businessNOW™ is the most comprehensive weekly round-up of business and organizational news and events from Peterborough and across the Kawarthas.
The week’s news features the conclusion of downtown Peterborough’s successful Holiday Shopping Passport program, the closing of boutique adult shop You’re Welcome in downtown Peterborough and the opening of “creation station” Omorfia in its place, Starks Barber Company coming to downtown Peterborough, Community Futures Peterborough seeking a business development manager, nominations opening for the County of Peterborough’s 2020 Recognition Awards, and a summary of other notable business and organization news from across the Kawarthas.
New events added this week include the WDB/LEPC’s gender and sexuality information session for employers in Peterborough on January 16th, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s business fundamentals workshop in Peterborough on January 20th, the Innovation Cluster’s workshop on patents in Peterborough on January 22nd, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s new venture session in Peterborough on January 22nd, the Innovation Cluster’s breakfast session on the Internet of Things in Peterborough on January 24th, and Northumberland Chamber’s annual general meeting and chair’s dinner in Cobourg on January 29th.
Downtown Peterborough Holiday Shopping Passport program is a “choose local” success
Last Thursday (January 9), Karen Procyk of Peterborough visited Wild Rock Outfitters in downtown Peterborough to claim the grand prize from this year’s Holiday Shopping Passport program, an annual initiative by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) to encourage people to choose local.
Karen is a regular downtown shopper and picked up her prize of $1,500 in “downtown money” — gift certificates that can be redeemed at participating businesses and organizations in downtown Peterborough.
DBIA executive director Terry Guiel and Dueling Grounds owner Wayne Mittlestead drew the winning Holiday Shopping Passport on January 8th at Dueling Grounds (304 George St. N., Peterborough).
“Congratulations to Karen on her big win and thanks to everyone who shopped downtown this holiday season and helped make the Holiday Shopping Passport program a big success,” Guiel said.
During the Holiday Shopping Passport program, which ran from November 12th to January 8th, shoppers were rewarded by receiving a stamp for every $10 they spent at a participating location. Each completed passport (20 stamps) was entered into a draw, including three early bird draws of $500 in downtown money and the $1,500 grand prize in downtown money.
The 2019 Holiday Shopping Passport Program proved to be a successful campaign to encourage people to choose local. There was an increase of 14 per cent in completed passports, with downtown shoppers stamping approximately $2.3 million in downtown purchases on their passports.
Downtown Peterborough boutique adult shop You’re Welcome to close retail location, “creation station” Omorfia will take over space
Diana and Justina Stephens, owners of Peterborough boutique adult shop You’re Welcome, have announced they are closing their retail location at 410 George Street North in downtown Peterborough effective Sunday (January 19).
“We found that running two storefronts was too much to take on and we lost some of the joy and momentum we had because our focus was divided,” they wrote on social media in announcing the closure.
Diana Stephens, a licensed hairstylist, also owns and operates hair salon The Unicorn Salon at 412 George Street North.
While the retail location is closing, You’re Welcome will continue to run events, workshops, classes, pop-shops, and private parties.
They are holding a closing sale until Friday (January 17) with 40 to 70 percent off everything in store. Gift cards can be redeemed until then (any remaining gift cards will be honoured at The Unicorn Salon).
Kristal Jones will be taking over the You’re Welcome space with her “creation station” business Omorfia.
The multifunctional space is described as being for “anyone who requires a space to gather, create, facilitate, or educate”, including photographers, artists, musicians, and more.
Omofia will also offer a dry bar, gallery, and event space as well as a pop-up shop for local makers and artists.
For more information about Omorfia, including pricing and memberships, visit omorfia705.com.
Starks Barber Company coming to downtown Peterborough
Starks Barber Company is opening a location in downtown Peterborough.
Offering “traditional barber services in an upscale and sophisticated setting”, the men’s grooming business already has locations in Toronto, Unionville, Brooklin, and Stouffville.
Starks will be located at 379 George Street North, just beside Gentry Apparel in the space previously occupied by Shots.
The company is currently seeking salon managers and stylists.
For more information, follow Starks Barber Company Peterborough on Instagram and Facebook.
Community Futures Peterborough seeks business development manager
Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) — a not-for-profit organization that stimulates economic development, diversity, and employment opportunities throughout Peterborough County — is seeking a business development manager.
The scope of the position will be to support CFP’s existing loan portfolio and work with the organization’s partners and prospects to recommend financial solutions. CFP is looking for an “entrepreneurial spirit” with an understanding of the economic ecosystem. Strong analytical skills are also required to understand business plans, cash flows, and financial statements.
The job posting closes at 4 p.m. on Friday (January 17). For a full job description and to apply, visit communityfuturespeterborough.ca/about-peterborough-cfdc/recruitment/
Nominations open for County of Peterborough’s 2020 Recognition Awards
Nominations are now open for the County of Peterborough’s 2020 Recognition Awards.
Nominations will be accepted for any resident or group residing in the County of Peterborough who has raised the profile or made an extraordinary contribution to the community.
Categories for businesses and organizations include Accessibility Recognition, Agricultural Leadership, Business Leadership, Environmental/Sustainability Recognition, and Heritage Preservation.
Nomination forms are available at the County of Peterborough offices (470 Water St., Peterborough, from any local municipal office, township fire chiefs, local police service boards, schools, libraries, area Chambers of Commerce, and Community Care organizations. Nomination forms can also be completed online at www.ptbocounty.ca/awards.
Completed and signed nomination forms with supporting documents are to be provided to the County Clerk by 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 15th.
County Council will select and announce the recipients in May, with the Recognition Awards ceremony taking place on Friday, May 22nd at the Cavan Monaghan Community Centre.
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:
- Last Tuesday (January 7), Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini announced $100,000 to create an economic development corporation in Hiawatha First Nation. The funding is part of the Ontario Ministry of Indigenous Affairs’ $8.2 million Indigenous Economic Development Fund.
- The City of Peterborough, which has received $101,273.64 over two years under the Government of Ontario’s Main Street Revitalization Initiative, will be upgrading the majority of decorative street lights in the downtown core with a new powder-coated metal decorative base, improving the aesthetics of these lights and enhancing the downtown appearance.
- Kim Cranfield, who is leaving Publican House Brewery after six years as marketing director to start her own company called South Bay Marketing and Events, will be maintaining an office space for her new business in Electric City Works (200 Charlotte St., Peterborough).
- Joseph Miller has joined the Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation as a business development officer. An entrepreneur and intellectual property and innovation specialist with extensive experience in technology transfer, Miller holds a B.Sc. in Science and Business from the University of Notre Dame. He will be leading special initiatives from the CFDC’s offices at the Venture13 Innovation & Entrepreneurship Centre in Cobourg.
- Financial services company Baker Tilly has announced that Matthew Brisbin, Steven German, Monica Howes, and Steve Szczepaniak of Peterborough and Jennifer Ellis of Lindsay are among 57 candidates from Baker Tilly firms across the country who successfully completed the 2019 Common Final Examination, a significant milestone toward attaining the Chartered Professional Accountant designation.
- Nominations are open for the Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 Evening of Excellence Awards in 14 categories. The nomination deadline is Friday, February 28th. For more information and nomination forms, visit lindsaychamber.com.
- A project team at Peterborough Public Health has won a team/group award from Health Promotions Canada, recognizing excellence in their 2018 submissions to the official plan reviews for the City and County of Peterborough.
- According to a report from U-Haul released on Wednesday (January 8), two cities in the Kawarthas are on the list of top 25 Canadian growth cities of 2019 in terms of migration. Lindsay came in at #17 and Peterborough at #18 (Peterborough was #15 in 2018 and Lindsay did not make the list last year). The top city in Canada was North Vancouver, B.C. U-Haul states the migration trends data, compiled from more than two million one-way U-Haul truck sharing transactions that occur annually in the U.S. and Canada, does not correlate directly to population or economic growth but is a gauge of how well cities are attracting and maintaining residents.
- Kassie Graham has joined the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce and Tourism as engagement coordinator. A graduate of Fleming College’s Business Administration Marketing program and International Business program, she has extensive experience in the municipal sector, working previously with the Municipality of Trent Lakes and the County of Peterborough.
Northumberland Chamber hosts networking event in Cobourg on January 14
The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce is hosting its next “Meet and Greet” business networking event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14th at MASS Environmental Services (210 Willmott St., Unit 5B, Cobourg).
MASS Environmental Services will share information about reducing the environmental footprint of your business and related subjects.
The event is free for Chamber members and $10 for non-members. Register at nccofc.ca/events/details/nccofc-meet-greet-2639.
SOLD OUT – Innovation Cluster and Cleantech Commons host Electric City Talks with Jason Wight in Peterborough on January 14
Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas and Cleantech Commons are hosting “Electric City Talks: An Evening with Jason Wight” from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14th at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough)
Jason Wight is director of engineering at Pickering Nuclear Generating Station and founder of for Ontario Power Generation’s only accelerator X-LAB. He will discuss nuclear energy, its role in the current climate crisis, and how innovative technologies are changing to adapt to a world that emphasizes clean and sustainable energy.
Doors open at 6 p.m., with introductions at 6:30 p.m. and the keynote at 6:45 p.m. A cash bar will be available.
Reserve your seats for this free event at eventbrite.com/e/electric-city-talks-an-evening-with-jason-wight-tickets-84276303693. NOTE: this event is now sold out.
Port Hope Chamber hosts a breakfast meeting with Mayor Bob Sanderson in Port Hope on January 15
The Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting a breakfast meeting with Mayor Bob Sanderson from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Railside Restaurant (112 Peter St., Port Hope).
Mayor Sanderson will provide an update on municipal affairs, strategic planning, and business within the municipality of Port Hope.
The cost is $20 for Chamber members or $30 for non-members (includes breakfast and tax and gratuity). Registration is required by January 10th by emailing admin@porthopechamber.com or calling 905-885-5519.
WDB/LEPC presents Employer Education Series – Gender & Sexuality Information Session in Peterborough on January 16
The Workforce Development Board/Local Employment Planning Council is presenting an employer education information session on gender and sexuality from 8 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 16th at Holiday Inn Peterborough-Waterfront (150 George St. N., Peterborough).
Guest speaker anya gwynne, education co-ordinator with PARN, will be presenting on best practices around gender and sexuality in the workplace.
The event will begin with breakfast and networking, with gwynne’s presentation on best practices around gender and sexuality in the workplace at 8:30 a.m. followed by a question-and-answer session at 9:30 a.m.
Admission is complimentary, but advance registration is required at employereducationseriesgenderandsexuality.eventbrite.ca.
For those unable to attend in person, a webinar option will be available (register for the event to receive a calendar invite with further instructions about participating online).
Trent Hills Chamber hosts Trent-Severn Trail Town information session in Hastings on January 16
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting an information session on the Trent-Severn Trail Town initiative from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 16th at the Hastings Civic Centre (9 Albert St., Hastings).
Presented by the Hastings and Campbellford Trail Town Committees, the session will provide information about the Trent-Severn Trail Town initiative — designed to increase regional tourism — and the “Trail Town Friendly” business certification program.
This event will benefit businesses in the designated Trent-Severn Trail Town communities of Hastings and Campbellford. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Register for the free event at business.trenthillschamber.ca/events/details/trent-severn-trail-town-information-session-4493.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosts business fundamentals workshop in Peterborough on January 20
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is hosting “Business Fundamentals: Branding, Marketing and Sales” from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, January 20th in the boardroom at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
The workshop will provide a robust structure for formulating and identifying your business’s brand, and how to develop a marketing strategy as well as a customer relations strategy.
The event is free, but advance registration is mandatory at eventbrite.ca/e/business-fundamentals-branding-marketing-and-sales-tickets-86585721223.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosts new venture session in Peterborough on January 22
Due to a high volume of inquiries at its Business Advisory Centre, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is hosting an additional “New Venture Session” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 22nd in the VentureNorth board room (270 George St., Peterborough).
Intended 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, how to work with the Business Advisory Centre to build a plan of action for your business, and completing the start-up checklist
The session is free, but advance registration is required at eventbrite.ca/e/new-venture-session-tickets-89240218897.
Innovation Cluster hosts workshop on patents in Peterborough on January 22
The Innovation Cluster is hosting “Hands-ON: Pizza and Patents” from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22nd at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
This workshop is presented by Marcelo König Sarkis, senior patent agent with Prima IP. He will describe what a patent is, world and provisional patents (myth or reality), how to search patents, and tips for startups.
A pizza lunch will be supplied to attendees of the workshop.
The event is free, but advance registration is required at eventbrite.com/e/hands-on-pizza-and-patents-tickets-89606123327 to secure your spot.
Peterborough Chamber hosts lunch seminar on international students in Peterborough on January 22
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s next “Lunch Box Learning” session takes place from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22nd at the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce (175 George St. N., Peterborough).
Tracey McConnery (Manager of English Programs & International Student Services, Fleming College) and Paul Longhurst (International Student Advisor, Trent University) will present on how international students can help you meet your labour needs and will discuss opportunities for collaboration.
The free event is open to Chamber members and members of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough. Bring your own lunch.
Venture13 hosts “Fireside Chat: Smart Cities” in Cobourg on January 23
Venture13 is hosting “Fireside Chat: Smart Cities” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 23rd at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
The discussion, featuring a panel of guest speakers, will cover how the development of “Smart Cities” presents new opportunities and advances in artificial intelligence and data science, which can be applied to manufacturing, health care, communications, transportation, and digital and physical infrastructure.
All are welcome to attend this free event. To reserve a spot, visit eventbrite.com/e/fireside-chat-smart-cities-tickets-87964467089.
Innovation Cluster hosting breakfast session on the Internet of Things in Peterborough on January 24
The Innovation Cluster is hosting “Power Breakfast: The Internet of Things” from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Friday, January 24th at Best Western Plus Otonabee Inn (84 Lansdowne St. E., Peterborough).
The Internet of Things (IoT) consists of all the internet-enabled devices that collect, send, and act on data they acquire from their surrounding environments using embedded sensors, processors, and communication hardware.
Over a hot breakfast you will hear from Adam Burley, senior IoT specialist for Telus Communications, who will speak about fleet management, remote monitoring, and more.
The event is free, but advance registration is required at eventbrite.com/e/power-breakfast-the-internet-of-things-tickets-84266544503 to reserve your spot.
Betty Halman-Plumley of IG Wealth Management presents “Women and Wealth” seminar in Peterborough on January 27
Betty Halman-Plumley of IG Wealth Management is presenting “Women and Wealth” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday, January 27th at Peterborough Golf & Country Club (1030 Armour Rd., Peterborough).
The in-depth seminar that will explore the unique financial concerns and opportunities facing women today. From wealth creation to retirement, estate planning, business success and charitable giving, the seminar will share expert insights.
Light refreshments will be served.
Limited seating is available. To reserve a spot, RSVP by Wednesday, January 22nd by emailing betty.halman-plumley@investorsgroup.com.
Kawartha Lakes CFDC hosts Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario information sessions in Lindsay and Fenelon Falls on January 28 and 29
Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) is hosting information sessions on the Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28th at the Lindsay Recreational Complex (133 Adelaide St. S., Lindsay) and from 12 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29th at Fenelon Falls Community Centre (27 Veteran’s Way, Fenelon Falls).
Kawartha Lakes CFDC will be accepting applications for projects that support small and medium-sized enterprises to foster innovation, technology adoption and digital connectivity in Kawartha Lakes. Priority sectors include advanced manufacturing, clean tech, digital industries, and agri-food and food processing. Minimum project size is $50,000, with the ability of participants to provide a 50 per cent ($25,000) matched cash contribution.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/KawarthaLakesCF/.
Northumberland Chamber holds its annual general meeting and chair’s dinner in Cobourg on January 29
The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual general meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29th at The Woodlawn Inn (420 Division St., Cobourg).
All members in good standing are invited to attend the meeting and hear an overview of the Chamber’s activities for the past year, including presentation of the Chamber’s audited year-end financial report. The 2020 executive will be introduced, and elections will be held to fill the available seats on the board of directors.
The annual chair’s dinner will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. following the meeting. For Chamber members and guests, the dinner features a four-course gourmet meal (vegetarian and vegan options are available). The cost is $69 per person.
For more information and to register for the meeting or the dinner, visit nccofc.ca/events/details/nccofc-annual-general-meeting-2629.
Peterborough Chamber presents “Power Hour” in Peterborough on February 12
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is presenting “Power Hour” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12th at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough).
The annual chat with elected officials is an interactive lunch event and question-and-answer session with Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, City of Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien, and Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones. A moderator will present questions from the audience.
Peterborough city and county councillors and chief administrative officers, as well as First Nations leaders, will also be invited to attend.
The cost is $65 for Chamber members or $75 for non-members (tables for seven are also available for $450 for members and $525 for non-members). For more information and to register, visit www.peterboroughchamber.ca.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
