DBIA Featured Post: Shish-Kabob Hut

Don Vassiliadis is a community minded man through and through. As the 2nd generation owner of the Shish-Kabob Hut, located at 220 King St. in downtown Peterborough, he realizes that in order for his business to continuously be successful he has to know the needs of the community and customers he is surrounded by daily.

The restaurant, which originally opened in 1976, has been in its current location since 1994. Its 19 year anniversary is being celebrated this month (August) and he is very proud of being in business this long. Unless you’re a city historian, you probably wouldn’t guess that the current location he's in was originally a car garage when first built.

Serving Greek food at its finest, the menu touches on many traditional favourites from various Souvlaki dishes to Shish-Kabob and Pita Bread platters covering a massive array of meat options. To cover a vegetarian customer base as well, they offer great soups and salads and many out-of-this-world cheese influenced choices. Dishes that are a can’t-miss are the Tigania (a spicy stir-fry masterpiece) and the Hot Peppers and Feta, which is requested more than most of the restaurants options.

Don and his excellent staff know that great food is only one part of the entire experience and they try to create an unforgettable experience from beginning to end. The atmosphere inside is very vibrant and will keep you on the edge of your seat as soon as you get seated!

The Shish-Kabob Hut has been involved in many community events such as the Taste of Downtown and more recently Rib Fest. Don and his crew brought a local flavour to the event, which was well received by lovers of local business. The restaurant was even featured on You Gotta Eat Here in an episode that is still in heavy rotation on Food Network Canada.

Out of the original restaurant business has spawned two other ventures: a catering company and a party rental business as well. In 2010, for example, the business was responsible for catering the Dragon Boat Festival Gala and it also catered the Chiefs of Police Dinner when it was hosted in Peterborough earlier this year.

Always wanting to learn more about his community has kept Don very busy outside of its operating hours. He has been involved with the DBIA Marketing Committee, was the Chair of the United Way, and has also worked with Showplace and Crime Stoppers in various capacities.

One of Don’s favourite activities outside of the restaurant are the cooking classes he has offered to those who might never get the experience of one, as well as working with the YWCA’s Nourish Peterborough.

Don is truly entrenched in downtown Peterborough and wants to see success in every facet. His personality is unmatched and his dedication shines through in his restaurant. If you haven’t been inside its walls, we suggest you experience it as soon as possible!

For more on Shisk-Kabob Hut (220 King St.), go to:
Website: Skhpeterborough.com
Twitter: @skhptbo
FB: Shish-Kabob Facebook page

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

—By Aaron Elliott

Upcoming 30 Craft Market Looking for Artisans

On September 13th, the 30 Craft Market will be taking place at the Peterborough Public Library. They are still looking for artisans and crafters that would like to be included in the event. A booth is only $10! Check the website for more details and contact information or you can call them at 705.760.3933.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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John Dewar's Autosource Is Moving Into Old Kawartha Chrysler Location

John Dewar's Autosource, currently located at 1838 Ashburnham Road, is relocating to the former Kawartha Chrysler lot on 1175 Lansdowne St West. They are moving in Thursday (August 15th) and depending on how things go should be open for business later that day or by Friday.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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The Business Beat With Stu Harrison

THE CRATE ESCAPE
The Crate Escape is a new professional dog walking and care service. Owner Cheri Anderson offers a variety of services from a 30 minute walk and play from your home, filling water or food, to an in-home play date or visit for puppies, geriatric, convalescing, or post surgery dogs. Check out her great blog at thecrateescapeptbo.com, call 705-772-1787 or find her on Facebook/crateescapePTBO and Twitter @crateescapePTBO.
 
GEAR IT UP CYCLING
Sue Naulls is offering a wide range of regional cycling adventures with her new company Gear it Up Cycling. There are experiential tours, skills building clinics, educational tours and the Sprokids program. If your bike ride is missing a Fine Art, Wine and Cheese Tour, a Hunting and Fishing Tour, or a Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt, then check out gearitupontario.com.

ELEMENT ECOLOGICAL
Element Ecological is Amanda Newell’s new business. Amanda specializes in edible gardens and conservation projects including planning and planting, habitat, maintenance, raised beds and ecological monitoring. Amanda is a graduate of Waterloo’s Environmental Studies and Biology programs and can bring her extensive experience to your balcony or back 40. For a complimentary consultation, call 705-930-3169 or visit elementecological.com.
 
ADAPTIVE HEALTH CARE SOLUTIONS
Peterborough’s newest health clinic Adaptive Health Care Solutions recently opened at 150 O’Carroll Avenue. Owners Jordan Crane, Fergal O’Hagan, Kathy McInnis and Keith Nelson provide rehabilitation, physiotherapy, massage therapy, kinesiology, workplace injury prevention, medicine consultations and homeopathic medicine. For more information, call 705-874-1221 ext 30.

Stu

To submit your new business to Stu's "The Business Beat", click here.  

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Play It Again Sports Has Closed

Play It Again Sports, which was located at 1135 Lansdowne Street West, has closed its doors for good. 

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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DBIA Featured Post: The Speak Easy Cafe

Known for having the fastest breakfast in town, The Speak Easy Cafe is downtown Peterborough’s go-to all day breakfast restaurant. Located at 362 George St N on the always busy corner of Simcoe St and George St, the cafe offers a little bit of something for everybody.

Featuring an all-day breakfast, but not limited to that, Speak Easy offers a large selection of customer pleasing dishes. From burgers, wraps and soups, to salads, specialty omelettes and their famous toasted western sandwich, The Speak Easy has been bringing back loyal customers now for more than three years.

Locally owned and operated by Vickie Karikas and Roger Sargent, the cafe has an atmosphere like no other in the city, featuring a 1930s feel loaded with gangster imagery. Their wonderful staff help add to a restaurant that feels just like home from the moment you walk in the door.

Offering fresh and truly homemade food, Speak Easy has options for everyone— featuring many vegetarian options. Sourcing as many local ingredients as they can, the cafe always has specials running, proudly drawing in different crowds. Their student special has always been a hit, especially with Trent and Fleming students who live in the downtown area.

Based on its prime location at one of Peterborough’s busiest intersections, the cafe is able to always help advertise downtown events. Vickie and Roger realize that helping spread the word on local events is not only good for business but for downtown as a whole. They always happily help fundraise as well.

They wouldn’t want to be located in any other area in the city because they love the vibrancy that their area has to offer with so many great locally operated restaurants and shops in every direction.

Open 7 days a week, and offering all meals from breakfast to dinner, The Speak Easy Cafe has become an integral part of our downtown. If you’re looking for a break from your everyday meal selection, we suggest you walk in and give them a try. You could very well become one of their newest loyal customers.

For more on Speak Easy (362 George St. N), go to:

Phone: 705.749.9589 
Facebook: Speak Easy

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

—By Aaron Elliott

Chalk Talk: Mayor Daryl Bennett

PtboCanada's Chalk Talk is a snapshot of people's favourite thing about Peterborough. Watch for us around town as we would like to feature your favourite thing too! In this edition of Chalk Talk, Mayor Daryl Bennett was very enthusiastic about "The volunteer spirit of Peterborough!"

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Gluten-Free Cafe The Food Forest Now Open On George St.

Photo by Evan Holt

The Food Forest is located at 641 George Street North. Owners Katie and Adam are excited to bring their gluten-free, 100% plant based café to the area. Right now, they offer up a variety of smoothies and juices as well as light lunch option such as sandwiches and a soup of the day. They plan to expand their menu in the months to come. You can stay up to date with all their news on Facebook. The Food Forest is open Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Photo by Julie Morris

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

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PTBOPics: Business Openings & Moves Around Downtown & East City

When you walk about vibrant downtown Peterborough and East City, you likely always seem to spot a new shop, a new place to eat, or places that have relocated to another part of downtown. Here's a glimpse of recent changes...

Saying goodbye to 38º restaurant means welcoming Nicolini's back after a hiatus away from downtown. 

Hobart's Steakhouse is now calling Hunter Street home after a complete renovation to the building which was once occupied by Nicolini's. Across the road from Hobart's is currently the home of Fab Collectables & Gifts (see below), which is now on the move and has a 30% off sale in effect. No mention of where their new location might be.

As we previously mentioned in a post, Circus has now opened its second location at 382 George Street to accompany their already existing location on Aylmer Street. Circus replaces Glow Maternity, which has relocated to 188 Hunter Street. 

Enticing Cakes will be moving across the road from their current spot to help expand and grow their bake shop. Also in East City is the recent addition of the already ever popular Ashburnham Ale House.

Shots (above) has recently opened in the old Splice location at 379 George Street.  

Goddard's Flippin' Burgers will be opening soon beside the Galaxy Cinemas where Johnny Eh's were previously located, and joining the increasing competition of the perfect burger downtown. Goddard's also has a location in Bancroft at 181 Hastings Street North (see below).

Photo by Evan Holt

We love to see new and existing entrepreneurs opening their doors and helping to continue to making our downtown a thriving one. Tip us with further changes you know about downtown, in East City and elsewhere around town.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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DBIA Feature: Offices That Work!

Located at 459 George St N, Offices That Work! brings a big city feel in a small city package to the downtown Peterborough core. Taking up residence in the Shandry Building since 2009, it offers a customizable business setting to individuals that is unmatched in the community.

Directors Lynn Marie Landry and Alvin Schieck are proud to offer individual professionals many different business options to suit any type of need. Offices That Work! offers a unique atmosphere where professionals can represent themselves in an executive setting. Whether an individual simply needs a boardroom for a day to conduct a seminar or an office for a week or months on end, this elegant setting can be made to look like a place of permanence.

With a wide array of offices to choose from, and such dedicated staff whose aim is to cater to your every business need, Offices That Work! provides a business setting without all of the unneeded headaches of overhead—with no lease required. Another added touch is the corporate support on site and availability of a downtown phone number and mailing address to complete the setting.

Located in the former home of the Church of the Open Bible, Offices That Work! have done their part to keep many pieces of the buildings past history while adding a modern touch. From the light fixtures and many original windows, to old pews used as benches and the wood framing in many rooms, the setting offers a touch of both old and new.

Lynn and Alvin realize that not every client has the same taste in terms of office setting and because of this they cater to each and every individual’s needs. Small details such as specific hot beverages and fruits, to larger items such as antique tables and desks are made available to help make the atmosphere the clients' very own.

Being located in downtown Peterborough has put Offices That Work! in a prime professional location within walking distance to many of this city’s finest individually owned restaurants and shops which only further helps to enhance the executive feeling it brings.

The building is still under renovation in areas with plans of further commercial and office space being made available in its newly formed top floor and basement. Lynn and Alvin invite you to contact them to plan a viewing of this prestigious building in our downtown core. If you are currently a professional working out of your own living space, you might see an upgrade in your future!

For more on Offices That Work! (459 George St N), go to:

Website: Officesthatwork.ca
Phone: 705.775.3436
Twitter: @officesthatwork

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

—By Aaron Elliott