Peterborough DBIA Brings Back Holiday Shopping Passport For Downtown Shopping Rewards

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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Pescatarian Restaurant The Vine Takes Home the First-Ever Peterborough DBIA Caesar Fest Title

Less than a year into the restaurant’s opening, pescatarian restaurant The Vine has already claimed the title of Peterborough Downtown Business Area Improvement (DBIA) inaugural Caeser Fest crown announced on Thursday.

Tyrone Flowers, Co-owner of The Vine (left); Naomi Duvall, local performance artist and Chelsea Day-Ross, front of house manager at The Vine (right) receiving the award for the inaugural Caeser Fest. The Vine opened on May 30. Photo courtesy of the DBIA.

The DBIA launched the competition on July 13 and ran until Monday.

There were 11 restaurants, cafés and pubs competing for the title and featured a specialty Caesar creation on their menus for restaurant-goers to enjoy and vote for their favourite. Over 800 votes were cast and The Vine won the top prize with their Papa Tom’s Classic Virgin Caesar.

The The El P’s Kimchi Caesar took second place with The Dirty Burger taking third with their Dirty Muddy Caesar.

“Who knew that the new kids on the block would be taking home the trophy for the very first Caesar Fest,” says Tyrone Flowers, The Vine co-owner. “We’re so humbled and we want to say thank you to everyone who came out to try our Papa Tom’s Caesar.”

The Caesar Fest was heavily promoted by local performance artist, Naomi Duvall. She was hired by the DBIA to play ‘Julia Caes-her’ to act as a town crier for the festival. She generated interest on the streets and in participating restaurants engaging the unsuspecting public on the festival's iconic drink.  

"Congratulations to The Vine on championing Caesar Fest,” said Duvall. “I appreciate how the community has been so engaged with my character and this program. I had a lot of fun developing the persona.”

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First-Ever Peterborough Caesar Fest Launches July 13

A contest of cocktail and culinary prowess begins in Peterborough this week with the launch of the first annual Peterborough Caesar Fest starting July 13.

Terry Guiel (left) and Julia Caes-her (right) showing off their Caesar creations. photo courtesy of the peterborough dbia.

Eleven restaurants, pubs and cafes are featuring their own unique and savoury homage to the classic Canadian cocktail, and will all be vying for glory in this spicy competition.

From July 13 to the 31, a variety of Caesar cocktails and Caesar-inspired dishes will be featured on local menus throughout the downtown just in time for summer patio season. During Caesar Fest, participating restaurants will seek to please the masses and gain votes to claim the title of Caesar Fest victor. Festival goers will vote online for their favourite ‘Caesar’ and at the end of July, only one will reign supreme. 

With a variety of versions available, foodies and cocktail lovers alike will be able to explore a world of innovative caesar-inspired menu exclusives. The Caesar Map will help participants scout out their favourite spots for sips and snacks over the course of the Caesar Fest program.

The winning restaurant will receive a hand-crafted Caesar Fest trophy and the adoration of their patrons and competitors.

“Caesar Fest is a really fun and new way to bring the continuous, multi-site food fest model into the summer patio season”, says Shivaan Burke, programs and engagement coordinator for the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area. “Involving numerous businesses from across the downtown delivers benefits to multiple neighbourhoods at the same time, all while giving patrons the chance to explore some unexpected creations based on a Canadian classic. Downtown revellers can spice things up by making this a cocktail crawl and feel good about getting home safely thanks to our partnership with Y-Drive. We hope that Caesar Fest will give folks the opportunity to discover some new downtown favourites and enjoy the summer on some great patios.”

The Peterborough DBIA has also contracted local performance artist Julia Caes-Her to animate the program. They will be downtown Peterborough promoting Caesar Fest, toasting the competition and partaking of the spoils. 

For more information on how to participate in the first annual Peterborough Caesar Fest visit the website.

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Peterborough DBIA’s Golden Goose Chase Winner Catches $1,500 in Boro Gift Cards

The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) congratulates winner Susan Donald who took home $1,500 in Boro gift cards from the Golden Goose Chase Scavenger Hunt.

Donald, the winner, photographed at Bhojan Grocery - a new Indian grocery store located on George Street.  photo courtesy of the peterborough dbia.

This spring, the DBIA led a brand new downtown retail incentive program which took locals on a “wild goose chase” in search of golden eggs for a chance to win a $1,500 Boro gift card shopping spree.

The focus of this initiative was on bringing the magic and excitement back into in-person shopping experiences. 200 participants joined the hunt with over 100 active scavenger hunters.

“I love supporting small businesses and shopping locally because you’re supporting families above all else. You get to know the people who you’re buying from, which is so much more meaningful than buying from large corporations,” says Donald.

Many participating businesses noticed an increase of foot traffic to the downtown retail shops as locals explored the downtown in search of golden eggs. 

“We had one group of friends come into our store, a couple of whom had just moved here from Toronto. They had learned about the scavenger hunt and told us they were visiting about six different stores looking for the golden eggs, making purchases along the way as they discovered businesses,” says Andrew Damiany, owner of Gentry Apparel. 

Throughout the program, golden eggs were strategically hidden inside a variety of downtown retail locations on a rotating schedule. This whimsical downtown scavenger hunt utilized a mobile app called Goosechase, where participating players would take an image of each individual egg they found to increase their number of entries into the draw. All 20 eggs were hand-painted by local artists with each egg showcasing their own unique style. 

“It’s been really nice to see people getting excited for the summer and also getting out to explore small businesses and local retailers while having fun in the process,” says Bhojan co-owner Aniket Khera.

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DBIA Offering Free De-Escalation and Harm Reduction Training for Local Businesses

The Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) in partnership with Peterborough & Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce are bringing back their free series of Narcan Training Sessions for local businesses and their employees.

Sarah Budd the new President, CEO of Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce (left) posing with Terry Guiel Executive Director of the Peterborough DBIA with life-saving Naloxone kit to treat overdose. photo courtesy of the dbia.

This year the training program will be adding another important element to the sessions that will include mental distress recognition, response, and communication strategies.

When the DBIA began hosting Narcan training sessions back in 2019 and 2020- they were the only BIA in Ontario offering this level of support to its members. Now the program has expanded to reach more businesses and to help tackle the stigma of opioid use.

“Our community, like many around the province, is dealing with an addiction crisis. This crisis is hitting the workplace,” says Sarah Budd, president and CEO of Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce. “Businesses where there are risks of overdoses are encouraged, and soon will be required, to have a naloxone kit on hand with staff trained in its use. These workshops are a good opportunity to get familiar with this life-saving medication and learn how to save lives.”

While Canadian Red Cross will be providing the Narcan training sessions, the Canadian Mental Health Association and Haliburton Kawartha Pineridge District Health Unit will be offering a separate group of sessions to educate business members of the Chamber and DBIA on how to recognize and respond to someone in mental distress.

Mark Graham, CEO of Canadian Mental Health Association and Haliburton Kawartha Pineridge District Health Unit is happy to support the initiative as well.

“CMHA HKPR is pleased to partner with the local business community in providing owners and their staff with the skills and tools necessary to recognize and respond to mental distress,” says Graham.

This year the DBIA and Chamber of Commerce have extended an invitation to members of the Peterborough Home Builders Association and the Peterborough & District Construction Association.

New Provincial laws coming into effect this June will make it a requirement for ‘at risk’ businesses to be trained in Narcan administration. 

The Canadian Red Cross has played a vital role in local harm reduction with their Opioid Harm Reduction Project. The Canadian Red Cross is committed to helping communities reduce opioid-related deaths by increasing Canadians’ access to response training and naloxone, a life-saving medication that temporarily reverses the life-threatening effects of opioid poisoning.

The Canadian Red Cross’s Opioid Harm Reduction project is creating additional access for Canadians to learn how to save lives in opioid poisoning situations. The Opioid Harm Reduction Project was funded by a contribution from Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP).

Narcan Training Sessions will take place March 23 with 3 schedule choices: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., 11 a.m. to noon and 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and March 24 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., 11 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

CMHA HKPR Sessions will also take place on both the 23rd and 24th at the same times, featuring working sessions on Communication Strategies from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Mental Distress: Recognition and Response Session from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The sessions will happen at Venture North (270 George St. N) Parking is available at the King Street Parking Garage. Participants are asked not to park in the Venture North parking lot.

For more information and training options visit the website, or sign up using this link.

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Agave by Imperial Claims First Top Hot Chocolatier Title of DBIA's Inaugural Hot Chocolate Fest

Agave by Imperial has been crowned the first-ever Top Hot Chocolatier after 10 days of fan voting during the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area’s (DBIA) inaugural Hot Chocolate Fest competition announced on Wednesday.

Agave by Imperial opened back in early December last year owned by cousins and partners Manesh Chowdry and Jim Grover who also own The Imperial Tandoor on 554 Lansdowne St. W. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

The winning entry from Agave was their ‘Hot Churro-late’ consisting of Mexican hot chocolate made with cocoa and dark chocolate. It was served with two cinnamon and sugar-topped churros.

“We are so grateful to have won Top Hot Chocolatier with our authentic Mexican entry,” said Jennifer Gutierrez, Agave chef. “Chef Pablo Olvera and I worked on the recipe together and we are really proud of the recipe. In Mexico, hot chocolate is part of our culture, it's part of our everyday life. We love that this festival allowed us to bring a bit of Mexico to Peterborough.”

Hot Churro-late bested 13 other businesses with 14 other entries to claim the title. Photo courtesy of the DBIA.

Agave has received a hot chocolate-themed trophy and bragging rights for the year as a reward for their efforts.

Milk + Tea was the runner-up with their Bubble Pudding Chocolate followed by The Speak Easy Café’s Breakfast of Chocolate.

The first annual Ptbo Hot Chocolate Fest featured 15 over-the-top hot chocolate creations, hand-crafted by downtown chocolatiers, bakeries, cafes and restaurants. Cocoa creations were available to the public for both dine-in and takeout.

The inaugural festival ran from Feb. 17 - 26 where chocolate lovers voted online for their favourite creations by 14 businesses totalling 15 entries.  There were more than 1,000 votes cast during the 10 days of competition.

“Over the span of just 10 days our Hot Chocolate Trail map surpassed 11k views,” said Hillary Flood, DBIA communications and marketing manager.” The success of our very first Ptbo Hot Chocolate Fest lies heavily on the imagination and passion of our Hot Chocolatiers.”

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Peterborough DBIA Hosting Inaugural Free 'Catch the Leprechaun' Scavenger Hunt For March

A mischievous band of pint-sized Leprechauns are invading local downtown pubs as Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) has launched its ‘Catch the Leprechauns’ free scavenger hunt announced at Crook and Coffer on Tuesday.

Crook & Coffer co-owner John Clarke getting the Irish spirit on early pouring green beer for the DBIA’s inaugural “Catch the Leprechauns” free scavenger hunt. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Residents are encouraged to visit one of 13 participating pubs — with help of a Leprechaun Pub Map — to find five different leprechauns scattered throughout on a rotating schedule for the month of March. The first 100 people to complete the hunt will win “pints of gold” that include a piece of glassware from a local brewery, swag and even a few tricks according to Hillary Flood, DBIA communications and marketing manager.

“We have these historically charming pubs that are rebounded for their hospitality and their atmosphere so if we can bring people in for our Leprechaun hunt, it will tether people back to the community and celebrate the community pride of our local pub scene,” she said.

The following are the participating downtown pubs:

• The Black Horse Pub

• One Eighty Sports Pub

• The Dirty Burger Company

• Crook & Coffer

• The Only Café

• Jethro’s Bar + Stage

• Champs Bar And Grill

• McThirsty’s Pint

• Maple Moose Pub

• The Social Pub

• Bijoux Bar

• Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews

• Riley’s Pub

The leprechauns were crafted by local artist Brooklin Stormie. They were hand-felted and made to have their own look and personality.

“Working on this project was so much fun,” explained Stormie. “It was a nice re-entry into the world of textiles. I let each Leprechaun reveal themselves to me organically throughout the process. I can’t help but feel a motherly connection to these five little Faye creatures. I’m excited to see what adventure await these little chaps - my wayward sons.”

Each Leprechaun has its own backstory steeped in folklore and mischief and named after local breweries.

• Persian Murphy - Persian Empire

• Bobby McCaygeon - Bobcaygeon Brewery

• Petey O’Haven - Haven Brewing Co.

• Feilhem Falls - Fenelon Falls Brewing Co.

• Publican O’Leerie - Publican House Brewery

(from left to right) Persian Murphy, Publican O’Leerie, Petey O’Haven, Bobby Mc’Caygeon and Feilhem Falls having a grand ol’ time at Crook and Coffer while causing mischief. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Anyone of legal drinking age can join the scavenger hunt for free by downloading Goosechase, a mobile scavenger hunt app. Search “Catch the Leprechauns” or use the game code ‘5W9B4Z’ to join in on the hunt. Players earn points, by submitting live-capture photos of each Leprechaun they find along their travels.

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The Art School of Peterborough Earns First-Place Honours in DBIA's Holiday Window Contest

The Art School of Peterborough has earned the title of first place for the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) annual Downtown Holiday Window Contest announced on Wednesday.

This year’s theme was ‘Winter Wonderland’ that was launched on Nov. 14 in conjunction with DBIA’s Holiday Shopping Passports.

Raine Knudsen, The Art School of Peterborough receptionist released the following statement after being declared the winner:

"The Art School of Peterborough is humbled to win 1st place in the 2022 Holiday Window Contest! Thank you so much to everyone who has shown their support; to our students, our instructors and coworkers, our neighbours, and our local Peterborough community.

This year, we were inspired to create a woodland scene, with our favourite lovable forest creatures all joyfully hand-drawn with care. Just like a snowflake, the Peterborough community is extraordinary in every way, you are one of a kind, a fantastic individual, an exceptional find.

In celebration of the season, all visitors who happen to stop by the Art School will be treated to a hand-made ceramic snowflake ornament crafted by our talented art students. 

Thanks Peterborough, for all the support and love you’ve shown us, and so many other local businesses and non-profits this holiday season. The Art School wishes everyone a bright and beautiful winter holiday and happy new year!” 

This year’s winners are: 

• 1st place — The Art School of Peterborough, 174A Charlotte St.

• 2nd Place — Fork It, 288 Charlotte St.

• 3rd Place — The Capital PTBO 370 George St.

The top three winners received $1,000, $500 and $300 for their winning windows. Locals voted online for their top three holiday window displays throughout the contest period from Nov. 14 to Dec. 5.  

“We love seeing our shop owners put their own creative spin on the holidays with our Holiday Window Contest. It really sets the tone of the season and brings a lot of charm into our historic downtown shopping district,” said Terry Guiel, DBIA executive director. “It’s incredible to see the community support our small businesses throughout the competition. This season we saw a record-breaking number of votes through our online voting portal with over 3000 votes cast.” 

To view this year's window display entries, locals can go online to theBoro.ca

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Peterborough DBIA Launches Holiday Shopping Passports; Hosting Holiday Window Contest

The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) has launched its holiday season programs including Holiday Shopping Passports and Window Contest announced at the Venture North Building on Monday.

(from left to right) Terry Guiel, DBIA executive director; Jocelyn Gilmour, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourish visitor experience officer and Hilary Flood, DBIA communications and marketing manager kicking off the DBIA’s holiday. Every $100 locally spent is up to $48 stays in our community, compared to just $14 at big box stores according to the DBIA. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The passport returns is a rewards incentive program to shop and enjoy downtown Peterborough with 152 participating stores.

Last year’s program saw shoppers stamp more than $2.6 million worth of Holiday Shopping Passports. 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. Early Bird Draws draw on Dec. 7, 14 and 21 where a $500 Boro Gift Card is being given out to one person on its respective day.

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

“This year, we decided to launch both our Passport program and Holiday Window contest in tandem to really increase a sense of excitement and holiday ambiance in the downtown core,” said Terry Guiel, DBIA executive director. “Our small businesses put a lot of care and love into the holiday season to capture the magic and charm of in-person shopping.”   

Photo courtesy of DBIA.

Shoppers can vote online for their favourite storefronts from Nov. 14 to Dec. 6. for the DBIA’s Holiday Window Contest with the theme as Winter Woodland. They can be seen online or in-person at downtown locations for the holiday displays.

The prizing for the winning stores are as follows:

• First place: $1,000

• Second place: $500

• Third place: $300

Photo courtesy of DBIA.

The DBIA has partnered with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism to increase tourist shopping for the downtown core as out-of-town shoppers play a major role in the economic health of downtown according to the DBIA.

Peterborough and the Kawarthas Tourism designed ‘The Peterborough HAULiday Gifting Getaway’ hotel package that offers visitors an opportunity to receive a $100 Boro Gift Card and a swag bag with local gifts. Tourists receive this when they book an overnight stay at any one of the participating hotels in the City of Peterborough between Nov. 14 and Dec. 23.

“We are excited to be working alongside our partners at the DBIA to support local hotels during a need period in the late fall shoulder season and to encourage increased spending in the downtown during the holiday shopping season,” says Joe Rees, director of tourism, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development.

The City of Peterborough is providing free two-hour parking downtown beginning Black Friday (Nov. 26) until the end of December courtesy of Wolfe Lawyers.

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DBIA Unveils Two Large-Scale Murals To Enhance Downtown Peterborough Streetscape

The Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) has unveiled two new large-scale murals to enhance the streetscape experience through public art.

Artist Julii McMillan next to her creation, “Monarch Monolith” outside Peterborough Square’s courtyard. It took her and assistant Samantha Chiusolo three and a half days to complete. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The murals are located just outside the Peterborough Square courtyard and on the corner of George Street and King Street along the Village of Thai building.

These art pieces serve as the DBIA’s renewed focus towards street art as a means to create an attractive downtown area.

The Peterborough Square piece is a monarch-themed mural created by artist Julii McMillan and assistant Samantha Chiusolo. It repurposed a large defunct pillar near the Market Hall entrance, below the clock tower. Described as being similar to a butterfly, the pillar has undergone a metamorphosis and now stands as a magnificent cylindrical art piece.

“Public art is powerful. It can bring people together over shared values, inspire pride and responsibility in the surrounding community,” said McMillan. “It brings colour and joy and moments of discovery for all ages when they stumble upon it. Public art is place-making. It asks us to stop and pay attention, to wonder and play a little more.”

Artist Katie Irwin took roughly a week to paint her “Boro” mural at the side of Village of Thai on the corner of George Street and King Street. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The other mural titled, ‘Welcome to The Boro’ is roughly 105 sq. ft. and has been installed to greet visitors and refresh the experience of entering the downtown. It was created by Katie Irwin who has had her work displayed at the First Friday Art Crawl and Art Gallery of Peterborough.

The mural displays Peterborough in its natural environment with the Otonabee River running through the image. 

“These two new murals will entice foot traffic and interest to the area. We were inspired by First Friday PTBO, which had great success with a mural by Kathryn Durst in Bankers Commons on Water street a few years ago,” says Terry Guiel, DBIA executive director. “We are so grateful to have the opportunity to add more art to our vibrant downtown. Street art plays a vital role in nurturing safe and welcoming spaces by connecting people to public space while magnifying the profile of our local arts community.”

Both murals were funded by the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund (TRF), through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

The DBIA, alongside 36 other regional tourism organizations, have received $2.8 million in support for tourism relief in the Peterborough, Kawarthas and Northumberland regions.

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