Peterborough DBIA Holiday Shopping Passport Grand Prize Winner Announced

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Amanda Kennedy has been named the winner of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) grand prize draw for the Holiday Shopping Passport in $1,500 Boro gift cards, announced on Wednesday.

Amanda Kennedy (left) stands with Deanna Guttman (right), owner of Needles in the Hay at 385 Water St. celebrating the grand prize win. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

The winning passport was drawn at the Peterborough DBIA office with Gerry Kretschmar, Niche Ptbo owner and operator on Wednesday. The winning passport was completed at Needles in the Hay at 385 Water St.

“I love shopping downtown because it turns a simple trip into a whole experience. You can grab a drink or some food, visit a variety of shops, and you receive a way better customer service experience because local businesses are so passionate and knowledgeable about what they offer,” said Kennedy Amanda. “I plan on trying out some of the classes offered by Needles in the Hay with my winnings and also purchase a new set of skis.”

The Boro gift cards were redeemable at participating downtown businesses including a variety of shops, boutiques, salons, restaurants, cafes and services.

During the Holiday Passport season, shoppers receive a stamp for every $10 spent participating downtown business. After 20 stamps, passport holders can complete the contact form and drop it off at participating businesses to be entered into the draw.

Three early bird winners were named prior to the grand prize draw.

“Supporting local business is vital for our community well-being,” said Sacha Lai-Svirk, DBIA board chair. “When dollars are spent locally, they are often re-spent and continue to circulate up to three times more money back into our local economy as a result.”

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Final Early Bird Holiday Shopping Passport Winner Announced

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Jody Cunningham is the lucky winner of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area’s (DBIA) third Holiday Shopping Passport early bird draw of $500, announced on Monday.

Amanda Bedford, DBIA Marketing & Communications Coordinator (left) with Jody Cunningham (right) at Gertis, celebrating the final early bird prize win. Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA.

Her winning passport was drawn on Dec. 20 at the Peterborough DBIA office with Tim Wales, owner and operator of Birdhouse Tattoo, a new business at 372 Water St. Cuningham’s winning passport was completed at Gerti’s at 225 Hunter St. W.

“Local, independently owned businesses are the heart and soul of any town. The downtown community is like one big friendship. Everyone treats everyone like family and supports one another,” said Cunningham. “My mother worked for a local downtown business for 20+ years, my elder siblings and myself also worked for businesses downtown Peterborough so it became like a second home to me. I will always support local businesses here in Peterborough and all the cities I visit.”

During the Holiday Passport season, shoppers receive a stamp for every $10 spent participating downtown business. After 20 stamps, passport holders can complete the contact form and drop it off at participating businesses to be entered into the draw.

They are available at over 140 participating shops, boutiques, salons, restaurants, and cafes downtown for free. Each completed Holiday Shopping Passport are entered into a ballot to win $1,500 in Boro gift cards.

The final grand prize draw for a $1,500 downtown shopping spree will occur on Wednesday.

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Photos: 17th Annual CopShop Gives 22 Children a Holiday Shopping Spree at Lansdowne Place

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The 17th annual CopShop allowed 22 children to get a holiday shopping spree with Peterborough Police Service officers at Lansdowne Place on Wednesday morning.

Kids were brought to the mall in style in limousines from Personal Touch Limo to buddy up with the paired officer.

The students were specially selected from their respective schools and police to participate in the annual event.

“We just looked for kids that showed some leadership, have a nice disposition and are a good member of their community,” said Detective Constable Mike Peckham.

Each child received a $200 Lansdowne Place Mall Wide Gift Card, a stocking stuffed with goodies, a free McDonald’s breakfast, goodie bags from Couture Candy PTBO and Handmade Heaven and a free photo with Santa Claus.

“This is our favourite event of the year,” said Helen Edwards, Lansdowne Place property manager. “This event reflects the true spirit of the season, where a community comes together to give these amazing kids a day they will always remember.”

“We are very excited that this program is returning as it’s always been an event our officers look forward to,” said Peckham. “This year, we have about two dozen officers and civilian members volunteering their time to build positive relationships and spend time with our young people in a fun way.”

Staff, players and mascot Roger from the Peterborough Petes were also in attendance to meet and greet with the children during their shopping spree.

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Several Downtown Businesses Open Late For Holiday Shoppers For Three Consecutive Thursdays

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Thirty-five downtown shops will be open late on Thursdays until 7 p.m. on Dec. 7, 14 and 21, announced by the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) on Monday.

A shopper browses candles at Luminary Emporium on Hunter Street. Photo courtsey of the DBIA.

This late-night shopping initiative is a merchant-led program in coordination with the DBIA that aims to encourage more downtown shopping during the holidays.

“We know that it's not always easy to make it downtown during the day so a large collection of downtown businesses have again organized a late-night shopping experience to provide a wider opportunity to shop downtown and support local this holiday season,” said Anthony Lennan, Ptbo Food Shop owner. “There are so many amazing shops and restaurants downtown, and we appreciate everyone who makes a point of supporting local businesses during the holidays and whenever possible.”

Parking is free in downtown Peterborough after 6 p.m. and two-hour free holiday parking is in effect before then.

There are 35 participating businesses for late-night shopping:

  • Tragically Dipped

  • Statement House

  • The Neighbourhood Vintage

  • By the Books

  • East City Knife Co.

  • Needles in the Hay

  • Plant Goals

  • Ptbo Food Shop

  • Metaphorhome

  • The Capital

  • Iceman Video Games

  • Couture Candy

  • Hi Ho Silver

  • Cork & Bean

  • Tiny Greens

  • Minhs Chinese Grocery

  • Chumleighs

  • Boardwalk Game Lounge

  • John Roberts Clothiers

  • Milk + Tea shop

  • Rieker by Cheslers

  • Grey Guardian Games

  • erben

  • Gather Home Goods

  • Cottage Toys

  • Pammett’s Flower Shop

  • The Toy Shop

  • Ritual Apothecary

  • Wild Rock

  • Rawscoes Sports & Collectibles

  • Cozy 

  • Dan Joyce Clothing

  • Fallen Giants Simcoe

  • Sugar me Right

“It’s vital that we continue to incentivize and reward folks for supporting our downtown- especially during the busy holiday season. We are excited to be offering holiday shoppers the opportunity to collect extra stamps on our holiday shopping passports during the Late Night Shopping events,” said Hillary Flood, DBIA vibrancy manager. “There is nothing more charming than shopping for the holidays in our historic downtown in December. We hope that this initiative will draw folks into the urban core for a larger experience with friends and family. Many downtown restaurants already open in the evenings, so having a large collection of shops open later also provides people with the flexibility to combine dining and shopping while they are downtown.”

The DBIA has created a map has been created to locate the participating retailers.

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Peterborough DBIA Brings Back Holiday Shopping Passport For Downtown Shopping Rewards

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The Downtown Business Improvement Area’s (DBIA) shopping rewards are back, launching the Holiday Shopping Passport with a grand prize of a $1,500 Boro gift card, effective immediately.

Last year’s program saw shoppers stamp more than $2.3 million worth of Holiday Shopping Passports. Every $100 that you spend locally, up to $48 stays in our community, compared to just $14 when you shop at big box stores according to the DBIA. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

The Passports are available at over 140 participating shops, boutiques, salons, restaurants and cafes in downtown Peterborough. A passport stamp is earned for every $10 spent at participating locations. Free stamps are available at the Peterborough Public Library, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Visitors Centre and the DBIA office.

Early Bird prizes of $500 Boro gift card are available with the draw dates on Dec. 6, 13 and 20. The final grand prize draw is on Jan. 10 with a $1,500 Boro gift card shopping spree grand prize.

New this year, the DBIA is hosting a Holiday Boro Card Bonanza where 12 shoppers will be gifted a $25 Boro gift card just for shopping downtown. The DBIA will randomly draw 12 downtown shop locations to host weekly Boro card giveaways this week.

“DBIA is hyper-focused on incentivizing downtown shopping this holiday season. We understand that supporting local requires intention and effort, and this year we are finding new and delightful ways to attract and retain holiday shoppers,” said Hillary Flood, DBIA vibrancy manager. “Holiday shopping in The Boro offers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience filled with historic charm and hospitality that you just can’t replicate on Amazon. Now more than ever we need to shop with intent, because when you shop locally your money directly supports our community rather than a big corporation.”

Shop owners are challenged to design a store window in honour of the Aurora Borealis for a chance to win Top Window of the season during this year’s annual Holiday Window Contest.

Downtown patrons can vote online for their favourite storefronts from Nov. 20 to Dec. 31.

The City of Peterborough is providing free two-hour parking downtown beginning on Nov. 24 to encourage downtown holiday shopping until the end of December (courtesy of Wolfe Lawyers).

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Peterborough DBIA Sending Shoppers On a "Golden Goose Chase" To Win a $1,500 Boro Gift Card

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The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is sending shoppers on a wild goose chase to find ‘golden eggs’ in a retail incentive program for a chance to win a $1,500 Boro gift card, announced at the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Visitors Centre on Tuesday morning.

Whitney Paget, DBIA student intern (left); Terry Guiel, DBIA executive director (middlE) and Hillary Flood, DBIA Communications and Marketing Manager (right) holding six of the 20 handcrafted golden goose eggs to be scattered throughout Peterborough downtown retail stores. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The ‘Golden Goose Chase’ runs from April 1 until May 31 where 20 ‘golden goose eggs’ are being hidden inside downtown retail locations on a rotating schedule weekly. Each egg has been hand-painted, crafted and commissioned by local artists.

“From fashion to vintage and décor, downtown Peterborough has it all,” said Terry Guiel, DBIA executive director. “The Golden Goose Chase project was designed to draw foot traffic into our wonderful retail sector. Similar to our Holiday Shopping Passport program this project is all about rewarding folks for taking the time to shop in person.”

Over 50 retailers are participating in the inaugural hunt. Each egg found is a ballot towards a draw for a $1,500 Boro gift card. Participants can use a Golden Goose Chase map to plan their search during their downtown visit.

Egg hunters can download Goosechase, a mobile scavenger hunt app. Search ‘The Golden Goose Chase’ or use the game code ‘5Z67RV’ to join. Ballots are earned by submitting live-capture photos of each egg found.

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Peterborough DBIA Announces Holiday Shopping Passport Grand Prize Draw Winner

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The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) announces Noah Sloan as the grand prize draw Holiday Shopping Passport winner on Tuesday.

photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA.

Sloan’s completed Holiday Shopping Passport was drawn at the El (P) restaurant on George Street in downtown Peterborough on Jan. 11.

The winning passport came from Iceman Video Games, where Sloan purchased a new gaming console. The $1,500 Boro gift card grand prize was awarded by Iceman Video Games Store Manager Holly Butler on Jan. 14.

“I still can’t believe I won, it’s surreal. I think now more than ever, it’s important to support small businesses with the economy the way it is,” said Sloan. “I really appreciate our downtown and love that I can bring my dog along while shopping the stores. I’m still wrapping my head around winning and look forward to exploring all the new shops and restaurants with my gift card.”

The Holiday Shopping Passports ran from Nov. 14 to Jan. 11.

Throughout the program shoppers were rewarded with a passport stamp for every $10 they spent at a participating location. Each completed passport, or 20 stamps, was entered into a draw, including three early bird draws of $500 in Boro gift cards.

The Holiday Shopping Passport program generated just over 2.3 million dollars in local spending.

“What I love about this program is anyone can win when they shop downtown. Some past winners filled out dozens of passports while others complete just one,” says executive director of the Peterborough DBIA Terry Guiel.

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DBIA Announces Final Early Bird Holiday Shopping Passport Draw Winner

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The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) announces final early bird draw Holiday Shopping Passport winner on Monday.

Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area.

Helen Lovick’s completed Holiday Shopping Passport was drawn at Agave by Imperial, the new Mexican restaurant located at 376 George St.

Lovick’s winning passport came from Gentry Apparel, where she purchased some clothing items during the holiday season. She was granted her $500 Boro gift card prize by shop owner Andrew Damiany.

“I love shopping downtown for the people, quality and personal touch you experience. It’s important to support your community and neighbours,” said Lovick. “I have a deep respect for entrepreneurs, and what they are able to build for our community.”

The grand prize draw will take place on Jan. 11, where one lucky shopper will win a $1,500 Boro Card and Musicfest Diner’s Book.

Stamp collectors eager to finish their passport cards before the final grand prize draw can collect free stamps at the Peterborough Public Library and the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Visitors Centre.

Check out www.theboro.ca/holiday-shopping-passport-season/ for the full list of participating passport locations.

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Second DBIA Holiday Shopping Passport Early Bird Winner Announced

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The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area’s (DBIA) announces Karen Scott has won the second Holiday Shopping Passport early bird draw on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Downtown Business improvement area.

Scott’s winning passport came from Avant-Garden, where she purchased garden supplies and some Christmas presents for her family during a customer appreciation event on Nov. 22. She was granted her $500 Boro gift card prize by Avant-Garden’s customer service representative Marissa Dunk on Dec. 14.

Scott’s completed Holiday Shopping Passport was drawn at Poco Burro, a new Mexican grill restaurant in downtown Peterborough.

“Growing up in Peterborough, downtown was my favourite place to shop and explore. Supporting downtown really helps our local economy,” says Scott. “What a delightful surprise to win the early bird draw. I am excited to shop the many charming stores located in the heart of our city with my Boro gift card.”

Each $10 spent earns a stamp, and every full card ($200 spent) earns a ballot for the grand prize of a $1,500 Boro Gift Card drawn on Jan. 11. The third and final early bird draw will take place on Dec. 21.

Holiday passports can be picked up at any of 150 participating businesses in downtown Peterborough. Multiple ballots are accepted and can be dropped off at any ballot box in a participating business.

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First DBIA Holiday Shopping Passport Early Bird Winner Announced

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Heather Adey has become the first winner for the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area’s (DBIA) Holiday Shopping Passport early bird draw announced on Monday.

Heather Adey (left) and Jean Grant, The Toy Shop owner (right). Adey’s passport came from The Toy Shop while purchasing games and ice bubbles for her young daughters. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

Adey’s winning passport came from The Toy Shop, where she purchased board games and ice bubbles for her two daughters. Her entry was drawn on Wednesday at The Neighbourhood Vintage. Adey won a $500 Boro gift card prize that was presented by Jean Grant, The Toy Shop owner.

“I just love coming to the Toy Shop” said Adey. “It’s our go-to place when shopping for the little ones in my life. Jean always has the best suggestions for what to put under our tree. I can’t wait to use my gift card and explore all the new restaurants and shops downtown. We love supporting small businesses, they are just so unique and offer a personal touch that really makes the shopping experience something truly special.”

Passport winners get a Musicfest Diner’s Book atop their winnings as a new feature in this yea’rs draw. The book contains coupons valued at $600 in savings, with 100 per cent of proceeds going towards musician fees for the summer festival.

“Peterborough Musicfest is excited to partner with the Downtown Business Improvement Area by complementing its Holiday Shopping Passport giveaway package with our Musicfest Diner's Book,” says Musicfest board chair, Paul Rellinger. “It’s a perfect fit as many of the restaurants and eateries featured in this year’s Diner's Book are located in downtown Peterborough. Musicfest remains grateful for the support it has received from the downtown restaurant community and, now, from this partnership with the DBIA."

Holiday Passports can be picked up at any one of 150 participating businesses in downtown Peterborough. Each $10 spent earns a stamp and every filled card — of $200 spent — earns a ballot for a grand prize of a $1,500 Boro Gift Card drawn on Jan. 11. Multiple ballots are accepted and be dropped off at any ballot box in a participating business.

Two Early Bird draws remain on Wednesday and Dec. 21.

Free stamps are available at the Peterborough Public Library, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Visitors Centre.

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