Read The Heartfelt Message About The Closing Of Sympathy For The Rebel In Downtown Peterborough

After five years, vintage clothing store Sympathy For The Rebel is closing. The owner, Ryan Kennedy, posted the following message to the store's Facebook page yesterday...

To my friends and supporters , I've got some news to share . It's a bit of a mixed bag , a little good and a little bad.

I've always been one to get the tough stuff out of the way so I'll lead with the bad .

I'm closing my shop Sympathy For The Rebel .

It kinda hurts a little to even type that .

It was 5 years ago this month that I opened the shop and it has been an amazing , challenging , rewarding , journey over that time . I always wanted to have a shop that was an extension of my own personality and vision , and through the faithful support of our customers I have been lucky enough to come to work in a place that feels like home to me . I am grateful for the support of the amazing staff I've had over the years , our wonderful customers , the community of downtown Peterborough and my friends and family .

This wasn't an easy decision to make , I will miss so many things about the shop but top of that list will be the people . I don't think I could have imagined what happens when you hang an ' open ' sign downtown and then stand there for 5 years . Everybody and anybody walks in and everyday is unique in it's own way . I still see customers that I saw on our first day and I still get customers who think we just opened . I am grateful for all the people I have had the chance to connect with . I've had the chance to sell clothing to everyone from rock stars to senior citizens who just feel like ' nobody makes a good wool sweater anymore ' . My idea of who my customer would be was way off and I'm actually glad about that .

It will be sad to see our doors close but even good things run their course and I'm ok with that . I think there is a lot to celebrate about the last 5 years at Sympathy and I plan on doing that over the next month .

The good news is this ...

I'm keeping the brand and I'm going to keep doing Sympathy in some capacity in the future . My love for vintage is still there and I've always considered myself an ' ideas guy ' so I have no plans to stop living life that way . I'm not ready to share my upcoming plans for the Sympathy brand quite yet but It'll be important that all of you follow us on our social media platforms to keep in the loop . I'll be sharing some ideas soon and to be honest , as much as closing the shop is a bummer , I'm excited to see what's next . I have been reminded over these last few weeks that we can't define ourselves simply by what we do for a living . We are given a choice in the face of change to maintain the qualities and passions that truly make us who we are . I am who I am , not just what I do . Who I am is not tied to an address or a job , it's inside of me and It's under my control to keep being me . Cheesy ? maybe . True ? I think so . Getting some perspective on who we are , what's really important to us and the amazing life we have a chance to live kind of takes some of the fear out of change . I'm ready for what's next , and ready to celebrate what was .

We'll be closing our doors for good sometime in the middle of July . We're gonna throw a birthday / funeral party . We're gonna have some big time sales and I'm hopeful that I'll be able to connect with many of you in person and say thanks for all the support . Like I mentioned earlier please follow us on FB / Twitter / Instagram etc so that we can keep you in the loop about our sales and closing events and also the future plans for the Sympathy brand . I've never been much for asking people to share stuff but if you'd consider sharing this post to help us get the word out I'd appreciate it .

Sorry for the long winded post , I've got 5 years of things I wanna say !

I'll be in the shop a lot more over the next month so please come by and say hi . We'll be clearing out our huge stock in basement and bringing up tons of stuff for our sales . In season , out of season , clothing , non-clothing items , etc , etc . There's gonna be lots of stuff to dig through , so check in often !

On a parting note I leave you with the legend that inspired the shop in the first place . 

Five years , what a surprise .

Ryan 

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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The Habitat for Humanity ReStore Location Is Moving

The Peterborough & Kawartha Region Habitat for Humanity ReStore location (currently at 780 Erskine Avenue) will be moving to 550 Braidwood Avenue next to GPL Storage.

ReStore accepts and sells donations of the following: new, gently used, overstocked, seconds, scratch and dent, discontinued, salvaged or renovation materials, and unique home decor items. One hundred percent of all administration costs of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region are paid for by the funds raised at the ReStore store. Your support allows every dollar donated to the organization to go directly into building more, safe, decent homes.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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PTBOCanada Q&A: Mike Skinner On KEGI's Purchase Of Dolce Vita Resto In Downtown Peterborough

PTBOCanada file photo: Mike Skinner

Dolce Vita Resto in downtown Peterborough is no longer for sale. It has been purchased by the Kawartha Entertainment Group Inc. (KEGI), which is owned by a team including Michael Skinner, Catia Skinner, Jeff O’Connor, Mike O’Connor, Kyle Guerin and Lorrie McMullen. Dolce Vita joins the KEGI team alongside The Venue and WhiskeyClub (which is opening June 21st). In an interview with PTBOCanada.com, KEGI President and CEO Mike Skinner explains the decision to purchase Dolce Vita...
 
PTBOCanada: What factors made your group decide to buy Dolce Vita, and will you be keeping the name?
 
Mike Skinner... "Not only are we keeping the Dolce Vita name, but the feel of the restaurant as well. Dolce Vita has made a name in this community which we intend to keep and build upon. Chef Kyle Guerin—who will be Executive Chef at Dolce—joined KEGI last year and since then we have been expanding the Venue’s food events, such as the upcoming Savor the Flavour event coming up on July 24th, and the dinners for 300+ people that we often do twice in a week. In order to showcase Chef Kyle's talents, we launched the Lobby Bar and Restaurant in the Venue on Thursdays and Fridays at the start of this year. The challenge is the Venue has been booking large scale events and concerts on Thursdays and Fridays that take up the entire building. By purchasing Dolce Vita, this allows us to provide a dedicated, consistent restaurant in which to highlight Chef Kyle’s expertise. Also, this allows us to turn the Lobby space back into an event space for 40 to 60 people when we don’t have major events and continue to run an international menu which can be themed to the specific entertainment event we are running."

 
PTBOCanada: What are your plans for Dolce?
 
Mike Skinner... "We want to continue to grow based on the foundation of the previous owners. We believe there is a market for a high customer experience coupled with award winning food in Peterborough."
 

PTBOCanada: Tell us more about Chef Kyle Guerin, and what he brings to Dolce.  

PTBOCanada file photo: Chef Kyle Guerin

Mike Skinner... "Chef Kyle will be Executive Chef. He began his career at the prestigious Walter Wilcox Dining Room located at Moraine Lake Lodge in Lake Louise, Alberta. After successfully completing his diploma in Culinary Management, Chef Kyle moved on to apprentice at The Restaurant at Vineland Estates Winery in Vineland, Ont. Chef Kyle then worked under Chef Massimo Capra at the Rainbow Room Dining Room, located in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Niagara Falls, Ontario. In 2010, Chef Kyle travelled back to Western Canada to assume the role as Sous Chef at Elk Ridge Resort, Saskatchewan's only "4 Star Resort". After two years, he left to move back to his roots in Peterborough to open his own restaurant, Cravings Bakery & Café. In 2013, one year after opening Cravings, Chef Kyle assumed the role as Executive Chef and co-owner of The Venue, our multipurpose event facility that caters weddings, conferences and private events. Last December, The Venue opened the Lobby Wine Bar & Restaurant. Currently, Chef Kyle is mentoring under Chef Michael Pigeon to compete in the 2014 World Culinary Championships and the 2016 Culinary Olympics in Luxembourg Germany. During Chef Kyle's career, he has had the pleasure of cooking for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, former NBA Commissioner David Stern, the Jonas Brothers, actor Jason Priestley, 2-time Olympic gold medal winner Catriona Le May Doan, and Canadian Astronaut Marc Garneau."
 

PTBOCanada: What changes will be seeing under Chef Kyle's direction?

Mike Skinner... "While Chef Kyle will be the Executive Chef, we will also continue to retain the existing Dolce Vita team to ensure consistency through this transitional period. We will not be making any major changes at the beginning. We want to get into the restaurant, meet the loyal customers and really see what works, improve what doesn't, and of course continue the tradition of daily and weekly specials."


PTBOCanada: What message do you want delivered to existing customers of Dolce?

Mike Skinner... "Our message is simple: It is not our intent to change Dolce Vita. We want to continue the great service, atmosphere, attention to detail and of course the delicious food.  We will be honoring any existing gift cards as well as accepting gift cards from the Venue and Lobby. All cards will now be able to be redeemed at all our locations. Also, for our corporate customers of both the Venue as well as Dolce Vita, we believe we can now offer even more options for your catered events."
 

PTBOCanada: What is your overall sense of the restaurant scene in Peterborough right now, and where Dolce fits into that?

Mike Skinner: "I believe Peterborough has one of the best and vibrant local restaurant scenes in North America. Dolce Vita has some major competitors, but at the same time I believe that our team’s attention to detail and love for what we will do will continue to ensure that the people of Peterborough as well as the tourists that come here every year will keep coming back."

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PTBOCanada Featured Post: Your PC Candidate Scott Stewart

Scott Stewart

There is a lot of excitement in and around 356 Charlotte Street, the headquarters for Scott Stewart and his campaign team. Blue signs line the outside of the building while the inside is bustling with volunteers. The campaign buzz may be focused on the June 12th election and the weeks leading up to it, but there is a history behind Scott's choice to get into politics and his aim to represent Peterborough.

Born and raised on a hobby farm in the former Otonabee Township, Scott grew up in a close-knit family with his parents and two sisters. He graduated from Thomas A. Stewart Secondary, followed by Centennial College with a Diploma in Business Administration. Now married and the father of two post-secondary student children, Scott is currently the President of Carlson Wagonlit/G. Stewart Travel Services Ltd, the family business where he has served in various roles since 1986.

After graduating from college, he planned to head to the city and climb the corporate ladder through hard work and perseverance. He was full of ideas and youthful exuberance, and wanted to make a difference. But the big city corporate life proved less appealing and fulfilling than planned, so Scott decided to put that same exuberance and energy to working hard to make a difference in Peterborough.

Scott with his wife, Alyson, and their children, Sam and Alyssa

Growing up in a close family, Scott says he was always surrounded by politics with both his father and grandfather being involved locally before him. Regardless of his views, he says that everyone in the house was entitled to their own opinions and points of view, and could discuss them openly. After running for a political position at school when he was 18, Scott became increasingly interested in politics. Not wanting to be a career politician, however, it has taken Scott just over 30 years to finally put his name back in the ring.

A self-described adventurer, sportsman, and conservationist, Scott has kept himself as involved in the community as humanly possible over the past few decades. He has competed in Tough Mudder competitions, hiked the Grand Canyon, safely completed the running with the bulls in Spain, and even climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, as a member of a team which was responsible for raising more than $100,000 for the PRHC Foundation’s Radiation Bunker Campaign.

Scott Stewart with his canvassing team

Watching his children struggle to find good job prospects in Peterborough and even Ontario, Scott says something has to change. That's why he believes in the PC plan to create 1 million jobs over the next 8 years. These jobs will be created by:

·      Balancing the budget within two years

·      Reducing the billions wasted each year on interest by starting to pay down our debt

·      Reducing the government payroll by 10%, returning the focus back to front-line service and away from top-heavy bureaucracy

·      An across-the-board wage freeze for every government employee, including MPPs, and ending gold-plated pensions for new hires

·      Leading by example by shrinking the size of the cabinet from 27 to 16 ministers

·      Opening government contracts to competition to get the best deal for taxpayers

·      Modernizing Ontario's apprenticeship rules to create 200,000 new jobs

·      Reducing taxes on employers by 30%, creating 120,000 jobs

·      Bringing our energy bills under control, helping employers create 40,000 new jobs

·      Implementing a GTA Transportation Plan, creating 96,000 new jobs

·      Reducing personal income tax, creating 47,000 jobs

Dedicated to creating a better Peterborough, Scott would like the support our community in the June 12th election.

ADVERTORIAL POST PRESENTED BY PTBOCANADA

For more info on Scott Stewart, contact:
Address: 356 Charlotte St., Peterborough
Phone: 705-743-6772; 705-874-2087
Email: info@scottstewartpc.ca
Website: Scottstewartpc.ca
Twitter: @ScottStewartPC
Facebook: ScottStewartPC

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PTBOCanada Featured Post: The Summer Company Program For Young Entrepreneurs

Attention aspiring young entrepreneurs, the Summer Company program is back. The Summer Company program is a youth entrepreneurship program offered by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Trade, & Employment. Peterborough Economic Development has been proudly administrating the program in the Peterborough region for over a decade.

The program provides students aged 15 to 29 with the opportunity to open and operate their own summer business. Students are provided with funding, business training, and mentorship throughout the summer.

With respect to funding, successful applicants receive up to $1,500 to start their summer businesses. They are also eligible for up to a $1,500 award upon completion of the program. The business training portion of the program is provided through a series of workshops throughout the summer. Past workshop topics include: mastering social media; marketing and sales; managing business risk; networking; and taxation. The workshops are facilitated by local business professionals who are experts in their respective fields.

Students are also assigned volunteer mentors from within the community to provide them with support and guidance as they run their summer businesses. The mentors are business owners and professionals who understand the unique stresses and challenges that accompany running a small business. Students are often matched with a mentor in a similar industry. For example, past pairings include: a fire spinner with a full-time magician; a boat cleaner with one of the top 100 boat dealers in North America; as well as a promotional videographer with a media and marketing specialist.

In addition to funding, business training, and mentorship, the Summer Company program offers students several other competitive advantages. Firstly, students participate in the annual Summer Company Program Celebration otherwise known as Media Day. Media Day is an opportunity for the students to interact with local media and dignitaries and to promote their businesses. Several media outlets, including CHEX, Peterborough This Week, and the Peterborough Examiner, are invited to cover the event. Secondly, an article on each student and his/her business is featured on the Peterborough Economic Development website. Thirdly, Summer Company students have the opportunity to connect with other program participants and alumni. The annual Summer Company Training Day brings together participants from several different regions for a day of learning and networking.

Several students have been recommended for the program thus far. For example, Christina Kylie of Stellar Pixels plans to provide website design, re-design, and update services to small businesses in the community. Christina has noticed that many business owners allow their websites to go dormant by failing to regularly update their web content and security.

Christina was initially interested in the program because she is considering entrepreneurship as a career path and she wanted to gain practical work experience. Christina’s business is well aligned with her educational objectives. She is currently attending Durham College for web design. Christina can be reached at (705) 313-5563, admin@stellarpixels.ca, or @StellarPxStudio.

Students interested in the program can apply online here.

As part of their applications, students must complete a business plan, start-up budget, and cash flow forecast. The deadline for applications is May 23rd, 2014. However, students are strongly encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible as viable business plan are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Summer Company Coordinator Carrington Hickey is more than happy to answer any questions students may have and to walk students through the application process.

For more info on the program, contact Carrington Hickey, Summer Company Coordinator, at Peterborough Economic Development:
Phone: 705.743-0777, ext. 2124
Email chickey@gpaedc.on.ca
Website: PeterboroughCanada.com
Twitter: @PtboEcDev

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PTBOCanada Featured Post: Brave New Words

You can take the boy out of the town, but you can’t take the town out of the boy.  That sounds as cliché as it gets. But doesn’t it almost always ring true? It has always been the case for Dylan DeMarsh in his many travels and returns to his hometown of Peterborough.

As the owner of Brave New Words, a new local Public Relations/Communications Agency, Dylan has a massive amount of experience gained across the country in various settings that have brought him to where he is now—back home. After graduating from university where he majored in Journalism, Dylan made his way to Toronto and then across the country to Vancouver before making his way back east and finally settling back here in his hometown. During the past 15 years or so, he worked for the Rick Hansen Foundation and also in a more local setting for PARN, constantly increasing his experience in the communication and fundraising fields. This experience has led him to where he is now: the owner of his own company.

Dylan DeMarsh

After years away, Dylan felt drawn back to Peterborough and saw a chance for a sort of flexibility he had never experienced before in working for himself in a town he loved. The vibrant sense of community he sees in Peterborough and the overall engagement of its residents made it easy for him to decide to venture out on his own to help build a town he wants to live in.

With Brave New Words, Dylan’s goal is to use the successful strategies and techniques he has developed throughout his career to aid local businesses in his specialty of Public Relations and Communications. Dylan knows that not all businesses and not-for-profit organizations are experts in every aspect of their day to day operations, nor do they have the time to concentrate on everything as much as they would like. This is when his services come in handy as an expert outside source!

Brave New Words comprehensive services include:

-        Strategic Communication Planning
-        Media Relations
-        Crisis Communication and Issues Management
-        Social Media Integration and Support
-        Media/Interview Training
-        Workshops and Training

Allowing an expert such as Dylan and Brave New Words to work with an organization can help alleviate daily pressures and grant more time and concentration to be put into other day to day activities by the business itself.

The benefits of Brave New Words services are immediate and something that can’t be ignored. They can help increase overall sales/sponsorships/donations, assist in growing your consumer base, and establish your brand and protect your reputation amongst many other things!

If your business is in need of a communications or public relations pick-me-up, Dylan invites you to contact Brave New Words and find out what they can do for you. Their efficient and cost effective package of services guarantee great value for your dollar that you’ll be happy you invested!

For more information on Brave New Words, contact:
Website: Bravenewwords.ca
Twitter: @BraveNewWordsPR
Phone: 7O5.772.724O
Email: dylan@BraveNewWords.ca

**If your business/organization is interested in a PTBOCanada Featured Post Advertorial, email sales@ptbocanada.com!

2014 Doors Open Peterborough Is This Saturday

Every year, Doors Open gives you the opportunity to discover first-hand Ontario’s hidden heritage treasures. Doors Open Peterborough is this Saturday (May 3rd), from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will give you the chance to visit...

• Auburn Generating Station (908 Water Street)
• Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Historical Pumper Truck (Del Crary Park)
• Kirkland Engineering (570 Water Street)
• Peterborough Airport (925 Airport Road)
• Peterborough Memorial Centre (151 Lansdowne Street West)
• Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame (151 Lansdowne Street West)
• Peterborough Museum and Archives (300 Hunter Street East - Museum Drive)
• Confederation Square (501 George Street North)
• TV COGECO (1111 Goodfellow Road)

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Lansdowne West Is Preparing for A New Plaza

Lansdowne Street West has churned up some soil in preparation for a new plaza. At the corner of Spillsbury Drive and Lansdowne St. W., tucked just behind Discount Car and Truck Rentals, there is a new 2.5 acre commercial plaza site slated to go in. This area has been approved for businesses such as a bank, restaurant, salon or gym.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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PTBOCanada Featured Post: Social Worker Stephanie Moeser

Often, people move on from smaller towns to larger metropolises for work. Stephanie Moeser and her family did the exact opposite last summer when they uprooted and moved from Toronto up the 115 to Peterborough.

The draw of an active arts community, vibrant downtown atmosphere and natural environment provided all the incentive they needed to pack up and leave their comfort zone. The slower pace of life, and friendlier atmosphere that the Lift Lock City could provide for their children also helped in the decision.

Stephanie is a social worker with a particular focus on supporting teens and adults with Asperger Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. She worked previously at Geneva Centre for Autism in Toronto for 13 years as a social worker and later as a supervisor.  She also managed a service for adults with a dual-diagnosis. Currently, she still remains an affiliate of the Redpath Centre in Toronto. 

More recently, Stephanie decided to take a leap of faith and work for herself. She is now a social worker in private practice here in Peterborough and couldn’t be happier with this decision.

Stephanie has expertise in providing clinical support to all those affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. As part of her work, she supports families understanding of their child’s diagnosis and how it effects their child and family as a whole. She also provides counseling to couples where one or both spouses have an autism spectrum disorder through offering support and guidance navigating some of the complexities of intimate relationships.  

Stephanie works directly with teens and adults with Asperger Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder, supporting them through many facets of their lives, including (but not limited to):

- understanding their diagnosis
- navigating the social environment
- emotional regulation and relationships
- supporting individuals who are experience mental health issues

Through her many years of work, Stephanie has always been amazed at the strength of the individuals she has met. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder have taught her to embrace thinking outside the box and have shown her how to look at situations in new and unique ways.  Through these interactions, Stephanie knows the importance of embracing difference and using our strengths and passions to reach our goals. 

In working with families, Stephanie has been awed by their strength, love and resilience.  Families fight for the best for all of their children, and at times do this while putting their own needs second. Stephanie has worked with families to help them find balance and support so all members can thrive.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Stephanie Moeser and what she is now offering our community, she can be reached at:

Email: stephanie@rediscovery.ca
Facebook: Rediscovery Counselling
Website:  RedpathCentre.ca
Twitter:  @re_discovery
Phone: 705.927.1318

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DBIA Featured Post: Apollo Grill

Downtown Peterborough has long been a haven of locally owned and operated restaurants.  In the downtown core, you will find something offered to please almost every palate. Coming back with a vengeance—and to everyone's delight!—are classic "burger joints."  They don't get any more classic than the Apollo Grill located at the corner of George Street North and Hunter Street (402 George St. N.).

Locally owned and operated by Dan Rennick and his wife Kerry, the Apollo Grill brings you an incredible burger experience within the warm confines of a 1940s diner located at one of the busiest intersections in Peterborough's downtown. This resurrection of the mouthwatering homestyle burger provides the perfect destination to everyone from young families, date nights, to evenings out with friends.

The new downtown Apollo Grill is actually the second location in our fair city, with the original located at 1840 Lansdowne Street West. The George and Hunter street location opened late last year, and was brought downtown due to the overwhelming success of the original location that opened July 2011 on Lansdowne. Dan and Kerry were actually approached by the building's landlords and asked if they would like to bring Apollo Grill downtown.

The Apollo Grill features fresh cut fries and a great selection of burgers made daily from ground steak. What is interesting is that instead of using basic frozen ground beef, Apollo Grill uses fresh steak that is ground in house each day. They also cut and blanche their own fries. To complete the experience, Apollo Grill offers hand-dipped shakes which are made from premium local Central Smith ice cream. Of course there are also onion rings, sweet potato fries, veggie burgers and delicious poutine offered at both locations. A few must tries include the Apollo burger, the Mushroom Swiss, and of course the famous Royal Burger, all offered as a single or double burger.

Dan and Kerry are extremely excited and proud of the opening of the Apollo Grill in Peterborough's downtown, and plan to continue expanding to other locations and cities.  Within only a few short months, the downtown Apollo Grill is already considered one of the best places to gather with friends, co-workers or family for a quality meal!

Dan and Kerry invite you to experience their newest location in downtown Peterborough and taste the difference local quality makes.

For more on Apollo Grill (402 George St. N.), go to:
Website: Apollogrill.ca
Facebook: Apollo Grill
Phone:
705.874.3444, Apollo Grill Downtown Location
705.775.4745, Apollo Grill Lansdowne Street West

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

—By Aaron Elliott