Silver Bean #TweetUp On The Water!

Our DBIA featured business of the week, Silver Bean, opens today for the season. To top it off, there is a #BeanUP from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m and they now carry Kawartha Dairy Ice cream!

"@michelleatfoca: May 1st is now officially my favourite day of the year: @silverbeancafe and @ptbowedmarket both open today!" Yeah!!!

— Silver Bean Cafe (@silverbeancafe) May 1, 2013

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Middle Eastern Restaurant Ariyana Opens In Peterborough

Peterborough now offers a taste of Afghanistan, as Ariyana has opened at 396 George St. (George & Hunter). Go check it out.

[pics via @maryammonsef]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada (hashtag #bethechangeptbo) or Like us on Facebook.

DBIA Featured Post: Silver Bean Café

Located in Millennium Park along the Otonabee River just off the intersection of King and Water in downtown Peterborough, the Silver Bean Café (100 King St.) is known as “Your waterfront cottage in the city”. Owned and operated by Andrea and Michael Vanderherberg (parents of 1 1/2 yr old son William, pictured below being held by Andrea), and along with 10 staff, the Silver Bean has become a sort of community hub and gathering spot for locals to sit back and enjoy great fare and company along the river.

Purchased in 2003 by Andrea, the café has recently acquired a 10-year contract with the City of Peterborough at their location. By doing this long-term lease, it has encouraged them to upgrade and expand their products—most recently, they put in an ice-cream parlour based on a survey they put out last season asking their customers what they wanted.

They offer a wide variety of quality food, which is locally sourced as much as possible, from simple sandwiches and salads to great espressos and other drinks—all of which can be viewed on their website.

They gladly host baby showers, birthday parties, weddings and theatrical events, and are open for business during Ribfest and the Purple Onion Festival. They aim to please and to make customer's experiences memorable. The Silver Bean Café opens for the season on May 1st, so head on down to discover this secluded gem in the heart of downtown Peterborough.
 

For more on The Silver Bean Café (100 King St.), go to:
Silverbeancafe.com
@silverbeancafe on Twitter
Facebook page
Phone: 705.749.0535
Email: andrea@silverbeancafe.com

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

—By Aaron Elliott

PTBOPics & Coverage: Bears' Lair 2013 At Market Hall

The four Bears' Lair finalists faced the Bears last night (April 23rd) at Market Hall. The Bears consisted of Carlos Oliveira from Operitel Corporation; Mike Selby, a small business advisor for TD Canada Trust; and Erica Cherney of Cherney Realty.

The entrants were...

—Natasha Roulston of Creative Legacy, who creates video biographies so that future generations can learn more about members of their family who may have passed away and the stories they would like to share.

—Calista Stephens, who is the owner and operator of The First Element Day Spa in Harwood, Ontario, which focuses on natural healing and relaxation.

—Dave and Vicky Kilner of Nature's Listen Inn, a bird feeder that wirelessly sends the sounds of the birds at the feeder to a speaker in your home.

—Janet Howes from The Work of Art, which is a unique art package that includes art and art supplies for people who have dementia.

Each contestant had 15 minutes to make their pitch, as monitored by MC Mike Melnik.

While the Bears went back to their lair to determine the winner, guest speaker Rick Spence dispensed great advice, including that the customer dictates the product, make sure to hire and keep the right people, and find your correct pricing.

When the Bears came back after looking over each contestant's business plan, they announced that Janet Howes from The Work of Art had won. Janet wins a prize package of cash and business services to help her get her business off and running.

The event was organized by Workplace Development Board and co-chaired by Amy Simpson, & Sofie Andreou. You can follow Bears' Lair on Facebook and Twitter.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada (hashtag #bethechangeptbo) or Like us on Facebook.

DBIA Featured Post: The Pita Pit

Locally owned and operated by Doug Fisher, The Pita Pit (347 George St N) has been a mainstay in Peterborough’s downtown core for just over 16 years now, having opened on April 4th, 1997.

The goal of the Pita Pit is to offer a friendly environment that serves a healthy fast food alternative for people on the go. They are proud to be part of a vibrant, bustling and ever changing downtown.

The Pita Pit is always happy to be involved in the community and takes part in many local events such as the yearly Taste of Downtown, as well as selling their product at Wakestock on Little Lake.

Recently, the business entered the catering market and provides great meals for luncheons and meetings, a side of the business which has really taken off for them. They have also set up an Elementary School lunch program which offers kids relatively inexpensive healthy meal choices when offered. The Pita Pit is also happy to offer intermittent customer appreciation days, with great deals on product which usually pop up unannounced. These days are well appreciated by their customers.

For more on The Pita Pit, go to Pitapit.com or call 705-745-9119. They are located at 347 George St N.

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

—By Aaron Elliott

Watch: FireHouse Gourmet Celebrating 7 Years in Peterborough

FireHouse Gourmet will be celebrating their 7th anniversary in East City on April 18th. Be sure to drop into the store that day for some festivities (and to sample their vast selection of hotsauces). And watch our interview with owners David and Anna below...

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada (hashtag #bethechangeptbo) or Like us on Facebook.

The Bargain Shop Closes Up Shop At Brookdale Plaza

The Bargain Shop retail outlet in Brookdale Plaza is closing its doors. As CHEX TV reported last week, 64 Bargain Shop stores are closing over the next few months. Drop in now for liquidation prices on remaining stock.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada (hashtag #bethechangeptbo) or Like us on Facebook.

PetSmart Is On Its Way To Peterborough (And They're Hiring)

You might have spotted the new building under construction beside XS Cargo on Monaghan Road (898 Monaghan Road)—well that will soon be home to PetSmart, opening June 1st. If you're looking for a job, be sure to check out their employment opportunities.

What does a PetSmart offer? Here are some photos from PetSmart Whitby...

Wet and dry dog and cat food

Fish, reptiles, birds, cages and tanks

Grooming and pet adoption centres

Pet training courses, and overnight boarding

Water for everyone

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris and Evan Holt]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada (hashtag #bethechangeptbo) or Like us on Facebook.

What's Open & Closed This Easter Long Weekend

With excitement, we welcome a long weekend ahead filled with family, friends, good food and hopefully warmer temperatures. Along with all that, we always have that nagging dilemma wondering—what's open and closed?

Here is a quick rundown of what we could find... please contact us if you have something we can add to the list!

Friday, March 29th

Garbage/Recycling will not be picked up! Is this your day it will move to Monday, April 1st?

City Hall - CLOSED

Peterborough Public Library - CLOSED

Art Gallery of Peterborough - CLOSED

Canadian Canoe Museum - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre - 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

YMCA - 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Play Street Indoor Playground - 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Peterborough Transit Service - CLOSED

Chapters/Starbucks - CLOSED

Peterborough Social Services - CLOSED

Peterborough Museum and Archives - CLOSED

Lansdowne Place - CLOSED

Charlotte Pantry -  6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Sunday, March 31st

Peterborough Transit Services - Regular Schedule

Peterborough Public Library - CLOSED

Chapters/Starbucks - CLOSED

Peterborough Social Services - CLOSED

Peterborough Museum and Archives - Noon - 5 p.m.

Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre - 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Play Street Indoor Playground - 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

YMCA - 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Lansdowne Place - CLOSED

Charlotte Pantry -  8:00 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Monday, April 1st

Peterborough Transit Service - Regular Schedule

Peterborough Public Library - CLOSED

Peterborough Social Services - CLOSED

Peterborough Museum and Archives - Noon - 5 p.m.

Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre - Regular Hours

@ptbo_canada @24sevenfamgym is open all wknd to members! And only a phone call away for anyone else to have a day pass or join! 705-868-3167

— 24 Seven Family Gym (@24SevenFamGym) March 29, 2013

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