What The Quaker Plant Means To Peterborough

Photo by Evan Holt

With the recent announcements that the Kellogg's plant in London, Ont. and Heinz plant in Leamington, Ont., will be closing, some wonder how safe the Pepsi-QTG plant—more commonly known as the Quaker plant—is here in Peterborough. About 500 full-time jobs will be lost in London and 740 in Leamington, a huge loss to those communities.

No doubt the implications if the Quaker Plant closed here would be enormous: Hundreds of jobs would be lost, so many families impacted, not to mention the trickle down effect on the local economy. And then, of course, there would be the psychological impact of losing an iconic plant in the heart of the city. The plant is an institution in Peterborough, a vital part of the fabric of the community. The plant was first established on the shores of the Otonabee in 1902 (it was rebuilt after the devestating fire of 1916). Imagine if that plant just became empty? With no employees and no wonderful smells of food, of production, coming out of it.

So is Pepsi QTG vulnerable to the same market pressures as Heinz and Kellogg's as corporate restructuring happens? Absolutely. But the belief is everything that can be done is being done to keep it here. "It's disconcerting to see what's happening in Leamington and London, but at the same time Pepsi QTG has made significant investments in the Peterborough plant," says Peterborough Chamber CEO Stu Harrison.

We asked Mayor Bennett if he's concerned in light of Heinz and Kellogg's plant closures and what the city can do to help prevent it from happening here. "Those are corporate decisions not necessarily influenced by local conditions," he says. "The USA has been encouraging their corporations to rebase in North America and primarily in the USA. The Heinz and Kellogg decision are in part the results. Quaker continues to be a responsible corporate citizen in our region. The plant is well managed and responsive to its consumers demands. People change and we will deal with that as we can."

The truth is one knows exactly what is going to happen to the plant that's such a huge part of Peterborough. But as Stu Harrison reminds us all, every local purchase counts in large amounts: "If you have cereal on your grocery list, make sure it's made here in Peterborough."

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Local Gift Under $25 For The Chocolate Lover

Stumped as to what to buy this year? Here is a local gift for under $25 for the chocolate lover. Stop in at Jo Anne's (located at 1260 Lansdowne Street West and 904 Water St. North) and pick some Camino Chocolate. With numerous different organic flavours, made through fair-trade principles, be sure to take advantage of Jo Anne's current Mix-and-match deal of 3 for $8.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Here's A Bunch Of Peterborough Christmas Trees

The Christmas season is in full swing in Peterborough. One of the top yearly traditions that everyone can get involved with is the decorating of the Christmas tree. People get right into it, and often times you can learn a lot about someone by watching them work. Whether you’re a purist who only works with real trees or someone who likes the simplicity of a fake one, the results are always impressive. Here are Christmas tree pictures people in the Peterborough community sent us.  —Aaron Elliott

Whoops, Elf on the Shelf knocked it over?

Well, OK

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Go Check Out The New Reindeer At Riverview Zoo

Two new reindeer are settling in nicely at the zoo. Take the kids and go see 'em. Santa's helpers are ready.

[pics via Riverview Zoo Facebook page]

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Watch This Bandwagon Episode Featuring Express and Company

The latest Bandwagon episode is awesome, featuring Express and Company. Check it out...

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DBIA Featured Post: The Spill

If you’re a live music fan in Peterborough, chances are that you know The Spill. For those who have yet to experience perhaps one of the city’s most unique intimate live music atmospheres, there is no better time than the present to take in a show!

Located at 414 George St N and owned by the ever charismatic Dave Tobey, The Spill has been a launching pad for many artists from local to international noise makers of various kinds for 10 years now. The term “noise makers” seems to fit because Dave says they’ve had everything from rock bands and pop acts to 17 piece blues orchestras and poets grace the renowned stage.

Dave says if you can fit your equipment through the doors, then you can put on any kind of show there! In owning The Spill, it is Dave’s desire to be a platform for art and culture to collide. The atmosphere is laid back and features artwork from far and wide, including quite a bit from the local community! With the only real unwritten rule being that you must be there for a good time and not to stir things up, Dave says that anything and everything can happen depending on the night of the week.

With such a wide range of talent able to take the stage almost at will, the experiences its patrons receive rarely duplicates. While being an events venue first, The Spill does offer some great food and beverage options for its customers who pack it on a regular basis. The Spill offers a fully stocked bar, featuring many local beers, homemade sweet tea, and what can be considered the best “dripbrew” coffee in the area.

They also specialize with an epic homemade salsa, hummus and pita which is to die for and incredibly simple but delicious hotpressed sandwiches. Dave and his staff absolutely love the history of Peterborough and the downtown core that they operate within. This can be seen immediately with the old High Tops sign that they proudly display on their wall. The Spill has become more than just a workplace for him, taking on a homey feeling that he is very proud of. His goal is to continue to be a place for anyone from Juno Award Winners to first time performers to be able to use at their will to play their music to the masses.

Over the years, The Spill has taken part in various community causes and is usually the backdrop for benefit shows. Habitat for Humanity has hosted benefit concerts there, and they also recently held a show for StopABully.ca. More recently, it has also been the backdrop for the local Focus Fair which showcases local artists. It can also be considered the unofficial home of the Peterborough Poetry Slam as well.

Dave and his staff invite you to come out for a night and check what many locals already have. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget!

For more on The Spill (414 George St N), go to:

Facebook: The Spill
Twitter: @TheSpillBar
Phone: 705.748.6167

For more on Downtown Peterborough and the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), click here.

—By Aaron Elliott

Cherished Events Is Closing In Peterborough Square

Maternity & Baby Boutique Cherished Events is closing at Peterborough Square. Currently, items are up to 50% off.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Charlotte's Web Is Having A Retirement Sale

Children's clothing store Charlotte's Web (at 180 Charlotte Street) is having a Retirement Sale. Owner Monique Cantin is retiring after 20 years, and she says there is no current buyer for the store.

More on the store in this recent feature article we did on them.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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