special congratulations this week to Sarah Budd, who will be taking over the reins of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce upon my retirement on Oct. 31st.
Sarah grew up in Lakefield and Warsaw and brings a tremendous background in business and sales and 15 years at the helm of Habitat for Humanity. Stu Harrison is continuing his weekly business beat through his retirement “if he’s welcome.”
Editor’s note: Stu, you’re always welcome to have the Business Beat on PTBOCanada!
Peterborough And The Kawarthas Chamber Of Commerce Names New President And CEO
/The Interim Board of Directors of Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce have announced that Sarah Budd has been appointed as the new President and CEO.
Sarah Budd. Photo courtesy of Chamber of Commerce.
Budd will join the chamber on Sept. 12 as she prepares to take over the reins from Stuart Harrison, who retires on October 31 of this year.
Budd has deep roots in The Kawarthas. Born and raised in Lakefield with high school in Peterborough, Budd brings exceptional communication skills, not-for-profit leadership, entrepreneurial experience, government advocacy, and financial acumen to the role.
“It was Sarah’s enthusiasm to really want to listen and work with businesses, at all levels, that put her above the rest of the candidates. I am very excited for the future of the PK Chamber – not just because of a new leader with her own fresh perspective but because of the combined strength of the Peterborough and the Kawartha’s working together as one.” said Allison Seiderer, Co-Chair.
Co-Chair Mary Brown noted that Chamber knew they would have a hard time replacing Harrison, but found Budd to be a perfect fit.
“I am beyond thrilled to be taking on the reins of President and CEO of the Chamber and I personally want to thank Stu for all his dedication and hard work over the last 20 years,” said Budd. “I am committed to bringing our membership, board of directors and community leaders together to not only continue to build a strong, resilient business environment, but also a stronger more connected community as well.”
“I’ve watched Sarah’s work at Habitat for Humanity for many years, and I think her enthusiasm and leadership at Habitat will work equally well here at the Chamber,” said Harrison. “She’s inheriting an awesome team and she’ll fit right in.”
Voice of Business: What It Means To Be the Voice of Business
/As the voice of business in Peterborough and the Kawarthas for 138 years, advocacy is a core component of the role of the Chamber in our community.
We work with the local business community to identify barriers and opportunities. That grassroots input turns into various forms of advocacy initiatives.
National
Currently, we’re in the midst of a national-level advocacy program. As members of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC), we have an opportunity to submit local issues of national significance as policy resolutions.
We have two resolutions proposed:
• Tax Rebates for Home Care – We’re looking to save taxpayers money while providing a higher level of care for people with long-term health needs. Currently, access to key equipment like hospital beds and patient lifts are a barrier people being eligible for home care support work. Additionally, a bit of help with paying for those services will go a long way in enabling people to receive care at home instead of an institution.
• Increasing Public Notice and Consultations for Federal Projects – The rules around providing public notice regarding road closures are vague when it comes to federal agencies. Peterborough experienced this with very little notice regarding the Parkhill Road bridge closure. We’re advocating that the federal government increase requirements for federal agencies to provide public notice to affected residents and businesses when closing a road for planned work.
These resolutions will be debated by CCC members in the fall. In the meantime, they’re being vetted by members of various committees (of which our Chamber is a part of) to make sure it’s a significant enough business issue to need attention at the federal level. These committees help improve local advocacy efforts with other perspectives and expertise.
Provincial
The provincial policy process is very similar to the national one. We are active members of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and submit resolutions on provincially significant issues. Earlier this year we had a resolution approved regarding tiny homes and secondary suites. We’re looking to have the Province work with municipalities to streamline the approval process for this type of niche housing, keeping cost, risk, and complexity to a minimum.
Municipal
When it comes to local government, the policy process is entirely based around grassroots advocacy. We take input from local businesses directly to the government involved and work on solutions, whether it’s reducing the commercial and industrial tax ratio or making sure the perspective of local businesses is heard in the official plan, transportation master plan, and other municipal planning initiatives.
Regardless of the government body we’re advocating to, the majority of our work doesn’t result in policy resolutions or even formal letters to our leaders. Most of the advocacy work we do starts with an email, phone call, or a casual conversation at a networking event. Someone is facing a very specific barrier like a zoning issue or haven’t had a response from a government agency on a crucial application.
Sometimes they just need to chat with someone to make sense of government regulations. Other times we partner with industry associations to amplify their voice.
It's not that we have all the answers or can solve every issue brought to our attention. Sometimes it can be sorted out quickly with some pressure, compromise, or better communication. Other times it’s a long-term process. We’ve been advocating for the return of passenger rail to Peterborough for more than a decade and we don’t plan on stopping until that first load of passengers arrives. We’ve hit some obstacles along the way, but right now passenger rail is closer to becoming a reality than any time since service ceased, with support from all major political parties and a government that now has parts of the project into the procurement phase.
Whether you’re facing a pressing issue, have new opportunities you need help exploring or are looking for long-term results, we’ll continue to be your voice of business.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring The Ten Spot, Black Rock Developments, Roman & Co. Pet Spa, Park Place Financial and Susan Dunkley
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
The Ten Spot is a beauty bar franchise that just opened last week in Lansdowne Place.
Franchise Partner Akshana Katosh and Manager Rachael Cox are excited to offer the complete Ten Spot suite or services, including a nailbar, waxbar, skinbar, laserbar and brow and lashbar. Open seven days a week, you’ll find The Ten Spot in Lansdown Place, access from the outside adjacent to the Parking Lot.
Black Rock Developments is a new construction company covering the Kawarthas, Durham and Northumberland.
Owners Erick Maserolle and Ashley Flynn cover commercial and residential construction and renovation, interior and landscape design, outdoor builds, and electrical, with no job too big, or too small. Visit blackrock-developments.ca or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Roman & Co. Pet Spa recently opened for business in Peterborough at 221 Brock St.
Owners Ryan Brown and Janeine Sale offer all grooming services to all sizes of dogs including full groom, bath and brush, or just a day at the spa. They’ll be adding cats in the near future, and the shop also includes some local vendors for things like dog treats and collar bandanas. Open Tuesday through Saturday, give them a call to make an appointment at 705-740-2227 or find Roman and Co. Pet Spa on Facebook.
And congratulations to Park Place Financial and Peak Benefit Solutions on their recent expansion – opening offices in Belleville and Kingston.
In Belleville, the companies merged with Howell Financial Corp. In Kingston, they’ve added six staff alongside the acquisition of Manley Financial Group.
And to Susan Dunkley of Suzie HomeMaker on receiving the Barry Izsak – Peg Guild Professional Development Scholarship for the National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers.
The scholarship will allow Suzie to attend their annual conference in Philadelphia.
Cutting Cheese And Ribbons: The Cheesy Fromage Opens Up Shop In Lakefield
/The Cheesy Fromage, sellers of Canadian cheese, wines, fine foods, has opened up shop in Lakefield and is the newest members of the Peterborough and The Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
Tanya Bailey and her daughter took a girls trip to New Orleans and visited what they thought was a a cheese shop. When they entered the shop they noticed people sitting, enjoying gourmet cheese and sipping wine and Bailey started conjuring up her own ideas.
“I just thought it was such a simple but brilliant idea,” she said. “I thought one day I wanted to do that, I wanted to bring that back to have something like that here.”
While Bailey has never been a professional in the food industry, she says it has always been something she loved to do.
In the past she could often be found making large meals for family gatherings or volunteering her tie and culinary skills at events.
The Cheesy Fromage officially opened in early July but Thursday marked their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony with the chamber of commerce.
The Cheesy Fromage offers both sit-down dining and take out.
They can craft a charcuterie board for customers or customers can shop the variety of cheeses and other products to make their own at home.
They also carry a variety of local, handmade sauces, jellies, jams and other products.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Peterborough & The Kawarthas Economic Development Accepted To Circular Cities & Regions Initiative Peer-to-Peer Network Initiative
/The City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, together with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED), have been accepted to the Circular Cities & Regions Initiative Peer-to-Peer Network Initiative (CCRI).
Photo by Luke Best.
