Peterborough Blogs
Haven Brewing Company Builds Giant Beer Can In Honour Of 'Beer Can Appreciation Day'
/The first beer can was developed on Jan. 24, 1935 and Haven Brewing Company honoured the occasion with a giant beer can standing in front of their Rye Street business.
Haven Brewing Company co-owners and brothers Andrew (left) and Nathan Anker (right) took over the the former Smithhavens Brewing Company Apr. 9, 2020 but bought the company in October 2019. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
“It was idea that we had probably a year ago,” said Nathan Anker, Haven Brewing co-owner. “We realized that January 24 is ‘Beer Can Appreciation Day.’ The biggest part of the idea was we needed something out by the road to make it clear that we're here.”
The can is a repurposed water silo from one of their farmers that had gotten damaged and could no longer be used.
“It froze and cracked so it wasn't really holding water anymore,” explained Nathan. “We got that from him thankfully and they we took it to an auto shop to get it wrapped like you would a car, we did up a design to make it as much like a beer can as much as possible. It's nice to see ideas coming together after a couple of years.”
The process took two weeks for it to be developed once the design and plans were completed. Anker was astonished and impressed with the turnout of the giant beer can when he and his brother went to pick it up.
“It's just awesome, it turned out perfectly, it's exactly the right colouring, it looks like a beer can and you know exactly what it is supposed to be,” said Nathan.
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Trent University Launching Master of Management Degree Beginning This Fall
/Trent University’s six-month professional Master of Management degree is being expanded and accepting applications for this September 2023 at the Peterborough campus, announced on Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of Trent University.
“It’s exciting to see how quickly the program has grown, and now by expanding to include the Peterborough campus we’re offering students even more options for study,” said Dr. Bruce Cater, program director. “Our graduates have found that the intensive coursework, followed by a four-month professional placement, provides them with the skills and knowledge they need to enter the business world at a highly competitive level.”
The program was originally offered at Trent’s Durham GTA campus since 2018 and has expanded to Peterborough for this fall. The program is designed to train the next generation of business leaders, equipping them with knowledge and hands-on learning through a unique summer work-integrated learning placement according to a press release.
Applications are due by March 1 to start in September.
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Junior Achievement Unveils City of Kawartha Lakes Inaugural Business Hall of Fame Inductees
/Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) unveiled its inaugural JA Business Hall of Fame (BHF) inductees for the City of Kawartha Lakes announced on Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.
The inductees strengthen the economy and community through their exemplary accomplishments of vision, leadership and commitment to excellence in business over a lifetime according to JA-NEO.
“JA-NEO is excited to unveil the inaugural class of inductees to first ever JA Business Hall of Fare for the City of Kawartha Lakes," said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. "These exceptional business leaders are helping to inspire and show local youth that starting your own business can be rewarding and last multiple generations much like the business leaders being honored today.”
The inductees will be formally inducted at the inaugural JA. Business Hall of Fame May 11 at Mackey Celebrations in downtown Lindsay.
The following are the 2023 JA BHF inductees:
Tania-Joy Bartlett - Nev Beginnings Contracting Services
Jim Bogar (Posthumously) - Cameron Steel
Jack and Ila Crowe (Posthumously) Kawartha Dairy
Nicki and Dedes Costas - Olympia Restaurant
Liz Grimes - Cathy Allan Ladieswear
Ted Smith - TS Manufacturing
Jeff Strybosch - Kawartha Wholesale Bakery
Jason and Karissa Ward - Ward Lawyers Professional Corporation
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Voice of Business: First-in-a-Generation Labour Market Shift Leaves Jobs Vacant
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Workers hold a level of bargaining power not seen in a generation as labour shortages are creating pressure on wages, working conditions and benefits. Many employers and employees alike have not encountered a labour market shift like this. Employers will need to continue to be flexible in negotiations in order to fill vacancies.
For the last 40-odd years, employers held the market over employees as inflation rates soared during the 1970s and 1980s and industries found cheaper alternatives through offshoring, especially after China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001. Because of these shifts, workers struggled to find jobs and wages were suppressed as employers held most of the bargaining power. As a result, companies found it easier to hire and retain. That is not the case, however, in today’s working environment.
According to Statistics Canada’s December Labour Survey, more Canadians are working or actively seeking work. The rate of workers aged 15 or older has been rising year-over-year by about 3 per cent, the unemployment rate dropping by 0.1 per cent to 5 per cent, and employment increasing by 0.5 per cent. Regardless of these statistics, more than one-third of Canadian employers are expected to face labour shortage issues in the next few months to years due largely to the rapidly aging working-age population.
As our aging workforce begins to retire, job vacancies in our country are at an all-time high. Despite the trends in our neighbouring country to the south, Canada’s workforce has not seen the same ‘Great Resignation’ trend. More than 1 in 5 workers in Canada are between 55-64 and from 2016 to 2021, the number of those 65 and older increased by 18.3 per cent to 7 million according to another Statistics Canada report. Our labour market shortage isn’t caused by the ‘Great Resignation,’ but rather by the ‘Great Retirement.’
Employers and industries that are struggling to fill vacancies will need to adapt their reopening and rehiring plan to offer more lucrative and competitive wages and benefits. The early pandemic shifted the mindset of workers as mass layoffs and hiring freezes caused many to reevaluate their work and worth. Now, according to this article from Ranstad, these are the top items employees are seeking in the post-pandemic world:
Flexible work-life
Having the ability to set their own schedules
2-3 working from home days
Recognition and reward
Celebrating ‘small wins’ and showing appreciation for the employee
Opportunity for growth
Additional training following years of pandemic working
Salary increases
Shifting of responsibility
Resources for remote work
Funding or resources provided for home office setups
Empathetic Leadership
Accommodative and supportive leadership with a focus on mental wellbeing
Safe workspaces
PPE and health and wellness programs to keep teams happy
Workplace culture
Collaborative projects
Team building initiatives
Effective communication
Luckily for employers, there are still tons of options and assistance for hiring and training staff in our increasingly post-pandemic economy and employment agencies across Peterborough and the Kawarthas are eager to help fill voids.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
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New Pig's Ear Tavern Owners Adamant To "Keep What Made It Special" For Summer Reopening
/Following Monday’s announcement of Ashley Holmes and Steve Robertson becoming the new owners of the Pig’s Ear Tavern, they were resolved to ‘keep what made it special’ for its summer opening.
Robertson was a patron of the Pig’s Ear during his student tenure at Trent University while Holmes worked in the tavern for seven years. Photo by Samantha Bianco.
Popular weekly events included Karaoinke, Pingo, open mic and trivia nights that are being revived as one of many ways to retain the same beloved atmosphere. The logo of a pig’s ear is also retained.
"The spirit of the bar, the look and the feel, bringing back the events that were cherished by the patrons, the community and at the same time, do what we can to improve things that need to be improved,” said Robertson.
While former owner John Punter is in retirement and living in Mexico with his wife Lylie, both Holmes and Robertson say he will remain involved with the tavern’s revival as part of his blessing of its reopening and to see in flourish in the next chapter.
“Having John and Lylie support us is really great to help with the vision and the community wants it to be the same so we're going to try to keep it the same for them,” said Holmes. “We just get to help bring it back to life.”
John will serve as an advisor for the tavern and possible arrangements for him to occasionally run events digitally or if convenient, in person.
While several elements will remain the same, the duo says it’s impossible to fully turn back the clock to its pre-pandemic state. Some changes to be made are mild cosmetic alterations and potentially providing more washroom space.
“We need to work with the city to make sure that everything we have to put in place is within compliance with whatever the standards are today,” explained Robertson. “Once we've done the basic function heating and cooling, fixing up some of the aesthetics, then it's more a matter of tables of chairs because they were all auctioned off. We need to get new signage and all the basic components to opening a tavern from an empty canvas.”
While some of the auctioned items have remained in Peterborough, the tavern is happy to put them back on display. There is no harm if Holmes and Robertson have to start over.
“If people want to keep the stuff that they purchased, we're more than happy to replace the things and create a new generation of memorabilia,” explained Holmes.
Liquor licenses and obtaining various permits from the City are reasons for the tavern projected to be open later rather than sooner.
“We don't want to rush it,” said Holmes. “It's already been closed. We don't want to have to close it again so we want to do everything we can do right now.”
Since the initial announcement, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive for the tavern’s return but it has set a high standard for the new entrepreneurs to uphold the beloved reputation.
“There's a lot of pressure on us to do it right,” explained Robertson. “There's very high expectations that we've got generations of people who have reached out who are very keen to come back for that opening week and celebrate but we've got some big shoes to fill so let's hope we do it right.”
According to the official Pig’s Ear website, the tavern is projected to open this summer.
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Pig's Ear Tavern To Be Reopened This Summer With New Owners
/After being closed since 2017, the historic and iconic Pig’s Ear Tavern is scheduled to reopen this summer by Trent alumni Ashley Holmes and Steve Robertson.
The Pig’s Ear operated for 152 years and oped in 1865 as the St. Maurice Saloon. Photo courtesy of Trent University Alumni Association.
According to the official Pig’s Ear website, the tavern is opening this summer.
Robertson and Holmes with two other investors/friends received keys to the property on Friday according to the Trent University Alumni Association (TUAA).
The Pig’s Ear Tavern closed on April 22, 2017 as owners John and Lylie Punter sold the building following their retirement. The couple has endorsed the revival of the tavern as stated in the TUAA publication.
The famed tavern first opened its doors as the St. Maurice Saloon two years before Confederation. It was renowned as a popular University hangout, a local music hub and hosting trademark weekly events. It included Karaoinke, Pingo, open mic and trivia nights.
“The loss of The Pig’s Ear was more than losing a bar,” said Steve. “To so many people, it was a part of their fondest memories. Dating back over 150 years, the city also lost a piece of history. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring back this long-cherished establishment, where people can once again meet to talk, laugh, sing and form new memories over a tray of beer!”
The pair want to offer experiences of the pub prior to the pandemic in Trent and Peterborough.
“The timing for re-opening the Pig’s Ear feels right,” explained Ashley. “Who knows if the bar would have been able to survive the last three years. Taking trays to go might not have worked out. It’s really exciting that we get to be a part of its history.”
More to come this week.
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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Ewyn Weight Loss Studios, Ashburnham Realty, Bob Gauvreau and Reframe Film Festival
/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…
Ewyn Weight Loss Studios, a national franchise with 50 locations, opened their Peterborough location last week.
Owner Tiffany, along with her team of Emma, Donna Lynn, and Alyssa utilizes the Ewyn system of dietary plans, one-on-one health coaching and dietary supplements to help their clients lose weight and be healthy. Located at 1434 Chemong Rd., just North of the Hyundai/Subaru dealership, stop in or check them out at Ewyn Weight Loss Studios Peterborough on Facebook.
Ashburnham Realty has two exciting projects coming online this year.
The first phase of The Railyard is located on Hunter Street in East City, across from Ashburnham Ale House and will feature 40 residential and 2 Commercial units. There will eventually be three buildings in the development. The Sawmill is also getting ready for tenants. Located at 191 Rink Street the project has been supported with CMHC funding, designated to help construct below-market rental suites. It’s a six-storey, 64-unit residential building with a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom suites. For details on both properties visit ashburnham.ca.
The team at Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory are gearing up for their annual Ascent Summit this Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
It’s a full day of tips and training from top experts on budgeting and financing growth, repositioning yourself as a leader, delegation, building operational systems that work, and injecting a powerful sense of accountability into your operations. You can sign up for the virtual event at ascentsummit.com.
The annual Reframe Film Festival is on from this Thursday to Feb. 3.
Reframe focuses on social justice, human rights, and environmental responsibility, and includes independent Canadian and international films, as well as live events and talks such as meet the filmmakers and artists events and educational opportunities. They have virtual viewing options as well. For details, the schedule, and tickets, visit reframefestival.ca.
28 TASSS Students Became Budding Entrepreneurs, Hosting a Shareholders Meeting As Part of Business Class Curriculum
/There were 28 students of Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School (TASSS) who turned a profit as they created and sold a business, hosting a shareholders meeting as part of their curriculum that was held on Friday afternoon.
Several roles were bid on by the students to claim during the entrepreneurship such as production, human resources, health and safety, marketing and more. Photo by Samantha Bianco.
The students were tasked to become entrepreneurs by creating and running a business, assigned by TASSS business teacher Blaine White throughout the semester. Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) partnered with the program by providing weekly advice with guest speakers.
“At the beginning of the semester, we have students learn about planning a business and then they start their own business,” explained White. “They're responsible for all of the production, all of the marketing, all of the sales and all of the finances.”
“Youth will have the opportunity to learn and experience skilled trades and entrepreneurship by creating, managing and liquidating a business,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. “All with the guidance and support of experts from across our community.”
TASSS students had to arrange their own shareholder meeting with speeches, a presentation and report to the media and public. Photo by Samantha Bianco.
The students founded the company ‘Encompase Eco’ which created eco-friendly firestarters that were available to purchase at the Kawartha Buttertart Factory & Bakery.
The students held a final shareholder meeting to disclose all of the earnings and share prices. They had over a 381 per cent return in selling the business according to White.
“It's amazing to me to set the bar and watch students rise to the occasion,” he explained. “I couldn't be happier that they've learned all these really awesome skills that they are going to go and carry out into their own lives and perhaps starts their own businesses in our community but I'm also proud of them as people who have developed over the last five months.”
The students were excited to receive hands-on education instead of learning solely through a textbook according to grade 10 student Aiden Budd, who served as the company’s vice president of production.
“I've never experienced anything like this, the textbooks get so boring but now that I got the opportunity to do something like this, it really feels great,” he exclaimed.
During the semester, students had to bid and campaign for roles within the company before starting the business. The students had to arrange their own shareholder meeting with speeches, a presentation and a report before the media and public. The whole process had its bumps but became an instant unforgettable experience for the students.
“I know a lot of people were nervous to get up here but I actually did enjoy it a lot, I'm proud of myself and my team for doing a great job. Mr. White, I thanked him so much for having the opportunity to be able to run this business because there are not a lot of kids that get the opportunity to do stuff like this.”
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Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario Announces 2023 Business Hall of Fame Nominees
/The Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) announced the JA Business Hall of Fame (BHF) nominees at the Venture North Building on Wednesday.
All nominees and BHF Chancellor Sanjeev Sukumaran shortly after each nomination was announced. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The hall of fame recognizes Peterborough’s exceptional business leaders. These inductees strengthen the economy and community through their exemplary accomplishments of vision, leadership, and commitment to excellence in business over a lifetime according to a press release.
“JA-NEO is excited to unveil the 8th annual class of inductees to join our ever-growing Business Hall of Fame,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. “These exceptional business leaders are helping to inspire and show local youth that starting your own business can be rewarding and last multiple generations much like the business leaders being honoured today.”
The inductees were announced by BHF Chancellor Sanjeev Sukumaran of The Ear Company.
The following are the 2023 JA BHF inductees:
Allan and Gerald Bolton – Formerly Trentway Bus Lines
Peter, Anne and Greg Elmhirst – Elmhirst’s Resort
Bill Lett and Michael Gallant – Lett Architects Inc.
Craig Mortlock – Mortlock Construction
Neil Morton – Co-founder CORMOR & Co. and ECFC, formerly Studio PTBO
Effy Peel – Jim’s Pizzeria & Pasta
Peter Robinson – Formerly Weed Man Lawn Care
Jaime Stringer – Formerly FCI Windows
Scott Murison, Kieran Andrews, and Jonathan Moreno – Wild Rock Outfitters
