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 and organizational news includes Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. opening its new Bottle Shop and selling out in three hours, the Kawarthas’ first legal cannabis store may be coming, the launch of Canada’s first Waterway Trail Town program in Kawarthas Northumberland, and the federal government announcing $823,000 of funding to support Women’s Virtual Entrepreneurship Incubator Pilot Program.

Also featured this week are the Digital Main Street program expanding to Kawartha Lakes, Edwin Binney’s Community Garden harvesting and donating more than 1,000 pounds of vegetables, Firehouse Subs donating almost $9,000 to Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue, Flavour Fashion in downtown Peterborough noting its 20th anniversary, and PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary celebrating the 45th birthday of its namesake.

New regional business events added this week include the Lindsay Chamber hosting a breakfast networking meeting in Lindsay on August 28th, the Innovation Cluster hosting a therapy dogs workshop in Peterborough on August 28th, an open house for outgoing KLCFDC general manager Andrew Wallen in Lindsay on September 3rd, Agilec hosting a multi-employer hiring event in Peterborough on September 11th, Enactus Fleming College presenting entrepreneur Richard L’Abbé in Peterborough on September 11th, the Lindsay Chamber of Commerce presenting networking event at Habitat for Humanity Lindsay ReStore on September 12th, a diversity and inclusion in the workplace information session in Lindsay on September 26th, the Business & Entrepreneurship Conference Northumberland in Cobourg on October 10th, and the Kawartha Chamber’s Awards of Excellence and Social Gala in Lakefield on October 10th.

Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. opens its new Bottle Shop and sells out in three hours

Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. (4 May St., Fenelon Falls) officially opened its Bottle Shop last Saturday (August 24th) after receiving its retail shop license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

The Bottle Shop featured beer to go and kegs of Kawartha Sparkling Ale, East Coast IPA, Vienna Lager, Red Ale, and Farmhouse Saison — a Belgian-style pale ale that was an exclusive new release just for the opening.

“It’s been a long journey and the opening of our Bottle Shop is one step closer towards our grand vision for the Fenelon Falls Brewing Co.,” wrote the brewery on its Facebook page.

The Bottle Shop proved to be very popular, with the brewery selling out of its entire weekend’s supply of beer within three hours of opening at 12 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

A restocked Bottle Shop will reopen on Wednesday (August 28) in time for the long weekend. Hours are 12 to 4 p.m.

Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. also operates a Merch Shop that is open from 12 to 4 p.m.

The Kawarthas may soon have its first legal cannabis store

Last Wednesday (August 21), the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) announced the results of the province’s second cannabis store lottery, with a proposed store on the border of Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County on the list.

Huge Shops Ontario is proposing a store to be located at 566 Frank Hill Road in Fowlers Corners, where a Coffee Time is currently located.

The Toronto-based cannabis retailer has a strategic alliance with Coffee Time’s parent company, Chairman’s Brands. Cannabis grower FSD Pharma of Cobourg invested $14 million in Huge Shops last year to acquire at least 10 Coffee Time stores as recreational cannabis suppliers.

Two other applicants in the Kawarthas are on the lottery wait list: Lloyd Tucker at 1434 Chemong Road Unit #1 in Selwyn Township, and Cirrolion Capital Inc. at 351 Kent Street West in Lindsay (across from Whitney Town Centre).

Canada’s first Waterway Trail Town program launches in Kawarthas Northumberland

Last Thursday (August 22), the Trent-Severn Trail Town program was launched in Campbellford by Kawarthas Northumberland/Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8).

The program, which features the Trent-Severn Waterway as the “trail” linking together communities in the Kawarthas, has already been adopted by Campbellford, Hastings, Lakefield, Buckhorn, Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Coboconk, and Rosedale. More communities are expected to sign on before spring 2020 as the program rolls out.

“This program will connect communities, foster pride of place, embrace visitors and elevate the region,” says Brenda Wood, the executive director of Kawarthas Northumberland/RTO8.

The Trent-Severn Trail Town program will encourage local businesses to promote communities not only along the trail corridor but within the region, encouraging tourists to stay longer, visit other places in the region, and to spend money in the region.

Wood also expects to see new businesses come into the area, or existing ones expand, to meet the increased demand in goods and services from more visitors.

The potential economic impact of the program for the Kawarthas area is significant; a similar program in the U.S. measured a $50 million US benefit in a single year as a result of increased trail user traffic.

Federal government announces $823,000 of funding to support Women’s Virtual Entrepreneurship Incubator Pilot Program

Last Thursday (August 22), Northumberland—Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd announced $823,000 of funding in support of the Women’s Virtual Entrepreneurship Incubator Pilot Program, locally coordinated by the Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland.

The pilot program, managed by the Ontario East Economic Development Commission in Kingston, will support 225 female entrepreneurs starting and growing their own businesses — including 45 women in Northumberland.

Each participant will be eligible for a $2,000 grant or loan as well as training and development opportunities.

The pilot program will focus specifically on Indigenous women, women in rural regions, and recent immigrants who are starting a business.

The funding is part of the federal government’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, a $2-billion investment that seeks to double the number of women-owned businesses by 2025.

Digital Main Street program expands to Kawartha Lakes

Kawartha Lakes Economic Development and its partners have received a $40,000 grant from the Government of Ontario to fund a Digital Service Squad to help downtown small businesses throughout the municipality improve their online capabilities.

Kawartha Lakes received the grant as part of the Digital Main Street program, funded by the Ontario Government and delivered by the Ontario BIA Association to establish a Digital Service Squad to help main street small businesses enhance their use of digital tools and techniques to better evolve and grow.

The Digital Service Squad will consist of a trained specialist and team members who will visit small businesses in downtowns across the municipality at no cost to help them set up digital tools such as a Google Business Profile, conduct a digital-readiness assessment and assist the businesses in applying for a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant. The Squad is anticipated to start visiting businesses in October 2019.

Other communities in the Kawarthas that already have set up a digital service squad include Peterborough and Port Hope.

Edwin Binney’s Community Garden harvests and donates more than 1,000 pounds of vegetables

United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes has announced more than 1,000 pounds of vegetables have been grown at Edwin Binney’s Community Garden in Lindsay and donated to the community.

Edwin Binney’s Community Garden comprises 30,000 square feet of Crayola Canada’s previously unused land that the United Way and Fleming College staff have developed into a fully operational community garden. The garden is maintained by staff from both United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes and Fleming College’s Sustainable Agriculture program, as well as several volunteers from Crayola Canada, Farm Credit Canada, and the community.

In two months since its grand opening, staff and volunteers have planted and maintained 30,000 square feet of land and 24 raised garden beds, set up an innovative and sustainable irrigation system, hosted educational workshops for children and youth, and 1,046 pounds of fresh vegetables to local agencies such as food banks, shelters, the Good Food Box, and kids’ programming agencies.

“We are only just getting started with the harvest and are putting out a call for more volunteers to help with our first annual fall harvest,” says Elly Millington, Projects and Communications Coordinator at United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes. “If you enjoy spending time outside and want to get your hands dirty while helping your community, we want to meet you.”

Anyone interested in volunteering their time to help Edwin Binney’s Community Garden can contact the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes at 705-878-5081 or complete the volunteer form at ckl-unitedway.ca/edwin-binney-community-garden/.

Firehouse Subs is donating almost $9,000 to Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescuer

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada will be donating $8,972.20 to Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue for the purchase of a fire hazard kitchen simulator.

The kitchen simulator is a tool that fire prevention inspectors use to promote kitchen safety during public education initiatives throughout the municipality. The simulator will help teach high-risk groups such as youth and seniors how to prevent cooking fires.

Firehouse Subs will present a cheque to Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue on Tuesday (August 27) at Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service Station #1 (9 Cambridge St. N., Lindsay). Kawartha Lakes Mayor Andy Letham, along with representatives from Firehouse Subs, members of Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service, and others will be in attendance.

Flavour Fashion in downtown Peterborough has its 20th anniversary

Flavour Fashion (383 George St. N., Peterborough) turned 20 years old last Friday (August 23).

Owner Mike Watt originally opened the clothing store in 1999 as “Freedom”, but had to change the name after eight days in operation for legal reasons, according to a Facebook post.

“We started learning the first week we opened that running a small business takes patience, perseverance and a tonne of support from your friends and family,” he writes. “You learn to roll with the punches.”

The concept of the store, according to Watt, was “Bring cool things to a small town that normally would only be available in a big city.”

The concept proved successful, but not without a lot of hard work.

“We made good people our priority, our staff, our managers, our friends, our customers, our suppliers, the companies we work with all were either into what we were doing, or we were out,” Watt writes.

As for the future of Flavour, Watt notes he doesn’t really have a specific plan moving forward.

“We’re just going to keep doing what we do. Supporting our community, participating in trying to better our city, working to one day become an industry leader for independent retailers, supporting the local music and art scenes, being creative, continuing to develop new talent in our staff and most importantly trying to be good people everyday.”

Read Watt’s complete post on Facebook.

PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary celebrates the 45th birthday of its namesake

PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary (296 Bowmanton Rd., Roseneath) held a public celebration of the 45th birthday of its namesake last Sunday (August 24th),

Along with being the sanctuary’s namesake, PrimRose the donkey was also the sanctuary’s first resident.

According to founder and operator Sheila Burns, PrimRose “used to pull a cart at Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto and was then shifted around from farm to farm for about five years.” PrimRose has been at the sanctuary for the last 23 years.

VIDEO: PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary

PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary is dedicated to the rescue, protection, and rehabilitation of abused, neglected, and unwanted donkeys, and provides the public with information about donkeys. The sanctuary also provides life-saving care and makes every effort to help animals recover from physical and mental abuse where needed, or provides a home in cases where owners are unable or unwilling to provide care.

A registered Canadian charity that relies entirely on donations to support the sanctuary, PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary is run by Burns and supported by around 25 volunteers. For more information and to donate, visit www.primrosedonkeysanctuary.com.

Lindsay Chamber hosts breakfast networking meeting in Lindsay on August 28

The Lindsay & District Chamber Chamber of Commerce is hosting its next M2M Breakfast Meet Up from 8 to 9 a.m. on Wednesday, August 28th at Smittys Family Restaurant (370 Kent St., Lindsay).

Bring your business cards and chat with other like-minded people while enjoying a breakfast you order from the Smitty’s menu.

No registration required and this is a free event (just pay for what you order).

Innovation Cluster hosts therapy dogs workshop in Peterborough on August 28

The Innovation Cluster’s next workshop for entrepreneurs to practice mindfulness takes place from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28st on the ground floor boardroom of VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).

“Hands-ON: Pause for Paws – Therapy Dogs” features the East Central Therapy Dogs organization bringing in some of their dogs for entrepreneurs to play with. There will be three 20-minute sessions limited to three people per dog at a time, with each person permitted five minutes with a dog.

The workshop is free, but you must reserve your spot at eventbrite.com/e/hands-on-maintaining-mindfulness-as-an-entrepreneur-therapy-dogs-tickets-64424625790.

Open house for outgoing KLCFDC general manager Andrew Wallen in Lindsay on September 3

Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation is hosting an open house for its outgoing general manager Andrew Wallen from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3rd at Pie Eyed Monk Brewery (8 Cambridge St. S., Lindsay).

The event will celebrate Wallen’s contributions to the community and to wish him farewell.

Peterborough Chamber hosts PBX at Loomex Group in Peterborough on September 3

The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s next Peterborough Business Exchange (PBX) takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3rd at the Loomex Group (925 Airport Rd., Unit 550, Peterborough)

All are invited to attend the free networking event.

For more information, visit www.peterboroughchamber.ca.

Lindsay Chamber and Ouellet Connection host Fall Golf Classic Tournament in Lindsay on September 5

The Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce and Ouellet Connection Inc. are hosting their Fall Golf Classic Tournament from 12 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 5th at the Lindsay Golf & Country Club (282 Lindsay St. S., Lindsay).

Registration is at 12 p.m. with tee-off at 1 p.m.

The cost is $125 per person, which includes a BBQ lunch, 18 holes of golf, golf cart, dinner, and a swag bag. There will be prizes for women’s and men’s closest and longest drive and most honest and winning team, with putting and chipping contests.

For more information and to register, visit lindsaychamber.com/event-3444786

Bobcaygeon Chamber hosts Coffee Connection networking event in Bobcaygeon on September 9

The Bobcaygeon and Area Chamber of Commerce’s next Chamber Coffee Connection networking event takes place from 8 to 9 a.m. on Monday, September 9th at Kawartha Lakes Retirement Residence (60 West St., Bobcaygeon).

Enjoy a coffee and get to know your fellow Chamber members. Non-members are welcome.

Haliburton Highlands Chamber hosts The Breakfast Club in Dysart et al on September 10

The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is hosting The Breakfast Club from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 10th at Abbey Retreat Centre (1150 Garden Gate Dr., Dysart et al).

The guest speaker is John Purkis, senior associate with The Natural Step Canada, who will speak on the topic “Incorporating Environmental Sustainability Into Your Organization”. Purkis is a sustainability expert, facilitator, and systems change specialist who works with municipal governments and other organizations in Canada and around the world to implement sustainability into their operations and planning.

The cost is $20 for Chamber members and $25 for non-members. Register at events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=lu6q9flab&oeidk=a07eghi9i7db8ca279d.

Substance abuse and addiction information session for employers in Peterborough on September 11

The Workforce Development Board/Local Employment Planning Council is hosting an employer education information session about substance abuse and addiction from 8 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 11th at the Peterborough Chamber Of Commerce (175 George St. N., Peterborough).

The free information session will feature guest speaker Paul Schauber, the case management and intake program manager for the Canadian Mental Health Association in Peterborough location. He will be delivering a presentation that highlights best practices for employers to navigate the issue of substance abuse and addictions in the workplace.

A webinar will be available for those unavailable to attend in person (details will be provided upon registration).

Register at seventbrite.ca/e/employer-education-series-substance-abuse-addiction-information-session-tickets-68468550277.

Agilec hosts a multi-employer hiring event in Peterborough on September 11

Agilec is hosting a multi-employer hiring event from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11th at Northminster United Church (300 Sunset Blvd., Peterborough).

If you are an employer and would like to register, contact Arlayna Curtin at 705-740-2577 x5210 or acurtin@agilec.ca. The registration deadline is Friday, August 30th.

Enactus Fleming College presents entrepreneur Richard L’Abbé in Peterborough on September 11

Enactus Fleming College, a non-profit organization that encourages youth entrepreneurship in the community, is presenting entrepreneur Richard L’Abbé from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11th at Fleming College (599 Brealey Dr., Peterborough).

L’Abbé, winner of 2003 CEO of the Year by the Ottawa Business Journal and 2008 Business Person of the Year by the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, began his company Med-Eng in 1981 and since then has held over 80 per cent of the global share market within his industry. He will speak on the topic “How to Grow a Startup into a Multi-Million-Dollar Business.”

Fleming College’s VP of Academic Experience Tom Phillips will provide opening remarks, and there will be a question-and-answer period as well as a networking portion for attendees. Light refreshments will be provided.

The free event is open to students and community members, but you must register at eventbrite.com/e/how-to-grow-a-startup-into-a-multi-million-dollar-business-tickets-68803397815 to reserve your seats.

Lindsay Chamber of Commerce presents networking event at Habitat for Humanity Lindsay ReStore on September 12

The Lindsay & District Chamber Of Commerce is presenting a networking event from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 12th at Habitat for Humanity Lindsay ReStore (55 Angeline St. N., Lindsay).

Enjoy an afternoon of networking while you learn about Habitat for Humanity and the ReStore in Lindsay. Refreshments will be available.

To RSVP, email Sara at sarag@habitatpkr.ca.

Kawartha Chamber hosts Business After Hours in Apsley on September 19

The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is hosting its next Business After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 19th in Apsley.

Stops so far include Anstruther Marina (Highway 28 & McFadden Rd) and North Kawartha Community Centre (340 McFadden Rd).

More details will be provided closer to the event date.

Register at business.kawarthachamber.ca/events/details/business-after-hours-apsley-hop-10697.

Diversity and inclusion in the workplace information session in Lindsay on September 26

The Workforce Development Board/Local Employment Planning Council, in partnership with the Lindsay DBIA and the Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce, is hosting an information session on diversity and inclusion in the workplace from 8 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 26th at Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lindsay (134 Angeline St. S., Lindsay).

The free session will feature guest speaker Lindsay Kretschmer, executive director of the Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council. Her areas of expertise include Indigenous social justice issues and well being, provincial and federal negotiations, program and training development, research and evaluation, policy and advocacy, and capacity and partnership building.

A webinar will be available for those unavailable to attend in person (details will be provided upon registration).

To register, visit eventbrite.ca/e/employer-education-series-diversity-inclusion-information-session-tickets-68623537849.

Business & Entrepreneurship Conference Northumberland in Cobourg on October 10

The second annual Business & Entrepreneurship Conference Northumberland takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 10th at the Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre (930 Burnham St., Cobourg).

Presented by Northumberland County, Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland, Destination Ontario, and Kawarthas Northumberland, the one-day high-level business growth conference is designed to educate, motivate, and promote collaboration.

Keynote speakers include Ron Tsang on the topic “Influential Communication for Entrepreneurs” and Andrew Patrico on the topic “How to Cost and Price Your Products and Services Profitably”.

The cost is $45+HST, which includes breakfast and lunch.

For the full agenda and to register, visit www.becn.ca/conference/.

Kawartha Chamber hosts Awards of Excellence and Social Gala in Lakefield on October 10

The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is hosting its 20th Annual Awards of Excellence and Social Gala from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, October 10th at Lakefield College School (4391 County Rd. 29, Lakefield).

There will be a silent and live auction, light hor d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and a social hour for networking in Upper Hadden Hall before the presentation of the awards in the Bryan Jones Theatre.

Tickets are available for $50 per person at business.kawarthachamber.ca/events/details/awards-of-excellence-social-gala-10424.

For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.