Peterborough Blogs
Don't Be Scared of 'Ghost Taco' As They Host Grand Opening Of New Peterborough Location
/Peterborough’s newest spot for one of Mexico’s most popular food, ‘Ghost Taco’ held its grand opening at its location at 110 Chandler Cres. on Friday morning.
(From left to right) Samantha Buckley, Ghost Taco co-founder and CEO, Addison Tomas and Chef Matt Basille doing the ‘Ghost Taco Challenge’, testing customers spicy limits with a ghost pepper consomme. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The grand opening opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Jeff Leal, Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP and the Peterborough and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce.
The event featured merchandise giveaways, a social media photo contest, raffles, drink samples (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and live cooking demos from chef Matt Basille.
Guests could participate in the ‘Ghost Taco Challenge’ to test their spice tolerance with the restaurant’s latest creation, a consommé made from ghost peppers.
The restaurant is known for experimenting with traditional tacos. It offers more familiar styles, such as ‘Carnita’ (pulled pork) and Baja fish but also original concepts such as ‘Crispy Korean Tofu’ and ‘Charred Brussels.’
Bowls, sides and drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), including their own brand of beer called ‘Ghost Taco Cerveza,’ are also available.
The grand opening showcased their new limited offer: ‘The Ghost Taco,’ a birria beef and cream cheese taco in a deep-fried tortilla with a ghost pepper consommé.
“We call ourselves 'unauthentic Mexican' largely because it gives us the chance to really experiment with different flavours and different concepts,” explained Samantha Buckley, Ghost Taco co-founder and CEO. “There really is something for every flavour profile and they're all chef-inspired gourmet creations so it's not your typical build-your-own taco place.”
Tomas (left) checks in on Liam O’Connor of the Peterborough and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce (right) for social media during the ‘Ghost Taco Challenge’. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Ghost Taco was created after some creative pivoting from Buckley during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We own a couple full-service restaurants in Newmarket and a boutique event venue and in the middle of Covid, we were going into the second lockdown, we got shut down at our event venue and we just testing different take-out concepts,” she explained. “We figured, 'you know, what's really missing in the market?' and it's gourmet tacos in a quick-service setting.”
Through testing, social media and a pop-up, the restaurant started a hole in the wall before blowing up which started Ghost Taco.
The small franchise began in Newmarket and opened a second location in Vaughan. Peterborough has become home to its third restaurant and Whitby is planned to be the fourth in the winter next year.
“Jamie, one of our operators here in Peterborough, he really loved the brand and he inquired with us about what we could do to get one of these in Peterborough,” said Buckley. “It was always on our radar. We have ties to Peterborough through our family. You have such a family small-business feel so it really was the perfect fit for us.”
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Voice of Business: The Importance of Safeguarding Our Intellectual Property
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This week on the Voice of Business, we are diving into an important yet often overlooked topic: Intellectual Property (IP).
IP refers to creations of the mind, like inventions or artistic works, which are increasingly important in today's growing ‘ideas economy.’ This economy is centred around intangible assets like software, technology, and digital innovations. Recently, Jim Balsillie, former co-CEO of BlackBerry, discussed on CBC the urgency of safeguarding Canada’s intellectual property in our evolving economy.
We encounter intellectual property every day, from the apps we use—like Facebook, Netflix, or Microsoft Office. We also observe our reliance on IP with Tesla’s autonomous driving systems or user interfaces with our phones. For business owners, it’s essential to protect their IP, as it shields their innovations from competitors and creates potential revenue streams through licensing agreements. However, many businesses, particularly those in the tech sector, underestimate the importance of protecting their intangible assets.
Balsillie’s podcast appearance emphasizes the consequences of not prioritizing IP protection, which are evident in Canada’s lagging productivity. He warns that foreign companies are buying Canadian-owned IP, which could push Canada to rank last among OECD countries in terms of productivity. According to Balsillie, the issue isn’t who invents these technologies, but rather who owns the rights to them. As more Canadian IP is sold to foreign companies, the potential for foreign entities to shape the future of Canadian industries grows. This could lead to significant changes, including headquarters relocating outside of Canada and essential jobs being outsourced abroad.
The elephant in the room, Balsillie notes, lies in the lack of a legislative framework that incentivizes businesses to retain their IP domestically. On top of that, there’s a gap in educating corporations about the value of IP and how to manage it effectively. He highlights how other countries, such as China, are far ahead in patent filings for technologies like artificial intelligence. China has filed 400,000 AI-related patents, while Canada on an industry wide scale has filed roughly 40,000. This further illustrates how other countries are actively protecting their innovations, giving them a competitive edge in the global market.
Balsillie also draws attention to the sharp growth of the intangible economy, which now makes up for 92% of the value in the Standard & Poor's 500 index—up from just 17%. This rapid growth will only continue, making it even more important for Canada to protect its intellectual property. He argues that Canada must foster a more attractive business environment to encourage companies to hold their IP rather than sell it to foreign competitors. While he doesn’t go into detail, Balsillie suggests we should learn from international models of legislation regarding IP retainment.
Another concerning trend is the growing number of Canadian pension funds being invested abroad. Balsillie points out that if our own investors are placing their money outside of Canada, it should be a wake-up call that our market is not offering the support needed for businesses togrow and thrive. Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted strategy that includes educating businesses about IP and creating a market that rewards innovation and encourages companies to keep their IP in Canada.
Finally, whether you are a large tech company or a small local business it is important business owners are aware of the advantages of their IP rights. Not only does keeping IP retain jobs in Canada- it also boosts our economy. Balsillie stresses the need for a comprehensive strategy to educate businesses about the benefits of protecting their intellectual property and fostering an attractive market environment. By doing so, Canada can ensure its productivity stays competitive and hold onto its valuable innovations!
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Maple Light, Cancer Takedown, Peterborough County and Sarah Budd
/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…
A Peterborough company has launched Canada’s first hard maple seltzer.
Maple Light founders were inspired to create the refreshing cocktail while boiling down sap in their sugar shack. Seeing an opportunity, they official launched Maple Light this summer. It’s a drink that is lightly and naturally sweetened with a hint of real maple syrup balanced with subtle citrus notes. The drink is now available at select bars, restaurants, and golf courses and is expected to launch in grocery and convenience stores this fall. You can order it at drinkmaplelight.ca
It's time for the third annual Cancer Takedown fundraiser on Nov. 7 from 7 to 10 p.m at Market Hall.
It’s a night of song, story, and solidarity featuring the comedic genius of Linda Kash and Megan Murphy and music from Melissa Payne, Kate Suhr, The Weber Brothers, and more. All proceeds go to cancer care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. Tickets are available at tickets.markethall.org.
Thanksgiving may be behind us but our farming community is still very much at work harvesting their crops that feed our communities.
Peterborough County and the local OPP want to remind the rest of us to slow down and be aware that there are large, slow-moving vehicles on roads. The vehicles may not be fast enough to keep up with traffic, but our farmers are on a tight timeline to get the harvest in. Don’t expect them to pull over on the shoulder. Make sure you have a clear path and that the operator knows you’re behind them before passing. It’s the safe and respectful thing to do and the OPP are reinforcing that with careless driving fines for impatient drivers.
We at the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce bid farewell to Sarah Budd, our President and CEO for the last two years.
Sarah brought extensive experience from the non-profit world, having served for 15 years as the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region. She leaves the Chamber a stronger voice for businesses across the region. She will take that passion and energy for the business community to her new role as the manager of Community Development in the County’s new economic development department.
Hometown PTBO: Mike Watt and His Business Flavour Celebrating 25 Years in Downtown Peterborough
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This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Mike Watt, owner of Flavour Fashion, about the store's 25th anniversary, what they're doing to commemorate the occasion and the importance of keeping it local.
Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Right to Heal, Mallard Heating and Air, Grady's Feet Essentials and Halloween in the Booro
/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…
A Right to Heal is teaming up with local business 100 Acre Brewing Company, hosting Friendsgiving on Oct. 20 from 2 to 6 pm.
This free admission event includes live music, local vendors, corn hole boards, prizes, a food truck and of course, local craft beer. Located on a beautiful rural lot, 100 Acres Brewing is a great place to enjoy some fall colours. Drop by 390 Ashburnham Dr. on Oct. 20 to raise some money for a great local cause and have a good family-friendly time.
With colder weather rolling in, it might be a good time to connect with a new local business: Mallard Heating and Air.
They do installation, maintenance, and repairs of furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, and fireplaces. Your climate comfort is a priority for Mallard Heating and Air, offering HVAC services that are designed to save you time and money with top-notch heating and air conditioning solutions. They service customers across Peterborough City, County, and Kawartha Lakes. Visit mallardhvac.ca for more information and to book an appointment.
In 1984 Ken Grady Sr. founded Grady’s Orthopedic Service from his home.
A year later, he opened the first Grady’s Shoes storefront in downtown Peterborough. Ken’s son Tony, along with his wife Kelli, bought the store in 1997. Together, they’ve created a legacy of 40 years as the go-to destination for quality comfort footwear. They opened their own storefront at 231 King St. back in 2018, initially as storage, office space, and a pickup location, officially relocating there in 2022. Congratulations Ken, Tony, and Kelli on your incredible legacy, both through your business and as leaders in our community.
It's time for Halloween in the Booro.
Head downtown Peterborough on Oct. 26 from 5 to 8 pm as the streets come alive with frightful fun and sweet surprises. This family-friendly event is organized by the DBIA and is designed to not only bring the community together but also to shine a spotlight on the local businesses that make downtown Peterborough a special and unique destination. There are nearly 30 local businesses joining in the fun, which includes trick or treating, a scavenger hunt for kids, and late-night shopping. Get more information at theboro.ca.
Peterborough's Feet Stays Comfy As Grady’s Feet Essentials Celebrates 40 Years In Business
/It was a huge milestone for Grady’s Feet Essentials as they celebrated their 40th anniversary in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at their King Street store on Thursday morning.
Tony (left) and Kelli (second from left) cutting the ribbon as tony’s father Ken Grady Sr. (second from right) and employee Theresa (right) help in the ceremony. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
“When we think of all the things we survived to get here, all the ups and downs, the drops in the economy and the pandemic, it's just so exciting to have reached this milestone,” said Kelli Grady of Grady’s Feet Essentials.
The municipal, provincial, and federal governments acknowledged the business’s milestone. Mayor Jeff Leal and representatives from MP Michelle Ferreri and MPP Dave Smith were present to congratulate the Gradys and present them with certificates of recognition.
In 1984, Ken Grady Sr. founded Grady’s Orthopedic Service from his home, crafting custom orthotics for local customers. He opened the first Grady’s Shoes storefront in downtown Peterborough a year later.
In 1986, Ken’s son Tony Grady started helping after school each day. He purchased the store with his wife, Kelli, in 1997 and was rebranded as Grady’s Feet Essentials. They opened a kiosk at Lansdowne Place Mall in 2000. This led to further expansion into an entire storefront on the mall’s upper level in 2005 and a major renovation with the help of a retail designer in 2011.
Kelli (left), Luna (front) and Tony (right) together in thie business. Luna is one of the store’s highlights and always hard at work with the Grady’s. Both Kelli and Tony are active members of the Rotary Club of Peterborough, each having been recognized as Rotarian of the Year. The store sponsors several local organizations, including the Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival, Community Care, 4th Line Theatre and New Stages Theatre. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
In 2018, they purchased the former Angela Mark boutique building at 231 King Street in Peterborough which is their current location. Until the pandemic hit, they were restoring the building and using it for storage and office space. The pandemic forced them to think creatively, establishing a curbside pickup location and a satellite store at King Street. By February 2022, Grady’s Feet Essentials had officially relocated from Lansdowne Place to their newly renovated King Street location.
“Now that we're in this beautiful building which to me is going to be our legacy,” explained Tony. “This building will stand many, many more years and we're quite proud of what we've done here.”
“We couldn’t have reached this milestone without the support of our loyal customers. We are always looking for ways to serve them better and to anticipate their needs,” said Kelli. “We have three or four generations of some families shopping with us, and we’re deeply grateful that they trust us with their footwear needs and recommend us to their family and friends.”
The store carries premium-brand footwear, including Birkenstock sandals and Blundstone boots. It also utilizes state-of-the-art technology, such as a 3D foot scanner, to ensure customers find their perfect fit.
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Voice of Business: Chamber Trackside Chat Features Local Mayors and Labour Minister David Piccini
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This past week, Kawartha Downs and your local Chamber hosted a trackside chat which featured mayors of Cavan Monaghan, Matthew Graham, and Otonabee-South Monaghan Mayor Joe Taylor. Also in attendance was the honorable Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development, David Piccini. Our VP of Operations & Government Relations, Joel Wiebe led the chat with a Q & A period for our guests.
The conversation began with Minister Piccini addressing the current state of affairs in Ontario. He touched on the big challenges we are facing - labour shortages, foreign workers, and housing. According to Piccini, productivity is taking a hit due to an increasing regulatory burden, labour shortages, and a lack of investment in skills. To combat these issues, he highlighted a new policy initiative which would allow for grade 11 and 12 students to earn co-operative education credits in the skilled trades. Students would also receive a new seal on their diploma recognizing their completion of the program. This will allow students to fast track their learning and hands on experience before entering post-secondary through co-operative learning. This is just one of the ways the minister is addressing our labour shortage by attracting more youth into trades.
Another incentive is the provision of grants for individuals to purchase trade materials. This provincially funded grant provides individuals looking to enter the trades industry with that first set of tools to start their careers. Covering the costs of materials for tradesmen can remove the initial investment to enter trades for individuals.
Shifting to the topic of foreign workers and immigration, Minister Piccini acknowledged the immense contribution immigration has played in building our workforce, including his own grandfather who immigrated from Italy. However, he emphasized the importance of also growing our own domestic worker base specifically in the services industry. While immigration has mitigated our labour shortage problem, it is important to continue to concentrate efforts on enticing our own local workforce to join various industries experiencing labour shortages as well.
Piccini touted the economic success Ontario has experienced without raising taxes and reducing a regulatory environment, pointing out that Ontario is the only province that has not raised taxes, and this has contributed to over $60 billion in revenue. In addition, he proudly mentioned before the pandemic we produced “0% of PPE, now 90% of PPE manufacturing is produced in Ontario” further illustrating our progress in providing a prosperous and viable market for manufacturers here in Ontario.
Next up, Cavan Monaghan Mayor Matthew Graham, and Otonabee-South Monaghan, Mayor Joe Taylor set the stage. They both had a lot to say on municipal matters such as housing, employment lands, and economic development. The mayors had their own set of experiences within their townships but faced the same bureaucratic challenges in lengthy approvals for land development.
In positive news, both townships are experiencing progress with hundreds of housing units in development! For example, Mayor Graham spoke on Millbrook overseeing 600-1200 units in the process of being built. Although housing units are progressing, the cost of development remains a concern. One person for instance, spent $2 million just on buying land and another $2 million on hydro.
Meanwhile Mayor Taylor touched on the need to develop land on cross-border boundaries with the city of Peterborough. Taylor said that “some townships do not have the capital to service city-owned lands and needs cooperation from the city.” With more cooperation this could lead to increased development in areas identified for growth between municipal boundaries.
Both mayors also spoke on the significant delays for developing employment lands. Graham mentioned “one land assessment cost $300,000 and then took four years for approval.” To mitigate these lengthy delays Graham proposes a “streamlining of services where municipalities can go to one body to meet provincial regulations rather than go through multiple bodies.”
The mayors closed off in talking about how meeting the needs of their township is their number one priority. Mayor Graham mentioned a thoughtful point about bureaucracy
acknowledging that while it can be frustrating, these are processes of our democratic system. “Some people hate bureaucracy but a lot of these bureaucratic processes and policies are democratic and to undermine them would be anti-democratic.” Despite these challenges, it was refreshing to hear both mayors remain optimistic about the future of their townships.
Finally, it was a very insightful discussion, offering a behind-the-scenes view of the work being done by our local mayors and the Minister of Labour for businesses in our community. Whether it’s Minister Piccini’s focus on tackling labour shortages or the ongoing work of our mayors to drive housing and employment land development, the topics discussed help address key challenges businesses are facing, such as labour shortages and rising regulatory burdens. The solutions offered by Piccini—encouraging youth to enter the trades and reducing the financial barriers to entry—will provide students with early exposure to the trades and fast-track their skills development. This means businesses can expect a more skilled and prepared workforce in the near future. Additionally, the mayors' focus on reducing bureaucratic delays and fostering cooperation between municipalities and the province would create more opportunities for business growth and investment in our community. It’s encouraging to see proactive steps being taken at both the provincial and municipal levels to build a better future for all.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Lakefield and District Lions Club, Prince of Wales, Peterborough County and Dietrich Homes
/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…
Lakefield and District Lions Club have kicked off a 50/50 raffle with proceeds going to support the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation, Kawartha Food Share and Community Care Peterborough.
The Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation supports investments in equipment and technology to bring lifesaving services to the region. Kawartha Food Share assists more than 12,000 men, women and children every month in our community. Community Care programs support more than 6,000 seniors and adults in our community with disabilities, helping to keep them healthy and safe in their own homes. Get your tickets at lakefieldlions5050.ca. The raffle runs until Nov. 15.
Leon’s Furniture in Peterborough has partnered with The Rotary Club of Peterborough to help Prince of Wales Public School breakfast program with new appliances.
The Rotary Club and friends have been providing nutritious breakfasts to students for nearly 30 years at the school, but the appliances were having issues. A call from Rotarian Catherine Hanrahan to Tom Reburn at Leon’s lead to a donation of a new suite of appliances to keep the breakfasts coming.
Peterborough County has unveiled its new economic development leadership team.
The team includes Rhonda Keenan, formerly of Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development as the new General Manager of Economic Development. Sarah Budd is departing from the Chamber of Commerce to be the County’s Manager of Community Development. The two join Tracie Bertrand, General Manager of Tourism and Communications. The team’s efforts will focus on fostering collaboration across the region, ensuring that local businesses have the resources they need to thrive, and attracting new opportunities to the area.
Dietrich Homes have won the Award of Distinction for Production Build Home, two storeys up to 2,500 sq ft from the Ontario Home Builders Association.
Ontario’s top homebuilders were recognized at a ceremony at Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls in late September. The Production Built Home Award celebrates architectural design, use of space, and unique craftsmanship. Congratulations to the team at Dietrich Homes!
Community Futures Peterborough Launching Small Business Week Event Beginning Oct. 23
/Community Futures Peterborough CFP has announced its inaugural Small Business Week event which will take place on Oct. 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the El(p) event space.
(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.
