Executive Director Announces Departure From Kawartha World Issues Centre

After joining in 2022, Sam Rockbrune, Kawartha World Issues Centre (KWIC) executive director has announced her departure, announced on Monday.

Rockburne holds a BA Honours from Carleton University in Law with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. Photo courtesy of KWIC.

“Sam will be missed by the Board, staff, volunteers, and our many community partners,”  shares Ryan Sisson, KWIC board chair. “Her dedication to empowering youth leaders and building sustainable and equitable communities has been a key thread in her time with the organization.”

During her time with KWIC, Rockburne has extensively supported KWIC's umbrella programs including TRACKS Youth Program, according to Sisson.

“During Sam’s tenure, KWIC has become a stronger, and more resilient organization, that is ready to face future challenges,”he said. “As KWIC celebrates our 35th anniversary, we are seeking the next community leader to position us as a key hub for global to local connections and supporting youth leaders.” 

KWIC has already begun its search for the next Executive Director.

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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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Peterborough Bigs Executive Director Announces Departure Effective July 12

After years of service to Big Brothers, Big Sisters Peterborough (Peterborough Bigs), Brent Shepard, executive director is leaving the organization effective July 12, announced on Friday morning.

BRENT SHEPARD (LEFT), LINDA CARDONA (MIDDLE) AND JON OLDHAM (RIGHT) WITH A CAPTURED PHOTO OF THE MURAL THAT STODD ON THE SIDE OF THE BUILD FOR 33 YEARS. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

According to a press release, Shepard has opted to pursue a new opportunity.

The following is a statement from Shepard:

“I'm grateful for the opportunity to have worked with a team of dedicated staff, volunteers, donors and sponsors. During my time at BBBS, we’ve made significant strides in supporting Peterborough's children and youth. Together, we’ve been able to create so many mentoring memories by matching “bigs” with their ‘littles,’ creating lasting friendships and positive impacts. I am grateful and proud of what we’ve accomplished together.

Effective July 12th, I will be stepping down from my role. The organization is in capable hands, and I have full confidence in the team’s ability to continue our vital work. Please support and encourage them as they continue to bring their dedication and enthusiasm to their work.

Thank you for your unwavering support of our mentoring mission. Your dedication changes lives, and I am honoured to have been part of this journey.”

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Business Advisory Centre Services Moving to Community Futures Peterborough

Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can access funding and advisory services in one place as Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) will begin delivering services provided by the Business Advisory Centre (BAC), announced on Monday morning.

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) CHARLINA WESTBYE, CFP BOARD CHAIR; DEVON GIRARD, CFP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; BONNIE CLARK, PETERBOROUGH COUNTY WARDEN AND JEFF LEAL, PETERBOROUGH MAYOR. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

“We couldn’t be more excited to offer a continuation of expert advisory services, as well as delivering Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) programs from the Community Futures Peterborough office,” says Devon Girard, CFP Executive Director. “We are thrilled entrepreneurs and business owners can access these additional services through our office door in Venture North.”

The BAC is a part of the Small Business Enterprise Centre program. It is funded by the Province of Ontario through the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, was previously operated by Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED).

“The Province of Ontario is thrilled to announce the continuation of the SBEC program serving our community for decades,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough–Kawartha MPP. “We are fortunate CFP and PKED are both committed partners to ensure this smooth transition and are grateful they are committed to continuing this program, allowing entrepreneurs the tools they need to start and grow their businesses.”

PKED and CFP have worked for years to ensure entrepreneurs have access to the BAC programming, including developing business plans, market research, startup validation, and business expansion support, according to a press release. Several It continues to add that entrepreneurs would then come across the hall to Community Futures Peterborough to apply for a business loan. Forty per cent of CFP’s current loan portfolio has worked with PKED through the BAC.

“As the region undergoes substantial changes to the way economic development services will be offered, it is our top priority to ensure that the needs of business are at the forefront,” said Rhonda Keenan, PKED President and CEO.  “Community Futures Peterborough is well-equipped to take on this important work, as we have always worked well together, sharing a substantial number of clients and an integrative referral system. We are proud to have had the opportunity to help so many businesses start and grow, and we remain committed to ensuring the continuity of the services we offer as the region’s Small Business Enterprise Centre and will continue to collaborate as CFP takes on this responsibility moving forward,” added Keenan.

CFP and PKED have confirmed that the City and County of Peterborough have agreed to the move between the two companies.

“The City of Peterborough is pleased to continue to partner with Peterborough County to support the Small Business Enterprise Centre as it transitions to Community Futures Peterborough,” said Jeff Leal, Mayor of Peterborough. “I’m thrilled that the team at Community Futures Peterborough will ensure that local small businesses and entrepreneurs continue to benefit from the essential supports that the SBEC provides.”

“Peterborough County is committed to ensuring a smooth transition of the Small Business Enterprise Centre in Peterborough,” says Warden Bonnie Clark. “Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and the SBEC provides essential support services to them and to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to set up in Peterborough County. We have full confidence in the team at Community Futures Peterborough and they have our full support as they take on this new responsibility.”

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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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Voice of Business: For Peterborough to Grow, We Cannot Do It On Our Own

This week on the Voice of Business was a step in the right direction for the future growth and development of Peterborough.

Siddhartha Nath, Consul General of India, held his first meeting outside of the GTA. Joel Wiebe, our VP of Operations & Government Relations and Sarah Budd, our President & CEO were present and led this open discussion.

Consul Nath was hosted by Mayor Jeff Leal and CAO Jasbir Raina on behalf of the City and Warden Bonnie Clark on behalf of the County. They were joined by a group of local businesses for a discussion on economic partnerships with India.

Our focus of this meeting was to foster the relationship between the consulate of India and Peterborough. There were many issues discussed at this meeting. Several concerns were raised around the cap on international students and its impact on local postsecondary educational institutions as well as recruitment for local businesses, including long-term care homes. With a staffing shortage like this, we are risking the quality of service that goes into taking care of our growing elderly population.

The Chamber voiced the need for a strong relationship with India. Many businesses rely on bringing new Indo-Canadian workers to maintain their staffing numbers. Local businesses

are relying on recruiting workers from India for roles like IT. With the shortage of international students, this could in turn lead to a staffing shortage.

After the concerns were voiced by local businesses, Mayor Jeff Leal and Bonnie Clarke voiced their proactive solutions to Siddhartha. Leal emphasized the need to increase the visibility of Peterborough and let others know about the advantages of Peterborough. Clark reiterated that we need to work more with the Indian government to show what Peterborough can offer and form more economic partnerships.

Nath responded to the Leal’s and Clark’s comments stating that he would work within the consulate to address our community concerns and conduct further investment promotion for Peterborough. Nath also stated the importance of reaching out to the Indian Consulate if there were any more concerns. Finally, the echoing message was, “If we want to see Peterborough grow, we need more investment and investment,” said Leal. furthermore, a strong relationship with the consulate of India can help facilitate this.

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

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Morello's Independent Grocer Given Retailer Award Supporting Ontario Foods

From creating prominent displays to promoting local produce, Morello’s Independent Grocer on Lansdowne Street received the Foodland Ontario Gold Level-Seasonal Award on Monday morning.

(left to right) Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP; Shawn Mahood, Morello’s Produce Manager and Dave Morello, Owner displaying some of Ontario’s fresh local produce such as strawberries from McLean Berry Farm in Lakefield. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The distinction is part of the 2023 Retailer Awards—given by representative Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP—and was given to stores that show excellence in display, promotion of Ontario foods, and support of Foodland Ontario.

“For us, it's such a proud thing,” said Dave Morello, owner of Morello’s Independent Grocer.

According to Foodland Ontario, the gold category is awarded to 12 Ontario retailers for distinguished excellence in three specific categories: seasonal, creative and cross-merchandised.

Seasonal

• Presented for supporting the Ontario seasonal commodities of your choice.

Creative

• Presented for the most creative display of Ontario commodities using themes, display props, unique signage, etc.

Cross-merchandised

• Based on the number of non-produce items cross-merchandised with the Ontario commodity of choice, the compatibility of products, and appropriate signage.

Two featured items displayed when receiving the award were asparagus and strawberries from Mclean’s Berry Farm.

“(These are) Products that are basically in the field this morning and our stores the same day,” explained Morello. “That allows the product to be that much tastier and more nutritious because it's on the plant longer and it's not picked when its picked when it's ripe, ready to eat and it's just a wonderful product.”

Morello continued to explain why supporting local is important to his business and the economy.

“It's the right thing to do to support not our local farmers and our community but we're selling better products to our customers,” he said. “We have to support our neighbours, our farmers, those who shop in our community, shop in our stores and give back to that community. We do everything we can to support that local farm community and we will continue to do so.”

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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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