Couture Candy PTBO Celebrates Grand Opening on Saturday

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Couture Candy PTBO’s second location on Lansdowne Place hosted its grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday.

Lisa Couture and Family cut ribbon in opening ceremony of their new location. Photo by Luke Best

The new storefront is located between Journeys and Claire’s at the bottom of the escalator. Couture Candy PTBO has been donated the space from the mall until Oct. 3 to aid in their ‘Cancer Care is Sweet’ fundraiser.

$1 from select products will go towards the Peterborough Regional Health Center Foundation for cancer care with a goal of $10,000.

Before the new location opened on saturday, they had already raised $8,500 according to Couture. Photo By Luke Best

“We're gonna crush it. I know we will,“ said owner Lisa Couture. “We actually have some fun challenges for the community to get more donations. There's a cool hair-cutting challenge that's will be coming up.”

Donations can also be made at both stores or online.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Watson and Lou, Onward, Performing Arts Lakefield and Peterborough Guild of Arts

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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…

Some changes coming to Watson and Lou, the Water Street store for all things artsy and craftsy.

Co-owner Anna Eidt is returning to her music teacher roots. Anna and Erin Watson started Watson and Lou six years ago after working their way through the DBIA’s Win This Space competition. Although they didn’t win, the Community was rewarded with a unique shop that has demonstrated new ways to do retail, social media and pandemic pivots. Erin will continue with their unique retail mix, exhibits in the Gallery of Sorts and a return to workshops this Winter.

Maryam Monsef is building a community to empower, connect and support women.

ONWARD offers speaking events, workshops, retreats and one-on-one consultations in order to create positive change in our communities by advancing women. ONWARD services include providing strategic advice on diversity, equity and inclusion advocacy, navigating the complexity of Government, training on how to deliver a strong presentation or speech, how to improve and advance innovative projects in the public or private sphere and more.

A couple of local arts organizations are returning to some of their traditional programming this fall and Winter.

Performing Arts Lakefield is launching its 39th season with everything from The Sultans of Swing to Sarah Hagen’s Perk up, Pianist, to Amanda Martinez’s Songs of Mexico and more. The first show is September 25th at the Bryan Jones Theatre in Lakefield. For details and season tickets visit their website.

The Peterborough Guild of Arts and Crafts is back with their annual Hand of Man craft sale, on Oct, 28 - 30 at the Morrow Building.

There is still room for vendors if you are interested. The Hand of Man features artisans who design, create, and assemble quality detailed hand-crafted items. For details visit thehandofman.ca

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Voice of Business: Federal Sectors Need To Improve Public Notice

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Roadwork is a necessary part of investing in our infrastructure.

It’s an inconvenience for commuters and travelers, but it can have big implications for the local business community. Providing adequate notice, communication, and consultation are key to minimizing community impact and business disruption.

Most road closures and traffic restrictions are conducted by municipal or provincial governments, which have strict rules around providing notice to neighbouring residents and business, federal projects have few rules and what’s in place is largely inadequate.

For this reason, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce has a policy resolution before the Canadian Chamber of Commerce titled Increasing Public Notice and Consultations for Federal Projects. This resolution will go to the CCC members at the annual general meeting in October and, if approved, will become part of the national advocacy effort for the next three years.

Whether it’s for a few hours, days, or even years, these projects have big implications for neighbouring residents and businesses.

For projects that disrupt traffic for a few hours or days, having adequate notice allows businesses to reschedule staff, adjust their advertising and marketing, and alter their sales programs. This can save thousands of dollars per day by facilitating prudent spending.

Projects that require significant traffic disruptions for months or years can cause major issues for affected businesses to the point that some will end up closing for good. Proper planning and communication can help businesses manage things like buying the appropriate amount of inventory, maintaining adequate staffing, and sourcing other opportunities to reach their customers.

Regardless of the length of the street closure, providing the public with ample notice allows them to better understand what is happening and plan their visits to local businesses accordingly.

Most construction projects require extensive consultation with local municipalities to provide detour options and provide appropriate notice to the public well ahead of any work being done.

However, federally administered and/or regulated projects don’t have those same requirements and often minimal communication and consultation are provided to neighbouring residents, businesses, and municipalities. Businesses in Peterborough have experienced multi-day closures of busy streets with less than 24 hours notice for rail crossing work. Businesses and residents were provided one month notice and minimal municipal consultation for the replacement of a bridge by Parks Canada on one of the main routes into the City of Peterborough that took nine months to complete.

Transport Canada requires railway work to follow the Notice of Railway Works Regulations, but that only requires notice to a limited group, including the municipality and property owners immediately abutting land at the crossing. While it does require 60 days notice, obligations to the neighbouring community are limited and there are no requirements to provide detours.

All non-rail projects aren’t regulated by Transport Canada since they are deemed a business practice. The various government ministries, departments and services are left to establish their own standards, which have proven difficult to access.

There are times when work must be done on an immediate basis with minimal prior notice due to emergencies, but most projects involve months, if not years, of planning to budget, tender, and schedule infrastructure work.

Our recommendations are that the government of Canada:

  1. Require federal agencies and federally regulated sectors to communicate publicly the intention to undertake upcoming construction projects that impact transportation routes as early on in the planning process as is practical

  2. Require federal agencies and federally regulated sectors to provide notice that includes all nearby residents and businesses, not just those immediately adjacent to the project:

    • a) a minimum of 30 days notice for road closures that are seven days or less

    • b) a minimum of 90 days notice for road closures expected to last more than seven days

  3. Require federal agencies and federally regulated sectors to thoroughly consult with municipalities and contribute resources toward detour options

Improving communication and consultation will go a long way to helping local businesses and reducing frustration for everyone involved. Scheduled infrastructure improvements that involve closing streets should provide at least as much notice as what is expected when organizing a parade.

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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'Discover Peterborough Bingo' Invites New Trent Students To Explore The City

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Trent University, Peterborough DBIA and Peterborough & The Kawarthas Tourism have teamed up for a second year to host ‘Discover Peterborough Bingo’ for new Trent University students.

Terry Guiel (DBIA) Alison Scholl (Trent University) and Joe Rees (PKT).

This interactive scavenger hunt features stops at local shops, cafes, and restaurants in the downtown to help orient and connect incoming students with their home away from home.

"Trent students have a significant impact on our community, adding to the cultural and economic vitality of the city," said Alison Scholl, manager of Community Relations at Trent University. "Partnering with the DBIA and PKT to host Discover Peterborough Bingo is just one of the ways Trent supports the community, and one of the ways the community in turn supports our students. This is a fun and unique way to help our incoming students get to know and see themselves at home in Peterborough."

Between September 5 and October 7, Trent students will complete activities at a number of places downtown and on campus. Once two lines are completed on their Bingo card, students will be entered to win one of four prize packs, which include a $500 Downtown Boro gift card, and prizes from Trent, PKT and local businesses.

Mike Watt, owner of Flavour Fashion downtown, says this will have a great impact on local businesses.

“As a small business owner you wear a thousand different hats,” he said. “A huge part of our job is just drawing people in, so it’s great to have people in our corner that are encouraging people to shop locally.”

Bingo cards can be picked up by students at Residence Service Centres (LEC 211and GCS 212), Trent Central Student Association and at Trent International and College offices.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Ear Sense, ACPS, CORMOR and Chamber of Commerce

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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…

Audiologist Judy Keith and her partner Stephen Ward recently opened a second location of EarSense.

One office is situated in East City at the corner of Rogers and Hunter Streets, across from Foodland. The second office has just opened at 999 Lansdowne Street W. at the Parkway behind MasterMind Toys. With Stephen in East City and Judy on Lansdowne, EarSense offers a full-service audiology and hearing aid solution, using the most advanced audiology equipment, and serving every age group, from six months to centenarians. Walk-ins are welcome.

Congratulations to Lori McKee, the new Executive Director of Alternatives Community Program Services Peterborough.

Lori takes over after serving as a Program Director at Alternatives for the last three years. Alternatives provides opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities and other exceptionalities to learn skills in the areas of employment, volunteerism, recreation, and community involvement.

CORMOR is a newly established, general contractor and construction technology distributor that recently launched with the introduction of one of the first large-scale 3D concrete printers in the Canadian market.

Focusing on environmentally friendly solutions to the residential, commercial and industrial construction markets through modular and on-site construction, Cormor believes that 3D construction will have a long-lasting and positive impact on how we currently build, building sustainable buildings much quicker and with high-quality. Cormor’s first project in Peterborough will be to build the next Habitat for Humanity home.

Upcoming Chamber of Commerce events include The Business Exchange, Sep. 6 in Apsley.

This will be a special HOP, where you can visit five different Apsley businesses, and make some new business connections. And Mallory Rose, of Curve Lake, an Indigenous business coach and owner of Tribal Trade will be the guest speaker at the Sept. 13 ChamberAM, from 8 - 9 a.m. at the Venture North building, or online. Details on both events are at pkchamber.ca

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End Of Summer Block Party Aims To Support Local Businesses While Bringing Community Together

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S.O.S Save Our Soles, located on George Street, is hosting an end of the summer Block Party on Saturday to support local businesses and bring the community together.

Photo by Luke Best.

The block party will run from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and feature vendors, music and some sweet treats.

The party will take place on George St. N between Hunter St. and Simcoe St.

Local businesses will se up shop, with local food vendors as well.

Artist Jason Wilkins will be onsite doing caricatures and a live canvas painting. This painting will be auctioned off with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the Youth Emergency Shelter.

Local business Shop The Lake has purchased candy from Couture Candy to hand out at the event. Fittingly, they will be offering sour keys, because ‘community is key’.

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Guest User


Voice of Business: We Need An Engaged and Informed Community

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Municipal election campaigns are officially underway!

The deadline for all prospective candidates to file their papers was Friday, August 19. Official candidate lists will filter out in coming days — all in preparation for election day on Oct. 24

As a Chamber of Commerce, our role is to be non-partisan advocates for the local business community.

We have an ambitious plan to engage the community and candidates this fall by hosting nine election debates — an in-person mayoral debate in the city and eight Zoom debates in the townships of Peterborough County.

• Monday, Sept. 26 5:30 – 7:00 pm — Township of Douro-Dummer (via Zoom)

• Monday, Sept. 26 7:30 – 9:00 pm — Township of Asphodel-Norwood (via Zoom)

• Tuesday, Sept. 27 5:30 – 7:00 pm — Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan (via Zoom)

• Tuesday, Sept. 27 7:30 – 9:00 pm — Selwyn Township (via Zoom)

• Wednesday, Sept. 28 5:30 – 7:00 pm — Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen (via Zoom)

• Wednesday, Sept. 28 7:30 – 9:00 pm — Township of Cavan Monaghan (via Zoom)

• Thursday, Sept. 29 5:30 – 7:00 pm — Municipality of Trent Lakes (via Zoom)

• Thursday, Sept. 29 7:30 – 9:00 pm — Township of North Kawartha (via Zoom)

• Thursday, Oct. 6 7:00 – 8:30 pm — City of Peterborough mayoral debate (in person and streamed on YouTube)

Ward councillor candidates in the City of Peterborough will be provided with a questionnaire on local issues and we’ll be sure to share their feedback online.

The last two years have shown the power of streaming events like political debates online. Our provincial election debate in the fall garnered 1,400 YouTube views and our federal election debate the year before had 3,200 views. And that’s just YouTube. The debates were posted on other social media channels and broadcast on YourTV. We’re reaching more people than ever before.

We will also be hosting an election page at pkchamber.ca with the latest information on local candidates, issues and events.

You can also find municipality-specific election information here:

The biggest factor in the effectiveness of our election advocacy program is you! We need you to be part of the process — engaging the candidates, attending debates and submitting questions/issues. We need to hear from businesses and the community at large on what are the pressing issues your council should address in the next four years (send them to joel@pkchamber.ca). As the voice of business in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, our role is best served with an engaged community that amplifies our voice in advocating for a stronger region.

It's up to all of us to elect leaders that will put their attention and energy to invest in what our communities need — and not in isolation, but as a region. We need homes that are affordable and accessible to new homeowners. We need to ensure everyone has access to fast and reliable internet. We need solutions for poverty that is becoming far too visible to ignore.

Take some time over the next couple of months to get to know your local candidates, the issues, and attend one of the numerous events being hosted by the Chamber and other community organizations. An informed and engaged community is good for democracy and the health of our region.

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Synergys, Get Fishing, Nectar Co. and Peterborough Chamber

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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…

After 28 dedicated years, Jim Smyth has stepped down from Synergystix, the massage and fitness centre at 308 Charlotte St.

Jim has been a mentor to many Massage Therapists over the years, through both Synergystix and the Massage Therapy Clinic at Fleming College. A familiar face is taking over the ownership. Jennifer Reuby grew up in Peterborough, graduating from Fleming College in 2007. Jennifer has 15 years in the Massage Therapy industry, including the last eight years at Synergystix.

Get Fishing opened last year, mid-pandemic, with no grand opening, Harrison wanted to mark their first anniversary with a shoutout.

Owners Gord Trask and Cindy Thompson feature made-in-Ontario tackle, custom rods and rod repairs, reel service and repair and live bait. Their creative Tackle Take-out Window and online shop helped them through the last year. Located at 1057 Highway 7 E., stop in and check it out, or find them at getfishingontario.com or on Facebook and Instagram.

Congratulations to Rosalie Pearl, who recently launched her new keepsake jewelry company Nectar Co. Keepsake jewelry is hand-made, carefully designed, and one-of-a-kind and can be used to preserve everything from hair, ashes of loved ones, flowers, birthstones, umbilical cord, soil from a special place, breast milk, a baby tooth, you name it. Rosalie is extremely talented and creative, as you’ll see if you check out her Instagram page, just look for nectar.jewel

The finalists for the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence awards were announced last week.

The annual event has been virtual for the last two years so there are high hopes to return to an in-person event on Oct. 19 with a pre-show reception at The Venue, followed by the ceremony at Showplace. The event honours business excellence in 20 categories including the Business Citizen of the Year. Tickets are available at pkexcellence.ca

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City of Peterborough Invites Businesses To Bid On Space In New Arena and Aquatics Complex

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The City of Peterborough is inviting submission of interest for space to lease in the soon-to-be-built community centre on the corner of Lansdowne and Park Streets as well as in Healthy Planet Arena.

Photo By Luke Best

“The ability for a local business to reside in a city community arena facility is a great opportunity for the business to directly reach our patrons,” said Sue Warrington, the City’s Arena Division Manager. “It’s a win-win situation for the local business and the City when their product or service meets the needs of our patrons.”

The approximately 1,720 square foot leasable space will be on the second level of the upcoming arena and aquatics complex. 

Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2022, with an anticipated completion date of fall 2024. It will be built at the southeast corner of Lansdowne Street West and Park Street. 

There is also space available for lease in the Healthy Planet Arena. The area is on the main floor near the facility's entrance and is approximately 620 square feet.

Businesses are invited to review the details and submit Expressions of Interest for the leased space online at: www.peterborough.ca/bidsandtenders.

There are sponsorship opportunities at the new Arena and Aquatics Complex, including building naming rights, ice pad naming rights, and many other sponsorship marketing profiles. 

Any business or corporation with sponsorship interests in the new facility is invited to visit www.SponsorPeterborough.ca

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Chamber of Commerce Announce 2022 Business Excellence Awards Finalists

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The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce announced their annual 2022 Business Excellence Awards finalists on Wednesday.

Photo by Luke Best.

The awards publicly recognize and honour local businesses and people who have demonstrated a passion for excellence.

The recognized finalists and recipients will be revealed at the Excellence Awards Event on Oct. 19. 

The event will begin with a reception at The Venue, followed by a ceremony at Showplace Performance Centre. The event hosted by Megan Murphy will feature performances from local musicians. 

“We are excited to welcome the business community back in person for our annual celebration,” says Stuart Harrison, chamber president and CEO. “As we recognize outstanding businesses within the City and County, we’re bringing together the great traditions of the Kawartha and Peterborough Chambers into an exciting new event.”

2022 Business Excellence Awards Finalists (listed alphabetically)

4-Under-40 Profiles, in memory of Kathy Windrem

  • Dr. Nicole Edgar

  • Michael Gallant

  • Chad Hogan

  • Caitlin Smith

Businesswoman of the Year - Entrepreneur

  • Brenda Ibey (The Avant-Garden Shop)

Businesswoman of the Year - Organization

  • Alicia Dafoe (Village Dental Centre)

Business Citizen of the Year sponsored by Nexicom

To be announced at the ceremony!

Business Student Leadership Prizes

  • Jehan Mahboob (Trent University)

  • Aiden Rice (Fleming College)

Commercial Development or Renovation

  • CENTURY 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage (Peterborough Office)

  • Lakeshore Designs (Boathouse Boutique and Bikini Beans Cafe)

  • TVM Group Integrated Real Estate Company (365 Armour Rd)

Customer First

  • Bennett's Furniture and Mattresses

  • Kawartha Country Wines

  • Ricart Branded Apparel & Promo

Employer of the Year

  • Friendly Fires

  • Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory

  • Savage Arms

Entrepreneurial Spirit

  • At the Lake Distributing

  • Organized by Design

  • Suzi Home Maker

Peterborough County Farm Family of the Year

  • To be announced

Green Initiatives

  • B!KE The Peterborough Community Bike Shop

  • Nutty Bean Cafe

  • Suzi Home Maker

Health & Wellness

  • Hybrid Health and Rehabilitation

  • The Mane Intent

  • Pulse Physio & Performance

Hospitality

  • The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge

  • Publican House Brewery & Pub

  • Starbucks at Trent

Local Focus

  • The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge

  • Living Local Marketplace

  • New Beginnings Contracting Services

Marketing & Promotion

  • Peterborough Humane Society (Our Pet Project)

  • Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association (PKHBA Social Media Revamp)

  • Phillip Jolicoeur The Marketing Guy (Havelock Chamber of Commerce - Member Spotlight)

Micro Business

  • Dan Joyce Clothing

  • Flossophy Ptbo

  • The Mane Intent

New Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year

  • Faheem and Fardos Mohammadzada (Brothers Pizza)

Not-for-Profit

  • Community Care Peterborough

  • Kawartha-Haliburton Children's Foundation

  • Peterborough Humane Society

The President's Award

  • To be announced

Professional Services

  • D.M. Wills Associates Limited

  • Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory

  • Hybrid Health and Rehabilitation

Retail

  • Central Smith

  • Dan Joyce Clothing

  • Millbrook Mercantile

Skilled Trades

  • CS Remodeling and Renovations

  • New Beginnings Contracting Services

  • Studio of Hair Design

Tourism

  • Hutchison House Museum

  • Kidz Playland

  • Lang Pioneer Village Museum

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