After Damage From Fire Natas Café Re-Opens Just In Time For Christmas

Just five weeks after damage from a fire and flooding, Natas Café has re-opened its doors in downtown Peterborough.

Photo courtesy DBIA

Nice to see you open again @NatasCafe! ☕️ pic.twitter.com/q8gKglE1zv

— PTBO_CANADA (@Ptbo_Canada) December 22, 2017

The popular George Street café re-opened Friday morning (December 22nd) as excited patrons returned for their favourite coffee, espresso and sandwiches.

Owner Steve Francis (Photo courtesy DBIA)

Photo courtesy DBIA

Neighbouring business Simple, which also sustained significant damage during the fire on November 17th, is still undergoing renovations but has opened a temporary location at the entrance to Peteborough Square.

Photo courtesy DBIA

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The Spill Says Goodbye

The Spill is no more. Wednesday night (October 18th) was last call for this cafe/bar known for its live indie music, its art events, its sense of inclusiveness.

A banner with the humorous goodbye message "So Long And Thanks For All The Fish" hangs at the front of the bar.

This iconic George St. bar was owned by Dave Tobey, and no reason has yet been given for its closure.

Dave and his bar had a huge impact on the local art scene. Friend Ray Henderson (pictured at right below with Dave) wrote this heartfelt message on Facebook about what the Spill and Dave meant to him...

Share your memories on our Facebook page about the Spill.

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Kawartha Local Launching All Local Marketplace In Downtown Peterborough

Rob Howard is launching his Kawartha Local Marketplace storefront (165 King Street) in downtown Peterborough with an Open House from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 3rd.

The Marketplace is an exclusively all-local emporium with an incubator element that allows aspiring product developers direct and affordable access to the buying public.

165 King Street

"I can hardly wait to open the doors of the Marketplace," Howard tells PTBOCanada. "We've been working full out for over a month now to prepare a fun, all-local shopping experience and I'm grateful for the incredible encouragement and support from our suppliers, customers and member vendors."

Kawartha Local Marketplace is devoted to promoting local producers and artisans, and in addition to carrying items from Kawartha Local suppliers, it will provide a space where local entrepreneurs can sell their wares. "The Marketplace is where shoppers are guaranteed that everything sold in the store is made right here in Peterborough & the Kawarthas,” says Howard.

Owner Rob Howard

What’s unique is that Kawartha Local offers a retail incubator for new products. For an affordable fee, local makers can become members in the Marketplace, and receive dedicated floor space and direct access to the buying public. Indeed, the Marketplace has the potential to grow and develop into a thriving local creative hub.

The public is welcome to drop by to check out the new space located at 165 King Street this Thursday at the Open House from 4 to 6 p.m.

For more info on Marketplace, email Rob here.

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Peterborough Startup Chimp Treats Creates New Jobs Through Partnership With Community Living

Peterborough's Brooke Hammer, founder and CEO of Chimp Treats, has taken the drive and passion of her two startup businesses to hold a job fair through a partnership with Community Living—providing three employment opportunities for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The 22-year-old entrepreneur began her entrepreneurial journey after founding Take Flight, a business inspired when her brother with Down Syndrome faced community barriers trying to find meaningful work. Hammer started the organization to help those with developmental disabilities find independence, social interaction, purpose, and meaningful employment through day programs and services.

“I wanted my brother to be able to experience the joy, satisfaction and pride that comes with meaningful work and belonging to a community,” says Hammer.

Brooke Hammer Founded Taking Flight

Now working at the rapidly-growing Chimp Treats, an innovative health food company selling the popular “Nicecream” frozen dessert made entirely from fruit, Hammer is supporting a healthy lifestyle in her second startup.

Starting out the business solo, Hammer has now added two full-time employees to her business. Still needing to hire more, Hammer saw an opportunity to take her passion from her previous business and hold a job fair through the Community Living partnership.

Hammer and her Chimp Treats team are growing

“During my first meeting, I could barely contain my enthusiasm learning about this locally owned company Chimp Treats,” says Jen Edwards at Community Living Peterborough. “Normally companies aren’t knocking on Community Living’s door asking for people to come work for them with the offer of meaningful work that is competitively paid. After touring the factory and visiting their office at the Innovation Cluster, it is very apparent this company is offering a rewarding job.”

The job fair will be held at the Innovation Cluster, where Chimp Treats is based, on July 20th, offering a full-time inclusive employment opportunity to work with the Chimp Treats team. The three chosen hires will be trained personally by the CEO Hammer herself at their manufacturing location, and get to be part of the startup team promoting healthy lifestyles.

“I’m pleased to see communities becoming more aware of employment gaps, underemployment, and the need for inclusive opportunities for individuals with special needs,” says Hammer. “No person is the exact same, but the opportunities available to us should be.”

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