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 a focus on choosing local with 100 businesses participating in Black Friday in downtown Peterborough on Black Friday, Treetop Trekking winning an international award for its innovative Treewalk Village for kids, Curated in downtown Peterborough celebrating five years in business by launching a new online auction service, and other notable business news from across the Kawarthas.
New regional business events added this week include the Women In Business Social Community hosting a board game social in Peterborough on November 27th, the Port Hope Chamber hosting an information session on the new WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program in Port Hope on December 5th, Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre hosting a sales and customer retention workshop in Lindsay on December 3rd, the Innovation Cluster hosting a hands-on workshop on business structures in Peterborough on December 4th, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosting a future workforce event in Peterborough on December 6th, the Northumberland Chamber hosting its annual Christmas meet and greet in Cobourg on December 10th, the Innovation Cluster hosting a hands-on workshop on digital marketing in Peterborough on December 11th, and the Haliburton Chamber hosting a fraud and scams workshop in Haliburton on December 12th.
Head to downtown Peterborough on Black Friday, choose local, and win prizes
This Black Friday (November 29), head to downtown Peterborough and choose local. Not only will you find great deals, but you’ll be supporting our community by spending your money in our community.
Look for the Black Friday posters and balloons at 100 participating downtown businesses, including fashion, furniture, restaurants, salons, music, toys, collectibles, sports, and more.
Even better, by bringing your Holiday Shopping Passport with you, you’ll also have a chance to win $3,000 in prizes. For every $10 you spend at participating locations, you’ll get a stamp on your Holiday Shopping Passport.
Every full passport becomes your ballot for $500 draws in downtown money on December 4th, 11th, and 18th, with a grand prize draw for $1,500 on January 8th.
And, beginning on Black Friday, parking in downtown Peterborough is free for two hours thanks to the City of Peterborough Parking Division.
Here’s a list of participating Black Friday locations:
- Absolute Hair
- African Mission-Growth Market African Dishes
- Arken Beauty Supply
- Art School of Peterborough
- Bluestreak Records
- Boardwalk Board Game Lounge
- Boater’s World
- Brant Basics
- Brothers Pizza
- Buck or Two Plus!
- By The Bridge
- Cahill’s Outerwear
- Chalk Therapy
- Charlotte Jewellers
- Charlotte Street Comics and Collectibles
- Charlotte’s Web
- Chumleighs
- Cork & Bean
- Cottage Toys
- Cozy Home: Designs by Lacey
- Curry Village
- Dan Joyce’s Classic Clothing
- Dodrio
- Dreams of Beans
- Dueling Grounds
- Electric City Works
- Euphoria Wellness Spa
- Fab Factory
- First Stop Swap Shop
- Flavour
- Fontaine’s Source for Sports
- Fresh Dreams
- Full Tilt Cycle
- Fusion Bowl
- Gentry Apparel
- Gerti’s
- Green Street
- Grey Guardian Games
- Hi Ho Silver
- Hobies Sports Ltd.
- Hock Shop
- Hunter Street Tavern
- Iceman Video Games
- Insight Optical
- John Roberts Clothiers
- Just Like New
- K & C Costumes
- Kingan Home Hardware
- Kit Coffee
- Knock on Wood
- La Hacienda
- La Mesita
- Larry Electric & Motor Service
- LCBO
- Lift Lock Escape
- Lili’s Convenience
- Marie Cluthé Antiques and Collectibles
- Mercado La Hacienda
- Mr. Brock Barber Shop
- My Own Clouds
- Naked Chocolate
- Needles in the Hay
- Needleworks
- Nielsen’s Watches and Jewellery
- Nosh & Nip on Queen
- Pammett’s Flowers
- Pensieri Shoes operating as Blue Shoes Ptbo
- Peterborough Inn & Suites
- Peterborough Photo Service
- Pettigrew Spa & Salon
- Pipe Dreamz
- PJ’s Diner
- Providence
- Rawscoe’s Sport Collectibles
- reBOOT Canada
- Ritual Apothecary
- Runner’s Life
- S.O.S.
- Sam’s Place
- Simply Delicious
- Smiles to You
- Sugar Me Right
- T-Elle Boutique
- The Black Horse Pub
- The Cell Shop
- The Cheese Shop
- The Pasta Shop
- The Publican House Brewery
- The Unicorn
- Things from Mom’s Basement
- Tiny Greens
- Tribal Voices
- Turnbull Café
- Under One Sun
- Wild Rock Outfitters
- Wing House
- You’re Welcome
- Zap Records
Treetop Trekking wins an international award for its innovative Treewalk Village for kids
Adventure company Treetop Trekking, with five locations in Ontario including the Ganaraska Forest between Port Hope and Peterborough, won the Best New Kids Attraction award from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) in Orlando, Florida last Wednesday (November 20).
The award, part of IAAPA’s annual Brass Ring Awards, recognizes Treetop Trekking’s innovative “Treewalk Village” kids adventure park concept, which it first introduced at its Stouffville location in 2015. Treewalk Village parks are a nature-based activity designed specifically for kids, allowing them to explore the forest in a fun and interactive way.
Treetop Trekking president Stéphane Vachon after receiving the Best New Kids Attraction award from the International Association for Amusement Parks and Attractions, in Orlando Florida on November 20, 2019. (Photo: Jamie Hesser)
The centrepiece of each Treewalk Village park is a network of custom treehouses connected by suspension bridges, ramps, and slides. Other features include giant elevated nets suspended in the trees, underground tunnel labyrinths, mini-ziplines, and other forest games.
The company opened a second location in Hamilton at Binbrook Conservation Area in 2019 and has plans to open a third Ontario location in 2020.
The IAAPA’s Brass Ring Awards honour excellence from around the world in the attractions and amusement park industry. Other winners at this year’s Brass Ring Awards included Disney Parks, the San Diego Zoo, and Europa Parks. Treetop Trekking was one of two Canadian winners this year, with the other being Vancouver’s Pacific National Exhibition, which won in the Training Innovation category.
“I am so humbled to have our company recognized on the world stage, amongst so many big players in our industry,” says company President and co-founder Stéphane Vachon. “In a world where kids spend so much time with their screens and on other electronics, we are really proud to create and be recognized for our authentic experiences that bring people outside into nature.”
For more information about Treetop Trekking, visit treetoptrekking.com.
Curated in downtown Peterborough celebrates five years in business by launching a new online auction service
Over the past five years, Curated in downtown Peterborough has evolved from a boutique to a service-based business, working with clients to manage their collections of art, antiques, and collectibles.
Owner Melinda Richter says people find Curated when they are in a moment of transition: moving to a new home, downsizing to a smaller place, clearing out some clutter, settling an estate, or insuring a new purchase. The process starts with a valuation of items in a collection, so owners can decide what to keep, donate, sell, or give away. Since sometimes that means sending items to auction, Curated has now launched its own online auction service.
Through Curated Auctions at curated.hibid.com, clients can sell a few items on consignment or hire Curated to run an auction in their own home. Curated organizes household contents into lots, catalogues the lots with descriptions and pictures, lists the items in the online auction, manages the purchase of items, and oversees pick up of items after they are sold.
Anyone is welcome to bid on Curated Auctions. Local bidders can pick up their items and Curated can arrange shipping for out-of-towners. If you’d like to consign an item or host an auction in your own home, visit www.curated-peterborough.ca for more information.
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:
Play Café (1434 Chemong Rd., Peterborough) is hosting a grand opening celebration of its new location from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 30th. You can explore the new space, including its dedicated playroom and two program rooms. The grand opening features free play, prizes, and cupcakes.
Fleming College students Vanessa Mathieu, Joao Borges, Alesha Colaco, and Jo Ho won the 2019 Cubs’ Lair entrepreneurship competition for their Paper Plant Project, a social enterprise that produces paper planters from recycled paper waste as educative kits for schools to promote biodegradable practices.
CAE Inc. (formerly Canadian Aviation Electronics) has teamed up with Jazz Aviation (a Halifax-based regional airline that operates Air Canada Express) and Seneca’s School of Aviation to train new pilots at the Peterborough Airport.
Lance Nachoff and Bernadette MacNeil recently opened Millbrook Mercantile (28 King St. E, Millbrook). Described as a “year-round farmers’ market”, the store offers a full deli, home-made prepared meals and locally sourced foods, local art, local and international hand-crafted jewel and fashion, home decor and design, health and wellness, and body and beauty products.
Marsel Khakimi recently opened Mr. Brock Barber Shop (221 Brock St., Peterborough), where brothers Jack and Aiden Wilson provide classic cuts, buzz cuts, beard trims, and hot-towel shaves. The shop also offers a VR room, discounts for seniors, and free parking.
Kawartha Chamber hosts cyber security session in Lakefield on November 27
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce and Tourism’s next B.O.S.S. (Business Owners Sharing Solutions) session takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27th at Beachwood Resort (3043 Beachwood Dr., Lakefield).
The event will feature a panel discussion and question-and-answer session about cyber security for you and your business. Panellists include Detective Sergeant Vern Crowley of the Ontario Provincial Police Cybercrime Investigations Team, marketing specialist Brendan Quigley of acorn30, and CIBC financial services representative Lisa Callaghan.
The cost is $10 for Chamber members or $20 for non-members. Register at business.kawarthachamber.ca/events/details/b-o-s-s-cyber-security-11-20-2019-10608.
Bobcaygeon Chamber holds its AGM in Bobcaygeon on November 27
The Bobcaygeon Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual general meeting from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27th at the Bobcaygeon Municipal Service Centre (123 East St. S., Bobcaygeon).
Chamber members will hear a report on activities and successes of the past year and learn about organizational initiatives for the year ahead.
All are welcome to attend.
Women In Business Social Community hosts board game social in Peterborough on November 27
A Board Game Social for business-minded women takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27th at Boardwalk Board Game Lounge (261 George St. N., Peterborough).
The cost is $7 for space at a table and all the games you can play. Food and beverages can be ordered from the Boardwalk’s full menu.
This is a monthly event, with the next Board Game Social taking place on Wednesday, December 18th. Depending on the group of attendees, the games played change every time, as do the topics.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/496433401168689/.
The Loomex Group hosts Peterborough Aerospace Summit in Peterborough on November 28
The Loomex Group is hosting the 4th annual Peterborough Aerospace Summit from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 28th at Studio YPQ (925 Airport Rd., Peterborough).
The summit will explore local impacts of the global aerospace market with guest speakers and business leaders from local aerospace and aviation companies.
There will be presentations on the Peterborough Airport, Nav Canada, Team Eagle, Fleming College, Safran, Flying Colours, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, the Southern Ontario Airport Network, and the Southern Ontario Municipal Aerospace Council.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
The summit is free, but registration is requested at eventbrite.ca/e/peterborough-aerospace-summit-2019-tickets-81534573103.
Haliburton Chamber presents Inspiring Women’s Luncheon in Haliburton on November 28
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is presenting the first annual Inspiring Women’s Luncheon from 12 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 28th at the Haliburton Legion (719 Mountain St., Haliburton).
The event features a keynote from inspirational speaker and trainer Sharon Campbell Rayment. She will speak about strategies and tools you can use to thrive in the midst of challenge and change, overcoming adversity and remaining focused, effective, and productive.
This cost for the event, decorated by Elegant Events Inc. and catered by McKeck’s Fine Catering, is $30. Note: This event is now sold out.
Trent Hills Chamber hosts smartphone video lunchtime seminar in Campbellford on November 28
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting a seminar called “Promote your business with video from your smartphone” seminar from 12 to 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 28th at Clock Tower Cultural Centre (36 Front St. S., Campbellford).
Presented by videographer Christine Althouse, you will learn three simple steps to create eye-catching video from your smartphone to promote your business.
This one-hour brown bag lunch session begins with 15 minutes of networking, a 30-minute presentation from the guest speaker, followed by a question-and-answer session.
There is no fee for Chamber members to attend, but advance registration is required at business.trenthillschamber.ca/events/details/promote-your-business-with-video-from-your-smartphone-lunch-n-learn-4320.
Free succession planning focus group and workshop for employers in Northumberland on November 28
The Workforce Development Board – Local Employment Planning Council (WDB/LEPC) is presenting a free succession planning workshop and focus group for owners, managers, and directors of any type and size of business or organization in the Northumberland area on Thursday, November 28th at the Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland (600 William St. Suite 700, Cobourg).
Through succession planning, employers can develop existing employees with leadership potential, so they are ready to be promoted to critical roles when needed so there isn’t a gap in service and organizations can save money on recruitment
Project manager Carrie Wakeford will begin the session with a focus group, where employers can share their opinions about succession planning needs and learn more about succession planning in the process. This will be followed by a practical succession planning workshop led by business coach Colleen Carruthers, who has extensive experience training business leaders. In the workshop, employers will have the opportunity to work on their business’s or organization’s own succession plan.
Two sessions are available: one from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and another from 7 to 9 p.m. To register for your preferred session, visit eventbrite.ca/e/succession-planning-workshopfocus-group-cobourg-tickets-74101785435.
Brighton & Cramahe Chamber offers digital tools for small business seminar in Brighton on November 28
The Brighton & Cramahe Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland, is offering a “Free Digital Tools for Small Business” seminar from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 28th at King Edward Park Community Centre (75 Elizabeth St., Brighton).
This seminar is targeted at do-it-yourself business owners who want to know how to generate more business through their online presence without spending more money. Attendees will come out with knowledge search engine optimization techniques and skills that will help them attract more business.
The cost is $15 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members. To register, call the Chamber at 613-475-2775.
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.
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.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
