Peterborough Blogs
PTBOSpotlight: The Chill Desire
/Welcome to PTBOSpotlight! Every Friday, this segment showcases a business or organization in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the people behind the organization and the work they do for our community.
This week, we are featuring The Chill Desire. The local business is owned by brothers Sarthak Juneja and Nitish.
Located on 366 George St. N., The Chill Desire started as an ice cream parlour but has since branched out, adding savoury food to their menu including burgers, wraps, fries, spring rolls and more.
“We serve everything from ice creams and waffles to specialty drinks, peri peri loaded fries, and our famous aalu patty burger, along with a variety of popular Indian snacks like momos (dumplings) and samosas, all made fresh in an open kitchen,” said Juneja. “Whether you're craving a sweet scoop or a savoury bite, we have something for everyone.”
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Prior to opening The Chill Desire, the brothers arrived in Peterborough as international students in 2019. The idea stemmed from Nitish visiting his home country of India, where his friends introduced him to waffles with ice cream during an outing. They eventually introduced authentic South Asian flavours that they could not find locally and often travelled to Toronto for the taste they loved.
As customer demand grew, they expanded to include chicken burgers, fries, wraps, momos, samosas and their unique aalu patty burger. Their involvement in local events and support from the community fueled further growth.
“The Chill Desire is more than just an ice cream shop — it’s a place to relax and enjoy good times with friends and family,” explained Juneja. “Our space is welcoming for students looking to study or do homework and it's lively enough for the bar crowd to indulge in sweet and savoury treats until 3 a.m., 365 days a year.”
The store is celebrating its second anniversary this month in Downtown Peterborough. Since then, the menu has broadened, extended their operating hours and is giving away a free scoop of ice cream with every order until July 15 to celebrate their milestone.
To continue the festivities, on July 16, the Chill Desire is giving away 100 free scoops of ice cream (no purchase necessary, one scoop per customer).
“We are proud of our community support and the variety we offer that keeps people coming back. Our goal is to create a fun, inclusive environment where everyone can enjoy a moment of happiness with quality food and treats.”
To learn more about The Chill Desire, find it online:
Website: www.thechilldesire.ca
Instagram: @thechilldesire
Facebook: The Chill Desire
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Voice of Business: Fostering Inclusion: A Business Roadmap to Economic Reconciliation
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This week in Voice of Business, we’re highlighting the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s new two-part report on Advancing Economic Reconciliation Through Equity, Economic Inclusion, and Growth.
Part 1, “Establishing Equity in Education & Employment for Indigenous Peoples” focuses on how the business community can help create real opportunities for Indigenous Peoples. Part 2, “Finance & Capital” looks at how the financial sector can help guide reconciliation through inclusive programming design and Indigenous perspectives. Indigenous populations are growing at twice the rate of non-Indigenous Canadians, and studies show they are nine times more likely to start a business. This presents an opportunity to support a community that has long faced systemic barriers.
The reports offer practical guidance for businesses, educational institutions, and financial organizations on how to advance economic reconciliation. They emphasize the importance of creating opportunities for Indigenous Peoples through inclusive education, employment, and access to capital. Both reports share resources for employers and institutions that can help to foster inclusive employment through various Indigenous organizations such as the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendships Centres. Attending Indigenous community events can also help to build and develop relationships with potential Indigenous job seekers, here are some notable organizations with events: CCIB Conference & Events, First Nations Major Projects Coalition, Indigenomics, Ontario First Nations Economic Development Conference, and Indigenous Prosperity Forum. Leveraging these organizations can help your business or institution support your Indigenous employees.
A key focus is ensuring that programs and services reflect the realities facing Indigenous workers, entrepreneurs, and business owners. This includes rethinking job requirements, fostering inclusive workplaces, and reshaping financial programs to improve access to capital. These lived realities are evident— for example, as of 2015, 15 per cent of Indigenous individuals were unbanked, compared to just 2% of the general population. Educational gaps also remain. The proportion of First Nations (10.4 per cent), Inuit (7.6 per cent), and Métis (18.8 per cent) individuals with a university degree is significantly lower than that of non-Indigenous Canadians, with approximately 37% holding a university degree. Rethinking job requirements that prioritize degrees and reshaping financial programs to support Indigenous entrepreneurs and job seekers is crucial to bridging these gaps. These efforts will help unlock the potential of a growing population eager to contribute to Ontario’s economy through both employment and entrepreneurship. Part 1, “Establishing Equity in Education & Employment for Indigenous Peoples”, highlights the importance of:
Adapting job requirements to use a skills-based assessment approach as potential employees from diverse backgrounds who have all the necessary skills but may not have the typical education requirements.
Creating inclusive workplaces to tackle discrimination by fostering learning and education on the legacy of residential schools and the legacy of colonialism within Canada. · Offering remote work to overcome geographic challenges as more than 60 per cent of First Nations reserves are located in remote or very remote areas in Ontario.
Incorporating Indigenous perspectives into business practices such as including Indigenous leadership in roles that require recognizing and changing policies, procedures or governance that may impact Indigenous employees. In fact, research from the McKinsey Institute demonstrated that diverse companies are 27 per cent more likely to outperform other companies. Further highlighting how incorporating diverse perspectives can propel your businesses competitiveness as well.
In addition to creating inclusive workplaces and modernizing job requirements, Part II “Finance and Capital”, highlights three main themes to advance economic reconciliation through the financial sector:
1. Building Trust and Relationships Creating meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities is key to restoring trust in financial institutions. This can include:
Training staff to build cultural awareness and understanding of Canada’s colonial history.
Hiring Indigenous employees to bring lived experience into the workplace.
Supporting long-term prosperity through Indigenous Trusts, equity investments, and community-led decision-making.
By taking these steps, businesses and financial institutions can ensure their programs and services meet the needs of Indigenous clients.
2. Tailoring Financial Programs Financial programs for Indigenous Peoples should be designed in consultation with Indigenous Peoples and communities to ensure access to the capital needed to start or grow businesses. This includes reshaping lending and risk criteria to reflect the realities of
Indigenous entrepreneurs, who may not have the same credit history or cash flow patterns as others.
3. Building Partnerships Partnering with Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs) is essential. IFIs were created to provide capital for Indigenous entrepreneurs often overlooked by mainstream lenders. Financial institutions can work with IFIs and use Indigenous loan guarantee models to help make financing more accessible, especially in rural and remote communities. These Indigenous loan guarantee models are critical to leverage as they are financed through the federal or the provincial government which can eliminate the risk for lending institutions.
Together, “Establishing Equity in Education & Employment for Indigenous Peoples” and “Finance & Capital” offer a roadmap for businesses, educational institutions, and financial organizations to take meaningful steps toward reconciliation. These reports highlight both sides of the opportunity: helping businesses and educational institutions create inclusive environments, while also supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs and business owners. This is about providing a leg up where it’s needed, unlocking the talent, innovation, and leadership Indigenous Peoples bring to the table.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
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PTBOSpotlight: Bin City Liquidation PTBO
/Welcome to PTBOSpotlight! Every Friday, this segment showcases a business or organization in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the people behind the organization and the work they do for our community.
This week, we are featuring Bin City Liquidation PTBO. The local business is owned by Chloé Boisvenue and Samuel Quesnel.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Located on 2704 Lakefield Rd. Bin City Liquidation PTBO is a bin store offering a wide range of items at heavily discounted prices.
“Bin City Liquidation is a small, family-run business offering a fun, affordable, and ever-changing shopping experience,” said Boisvenue. “We specialize in deeply discounted brand-name products, with new inventory stocked weekly. Our store is centered around bins, where prices drop daily.”
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The store hosted its grand opening on Friday morning, where a huge line gathered to mark the occasion. Peterborough became the third city to have the family-run business open its doors.
“We discovered the bin store concept in the U.S. and immediately saw the potential to bring something unique and exciting to our community,” explained Boisvenue. “We opened our first location in North Bay in 2023, followed by a second in Cornwall and now we’re proud to be opening our third location here in Peterborough.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The store has daily bin deals, including deals of the week. They also offer the following:
Books, phone cases and screen protectors for $2 each
Clothing starting at $10, following the daily price drop
Big ticket items, including furniture and appliances at 30 to 80 per cent off retail
“As a small family business, we take pride in every detail. We’re hands-on, dedicated, and so excited to grow with the Peterborough community. Whether it’s your first visit or your 50th, we can’t wait to welcome you,” said Boisvenue. “We’ve fully committed to making this store a success — our family relocated to the area to open this location and we’re putting everything we have into building something special for the Peterborough community.”
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Open six days a week, Bin City Liquidation PTBO is closed every Thursday to restock their building on Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday morning.
The following are the store’s operating hours:
Monday, Tuesday & Friday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday & Saturday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday: Closed
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“We’re more than just a store — we’re building an experience,” said Boisvenue.” Bin City is a place to explore, save, and have fun doing it.”
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
To learn more about Bin City Liquidation PTBO, find it online:
Website: www.bincityliquidation.ca
Instagram: @bincityliquidation.ptbo
Facebook: Bin City Liquidation - Peterborough
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Voice of Business: Peterborough Is Set For a Record-Breaking Summer
/With summer officially setting in, it’s time to explore the tourism trends and business factors shaping the season ahead.
Could this be Peterborough’s busiest tourism year yet? With more Ontarians opting for staycations and fewer Canadians heading south, local tourism is expected to grow. A key boost comes from the Ontario government’s recent removal of tolls on Highway 407 from Pickering to Highway 35/115, making our region more accessible than ever.
Tourism spending is already on the rise. Between January and July 2024, spending reached $639 million, a 10 per cent increase year over year. If you haven’t already, check out our Lakefield Stay and Play section to discover great local spots for you and your family. This year’s calendar is packed with exciting events, including Musicfest, Nine Ships (a 200th anniversary celebration of Irish immigration to the region), farmers' markets, parades, and more.
Peterborough’s tourism scene hosts an abundance of diverse and vibrant options. From wineries, resorts, hotels, and inns to Indigenous cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, animal attractions, and local cuisine. Add in water sports, gaming, history, and the arts, and music festivals! One major highlight: the Trent-Severn Waterway was named the only Canadian destination on the New York Times’ list of 52 Places to Go in 2025—a proud moment for the entire region.
To support this growing industry, local and provincial partners are stepping up. This past January, the Ontario government announced $20 million over two years to enhance rural connectivity, revitalize downtowns, grow rural businesses, and support the local workforce. These investments will strengthen programming delivered by Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) and the County of Peterborough Tourism Office.
RTO8 plays a key role in building a competitive and sustainable tourism economy. One standout program is the Acceler8 Business Mentorship Program, offering one-on-one coaching to local tourism businesses. This support is open to accommodation providers, retailers, attractions, and food & beverage operators across the City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County. Another strategy by Peterborough County is to promote pre-planned travel packages, making it easier for both visitors and locals to explore the region. These itineraries reduce planning time and encourage more spontaneous trips. Additionally, the County is working to address wayfinding signage across the region. This initiative will help travelers navigate more easily, making local tourism businesses more visible and accessible while enhancing the overall visitor experience. To attract more visitors, RTO8 is running targeted marketing campaigns aimed at audiences in the GTA, Kingston, Ottawa, and Hamilton. These campaigns promote year-round tourism experiences, highlighting all four seasons. Recognizing the power of social media, they’re engaging every demographic—from Instagram-savvy young travelers to Facebook- for families and older adults. Data and technology are also transforming tourism. RTO8 is also using geo-fencing and visitor analytics to uncover new opportunities and tailor strategies to visitor interests. Research into visitor personas shows that the primary tourist type is the “Connected Explorer”, tech-savvy travelers who love sharing their journeys online. Secondary personas include Nature Lovers, Family Memory Builders, and “Tweeniors” (active adults aged 50+). Most visitors fall between the ages of 35–64, with an average age of 46 which provides important insights to tailor existing tourism packages to specific age groups. Nationally, Canada is also encouraging domestic tourism through free or discounted access to iconic attractions, including national parks, museums, and railroads. No pass is needed, just visit a participating location to enjoy the benefits.
Your local Chamber of Commerce is also doing its part by hosting Tourism Talks—forums where tourism-related businesses can share feedback, voice challenges, and influence local strategies. These sessions help ensure that plans developed by the County and RTO8 reflect the needs of the sector.
Finally, it’s exciting to see the City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, and RTO8 working together with such a strategic and targeted approach. With more Canadians choosing to explore their own backyard, Peterborough’s accessibility by car, boat, bike, or paddle makes it an ideal destination. With all the momentum, 2025 could be a record-breaking year for local tourism and our community.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
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PTBOSpotlight: Shop the Lake
/Welcome to PTBOSpotlight! Every Friday, this segment showcases a business or organization in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the people behind the organization and the work they do for our community.
This week, we are featuring Shop the Lake. The local business is owned Niki and Jason Pulchinski.
Shop the Lake is a patio furniture and lifestyle store in Peterborough, located at 1525 Chemong Rd.
“Shop The Lake offers a great selection of outdoor furniture and shade solutions for homes, cottages and businesses,” said Denise Gater, Shop The Lake’s head buyer and design director. “We have many suppliers and price points with both in stock and special-order options. Our knowledgeable staff can help customers make the best selection for their particular space taking style and functionality into consideration. We offer a complimentary design service for those requiring extra help planning a new build project or refresh of a current space.”
Gater says the store is unique as Shop The Lake is the only dedicated outdoor furniture store in the area.
“Niki and Jason Pulchinski purchased the building to house their other businesses and decided before taking possession that they would open an outdoor furniture retail business as there had been one at the location for over 20 years,” she explained. They renovated and updated the showroom and added an outdoor space to display the beautiful products that are offered.”
Even though patios are seasonal, that does not slow down Shop the Lake as they get creative and festive during the holidays.
“When patio season winds down, Shop The Lake becomes a beautifully curated Christmas Boutique showcasing decorations, décor, gifts and treats,” said Gater. “The highlight is the arrival of hundreds of beautiful live Christmas trees delivered fresh from Nova Scotia.”
Whether you live in the city, at the cottage, in a condo or a family home, Shop the Lake offers furniture suited to your lifestyle.
“Our goal is to provide the best quality outdoor furniture, shade solutions and accessories at the best value with excellent product knowledge and personal service,” concluded Gater.
To learn more about Shop the Lake, find it online:
Website: www.shopthelake.ca
Instagram: @shopthelake
Facebook: Shop the Lake
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PTBOSpotlight: Avant-Garden Shop
/Welcome to PTBOSpotlight! Every Friday, this segment showcases a business or organization in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the people behind the organization and the work they do for our community.
This week, we are featuring the Avant-Garden Shop. First opened in 2002 on George Street by Brenda Ibey and a business partner, the business relocated to Sherbrooke Street in 2006. Ibey assumed full ownership in 2007.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Located at 165 Sherbrooke St. in Peterborough, the shop specializes in gardening, birding and Canadian-made gifts.
“We sell gardening tools, outdoor wall décor as well as bird feeders, bird food and pole systems,” said Ibey. “Over the years, we have gathered a large collection of beautiful works from various local and Canadian artists. These items include quirky garden art, cards, wind chimes, soaps, coasters, pewter, concrete sculptures and a large selection of wall art.”
Ibey says she prides her shop on keeping a majority of items Canadian in her store.
“Products come from just about every province: Ontario, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta. In addition, some items come from the USA and others are fair trade,” she explained. “Canadian-made, fair trade and an eye to high quality are what make the Avant-Garden Shop a very popular gift shop in the region.”
Avant-Garden Shop has won several awards over the years including Wild Bird Store of the Year in 2021, Best Retail Business (non-chain) by the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards in 201 and Ibey was named Business Woman of the Year by the Chamber in 2022 to name a few.
Ibey credits her dedication to her customers from herself and her staff to ensure they get the best shopping experience possible.
“Customers are number one. We go out of our way to help customers. The store is set up to make it easy and comfortable to shop and browse the many items available,” she explained. “We feel it’s important to share the story of the artists. They work hard and deserve recognition”
Ibey is always seeking out new products for the store to keep the product line fresh for customers. Building a relationship with every one helps in connecting them with what their needs and wants could be.
“We have become very well acquainted with our customers. We have celebrated relationships, births, weddings and also mourned with customers after losses,” she said. “We have become friends with many of their customers and have developed lasting friendships. The Avant-Garden Shop aims to please and the customers can see and feel that.”
To learn more about Avant-Garden Shop, find it online:
Website: www.avantgardenshop.com
Instagram: @avantgardenshop
Facebook: Avant-Garden Shop
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Voice of Business: A United Canadian Economy
/Welcome back to this week’s Voice of Business. These past few months have been intense for businesses, with grand uncertainty and rising costs. We do not know what to expect; any day could bring a new tariff, complicating supply chains and squeezing margins. Despite this, the Government of Canada has taken important steps to address long-standing interprovincial trade barriers that hinder growth and add unnecessary administrative burdens.
This week’s VOB will unpack what to expect from this legislation and, more importantly, how it could impact local businesses. Bill C-5 aims to create one Canadian economy out of 13 by removing federal barriers to internal trade. The first key measure in Bill C-5 establishes equivalency for provincial standards on goods and services. This means that goods or services produced, used, or distributed according to a province or territory’s standards would automatically meet the equivalent federal requirements. In the past, businesses had to navigate overlapping or conflicting federal and provincial regulations, which led to extra costs for businesses.
The second major measure would federally recognize occupational certifications and titles authorized by provinces and territories. This is significant for sectors facing skilled labour shortages. For example, an Alberta-certified electrician could work in Ontario without going through a separate federal certification process. This change helps businesses fill vacancies faster and allows workers to move more freely where opportunities are available, whether it’s trades, health care, or professional services. For local businesses, this means easier recruitment and a wider pool of qualified candidates.
With the federal government mirroring the authorization of products, services, and credentials, businesses would be able to access broader markets across Canada. Instead of facing a patchwork of different rules in each province, a business in Peterborough could now more easily sell to customers in British Columbia, Quebec, or Nova Scotia, without needing to re-certify or re-test products. This opens the door to increased sales, market expansion, and opportunities to diversify revenue streams.
As noted, many provinces are already working on memoranda of understanding with the federal government to align their standards and streamline trade. They should also review their own compliance processes to identify areas where they might now benefit from these equivalencies, for example, labelling, packaging, or equipment certifications.
Deviating from these past regulations means that businesses will face fewer hurdles to navigate, freeing up time and money that would otherwise go to regulatory compliance.
This can be especially helpful for small and medium-sized businesses, which often lack the resources to manage complex approval processes.
While businesses stand to benefit from reduced trade barriers, Bill C-5 also addresses nation-building projects major infrastructure, energy, and economic initiatives with national significance. Under the new legislation, such projects would undergo a single, harmonized approval process, with a target timeline of two years to secure final approval. This creates predictability for businesses and investors, helping them plan and execute major projects more effectively.
Importantly, the legislation also implements meaningful consultation with Indigenous peoples during the process of determining which projects are in the national interest and setting conditions for approval. This ensures that while processes are streamlined, Indigenous rights and interests remain a core part of project development—a key consideration for any business involved in infrastructure or natural resources.
While these measures will strengthen Canada’s internal economy, it’s important to note that they won’t alleviate all the trade challenges with our largest trading partner, the United States. In 2023, about $532 billion worth of goods and services moved between provinces and territories, while annual two-way trade with the U.S. exceeded $1 trillion. This means that while the domestic market offers significant growth potential, businesses must continue to navigate cross-border issues such as tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory differences.
Finally, this legislation is expected to have positive effects from east to west and north to south. Eliminating barriers at both the federal and provincial levels is estimated to add up to $200 billion to the Canadian economy, unlocking opportunities for businesses in every region, from manufacturers and service providers in urban centers to small businesses and resource industries in remote areas. This is a significant step toward building a more dynamic, competitive, and integrated national economy.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
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PTBOSpotlight: Griffin’s Greenhouses
/Welcome to PTBOSpotlight! Every Friday, this segment showcases a business or organization in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the people behind the organization and the work they do for our community.
This week, we are featuring Griffin’s Greenhouses. Started in 1976 by Ann and Jack Griffin, the business began as a seasonal greenhouse at their home.
Located at 3026 Lakefield Rd. in Selwyn, the business has spanned three generations working at the greenhouse, serving Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
“We are a retail garden centre specializing in annuals, perennials and container gardening. We grow 75 per cent of the product we sell, sourcing the rest from Ontario growers,” said Vikki Whitney, Griffin’s Greenhouse owner. “We offer great advice from many, many years of accumulated experience. Everyone on staff is a gardener themselves so they have great personal experiences to share and do freely with all who visit. Our award-winning display garden is free to wander and offers inspiration and a place to sit, relax and enjoy the natural beauty.”
Photo courtesy of Griffin’s Greenhouses.
While Ann primarily worked on the business, her children, Vikki and Kyle, with other family members, helped out as needed. In the early days, her husband, Jack, also assisted on weekends.
“Our mom, Ann, started the business as a way to stay at home with the kids and offer a little extra income to the family,” explained Whitney. “Her parents, immigrants from the Netherlands, owned ‘Parkhill Nurseries’ a garden centre in Peterborough so Ann also grew up in ‘the biz.’”
Photo courtesy of Griffin’s Greenhouses.
As demand grew, Jack retired from sporting goods sales and began working in their greenhouse business with a few hired hands. This expanded the season to include Fall plant offerings and Winter décor.
As the business grew, more family members came in to help.
“In 2001, after eight years of teaching secondary school in Belleville, I returned back to the area with my husband and very young children and began managing the expanding business,” said Whitney. “I added in seasonal workshops, informative seminars and increased the staff over the years. Kyle left his job as a local photo journalist and became the greenhouse manager, overseeing all of the aspects of growing the plants.”
Robin, Kyle’s wife, joined in 2020 to manage the Barn Store and showcase her merchandising skills, while Darryl, Vikki’s husband, became our Office Manager after he retired from his education career. Four more grandchildren, Ben, Olivia, Jake and Mitchell, help out during the school break.
This year, Griffin’s Greenhouses is celebrating its 49th year in business. Whitney says that the business’s customer service and community involvement helped contribute to their success.
“Our personal connection to our community is very important to us and is valued by our customer base. We share our knowledge freely, deliver product to individual homes (when needed) and usually, tour their garden when there,” said Whitney. “We donate to important causes in our community, employ local staff, offer informative workshops and seminars and speak at events locally and throughout the province.”
Photo courtesy of Griffin’s Greenhouses.
To learn more about Griffin’s Greenhouses, find them online:
Website: griffinsgreenhouses.com
Instagram: @griffinsgreenhouses
Facebook: Griffin’s Greenhouses
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.
PTBOSpotlight: Restwell Upholstery
/Welcome to PTBOSpolight! Every Friday, this segment showcases a business or organization in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the people behind the organization and the work they do for our community.
This week, we are featuring Restwell Upholstery. A community staple for 80 years, founded in 1945 by the Petlz brothers, Bill, Bob and Ron.
Mentored by their father, Harold, each brother brought their strengths - bookkeeping, sales, sewing and upholstery. They began at their original location on Simcoe Street but as demand increased, the shop moved to what was then a quiet dirt road in Downer's Corners. Eventually, they expanded to a two-story facility and a team of 15 by the early 1990s.
The business was purchased by Kerri and Randy Rogers in 2008 and has been run by them for 17 years. Located at 494 The Parkway, Restwell is a custom upholstery business with many services under one roof including residential furniture, antiques, commercial seating, recreational items, window treatments, fabric, vinyl, leather, foam and DIY supplies.
“We have continued the core principles of the Peltz family of expert service, quality and selection since we took over in 2008,” explained Kerri. “We still use many of the original upholstery and fabric supply companies that they utilized and have added even more with 25 companies from around the world at our fingertips.”
In 2013, moved from the corner of Lansdowne Street and Ashburnham Road to a larger space on The Parkway. The move allowed for more space, additional staff, and extra space to keep up with demand and expand services.
“We are proud of our team that works very hard every day using their hands on skills to bring you the best result, comfort and style,” said Kerri. “We believe our business is special because we are small enough to give personal service and large enough to have multiple skilled staff to accommodate larger, challenging items and problem solving and communicating effectively.”
They work with durable, high-quality materials, offer expert advice and treat each project with the same care we’d give their furniture. Whether you’re working on a family heirloom or a custom commercial space, you can expect exceptional results.
“A few of my favourite parts of my job are seeing the total transformations - from the before to the after - on some pieces are quite dramatic,” explained Kerri. “Also, keeping family heirloom pieces living their next life is quite fulfilling. I also love seeing the new material samples when they come in and finding the perfect fabric for a customer's piece.”
