businessNOW™ is the most comprehensive weekly round-up of business and organizational news and events from Peterborough and across the Kawarthas.
This week’s business news features new vintage clothing shop Statement House opening in downtown Peterborough, The Kawartha Store winning the Fenelon Falls Downtown Revitalization Award, Crayola Canada raising $45,132 for the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes, and other notable business news from across the Kawarthas including Cody & James CPAs in Peterborough, Rustically Signed in Lindsay, Kawartha Credit Union in Lindsay, One Eyed Jack Pub & Grill and Boardwalk Board Game Lounge in Peterborough, and more.
New regional business events added this week include the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre hosting a new venture session in Peterborough on December 10th, and the Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce hosting a holiday open house in Campbellford on December 13th.
New vintage clothing shop Statement House opens in downtown Peterborough
A new vintage clothing shop called Statement House is now open at 378 Water Street in downtown Peterborough.
Owner Sandra Young launched the new retail location after three years of operating from home, in local pop-up shops, and at vintage clothing shows and fairs.
Statement House specializes in vintage clothing from the 1940s to the 1960s, and also carries new or gently used items with a vintage or retro feel.
Young was one of the 10 competitors in the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area’s 2019 Win This Space competition and was a participant in Starter Company Plus Program administered by Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre.
VIDEO: Sandra Young’s Win This Space competition video (2018)
“I knew I wanted to be part of the downtown community and we need a vintage clothing shop in Peterborough,” Young says.
“Our goal is to source unique, interesting pieces that reflect the name Statement House. We are focusing on making the store an exciting and welcoming shopping experience. Fashion should be fun and affordable. Second hand shopping can be very economical and it is great for the environment too.”
Statement House, which is currently open from 12 to 4 p.m. on Sundays, will be hosting a grand opening and open house from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, December 6th, coinciding with the First Friday art crawl. There will be drinks and snacks and Statement House will unveil its Christmas window.
For more information and updates on Statement House, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
The Kawartha Store wins the Fenelon Falls Downtown Revitalization Award
The Kawartha Store (30 Colborne St., Fenelon Falls) was recently named the winner of the Fenelon Falls Downtown Revitalization Award by the Fenelon Falls and District Chamber of Commerce last Wednesday (November 27).
The award, which included a cheque for $1,000, recognizes the most improved facade and building in the downtown. It arose out of the Fenelon Falls’ Downtown Revitalization as a way for the Chamber to acknowledge the time, effort, and expense that has gone into updating and improving the facade of member businesses in the downtown.
“I am honoured to be recognized in this way,” says The Kawartha Store owner Trish Dougherty. “I love Fenelon Falls and being part of this community.”
Other Fenelon Falls businesses in the running for the award included Colborne Street Gallery, Cornerstone Furnishings, Fenelon Falls Brewing Co., Fenelon Falls Real Estate, Pharmasave, Silhouette Beauty & Medi Spa, Stewart Morrison Insurance, The Barn & Bunkie, The Book Lady, The Butterfly Boutique, The Kawartha Store, and The Little Pie Shack.
Crayola Canada raises $45,132 for United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes
Crayola Canada presented a cheque for $45,132 to the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes (CKL) last Wednesday (November 27), representing proceeds raised at the 31st annual Crayola Sale held November 16th at the Lindsay Exhibition Fairgrounds.
This year’s proceeds were the most ever raised at the sale. Since the sale began, Crayola Canada has donated more than $1,100,000 to United Way CKL.
“Our campaign this year has been about inspiring others to care and to lead,” says United Way CKL executive director Penny Barton Dyke. “Crayola and its employees truly are exceptional in their commitment to helping children, youth .and families. Their corporate leadership is outstanding as are the employees who volunteer for the sale and join in their workplace campaign.”
United Way CKL will use the funds to continue implementing its vision of crafting human care agendas within and across local communities, building coalitions around these agendas, and increasing investments by expanding and diversifying resource development.
Some of the raised funds will also go towards Edwin Binney’s Community Garden, a joint initiative of Crayola Canada, Fleming College, and United Way CKL. In its first year of operation, Edwin Binney’s Community Garden harvested more than 5,500 pounds of fresh produce that was donated to 10 food banks and 11 agencies in the City of Kawartha Lakes, while also teaching agriculture workshops to 350 children from 15 school and summer camp groups.
Other notable business and organization news from across the Kawarthas
Here’s a summary of other notable business and organizational news from across the Kawarthas over the past week:
- Cody & James CPAs of Peterborough is donating more than $1,000 to YES Shelter for Youth and Families, raised in the fall when partners and staff of Cody & James CPAs accepted 520 gallons of shredding material from the community in exchange for a donation to the YES Shelter.
- Rustically Signed, a home decor store currently located on the third floor of The Pie Eyed Monk Brewery in downtown Lindsay, will be moving to a new larger location on Lindsay Street South in February 2020, where it will also be launching a new makers market featuring more than 50 vendors. They are accepting vendor applications at rusticallysigned.com/vendor-application.
- The last day to submit applications for $2,500 Digital Transformation grants is December 31, 2019. There are only 2,000 grants available to qualifying small main street Ontario businesses to purchase and adopt digital tools and technologies. Visit digitalmainstreet.ca/ontario/ to register, take the digital assessment, complete the online training, and develop and submit a digital transformation plan and application form.
- The Lindsay branch of Kawartha Credit Union has donated $1,350 to the Alzheimer Society Peterborough Kawartha Lakes Northumberland Haliburton, representing funds raised through Kawartha Credit Union’s Casual Wear Friday donations.
- One Eyed Jack Pub & Grill is now open at 116 Lansdowne Street East in Peterborough (the location of the former Carousel Restaurant).
- The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge in downtown Peterborough celebrated its one-year anniversary last Friday (November 29).
Peterborough economic development organizations host a holiday social in Peterborough on December 3
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area, the Innovation Cluster, Community Futures Peterborough, and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development are hosting a holiday social from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3rd at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough).
This event is an opportunity for the business community, employers, consumers, and community agencies to make valuable connections.
The event is free, but attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for Kawartha Food Share.
Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre hosts sales and customer retention workshop in Lindsay on December 3
Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre is hosting a workshop called “Effective Sales and Creating a Positive Customer Experience” from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3rd in the downstairs meeting room at the Lindsay Library (190 Kent St. W., Lindsay).
Facilitated by business coach Sandy Greenberg, the workshop will cover the sales cycle, sales prospecting techniques and channels, evaluating and qualifying customer needs, closing the sale, and customer retention strategies.
Bring your own laptop (wi-fi access is available) and refreshments.
The cost for the workshop is $10. Register at eventbrite.ca/e/effective-sales-and-creating-a-positive-customer-experience-tickets-73489722739.
Innovation Cluster hosts hands-on workshop on business structures in Peterborough on December 4
Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas is hosting a workshop called “Hands-ON: Sushi & Structures” from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4th in the small boardroom at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Led by Stephenson Law Group of Toronto, the workshop will provide information on business structures, partnerships, equity, and agreements. A sushi lunch will be served.
The workshop is free. To register, visit eventbrite.com/e/hands-on-sushi-structures-with-stephenson-law-group-tickets-76128555559.
Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation holds its AGM in Cobourg on December 4
Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation is holding its annual general meeting at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4th at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
The meeting will take place in the lecture hall in the Innovation Commons.
Port Hope Chamber hosts information session on new WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program in Port Hope on December 5
The Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting an interactive session on the new WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 5th in Council Chambers at Port Hope Town Hall (58 Queen St,, Port Hope).
WSIB will be launching its new Health & Safety Excellence program in 2020. The new program will be a WSIB performance-based rewards program integrating the strengths of the previous WSIB Small Business, Safety Group, and Workwell programs. This new model provides a clear road map for Ontario businesses to improve workplace health and safety.
The session is free for Chamber members and $10 for non-members. Light refreshments will be served.
To register, email admin@porthopechamber.com.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development celebrates Starter Company Plus grant recipients in Peterborough on December 5
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s Business Advisory Centre is celebrating the latest round of Starter Company Plus grant recipients at 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 5th at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough).
The participating businesses and their owners are Your Second Family (Anna Perry), Momentum Property Management (Alon Nozik), Grady & Woodcock Security Services (Calvin Woodcock), Nufas Media (Jordan Porter and Sean Thornton), Kawartha Complete Care (Kristin Cole), Rooted Lavender (Sonja Martin), AW Media Consulting (Ashley Webster), Wilde Beauty Ptbo (Katelin Turcotte), B&B 3D Designs (Brett Pritchard), and Nicole Cooke.
The event is an opportunity to connect with the people behind the businesses and learn more about the products or services they offer. Six of the business will be selected and awarded a grant of $5,000 based on creativity, strength of business plan, and viability.
For more information on the Starter Company Plus program, visit peterboroughed.ca/starter. Applications for the next intake will open in January 2020.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosts future workforce event in Peterborough on December 6
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, along with the Kawartha Manufacturers’ Association, is hosting “Building PTBO: Future Workforce” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, December 6th in the boardroom at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Meet with representatives from the University of Waterloo, Ontario Tech University, Trent University, and Fleming College to learn more about the internship, co-op, and experiential learning programs available at these educational institutions.
The event is free. Register at eventbrite.ca/e/building-ptbo-future-workforce-event-tickets-82261814301.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre hosts new venture session in Peterborough on December 10
The Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre is hosting a New Venture Session from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 10th in the board room at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Designed for entrepreneurs starting a new business, the session will provide an overview of the foundations of starting and running a business, resources and programs available to entrepreneurs in Peterborough & the Kawarthas, working with the Business Advisory Centre and building a plan of action for your business, and completing the start-up checklist.
The session is free, but registration is requested at eventbrite.ca/e/new-venture-session-tickets-83168305641.
Northumberland Chamber hosts annual Christmas meet and greet in Cobourg on December 10
The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Christmas meet and greet from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10th at Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre (930 Burnham St., Cobourg).
Open to all local business people, the event is free but advance registration is required at nccofc.ca/events/details/christmas-meet-greet-2638.
Innovation Cluster hosts hands-on workshop on digital marketing in Peterborough on December 11
Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas is hosting a workshop called “Hands-ON: Digital Marketing Strategies” from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11th at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Presented by strADegy.ca, the workshop will cover the big marketing problem organizations face, how consumers discover and purchase what they need in today’s “always on” digital economy, the sales mistake businesses make and how to avoid it, and a six-step digital marketing strategy.
The workshop is free, but registration is required at eventbrite.com/e/hands-on-digital-marketing-strategies-tickets-76126886567
Kawartha Lakes Construction hosts Kawartha Chamber’s Business After Hours Holiday Social in Lakefield on December 11
Kawartha Lakes Construction is hosting the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce and Tourism’s annual Business After Hours Holiday Social from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11th at Kawartha Lakes Construction (3359 Lakefield Rd., Lakefield).
This drop-in celebration of the season is also a networking event.
Guests are asked to bring a monetary donation for the Peterborough Humane Society or one of the items on the society’s wish list at peterboroughhumanesociety.ca/wishlist/.
Haliburton Chamber hosts lunch-time fraud and scams seminar in Haliburton on December 12
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is hosting “Lunch & Learn – Avoiding Fraud and Scams” from 12 to 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 12th at the Chamber office (195 Highland St., Haliburton).
Richard Wannan, branch manager at Haliburton BMO, will speak about how to avoid fraud and scams. A light lunch will be served.
The seminar is free for Chamber members and $10 for non-members. Register at events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07egp8ukdm13d38573.
Kawartha Conservation hosts agricultural conference in Lindsay on December 13
Kawartha Conservation is hosting an agricultural conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, December 13th at the Ops Community Centre (2569 Highway 7, Lindsay).
The theme of the conference is “Working Together to Improve Soil and Water Quality on the Farm”. Funding opportunities for projects that support water quality and soil health will also be presented.
The day will feature a variety of speakers and updates from a variety of organizations and government officials.
Attendees will learn about what farmers in southwestern Ontario are doing to address water quality with a presentation from Charles Lalonde of the Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Collaborative. The presentation will focus on an overview of the phosphorus challenge for food production, the pathways and timing for phosphorus runoff into our waters and efforts to remediate agricultural impacts.
Kawartha Conservation’s Water Quality Specialist will provide an update on the state of the Kawartha watershed, and Kawartha Conservation’s Agricultural Stewardship technician will provide information on cost sharing funding opportunities for farmers, while local farmer Bernard Leahy will speak about his water quality improvement project and his experience with applying for cost sharing funding programs.
Updates from organizations including Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, Ontario Federation of Agriculture and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will also take place.
In the afternoon, a discussion panel will provide an opportunity to discuss specific issues with peers and experts.
Tickets are $25 plus HST and include the full day of speakers and presenters as well as a hot BBQ chicken lunch.
To register, visit events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07egntpjs8b9afee25 or contact Emily Johnston at 705.328.2271 ext. 242 or ejohnston@kawarthaconservation.com.
Trent Hills Chamber hosts holiday open house in Campbellford on December 13
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting a holiday open house from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, December 13th at its office (51 Grand Rd., Campbellford).
Drop in for some festive holiday treats and enter your name in a draw for a $100 gift certificate to the Trent Hills Chamber member of your choice.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
