PTBOPics: Menchie's Frozen Yogurt Franchise Going In At Former Ming's Location

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The "Coming Soon" banner just went up Wednesday (July 31st) at 554 Lansdowne Street W., the former location of Ming's. For more on Menchie's, go to the The Peterborough Menchie's Facebook page.

To apply to work there, email your resume here.  

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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DBIA Featured Post: John Roberts Clothiers

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John and Gail Martin, owners of John Roberts Clothiers, live by the motto that “a sale is never really made until the customer comes back again.” Locally owned and operated by the couple, and in its current location since July 1992, John Roberts has been a forever evolving staple in the downtown fashion community.

Located at the corner of Charlotte and George St (371 George St N.), the store has been the source of specialty fashion that ranges from high end to every day casual wear that the owners and employees are proud to sell.

The staff at John Roberts aims to make customer service their No. 1 priority. Their goal is to build a trusting relationship with clients to keep them coming back. They aren’t in the business simply looking for quick one-and-done sales.

In 2007, the store underwent quite a large renovation to add space which provided an opportunity to bring in more upscale lines. They currently carry such trusted brands as Hugo Boss, Alberto Pants, Robert Graham, Michael Kors and Jag Jeans. Much of what they offer is exclusive to them in our great city.

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People are often very surprised to see a store like theirs in the community with as much selection as they have to offer. With the added space, they are able to carry everything from men's suits, polos, shorts and casual pants to women's wear such as dresses, blouses, pants, and even accessories to finish off a look just right.

The beauty of locally owned and operated stores like John Roberts is that you get to meet owners such as John and Gail inside the actual store. John Roberts is their life and passion, and they do everything from buying the products behind the scenes, to working on the floor assisting customers, to even cleaning up after hours. Along with their trusted staff, including Jayne and Rob, they want you to feel right when you leave the store and never second guess yourself.

John and Gail love downtown Peterborough and wouldn’t want to be located anywhere else. They love the curb side appeal and creative minds that they see every day running shops everywhere in the area.

Both Gail and John are heavily involved in the community with John being on the current DBIA events committee, while they both are involved in the local lacrosse and figure skating scenes. They have happily been involved with many local charities such as Easter Seals and believe that giving back to the community that they work in is what helps it thrive.

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For more on John Roberts (371 George St N.), go to:

Website: Johnroberts.ca
Twitter: @JohnRobertsPTBO
Phone: (705) 748-5212

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

—By Aaron Elliott

DBIA Featured Post: Chasing The Cheese

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The beauty of locally owned businesses in downtown Peterborough is that upon entering them, you can literally sense the passion. At Chasing The Cheese, located at 372 Water Street, you can actually taste it!  Locally owned and operated by Julie Austin, Chasing The Cheese has been tempting taste buds since October 1st, 2010 in its current location.

Julie has always had a passion for cheese and has acquired a background in business through both education and work. Realizing it was difficult to find a variety of good cheese in Peterborough, she saw an opportunity and went for it.  She decided to attend the Cheese Education Guild (yes, that really does exist) to enrol in Cheese Appreciation courses; with this newfound knowledge, she began her business.

Chasing The Cheese is a cheese lover’s paradise. The store, which began with a modest selection of 50 different cheeses, has grown to hold over 300, including some of the tastiest cheeses this world has ever known. Here you can find gooey triple creams, sharp and crumbly aged cheddars, pungent stinkers and beautiful blues. 

While Julie carries many of the notable and familiar European offerings, her main goal is to introduce your palette to some of the lesser-known Canadian and local gems, which include cheeses from local dairies such as Crosswind Farms in Keene and Mariposa in Lindsay.

Aside from the plentiful variety of available cheeses, Julie also boasts a wide selection of crackers, bread, oils, vinegars, pasta, and even artisanal bacon from Seed to Sausage of Sharbot Lake.

Julie is proud of what the shop has to offer, and employs a staff which shares her passion. Noella, Judy, and Nicole are eager to tailor the shopping experience to each customer’s needs. Julie has a “taste before you buy” motto, and will happily cater to any budget. The aim is to make the customer’s experiences as uncomplicated as possible, as choosing a cheese can be a daunting task when faced with so much variety!

Julie is thrilled to be a part of downtown Peterborough because of the friendly atmosphere, and the supportive relationships that exist between shop owners.  Chasing The Cheese is a proud supplier to downtown restaurants Le Petit Bar, Brio Gusto and St. Veronus.

Prearranged private or group tastings, custom gift baskets by request, gift cards, and pre-orders for future events and occasions are all available. To top it all off, the shop also sells local art. With such a vast selection, Chasing the Cheese has something for every taste. Julie and her staff extend a warm welcome to you. Stop in and give them a try. There truly is no other experience like it in the Peterborough area!

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For more on Chasing The Cheese (372 Water Street), go to:

Website: Chasingthecheese.com 
Twitter: @CheeseNymphs
Facebook: Chase The Cheese

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

—By Aaron Elliott

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada or Like us on Facebook.

DBIA Featured Post: The Black Horse Pub

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Peterborough is well known as a city that has a pub for just about everyone. So opening new in the downtown core can be a chore when looking to carve out a niche. When Ray Kapoor opened The Black Horse Pub in August 2005, he knew exactly what he was aiming for. He wanted to see a British style establishment that has a specialized curry flare to capture his background.

That idea worked right away and has made the Black Horse a go-to destination for pub lovers in our community since then.

While the pub is geared towards a middle aged and up crowd, it caters to everyone with its extensive menu and music. With a great music stage set up towards the front of the spacious setting, the pub offers live local music 7 days a week, making it an entertainment hot spot!

Celebrating its anniversary on August 25th with a big party planned, the Black Horse plans to mark both its history and the loyal customers that have become like family.

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Located at 452 George St N., the pub is a little out of the way from the rest of many establishments in downtown, but Ray enjoys that. He knows that when people come, it's not because they've stumbled upon it but because they're looking for it.

With its large menu of locally sourced food that is all made in house and its unlimited drink menu, the Black Horse has become a bit of a magnet. Known for its curry dishes and house favorite Steak and Kidney Pie, people don't just come for a drink but for a feast as well.

The Pub is open 364 days a year and opens at 11 a.m. daily. It proudly celebrates St Patrick's Day and Canada Day, with special events and music keeping locals always in mind.

Ray and his staff are happy to support local business and charities, while also showing off an extensive art collection. The famous Roy Studio Collection is featured on many of its walls while well known local artist George Elliott (note: the father of the author of this post) also has his work displayed.

If you're looking for a quick bite to eat, or a good old fashioned night on the town with entertainment and food all in one establishment, then the Black Horse Pub is what you're looking for!

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For more on The Black Horse Pub (452 George St. N.), go to:

Website: Blackhorsepub.ca
Phone:
705.742.0633

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

—By Aaron Elliott

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada or Like us on Facebook.

Peterborough's 7-Eleven Closes Before Free Slurpee Day

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Every July 11th is 7-Eleven's Free Slurpee Day—except not this year in Peterborough, where they recently closed the only 7-Eleven store in town, disappointing kids (and adults) city-wide. The next closest store is in Bowmanville if you want your free Slurpee that bad (UPDATE: According to a commenter in our comments section, that one is closed now, too. So maybe Oshawa?)

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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It's A Circus On George Street

Vintage home furnishing shop Circus is adding a second location, opening a store at at 382 George Street North oriented to an industrial and mid-century vibe. Their first location is at 481 Aylmer Street. The George St. store is slated to open mid-July.

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 [Circus Facebook page]

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New Dollarama Location To Open In Peterborough

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A third Dollarama location in Peterborough will be opening sometime soon in the Willowcreek Plaza on Lansdowne Street East. No word on an opening date as of yet but if you wish to apply, you can fax your resume to 705.749.2935.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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DBIA Featured Post: Curry Village

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If you’re looking for an Indian food experience in the city of Peterborough that offers dishes for every palate, Curry Village is your destination. With dishes ranging from very mild to extremely hot, the restaurant caters to absolutely every range of flavour.

Mohammed Islam is one of the most engaging owners you will meet in this town. He realizes that not everyone can handle Indian cuisine, which is why he has created a menu that offers a little bit of everything. With the decision to broaden their menu, he has helped the restaurant become one of the longest serving in the downtown core. Indeed, later this summer, Curry Village will be celebrating its 19th year in the heart of our city at 306 George St N.

When you enter the friendly confines of Curry Village, you almost enter a different world. Mr. Islam wants to create a real Indian experience for his customers, who he says are very loyal. From place settings to statues and art work to music, you know the restaurant has gone all out to expose people to the culture they cook for.

As noted, Curry Village has an extensive menu. From mild to medium to hot, the top flight chefs can create any flavour the taste buds desire. They have vegetable dishes to go along with plates derived from all areas of the country. As a suggestion, the Apple Chicken Curry and Mushroom Biryanys are can’t miss choices.

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Curry Village is renowned, with recommendations that have come in from publications such as the The Globe and Mail, The New York Times and Toronto Life. Mr. Islam is proud of these recommendations but is more focused on his local community than anything else. The restaurant has been in the same location for almost two decades now and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

The restaurant is happy to have taken part in the Taste of Downtown celebration this year, as well as offering its cuisine at the very successful Canada Day Multicultural event at Del Crary Park—which he believes broadened his customer base by offering his food to people who have never tried it before.

Curry Village prospering for 19 years is a testament to its importance and presence in the downtown. If you haven’t had the experience of eating there yet, we highly suggest you do!

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For more on Curry Village (306 George St. N.), go to:

Website: Trycurryvillage.net

Phone: 704-742-1432

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

—By Aaron Elliott


DBIA Featured Post: Gentry Apparel

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Looking back over the years at the history of Peterborough’s downtown, there have been few stores that have been as constant as Gentry Apparel. Located at 377 George St N., Gentry has the type of longevity that most stores can only dream of with over 37 years of experience at various locations in the downtown core.

Locally operated and owned (including the building) by Delor Damiany, Gentry is a high-end clothing authority in the community. The staff, including Delor's son Andrew and longtime employee Brian Hamilton, have been operating out of the current storefront location on George St. for just over two years now (prior to that, they were in Peterborough Square) and bring exclusive formal/business wear and great casual clothing to our community with an attempt to be as “Made in Canada” as possible.

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The store offers a little bit of everything in a new laid back setting that is absolutely welcoming from their great open concept view onto George St. in Peterborough’s Fashion District.

Carrying trusted brand names such as Nautica, Olsen Europe, and Coppley, the store carries a combination of both mens and ladies wear. From suits and sport coats to casual polo shirts, hand bags, classic hats, and shoes, Gentry can have you dressed from head to toe for your next big event.

In the past, the store has taken part in local charity fashion shows and has been a part of the Festival of Trees. They are truly invested in the city’s downtown core and plan to be a mainstay for years to come.

The goal of Gentry is to offer its customers an experience found nowhere else. With specially trained staff that have an eye for custom fashion tailored to suit just about anybody, what you will end up walking away with is a product that is a step above the competition. If you want a product that is going to last, look great while you’re wearing it and perform up to standards, this is the store you should be looking to.

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For more on Gentry Apparel (377 George St N.), go to:

Website: Gentryapparel.ca

Phone: 705-743-9242

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

—By Aaron Elliott


PTBOPics: Inside The 7-Eleven Store That Is Closing On Brealey Dr.

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The 7-Eleven is slated to close by the end of this month, which means almost everything in the store is on sale. If you haven't visited yet, there isn't much left but pop and candy.

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[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada or Like us on Facebook.