New Gaming Store "Luck of the Draw Games" Has Its Grand Opening In Downtown Peterborough

Gamers rejoice as a new trading card and board game store, ‘Luck of the Draw Games,’ had its grand opening in Downtown Peterborough on Monday afternoon.

Co-owners Christina Toms (left) and William Rider (right) showcasing Magic the Gathering and Pokémon product sold in the store. Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Game product, board games and gaming accessories will also be available for purchase but the store currently experiencing shipping delays. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Located at 424 George St. (the former location of The Cell Shop), the business is co-owned by William Rider and Christina Toms, who actively play Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon Trading Card Game, respectively; both games have products carried in the store.

In addition to the two aforementioned games, the store plans to carry board games and Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game products. However, the store temporarily has neither in stock due to shipping delays.

Card game products include booster packs/boxes, card singles, and related accessories. The store will also accept product trade-ins for cash and/or store credit.

Terry Hill (left) trades in a valuable Yu-Gi-Oh trading card to Toms (right) as part of the service the store delivers. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Peterborough had two trading card and board game stores operating Downtown for the past eight years with Dueling Grounds and Grey Guardian Games.

The latter closed its doors in late January, was sold and relocated to Cobourg, with a grand opening on May 1. Rider says this shop fills the hole in the gaming community left behind from Grey Guardian Games’s departure.

“Christina and I are both into card games, board games and we honestly wanted to do something for the community,” said Rider. “Just have a place you can go sit down, play with your friends and grab a couple of things.”

Both co-owners were frequent customers of both stores and played a role in their respective groups. They opened their new store as a hub and a way to advance the gamers’ community.

“When you spend a significant amount of your time of your life in the community, that's why people have that dream (of opening a store),” explained Rider. “It's almost like the next step of doing what you love. Bringing it to the community and having and being the place that people can come around and gather and enjoy it with you, friends and the community itself. It really is the dream, honestly.”

The locally-owned store offers free use of their gaming tables and plans to have a schedule for in-house tournaments and event nights within the week. Rider says the store plans to renovate the storefront to allow more gaming space and introduce more products to accommodate games such as Warhammer, Dungeons & Dragons and more.

“It's a place for the community,” said Rider. “You're always welcome at the end of the day.”

Magic: The Gathering Singles on sale in the store’s Display case. The store currently has singles for Magic and Pokémon and plan to expand with Yu-Gi-Oh! Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The following are the store’s business hours:

• Monday: Noon to 8 p.m.

• Tuesday: Noon to 8 p.m.

• Wednesday: Closed

• Thursday: Noon to 8 p.m.

• Friday: Noon to 10 p.m.

• Saturday: Noon to 10 p.m.

• Sunday: Noon to 8 p.m.

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Peterborough's Heads to Get a Little Cleaner With Grand Opening of Hair Apothecary

The first brick-and-mortar business for pediculosis care in Peterborough is now open as Hair Apothecary had its grand opening on Thursday morning.

Jennifer Ducker, Hair Apothecary owner and founder (left) makes sure her five-year-old son Liam Ducker’s hair is clean with a headlice inspection. Hair APothecary was graduate of Innovation Cluster’s Starter Company Plus Program. Photo by David Tuan bui.

Jennifer Ducker founded the business located at 41 Park St. S. The business does head checks, pediculosis treatment, nit removal/combing, education seminars, take-home headlice kits and school checks. The grand opening event featured demonstrations, information sessions, meet Jennifer and learn more about the business’s mission.

“We're trendsetters here. Places like this are very much in business just in bigger cities so we're the first to do something that is so, so, so needed,” explained Ducker. “There's so many families in Peterborough to help.”

Jennifer says her mother, Cathy Ducker, was an inspiration to open Hair Apothecary. Cathy ran a mobile pediculosis business for over 20 years and Jennifer made the switch from the food industry to the head treatment business which culminated in the new business.

“When you help someone with headlice, it's so rewarding,” explained Jennifer. “It fills up my cup, it's so needed and we're never short of business. It's the next step for me.”

In addition to treatment services, Hair Apothecary is also an information hub. Customers can ask questions, receive guidance and access removal services without fear or embarrassment. The business services Peterborough and the Kawarthas and surrounding First Nations. Jennifer encourages anyone who has questions to come by the storefront.

“We were out in Hiwartha at their Family Centre where we just gave everyone the run-through, what products to use and how to treat the cleanup of your space,” she explained. “We encourage people to reach out and ask any questions, whether the go with our services or not, it's just starting a conversation.”

Jennifer says the new physical location will allow her to expand offerings, including workshops and additional apothecary services aimed at holistic care and well-being.

“The stigma surrounding lice can make it an overwhelming experience for families,” said Jennifer. “Hair Apothecary is here to change that by providing a judgment-free space where people can get the help they need with confidence and dignity.”

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Photos: Miskin Law Community Complex Officially Opens to Public

The City of Peterborough has officially opened the new Miskin Law Community Complex and welcomed the community to explore the new facility, participate in activities and celebrate a new Indigenous public art installation on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

The grand opening of the new complex at Lansdowne and Park Streets includes free public skating, a yoga class, opportunities to view the art installation and a chance to try out the indoor walking track.

The 121,500-square-foot facility features a twin-pad arena, an indoor walking track, multi-purpose spaces and leasable office space. A Peterborough Public Library branch is set to open on Feb. 1 as a replacement for the De La Fosse branch.

“Today, we celebrate a moment more than a decade in the making. The opening of the Miskin Law Community Complex is the result of the cumulative effort and dedication of City staff, community supporters, and past and present City councils,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “This facility provides dynamic spaces like the twin-pad arena and walking track to help people be active, while also serving as a source for inspiration with a new library branch and public art installation.”

The ground-breaking ceremony of the $68.5-million facility began on Dec 8, 2022. However, construction began earlier that year in August.

The Miskin Law Community Complex’s gounrdbreaking ceremony on Dec. 8, 2022.

The building boasts reduced carbon emissions during construction by reducing concrete usage, optimizing building envelope materials and strategically using glazing according to the City. Operating emissions were reduced by nearly 40 per cent through features like LED lighting, a water-loop heat pump system with heat recovery from the ice plant, electric ice resurfacers and ventilation heat recovery systems.

The indoor walking track allows individuals of all ages and abilities to stay active. Meanwhile, a new public art installation builds awareness of Indigenous cultures, heritage and sport said the City.

Vanessa Dion Fletcher, an Indigenous artist, created a focal-point art installation in the floor-to-ceiling windows at the main entrance’s two-storey atrium. Supported by sculptor and fabricator Matthew Walker, the work Resonant Harmony features three hoops painted with the visual texture, patterns and colours of quillwork. The installation offers insight into Indigenous teachings, the ethos of sport and its role in fostering relationships.

The development of the City’s newest community complex received significant funding from the federal government and local corporate sponsors, totalling more than $9.4 million.

The project was bolstered with more than $8.4 million from the Canada Community-Building Fund.

In Ontario, the Canada Community-Building Fund is administered by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario twice annually to 443 municipalities with funding allocated per capita. Local corporate sponsors were important supporters of the project and contributed a cumulative total of $1 million to the project’s budget.

These sponsors include:

• Miskin Law: Secured overall naming rights for the complex for the next 10 years

• Canadian Hockey Enterprises: Secured naming rights for the south arena pad and has agreed to utilize lease space in the building for its operations

• Russelle Toyota: Secured naming rights for the north arena pad

The ice pads and indoor walking track in the Miskin Law Community Complex are now accessible for Peterborough residents and visitors.

Programming includes Learn to Skate programming, parent and tot instructional lessons, and private skating lessons. All ages drop-in public skating will be available on Sundays from 3 p.m. to 4:50 p.m., and youth shinny hockey will run on Tuesday evenings from 6:15 p.m. to 7:05 p.m.

Miskin will also be the location for two upcoming hockey tournaments in January, including the Steve Richey Tournament of Champions and the Peterborough Hockey Association Tournament.

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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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Photos: The Chocolate Rabbit Makes Its Grand Opening of Third Location In East City

The Chocolate Rabbit has opened its third location in Peterborough with its grand opening in East City on Saturday.

Elaine Webster (left), Kristine Webster (middle) and Nichol Wagenblast (right) showcasing some of the chocolatier's featured items. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Several people and dignitaries including Peterborough-Kawartha MP Michelle Ferrari and Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith were in attendance for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Free samples, coupons (with purchase of times) and raffles for gift baskets were available at the event.

Customers could meet the Webster family who owns the business, who purchased the business from Lois and Larry MacEachern in August of 2021.

“We have been left speechless with the amount of turnout and support that the community has provided us today,” said Kristine Webster of The Chocolate Rabbit. “All in all, we had a wonderful experience and are so happy to have met and connected with each and every one of you.”

The other locations are in Lakefield and Bancroft and are also owned by the Webster family.

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Popular Bubble Tea Franchise 'Chatime' Hosts Grand Opening In Peterborough's North End

Peterborough’s newest entrepreneur Kanza Ghzanfar started her week-long grand opening of the popular bubble tea franchise Chatime in the north end of town on Friday.

Kanza Ghzanfar (left) with her brother Zaeem Ghzanfar (right) during Chatime’s first day of business. Their father owns the neighbouring Osmow’s Shawarma and is operated by Zaeem. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The grand opening runs until Nov. 23. The storefront is located on 1447 Water St. Unit 6 next to the Osmow’s Shawarma. Ghzanfar’s family owns the latter and had worked there for an extended period of time since opening in 2018. The young entrepreneur wanted to take a risk and bring her love of bubble tea to Peterborough.

“Personally, I'm just the biggest fan of Chatime myself and five years ago I was craving bubble tea,” she said. “I put 'bubble tea' in Google Maps and the closest it was taking me to was Oshawa.”

Bubble Tea is a popular Taiwanese drink commonly consists of green or black flavoured tea typically with chewy tapioca balls (that act as the ‘bubbles’) and can include milk. Other popular toppings include popping boba (encased spheres of syrup or juice), jelly or fruit.

Customers can adjust sugar and ice levels to their bubble tea as the beverage boasts to be a healthier alternative to other sweet drinks.

Chatime is an chain with over 3,000 locations worldwide according to their website. It is widely popular in the Durham and Greater Toronto Area region.

Ghzanfar is from Toronto and attended University of Toronto (St. George Campus), earning a double major bachelor’s degree in criminology and politics. She earned her Masters at Wilfrid Laurier University, studying national security. She turned down a Ph.D offer and wanted to stick to her roots. She was immersed in a business with her family for several years and wanted to continue that.

“Back then, I didn't know I was going to get involved in the business world but I knew that if I was going to do something at any point, it would have to be bubble tea related,” explained Ghzanfar.

The week-long grand opening has a photo booth with bubble tea props. There are also two daily promotions during that week including a buy on get on free promotion on select drinks (Pearl Milk Tea, QQ Mango, Peach Green Tea) from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Customers can spin a wheel to possibly win free drinks, toppings and other prizes from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The store is fully-employed by Trent University students and accepts Trent flex cards as payment. Ghzanfar had many food and drink options in close proximity to her post-secondary institutions but believes Trent students do not have the same luxury.

“I feel like with Trent, there are wasn't that many options for students that were available so close to campus so that was primarily why I wanted to target that kind of community,” she explained. “At the end of the day, I still wanted to get involved with the locals are aware of our presence, what the product is and what we bring to the table.”

Chatime is open seven days a week and are open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Delivery orders can be made through DoorDash, Uber Eats and Skip the Dishes.

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The Chocolate Rabbit Hosting Grand Opening For East City Location On Dec. 2

East City is going to get a little sweeter next month as The Chocolate Rabbit is having a grand opening at the East City location on 72 Hunter St. E. for Dec. 2 at 10 a.m.

The shop’s signature item are ‘Mud Bugs.’ They are bite-sized chocolate with caramel and almond centers and lightly sprinkled with sea salt. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The shop started in Lakefield by Lois and Larry MacEachern in 2006. The Webster family took ownership August of 2021 and opened their second location in Bancroft at the old fudge factory location in June of 2022. The Websters own and operate all three locations.

The ceremony will have an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the chocolatier’s third location in the Kawarthas.

Customers can meet the Webster family, enter a draw to win a few personalized Chocolate Rabbit gift baskets and and taste test chocolate during the grand opening.

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Photos: Rollz Ice Cream Makes Parkway Place A Little Sweeter With Grand Opening

Rhaelynn Gaspari, 5 (left), celebrating her friend Charlotte Miller’s birthday, 5 (right), during the grand opening. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Rollz Ice Cream had customers pouring into the store during their grand opening on Sunday afternoon. The store is located at Parkway Place on 1135 Lansdowne St., Unit 11.

The parlour serves rolled ice cream, milkshakes, waffles, falooda, cheesecake (from the Cheesecake Factory), popping soda and ice cream burgers. The first 50 customers received free rolled ice cream during their grand opening.

Watch on TikTok

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Franchise 'Rollz Ice Cream' To Hold Grand Opening This Sunday

Another sweet treat business is coming to Peterborough as franchise Rollz Ice Cream is hosting its grand opening at Parkway Place on 1135 Lansdowne St., Unit 11 this Sunday.

Rollz Ice Cream’s Biscoff Salted Caramel. There are 15 locations of the franchise in Ontario. Photo courtesy of Rollz Ice Cream.

The parlour serves rolled ice cream, milkshakes, waffles, falooda, cheesecake (from the Cheesecake Factory), popping soda and ice cream burgers.

The first 50 customers to arrive at the grand opening will receive a free rolled ice cream according to an Instagram post.

Rolled ice cream originated in Thailand as street food in 2009. It is made by pouring a milk and cream mixture over a cold stainless steel pan that freezes it into ice cream. A choice of sauces, mix-ins and toppings are added to the mixture so customers can customize their ice cream. After being slathered and chopped, it is scraped into rolls and served in a cup.

Rollz first opened in 2017 in Scarborough and shortly opened five more locations according to their website.

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The Vine Bringing a "Plant-Forward" Pescatarian-Friendly Menu As Peterborough's Newest Restaurant

Showcasing vegetables and incorporating seafood in a ‘plant-forward’ approach is the philosophy of Peterborough’s latest restaurant, The Vine which is having its soft opening over three days from Thursday to Saturday.

Flowers had the soft opening on Thursday and Friday with the brunch on Monday. Bookings for the first two days have already filled up. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The business is owned by couple Tyrone Flowers and Lauren Mortlock and is located at 165 Sherbrooke St. at the former Electric City Bread Company location. Flowers took a leap of faith when he discovered the business was closing down.

“Just on a whim, I came to look at it and then decided, 'You know what? We talked about this five years ago when we moved to up Peterborough that we wanted to open a place,'" said Flowers.

Flowers has worked in the restaurant industry for 20 years from dishwasher to head chef. He worked at the Publican House for four years.

The menu showcases salads, soups, sandwiches, entrées and pizza. A brunch menu that also incorporates eggs and dairy is available on Sundays. Pitchers of Gatorade and Kool-Aid and a tater-tot waffle are ‘hangover specials’ that are featured in the brunch.

Despite Flowers being a meat-eater, he believed offering a pescetarian-friendly restaurant and beyond would offer a different dining experience for Peterborough. He still strives to make plant-based ‘meat’ taste like the ‘real thing.’

“I was given the idea from a former colleague and we went with it,” he explained. “We did some research and we saw all the fun things we could do with making everything like all the vegan options seem real and everything so that's why we did it.”

He recognized the vast and diverse range of restaurants that already existed in town and that going pescatarian would be a unique take that would not trample on other businesses.

“There's already a bunch of great places in town that do the meat well, you've got some vegan restaurants too and we didn't want to step on anybody's toes by doing one thing so we decided, ‘Why don't we combine it?’” explained Flowers.

The Vine is having its grand opening on Tuesday beginning at 11 a.m. The restaurant is currently trying to obtain its liquor license at the publication of this article.

The following are the restaurant’s operating hours:

• Tuesday to Friday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

• Saturday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

• Sunday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

• Monday: Closed

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