businessNOW – Our top business headlines from 2019

A look back at the top business and organizational news from the past year

By Bruce Head -
Published
Our look back at business and organizational news in 2019 in Peterborough and the Kawarthas includes this past summer's launch of the Trent-Severn Trail Town program, Canada's first waterway "trail town" program that links communities along the Trent-Severn Waterway (including Campbellford, Hastings, Lakefield, Buckhorn, Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Coboconk, and Rosedale) to encourage regional tourism and support local business. Pictured at the August 22nd launch at Ranney Falls (Locks 11-12) in Campbellford (from left to right): Cycle Forward founder and trail town consultant Amy Camp, Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd, Kawarthas Northumberland/Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) Executive Director Brenda Wood, Parks Canada Associate Director for Ontario Waterways Dwight Blythe, and Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)
Our look back at business and organizational news in 2019 in Peterborough and the Kawarthas includes this past summer's launch of the Trent-Severn Trail Town program, Canada's first waterway "trail town" program that links communities along the Trent-Severn Waterway (including Campbellford, Hastings, Lakefield, Buckhorn, Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Coboconk, and Rosedale) to encourage regional tourism and support local business. Pictured at the August 22nd launch at Ranney Falls (Locks 11-12) in Campbellford (from left to right): Cycle Forward founder and trail town consultant Amy Camp, Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd, Kawarthas Northumberland/Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) Executive Director Brenda Wood, Parks Canada Associate Director for Ontario Waterways Dwight Blythe, and Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)
Every week, our managing editor collects news and events related to businesses and organizations from across the Kawarthas. If you’d like us to promote your news or event in businessNOW, please email business@kawarthanow.com.

This week’s businessNOW™ takes a month-by-month look back on some of the notable business and organizational news headlines of 2019, including businesses that opened or came under new ownership, businesses that closed, businesses and business people that won awards, government funding announcements, changes in organizational leadership, milestones, and more.

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January

Following the trend towards plant-based food, Nateure's Plate opened in downtown Peterborough. The restaurant serves vegan comfort food like this "meatball" sub. (Photo: Nateure's Plate)
Following the trend towards plant-based food, Nateure’s Plate opened in downtown Peterborough. The restaurant serves vegan comfort food like this “meatball” sub. (Photo: Nateure’s Plate)
  • Vegan restaurant Nateure’s Plate opens in downtown Peterborough.
  • Evans Contemporary closes in downtown Peterborough.
  • Ctrl V, the first virtual reality arcade in the Kawarthas, opens at Lindsay Square Mall.
  • Community Futures Peterborough launches the inaugural ignite100 competition.
  • Collins Barrow Kawarthas becomes Baker Tilly.
  • Argentum Electronics wins $250,000 investment from Northumberland CFDC’s N100 Evolution technology startup competition.
  • Catalina Motta opens House Of Commons Vintage Market in downtown Peterborough.
  • Martin Yuill becines executive director of Cleantech Commons at Trent University.

 

February

Peterborough mayor Diane Therrien (middle) cuts the ribbon for the official opening of the renovated Jo Anne's Place health food store at 1260 Lansdowne Street West in Peterborough. Also pictured (left to right) are city councillors Kim Zippel and Lesley Parnell and Jo Anne's Place owners Margo and Paul Hudson. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW.com)
Peterborough mayor Diane Therrien (middle) cuts the ribbon for the official opening of the renovated Jo Anne’s Place health food store at 1260 Lansdowne Street West in Peterborough. Also pictured (left to right) are city councillors Kim Zippel and Lesley Parnell and Jo Anne’s Place owners Margo and Paul Hudson. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW.com)
  • The Ontario government invests $12.3 million to expand natural gas access to Fenelon Falls, Cameron and Cambray.
  • Robin Binèsi Cavanagh joins The Canadian Canoe Museum as the new Director of Indigenous Peoples’ Collaborative Relations.
  • Jo Anne’s Place reveals newly renovated store on Lansdowne Street in Peterborough.
  • Federal government announces $1.5 million for Peterborough-based Charlotte Products Ltd. for technology to detect healthcare-associated infections.
  • The Canadian Canoe Museum receives $1.25 million donation from anonymous donor.
  • Bobcaygeon Brewing Company acquires Beard Free Brewing in Peterborough.
  • Peterborough online farmers’ market Locavorest shuts down.
  • Town of Cobourg wins marketing award for its Armistice18 campaign.
  • Hastings Highlands enters into a deal for a cannabis production facility.
  • Payless Shoe Source and Home Outfitters retail stores in Peterborough close.

 

March

Olympus Burger in Port Hope was selected as having the ninth best burger in Canada on a list of the top 50 burgers assembled by Big 7 Travel. (Photo: Olympus Burger)
Olympus Burger in Port Hope was selected as having the ninth best burger in Canada on a list of the top 50 burgers assembled by Big 7 Travel. (Photo: Olympus Burger)
  • Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. transforms historic building into Kawartha Lakes’ newest craft brewery.
  • Peterborough advertising agency BrandHealth rebrands as Outpost379.
  • Campbellford suffers double blow after Nicholson Bros facility destroyed by fire and Dart Container Corp. announces plant closure.
  • Olympus Burger in Port Hope makes the list of top 10 best burgers in Canada.
  • Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon hires its first-ever general manager.
  • Huntsville eco-lifestyle retail store Sustain is the grand prize winner of Win This Space Peterborough.
  • New live music venue called Simcoe Ptbo opens in downtown Peterborough.
  • Green Earth stores in Peterborough’s Lansdowne Place Mall and Lindsay Square close.
  • Golden Wheel Chinese Restaurant in Peterborough is under new ownership.
  • Innovation Cluster launches H2O Makerspace to support clean technology research.
  • Rustically Signed announces new store and workshop space at Pie Eyed Monk Brewery in Lindsay.
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April

2019 Women in Business Award winner Monika Carmichael (second from right) and 2019 Judy Heffernan Award winner Kim Appleton (right) along with Tara Spence from Trent University and Jo Oanh Ho from Fleming College, the recipients of the 2019 Female Business Student Award. Not pictured: Erin McLean and Bridget Leslie, the two finalists for the 2019 Women in Business Award. (Photo: Bianca Nucaro / kawarthaNOW.com)
2019 Women in Business Award winner Monika Carmichael (second from right) and 2019 Judy Heffernan Award winner Kim Appleton (right) along with Tara Spence from Trent University and Jo Oanh Ho from Fleming College, the recipients of the 2019 Female Business Student Award. Not pictured: Erin McLean and Bridget Leslie, the two finalists for the 2019 Women in Business Award. (Photo: Bianca Nucaro / kawarthaNOW.com)
  • Sam’s Place Deli in downtown Peterborough unveils renovated space and new logo.
  • Electric City Bread Company in Peterborough is under new ownership.
  • Innovation Cluster announces plans to expand into City of Kawartha Lakes.
  • Lake Edge Cottages on Katchewanooka Lake in Lakefield is under new ownership.
  • Bill Pappas, original owner of Pappas Billiards in Peterborough, passes away.
  • John Gillis becomes new interim president and CEO of the Innovation Cluster.
  • Port Hope’s Cameco Capitol Arts Centre announces $1.75 million expansion project.
  • Peterborough DBIA wins award for Downtown Vibrancy project.
  • Trent Valley Honda’s Monika Carmichael receives the Women in Business Award.
  • Sweet Beast Fine Meats & Fish opens in Peterborough’s East City.
  • Federal government provides $200,000 in funding for Random Acts of Green in Peterborough.
  • Maar’s Music announces plans to relocate from downtown Peterborough to Brookdale Plaza.
  • Sweet Bottoms Coffee in Fenelon Falls announces plans to close.
  • The Carousel restaurant in Peterborough announces plans to close.
  • Little Britain entrepreneurs launchT he White Lightning Shopping Bus free rural transit service in Kawartha Lakes.

 

May

Dylan Trepanier of Alexander Optical and Cheryl Gould of Electric Juice Factory won the 2019 Bears' Lair Entrepreneurial Competition. (Photo: Bianca Nucaro / kawarthaNOW.com)
Dylan Trepanier of Alexander Optical and Cheryl Gould of Electric Juice Factory won the 2019 Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurial Competition. (Photo: Bianca Nucaro / kawarthaNOW.com)
  • Dylan Trepanier of Alexander Optical and Cheryl Gould of Electric Juice Factory win 2019 Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurial Competition.
  • Bobcaygeon & Area Chamber of Commerce names Shaukat Mohamad as Citizen of the Year.
  • Lindsay Brock merges Amusé Coffee Co. into The Edison at VentureNorth in downtown Peterborough.
  • Pedego Kawartha Lakes e-bikes expands to Lindsay.
  • Fusion Bowl opens in downtown Peterborough.
  • Government of Ontario provides $71 million to Eastern Ontario Regional Network for mobile broadband services.
  • Shantelle Bisson and Murdoch Mysteries’ actor Yannick Bisson open Shantilly’s Place on Chandos Lake in North Kawartha.
  • Conner and Tasha Clarkin announce plans to open new plant-based Revelstoke Café in downtown Peterborough.
  • Simcoe Ptbo in downtown Peterborough closes.
  • The Thirsty Loon in Lakefield announces plans to close.
  • Venture13 Innovation Centre in Cobourg celebrates its one-year anniversary.

 

June

Peterborough-based McCloskey International, which employs around 900 people in Canada, the U.S.A., and Northern Ireland, was acquired by Finnish industrial machinery company Metso. Pictured are McCloskey International founder, president, and CEO Paschal McCloskey (second from left) and Ian Lough of McCloskey International (far right), along with Mark Nodder and Jeremy Fitch of Invest Northern Ireland at Granville Industrial Estate in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. (Photo: McCloskey International)
Peterborough-based McCloskey International, which employs around 900 people in Canada, the U.S.A., and Northern Ireland, was acquired by Finnish industrial machinery company Metso. Pictured are McCloskey International founder, president, and CEO Paschal McCloskey (second from left) and Ian Lough of McCloskey International (far right), along with Mark Nodder and Jeremy Fitch of Invest Northern Ireland at Granville Industrial Estate in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. (Photo: McCloskey International)
  • Peterborough bio-tech startup Noblegen secures $25 million in Series B financing.
  • ARIA in downtown Peterborough closes.
  • Gerti’s in downtown Peterborough officially reopens under new ownership.
  • Tora Bistro opens in downtown Peterborough.
  • Steelworks Design of Peterborough rebrands as AVIT Manufacturing.
  • Mama Milisa’s Kitchen opens in Keene.
  • Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce names Claus Reuter as Citizen of the Year.
  • Peterborough-based McCloskey International acquired by Finnish company Metso for $420 million.
  • Peterborough’s healthy dessert company Chimp Treats’ Nicecream featured by Loblaw and Sobeys.
  • YWCA Peterborough Haliburton executive director Lynn Zimmer announces her retirement.
  • Dream Cyclery bicycle shop opens in downtown Peterborough.
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July

PedalBoro’s 15-passenger party bike received a fair share of attention in July during the bike tour company’s inaugural downtown tour from The Olde Stone Brewing Company to the Publican House Brewery before heading to Millennium Park. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW.com)
PedalBoro’s 15-passenger party bike received a fair share of attention in July during the bike tour company’s inaugural downtown tour from The Olde Stone Brewing Company to the Publican House Brewery before heading to Millennium Park. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW.com)
  • Hajni Hõs resigns from New Canadians Centre to become new executive director of Hospice Peterborough.
  • New cannabis production facility planned near Lindsay.
  • GreenUP wins five awards from Green Communities Canada.
  • Cambium wins inaugural ignite100 entrepreneurial competition.
  • Jesse Bateson of Solid Leather opens shop in downtown Peterborough.
  • Entomo Farms of Norwood receives inaugural Excellence in Agriculture Award from Ontario government.
  • Mercedes-Benz Peterborough donates $10,000 to Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation.
  • Toronto couple donates $50,000 to Peterborough Humane Society’s new animal care centre.
  • Win This Space winner Sustain Eco Store opens in downtown Peterborough.
  • PedalBoro multi-passenger bike service launches in downtown Peterborough.
  • Kit Coffee Espresso Bar and Bake Shop opens in downtown Peterborough.
  • The Cat and The Fiddle in Cobourg closes.
  • Frank’s Pasta and Grill in Cobourg closes.

 

August

Central Smith Creamery owner Ian Scates (second from left) and vice-president/marketing Jenn Scates (right) present a cheque for $13,420.25 to Jane Lovett (left) and Lesley Heighway (second from right) of PRHC Foundation on August 1, 2019 at the dairy's location at 739 Lindsay Road in Peterborough. The Scates raised the funds during an ice cream social in the summer. (Photo courtesy of PRHC Foundation)
Central Smith Creamery owner Ian Scates (second from left) and vice-president/marketing Jenn Scates (right) present a cheque for $13,420.25 to Jane Lovett (left) and Lesley Heighway (second from right) of PRHC Foundation on August 1, 2019 at the dairy’s location at 739 Lindsay Road in Peterborough. The Scates raised the funds during an ice cream social in the summer. (Photo courtesy of PRHC Foundation)
  • Central Smith Creamery raises $13,420.25 for Peterborough Regional Health Centre.
  • Peterborough engineering company Lab Improvements partners with Peterborough Regional Health Centre to develop innovative laboratory device.
  • Savage Arms, including Lakefield location, purchased by private investors.
  • Federal government invests $1.4 million in Northumberland CFDC’s DELIA lending platform for women-owned and women-led enterprises in Eastern Ontario.
  • Nexicom receives $1 million in federal funding to bring high-speed internet to Douro-Dummer.
  • Mickaël’s Café Librairie opens a second location in Omemee.
  • Blowes Travel and Cruise Centres of Stratford and G. Stewart Travel Services of Peterborough merge.
  • Neo Rare Metals expands operations at its Peterborough plant.
  • Long-time Lindsay businessman Dominic Fox passes away.
  • Huge Shops Ontario Inc. selected to apply for a cannabis store operator licence in Fowlers Corners.
  • Canada’s first Waterway Trail Town program launches in Kawarthas Northumberland.

 

September

In September, Tara and Adam Genge of antique and vintage furniture refinishing business Chalk Therapy announced they were launching Electric City Works, a new retail marketspace hub in downtown Peterborough. The 5,000-square-foot space, which will also be the new location of Chalk Therapy, is intended for makers, creatives, artisans, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. It opened in November 2019. (Photo courtesy of Chalk Therapy)
In September, Tara and Adam Genge of antique and vintage furniture refinishing business Chalk Therapy announced they were launching Electric City Works, a new retail marketspace hub in downtown Peterborough. The 5,000-square-foot space, which will also be the new location of Chalk Therapy, is intended for makers, creatives, artisans, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. It opened in November 2019. (Photo courtesy of Chalk Therapy)
  • Retail marketspace hub Electric City Works announces opening in downtown Peterborough.
  • Pensieri Shoes in Peterborough rebrands as Blue Shoes Ptbo.
  • Peterborough Memorial Centre box office becomes the Grant Thornton box office.
  • Smart City Readiness Project aims to help Peterborough become a “Smart City”.
  • Innovation Cluster partners with Peterborough Utilities Group to expand cleantech in Peterborough.
  • Church Key Brewing owner John Graham sells Church Key Pub & Grindhouse in Campbellford.
  • Heather Doughty Photography opens a new studio in downtown Peterborough.
  • Publican House Brewery and Bobcaygeon Brewing Co. take home 2019 Ontario Brewing Awards.
  • Peterborough’s Signarama expands into custom apparel and promotional products industry with Fully Promoted sister franchise.
  • Lucky Strike Bait Works in Peterborough celebrates its 90th anniversary.
  • Pinnguaq Association launches Lindsay Makerspace.
  • Spark Photo Festival announces new festival director Jennifer MacKenzie.
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October

Dooher's Bakery in Campbellford, known for delicious baked goods including its famous cream-filled crueller, was named "Sweetest Bakery in Canada" for the second year in a row in an online competition sponsored by Michigan-based Dawn Food Products. The family-owned bakery won a grand prize valued at almost $7,000. (Photo courtesy of Dooher's Bakery)
Dooher’s Bakery in Campbellford, known for delicious baked goods including its famous cream-filled crueller, was named “Sweetest Bakery in Canada” for the second year in a row in an online competition sponsored by Michigan-based Dawn Food Products. The family-owned bakery won a grand prize valued at almost $7,000. (Photo courtesy of Dooher’s Bakery)
  • Millbrook’s Pastry Peddler wins first place in the 2019 Kawarthas Butter Tart Tour Taste-Off.
  • Local game developer Canuck Play releases its third Canadian football title.
  • Peterborough-based Chimp Treats unveils new branding for its Nicecream frozen dessert line.
  • Andy Cragg becomes new executive director of New Canadians Centre Peterborough.
  • Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism names Sally Harding of Nightingale Nursing as Citizen of the Year.
  • Dooher’s Bakery in Campbellford wins Canada’s Sweetest Bakery competition for second year in a row.
  • Peterborough Chamber of Commerce names Carmela Valles as Business Citizen of the Year.
  • Robotics company Servo Socks wins grand prize at the Kawartha Lakes Small Business Innovation Awards.
  • Paper Planter Project and Eco-Care Project win FastStart Peterborough’s Pitch It! competition.

 

November

Staff at Elmhirst's Resort in Keene celebrate the 2019 Tourism Employer of the Year from the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. (Photo: Elmhirst's Resort / Facebook)
Staff at Elmhirst’s Resort in Keene celebrate the 2019 Tourism Employer of the Year from the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. (Photo: Elmhirst’s Resort / Facebook)
  • Elmhirst’s Resort is named Tourism Employer of the Year at the 2019 Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence.
  • Electric City Works holds a grand opening of its new downtown Peterborough store and marketspace.
  • Curve Lake First Nation economic development officer Katie Young-Haddlesey wins national award.
  • The Kawartha Buttertart Factory is moving into The Little Building Company’s new building in Douro-Dummer next year.
  • New garden shop Plant Goals opens in downtown Peterborough.
  • The McLean family of Lakefield is named Peterborough County’s 2019 Farm Family of the Year.
  • Charlotte Products’ OptiSolve wins ISSA Innovation Award.
  • LLF Lawyers pledges $25,000 for the Peterborough Humane Society’s new animal care centre.
  • Peterborough-based The Loomex Group to manage Dryden Regional Airport.
  • Treetop Trekking wins an international award for its innovative Treewalk Village for kids.
  • Fleming College students win 2019 Cubs’ Lair entrepreneurship competition for their Paper Plant Project.

 

December

The Ontario government has announced an investment of more than $1.5 million over two years to create 100 local training and career opportunities for incumbent workers and job seekers in the aviation and aerospace sector in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland. Pictured at the December 6, 2019 announcement at Peterborough Airport are The Loomex group president and CEO Trent Gervais, Ontario minister of labour, training and skills development Monte McNaughton, Fleming College president Maureen Adamson, and Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith. (Photo: Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development)
The Ontario government has announced an investment of more than $1.5 million over two years to create 100 local training and career opportunities for incumbent workers and job seekers in the aviation and aerospace sector in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland. Pictured at the December 6, 2019 announcement at Peterborough Airport are The Loomex group president and CEO Trent Gervais, Ontario minister of labour, training and skills development Monte McNaughton, Fleming College president Maureen Adamson, and Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith. (Photo: Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development)
  • New vintage clothing shop Statement House opens in downtown Peterborough.
  • The Kawartha Store wins the Fenelon Falls Downtown Revitalization Award.
  • Crayola Canada raises $45,132 for United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes.
  • Rustically Signed in Lindsay announces plans for to move to larger location featuring a new makers market with more than 50 vendors.
  • One Eyed Jack Pub & Grill opens in location of former Carousel Restaurant in Peterborough.
  • Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre supports six local entrepreneurs with Starter Company Plus funding.
  • The Ontario government invests $1.5 million in the aviation and aerospace sector in the Kawarthas.
  • Wild Rock Outfitters opens a new 24/7 cycling training centre in downtown Peterborough.

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