Peterborough Downtown Now On Google Business View

Sam's Place Google Business View

You can now take virtual tours of participating downtown shops, cafes and restaurants thanks to a new initiative announced by Birchbark Media and the Downtown Business Improvement Area. Now people who aren’t familiar with the unique, welcoming spaces in downtown businesses can get a feel for what’s behind those doors by using Google Business View first—a 360-degree virtual tour powered by Google Maps Street View technology. It’s a great way to engage new visitors to the city and to the downtown.

Dreams of Beans Google Business View

Anyone who has used Google Maps Street View will be instantly comfortable with Google Business View. Similar to how someone on a smartphone, tablet or computer can take a virtual tour of a city—“walking” along streets with a complete 360-degree view of the surroundings–Business View offers the ability to go beyond the storefronts, to look inside shops, restaurants and cafes, to “walk” down aisles and in and out of various rooms.

Christensen Fine Art Google Business View

Birchbark Media, the first local company certified by Google to produce the Google Business View virtual tours, reached out to several of its neighbours downtown to launch the program before extending the initiative to businesses throughout the community. Get on Google Maps to wander through the gallery and framing shop at Christensen Fine Art on George St.; head down the street to peek inside Gentry Apparel to see the sharp, spacious layout of men’s and ladies’ clothing; or check out the interior of Dreams of Beans café on Hunter St.

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Breastfeeding Welcome Here Campaign Launches In Downtown Peterborough

Window signs and information sheets are part of a new initiative by Breastfeeding Welcome Here and the DBIA to let nursing mothers know that downtown businesses welcome families in their stores, restaurants and offices.

Breastfeeding in public is natural—and it’s protected through law under the Ontario Human Rights Code. “Forty-nine percent of local women told us that they were quite uncomfortable breastfeeding in public spaces such as restaurants, so we know that we had to do something to make them feel more welcome, and as well to let the general public know that this is normal and okay,” says Dawn Hanes, chair of the Breastfeeding Coalition.

The program, organized by the local Breatfeeding Coalition, includes:
-  A window cling that businesses post on their front doors or windows to let families know that they support their choice
-   Information sheets that businesses are sharing with their employees to give them practical suggestions to welcome breastfeeding families, and to create a supportive atmosphere
-  Encouraging conversations with business owners and their staff about breastfeeding to help normalize breastfeeding in public.

If your business would like to sign up for the program, contact Dawn Hanes here.

This is World Breasfeeding Week. Learn more here.

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Here Is A Map To All The Parking Available In Downtown Peterborough

If anyone tells you there is no parking in our downtown, well you just show them this map below. If you can't get street parking, there is plenty of off-street parking lots and garages!

[via DBIA]

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Black Friday Is November 29th In Downtown Peterborough

Black Friday takes place on Friday, November 29th in downtown Peterborough. There is 2 hour free parking and 57 businesses are participating!!

They include:

GEORGE STREET: Nielsen's Watches & Jewellery, Brant Basics, Hi Ho Silver, Flavour, Plush Boutique, S.O.S., Green Street e-bikes, Peterborough Inn & Suites, Burgandy's Hair Salon, Joie De Vie, HomeLife Preferred Realty Brokerage Inc., Pensieri Shoes, Knock on Wood, John Roberts Clothiers, Charlotte Jewelers, Sarges Army Surplus, Charm Tree Toys, Peterborough Garden & Gift Gallery, The Nutty Chocolatier, Pipe Dreamz, T-Elle Boutique, Gentry, The Black Horse Pub, Christensen Fine Art, Curry Village, The Whistle Stop, Frame it for U, Needleworks, Vanity Hound, Boater’s World

CHARLOTTE STREET: Hobie's Sports, Bandit's Apparel, Runner's Life, Wild Rock Outfitters, Sticklings Bakery & Bistro, Tribal Voices, Brio Gusto, Cottage Toys, Charlotte's Web, Mind Over Matter Piercings & Tattoos, Thing's From Mom's Basement

CHARLOTTE MEWS: Art School of Peterborough, Josephine's Consignment & Vintage Clothing

KING STREET: Elements, Absolute Hair, Angela Mark, Shish-Kabob Hut

SHERBROOKE STREET: Larry Electric, The Pasta Shop

SIMCOE STREET: Kingan Home Hardware

HUNTER STREET WEST: Glow Maternity Studio & Apparel, The Bra Boutique, Burrow Home Boutique, The Toy Shop, Maggie's Eatery

WATER STREET: The Works Gourmet Burger Bistro, Jack's Hot Spot

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Terry Guiel New Executive Director Of DBIA

Terry Guiel speaking at DBIA meet after being announced as new ED 

It was announced this morning (September 18th) at the Fall DBIA meeting that Terry Guiel is the new Executive Director of the Downtown Business Improvement Area. Terry succeeds Executive Director Paul Raino, who is retiring. Terry is a professional entertainer with extensive event organizing experience. He has been employed as a law clerk at a downtown law firm the past 5 years. A former Peterborough city councillor, he has broad knowledge of city departments and procedures as well as extensive experience serving on numerous boards and committees. Of note, he organized the 2004 Flood Relief Concert featuring Gordon Lightfoot and Ronnie Hawkins, which raised $1.5 million for flood victims. 

"I feel honoured and privileged to be selected for this remarkable role and I can't wait to get started," says Guiel.  

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DBIA Feature: Offices That Work!

Located at 459 George St N, Offices That Work! brings a big city feel in a small city package to the downtown Peterborough core. Taking up residence in the Shandry Building since 2009, it offers a customizable business setting to individuals that is unmatched in the community.

Directors Lynn Marie Landry and Alvin Schieck are proud to offer individual professionals many different business options to suit any type of need. Offices That Work! offers a unique atmosphere where professionals can represent themselves in an executive setting. Whether an individual simply needs a boardroom for a day to conduct a seminar or an office for a week or months on end, this elegant setting can be made to look like a place of permanence.

With a wide array of offices to choose from, and such dedicated staff whose aim is to cater to your every business need, Offices That Work! provides a business setting without all of the unneeded headaches of overhead—with no lease required. Another added touch is the corporate support on site and availability of a downtown phone number and mailing address to complete the setting.

Located in the former home of the Church of the Open Bible, Offices That Work! have done their part to keep many pieces of the buildings past history while adding a modern touch. From the light fixtures and many original windows, to old pews used as benches and the wood framing in many rooms, the setting offers a touch of both old and new.

Lynn and Alvin realize that not every client has the same taste in terms of office setting and because of this they cater to each and every individual’s needs. Small details such as specific hot beverages and fruits, to larger items such as antique tables and desks are made available to help make the atmosphere the clients' very own.

Being located in downtown Peterborough has put Offices That Work! in a prime professional location within walking distance to many of this city’s finest individually owned restaurants and shops which only further helps to enhance the executive feeling it brings.

The building is still under renovation in areas with plans of further commercial and office space being made available in its newly formed top floor and basement. Lynn and Alvin invite you to contact them to plan a viewing of this prestigious building in our downtown core. If you are currently a professional working out of your own living space, you might see an upgrade in your future!

For more on Offices That Work! (459 George St N), go to:

Website: Officesthatwork.ca
Phone: 705.775.3436
Twitter: @officesthatwork

For more on Downtown Peterborough and the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), click here.

—By Aaron Elliott