businessNOW™ is our round-up of business and organizational news from Peterborough and across the greater Kawarthas region.
In this week’s column with files from Hannah Abrahamse, we feature Ashburnham Ale House in Peterborough’s East City celebrating eight years in business, Bobcaygeon’s Douglas + Son partnering with Kawartha Dairy to produce t-shirts and hoodies to support the Bobcaygeon Food Bank, former chef Chris Carvalho launching East City Knife Sharpening in Peterborough, Kawartha Quilting and Sewing moving to a new location in Bethany, and Bobcaygeon Flower Company opening as the village’s only dedicated flower shop.
In other news, Andrea Cant is the new executive director of Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton, a Peterborough resident has cofounded Ontario’s first not-for-profit cooperative owned by personal support workers, the third intake of Northumberland’s Digital Footprint Program is open for tourism-related small businesses, and Regional Tourism Organization 8 has extended its call for board members
Ashburnham Ale House in Peterborough’s East City celebrates eight years in business
Ashburnham Ale House, located at 128 Hunter Street East right beside the Rotary Greenway Trail in Peterborough’s East City, recently marked its eight-year anniversary.
Scott and Nollie Wood opened what they describe as a ‘craft beer cafe’ on June 27, 2013.
“We love living in East City,” Scott told kawarthaNOW at the time. “Ashburnham is filled with great businesses and a lot of really nice people. We wanted to create a place that everyone in the neighbourhood would feel welcome to enjoy, whether they’re walking to work or coming in after a cycle on the trail.”
The restaurant, which features three patios on the east, west, and south sides of the building, is built mainly of cedar from Douro, with the windows trimmed with pine from Bancroft and the massive bar made of solid oak from Woodview Farm & Forest just outside of Lindsay.
The exterior of the building is covered in Corten steel which, over time, develops a gorgeous deep dark rustic colour and texture.
Previously Fergusons Dry Cleaners, the Woods completely gutted and renovated the building. Over the past eight years, they have made it the go-to dining destination in East City.
In the late 19th century, the original building was the home of Daniel “Dan” Macdonald, who gained fame as “Peterborough’s Strongest Man” by publicly lifting large and heavy objects, including multiple barrels of ale, bells, anchors, and animals like pigs.
Ashburnham Ale House’s logo, which features a man holding a huge pig over his head, pays tribute to Macdonald.
Buy a Kawartha Dairy t-shirt or hoodie from Douglas + Son and help the Bobcaygeon Food Bank
Douglas + Son Vintage Mercantile and Kawartha Dairy have collaborated to bring you Kawartha Dairy t-shirts and hoodies. The two companies are teaming up to donate $5 of every item sold to Bobcaygeon Food Bank.
Douglas and Son in Bobcaygeon is a custom clothing shop established by owners Sacha and Bill Douglas in 2013. The company designs apparel inspired by classic northern imagery printed on modern-cut clothing.
Douglas + Son first collaborated with the iconic Kawartha Dairy, also based in Bobcaygeon, last winter when they were asked to design a holiday gift for Kawartha Dairy staff. The apparel was so popular that they decided to offer a version to the general public, while also giving back to charity.
To shop the Douglas + Son and Kawartha Dairy apparel collection, visit the Douglas + Son website at douglasandson.ca or drop by their Bobcaygeon store at 68 Bolton Street.
For more information about Kawartha Dairy, including all their ice cream flavours, visit kawarthadairy.com.
– By Hannah Abrahamse
Former chef Chris Carvalho launches East City Knife Sharpening in Peterborough
Former chef Chris Carvalho’s new Peterborough business East City Knife Sharpening offers convenient and accessible knife sharpening to home and professional cooks, hunters, and knife collectors. Carvalho also offers maintenance, repair, and restoration of knives.
East City Knife Sharpening is a pick-up and delivery service. Carvalho takes no longer than 24 hours to complete an order in his workshop.
Customers can reach out to Carvalho by phoning or texting him at 705-977-3317 or emailing chris@eastcityknife.co. From there, you can set a pick-up date and time for Carvalho to pick up your knives from outside your door.
In his workshop, Carvalho will inspect your knives and contact you if any additional repairs need to be made. He will then send you an invoice for payment and deliver your knives back to your home. Payments can be made by cash, email transfer, or credit card.
VIDEO: East City Knife Sharpening
Celebrating 1 month in business – East City Knife Sharpening
Today marks 1 month in business. I've met some incredible people and have seen some cool knives come through my shop. Thanks, Peterborough!
Posted by East City Knife Sharpening on Tuesday, June 22, 2021
East City Knife Sharpening also offers on-site sharpening for restaurants, if requested.
Carvalho realized the importance of sharp knives during his 15 years in the food industry. He sharpens knives using whetstones for a gentle and precise sharpen that ensures a long-lasting, high-quality edge.
To learn more about East City Knife Sharpening, visit www.eastcityknife.co.
– By Hannah Abrahamse
Kawartha Quilting and Sewing moves to a new location in Bethany
On June 15th, Kawartha Quilting and Sewing opened for the first time at their new location at 1436 Hwy 7A in Bethany.
Owners Erik and Philippa Skaveland decided to move to a bigger location when they ran out of room for merchandise at their previous location in Millbrook.
The Bethany building was previously known as the ‘From the Heart Quilt Shoppe’, until owner Cyndy Manol retired and leased the building to Erik and Philippa.
Adorned with a sign designed by Barking Pixel Designs and made by Steve Manol, the new location is approximately 2,400 square feet larger than the previous location. The building offers more room for sewing and quilting inventory such as sewing machines, sewing desks, thread, rulers, fabrics, and more.
As a part of their lease, Kawartha Quilting and Sewing has access to an adjoining chapel on the property. Built in 1876, the deconsecrated church will hold local quilt guilds, sew days, annual education events, and more — once COVID-19 public health measures allow it.
During the pandemic, Kawartha Quilting and Sewing has seen a growth in demand for quilting and sewing equipment. Between people purchasing material for homemade masks or taking up quilting as a pandemic hobby, materials and sewing machines are selling quickly this year.
Kawartha Quilting and Sewing is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The quilt shop has an online store offering nationwide shipping or curb-side pickup.
For more information, visit kawarthaquiltingandsewing.com.
– By Hannah Abrahamse
Bobcaygeon Flower Company opens as village’s only dedicated flower shop
Owner Jenna Sawyer opened Bobcaygeon Flower Company, the village’s only dedicated flower shop, on Saturday, June 26.
Sawyer grew up in Bobcaygeon, moved away for school, and has returned to enjoy small-town life and open the business of her dreams.
The family-owned and operated business, located at 47 William Street, had a fantastic first week of operation according to Sawyer.
A full-service florist, Bobcaygeon Flower Company fulfills orders for local delivery from anywhere around the world. Staff can assist customers with creative suggestions for what to send, or will design bouquets and arrangements themselves. You can also shop gift baskets, scented candles, silk arrangements, home décor items, and more.
The flower shop also offers daily floral delivery to local funeral homes and hospitals, as well as custom-designed floral packages for weddings and parties.
Bobcaygeon Flower Company is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They are closed on Sundays. To place an order by phone, call 705-731-0111 during store hours.
For more information, and to order online anytime, visit bobcaygeonflowercompany.com.
– By Hannah Abrahamse
Andrea Cant is new executive director of Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton
The Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton has announced the appointment of Andrea Cant as the new executive director of the non-profit organization.
Cant has 16 years’ experience in the non-profit sector and has both front-line and management experience serving people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. A previous employee of the Alzheimer’s Society, she is returning to the organization after her most recent role at Community Care Durham.
She began in her new executive director role at the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton at the end of May following the retirement of Leslie Parham, who served as executive director for the past five years.
“When the pandemic made in-person services impossible Leslie and her team pivoted the organization to include virtual education, activities, and support programs,” Cant says in a media release.
Assuming the pandemic allows it, Cant plans to have in-person services return in the fall.
“Now we’re looking forward to getting back into the community in the fall and providing in-person services to community members who are disproportionately isolated, and who depend on social engagement for support and to help slow the progression of the disease,” Cant adds “They’ve had to endure a long pandemic largely on their own.”
Peterborough resident cofounds Ontario’s first not-for-profit cooperative owned by personal support workers
Peterborough’s Danielle Turpin has cofounded Home Care Workers’ Co-operative Inc., Ontario’s first not-for-profit cooperative owned by personal support workers (PSWs).
Home Care Workers’ Co-operative Inc. provides personal support services to seniors in their homes, including grooming, medication reminders, mobility assistance, meal preparation, light housekeeping, companion care, transportation, and more.
Turpin, who cofounded the cooperative with home care PSW Denise Armstrong of Clarington, has been working in the caregiving and PSW field for 15 years. She has experience in home care ans long-term care and retirement homes and has some background in human resources business administration.
On its website at homecareworkers.coop, Home Care Workers’ Co-operative Inc. describes why a not-for-profit cooperative owned by PSWs is a better approach for supporting seniors at home:
“Traditional, for-profit long-term care has been neglected by successive governments for decades, and the results have been largely unsuccessful and entirely unacceptable. To cut costs and maximize shareholder profit, workers’ wages and client care both suffer.
As a not-for-profit worker co-operative, we are committed to providing high quality care to our clients by highly skilled and trained PSWs, and democratic member control within a framework that fairly compensates its members for their labour.
By making our workers a priority, we can assure they will, in turn, confidently and compassionately care for our most vulnerable community members, and give them the high quality care they deserve. This is a win for everyone!”
Home Care Workers’ Co-operative Inc. serves Peterborough, Lindsay, Clarington, Port Hope, Cobourg, and the surrounding areas.
Third intake of Northumberland’s Digital Footprint Program open for tourism-related small businesses
The third intake of Northumberland County’s Digital Footprint Program — supported by Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) through an investment by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries — is open for small businesses in the tourism sector.
This program helps small businesses enhance their online presence, including developing website, social media, and e-commerce capabilities. As well as receiving an assessment of their current digital footprint, with ideas and recommendations for enhancements, businesses receive up to $2,500 to implement digital enhancements through a local vendor.
The program is open to all tourism-related small business in Northumberland County, including accommodation, performing arts, visual arts, festivals, heritage, tourist attractions, agri-tourism, restaurant and dining, specialty shopping and retail, outdoor adventure experiences, and spa and retreats.
Since the first intake of the Digital Footprint Program launched in August 2020, it has assisted more than 55 Northumberland businesses to grow their online capacity, with subsidies stimulating more than $134,000 in investments with local vendors to implement upgrades and supporting more than 280 jobs.
Applications for the third intake close on Wednesday, September 1st or when available funds have been exhausted.
For more information and to apply, visit northumberland.ca/en/becn/digital-northumberland.aspx.
Regional Tourism Organization 8 extends call for board members
Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) has extended its call for new board members to serve a term of up to three years.
RTO8 is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries to promote regional tourism activity in the area that is now branded as Kawarthas Northumberland, which includes the City of Kawartha Lakes, the City and County of Peterborough, and Northumberland County.
According to a media release, the organization is “looking for talented leaders willing to devote their time and skills in shaping the future of the tourism industry in the Kawarthas Northumberland Region. People who are able to communicate effectively, think strategically, and work well with others will make good candidates.”
Board members work with RTO8’s executive director to provide strategic leadership and launch innovative initiatives that promote and grow the tourism sector in the Kawarthas Northumberland region. Skills in governance, public relations, marketing, and financing are an asset.
The original deadline was July 20th, but RTO8 is now accepting applications until Tuesday, August 24th. For more information and to apply, visit rto8.com/eoi-rto8-board/.
For business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
