New Matchmaking Service Sparking Love For Peterborough

While dating has been difficult during the pandemic, entrepreneur Waleed Dabbah founded a new matchmaking service in Peterborough and the Kawarthas called A Chance At Love announced Thursday.

Clients are set up on blind dates after meeting up with the company’s relationship expert. Photo Courtesy of A Chance at Love.

The matchmaking service goes old-fashioned with traditional dating methods to develop a true love connection according to Dabbah. He started A Chance At Love to bring love and happiness for singles after the quarantine made dating difficult. He believed people are ready to find love more than ever as the world begins to open up.

“Our goal is to bring people together after this tough pandemic and reignite love and connections the old way,” Said Dabbah. “No computers and no apps. Our matchmaking is done manually and is human-based. We aim to help individuals find their "one" and start relationships the right way.”

Photographers can be hired for the first blind date as a special service the company provides. Photo Courtesy of A Chance At Love.

Clients are interviewed while filling out questionnaires with a relationship expert before being paired based on compatibility.

“We vet everyone to the best of our abilities to ensure they are who they say they are,” said Dabbah. “We also make sure they are in this for the right reason and that is to find love.”

Candidates are set up on blind dates and the company follows up on their clients after five days. The company offers a unique service of a photographer for taking pictures of the first date.

A second blind date will be arranged for free if the prior one was not a success to the client.

Dabbah immigrated to Canada from Dubai in 2004. Photo Courtesy of Waleed Dabbah.

Dabbah owns the award-winning financial services firm, Dabbah Corp. since it was founded in 2017. He started Trent University as an undergraduate in 2006 and earned his financial certificates in 2012. He pursued his Master’s Degree from the United Kingdom in Wealth Management in 2015.

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Peterborough Petes to Install State-of-the-Art Video Board

The Peterborough Petes will build and install a state-of-the-art video board at the Peterborough Memorial Centre this summer announced in a press release on Wednesday.

Photo Courtesy Of the Peterborough Petes.

The sign is in partnership with Signarama and Fully Promoted Peterorough where both companies are working on designing videos and other content for the new board.

The fully-digital video board will be installed in time for the 2021-22 home opener on Thursday, Oct. 14. It will feature the highest resolution screens and futuristic front -and back- end software and hardware to provide a revolutionized fan experience according to the press release.

“We’re thrilled to see this project come to life as the Petes continue to work toward providing our fans, and the entire community of Peterborough, with a league-leading experience.” said Dave Pogue, Petes President. “Fans are already showing their eagerness to return to the rink this fall, and this project represents a strategic investment that will elevate game night at the PMC to new heights.”

The new centre-hung video board will consist of four large, widescreen digital displays with the league’s best resolution. Below the main screens will be a fully digital dynamic LED ring to further enhance the in-game experience. The existing video board’s digital screens and traditional score clocks will be repurposed over the coming years.

“In my 12 years of working in hockey, I’ve never seen a corporate partner step up the way Signarama/Fully Promoted did this past spring,” explained, Eric Ebenbauer, Petes Director of Sales. “This project wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible effort put in by Morgan, Marty, and the rest of the Signarama team.”

“This video board will be like nothing ever seen before in Peterborough,” added Morgan Smith, Signarama/Fully Promoted Peterborough CEO. “My staff and I attend every Petes game and when the opportunity to work on this project arose, we jumped at the chance to provide our services and give fans and partners at the PMC - like ourselves - the best and most advanced experience in the province.”

The project will be financed by the Petes. Much like with other building improvement initiatives paid for by the team in the past including the Family Zone seat upgrades, all PMC tenants will have the opportunity to use the video board.

“This is an exciting announcement for anyone who uses the PMC,” noted Jeremy Giles, PMC Facility Manager. “All of our tenants, user groups and fans now have one more reason to get excited about returning to Peterborough’s premier sport and entertainment facility. This board is a real win-win situation and I’d like to thank the Peterborough Petes for being the driving force behind making it happen.”

The Petes will welcome the Sudbury Wolves and first-overall draft pick Quentin Musty for their home opener on Thursday, Oct. 14 at 7:05 p.m.

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New Brewery Ready To Break Through the Pandemic With Quality Brews

As the province is opening up for more businesses to operate, Haven Brewing Company is serving up traditional European-style beers for the city of Peterborough.

Brothers Andrew Anker (left) and Nathan Anker (right) favourite beers of their company are the Schwarzbier and All Natural Belgian Blonde Ale respectively. Photo by David Tuan Bui

The duo official took over former Smithhavens Brewing Company back Apr. 9 last year but bought the company in October 2019.

The brewery had to face challenges after taking over the company during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic but has high expectations for themselves as Ontario is gradually opening back up.

“I think there’s a lot of opportunities right now and while it’s been a difficult year and we’re a small local company,” said Nathan Anker, Haven Brewing Company, President and CEO. “We are going to do anything we can to help other businesses out there and I’m sure that will be reciprocated too.”

Nathan Anker previously had eight years of business and brand development experience in automotive before owning Haven Brewing Company. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The brewery focuses on European-style beers that remain tried, test and true to the classics that have been appreciated over time. The company applies its own twists to their products to deliver a unique taste and style as an homage to the classic traditions.

Several of their ingredients are imported from Europe to retain that genuine flavour and style within their beer.

“They're all recipes that have existed for a really long time and there's a reason they've existed because it's really good beer,” said Nathan. “We've just taken it, refined the recipe a bit but we also try to keep as true as possible to the process.”

Some beers that were originated from Smithworks has been incorporated into Haven with slight adjustments to make it more true to the traditional European style such as the Hefeweizen according to Nathan.

Brewmaster Andrew Anker graduated from Niagara College in 2012 their inaugural brewing program beginning in 2010. Photo By David Tuan Bui.

The idea of the brothers owning their own brewery felt like a match made in heaven. Andrew had worked with several breweries for the past decade while Nathan wanted to become an entrepreneur as a change from working in the automotive business the last eight years.

“The intention that he would open his own (brewery) then I came in as the business mind and I always intended to open my own company but I never really knew what I wanted to do,” explained Nathan. “We just put the two together, he makes great beer, I’m going to do the business side of things and it was kind of a no-brainer.”

Haven Brewing Company has over 20 different Peterborough restaurants that serve their beer such as Apollo Grill, Nateure’s Plate and Shoeless Joe’s.

When permitted, the brewery plans to host indoor seating with pub snacks and events such as bingo night. During Step 2, the business has outdoor tables for patrons to enjoy their craft beers.

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Kawartha TV & Stereo Celebrates 50th Anniversary With Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

The giant scissors were out to cut the ribbon to celebrate Kawartha TV & Stereo’s 50th anniversary on Monday morning.

(left to right) MPP Dave Smith, owner Glenn Stuart, general manager Scott Stuart and Mayor Diane Therrien holding the ribbon as it gets cut to commemorate the store’s milestone. Photo Courtesy of Kawartha TV & Stereo.

In attendance were Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith and Mayor Diane Therrien to commemorate the event. Owner Glenn Stuart and general manager Scott Stuart — who are brothers — had the honours of cutting the ribbon with giant scissors to celebrate the store’s milestone and community involvement.

“We have been a huge supporter of local for years and years and years since day one,” said Scott. “We’ve very proud of that and we will continue that for as long as we can.”

“We all do business with each other,” said Glenn. “We buy from those businesses back and forth and that’s one of the things we do in a small-town atmosphere.”

The store has been reputable for supporting the local communities and city officials have noticed the business’s contribution to Peterborough.

Smith gave a certification to the electronics store to mark the occasion. He mentioned that Kawartha TV & Stereo was one of the first places he visited and made a purchase since moving to Peterborough in 1981.

“The service you have provided has been fantastic,” he said. “It’s a testament to what you have done to this community, the fact that you’ve been here for 50 years.”

“There’s a reason people keep coming back,” said Therrien. “I can’t wait to be here for another 50 years.”

Kawartha TV & Stereo opened in 1971 with 600 square ft. of space on Charlotte Street before moving down the same road with 800 square ft. The store moved again in the mid-1980s to its current location on the corner of Lansdowne Street and Park Street which is known as the “Bargain Corner.”

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The Alzheimer Society of Peterborough Kawartha Lakes Northumberland and Haliburton Announces New Executive Director

The Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton has announced Andrea Cant as their new Executive Director on Monday.

Photo Courtesy Of The Alzheimer Society PKLNH.

As of May 31, Cant has taken over duties from retiring Leslie Parham, executive director.

Cant has been working in the non-profit sector for 16 years and previously worked for the Alzheimer Society.

She is eager to build on the legacy left by Parham and will be hard at work guiding the organization out of the pandemic which has taken a toll on both clients and their care partners.

“When the pandemic made in-person services impossible Leslie and her team pivoted the organization to include virtual education, activities and support programs,” says Cant. “Now we’re looking forward to getting back into the community in the fall and providing in-person services to community members who are disproportionately isolated and who depend on social engagement for support and to help slow the progression of the disease. They’ve had to endure a long pandemic largely on their own.”

Social connection, physical activity and barrier-free healthcare are essential for slowing the progress of dementia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many vital resources were unavailable to patients living with dementia. Cant hopes that as restrictions loosen, in-person services will resume.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Peterborough Power Sports, Kawartha TV and Stereo, PKA SoftTouch and Camp Kawartha

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition… 

The new Peterborough Power Sports recently opened on Lakefield Road. Owners Mike Wood and Kevin Reuter are local guys who saw a need for a power sports shop with high-quality performance parts, as well as a good selection of the more commonly used parts.

They service all small engine power sport machines and can deal with rims and tires as well as recreational sales such as dirt bikes, atv’s and electric scooters. The address is 2710 Lakefield Rd., just north of Giant Tiger. Call 705-741-6262, peterboroughpowersports.com or find them on social media.

Congratulations to Kawartha TV and Stereo on their 50th anniversary! Starting in 1971 as a sewing machine store with a couple of stereos on the shelf, Glenn Stuart quickly realized that the audio/video side of the business was more popular and he and his brother Scott, who joined the company in 1986, have never looked back.

A local family business, the store has been at the corner of Park and Lansdowne since 1985 and takes pride in their 20 full-time staff who have been with them for an average of 20 years!

Dick Crawford’s Lakefield-based company PKA SoftTouch has been working on the development of their patented Micro-needle. They raised nearly half a million dollars last year which funded their clinical trials at the University of Guelph.

They have just launched a second crowdfunding campaign for the human trials phase. Dick describes the Micro-needle as a painless vaccine delivery system, providing a painless, accurate process with no vaccine waste. Visit pkasofttouch.com or call Dick Crawford at 705-652-6100.

Camp Kawartha continues to build its new Health Centre, which will be an innovative "zero building" demonstrating the very best in sustainable design, with a zero-carbon footprint, zero fossil fuel use, zero waste output, zero toxins and net-zero utility costs.

A 100th-anniversary project, the Camp was recently surprised by a creative new fundraiser from Heather Watson, Creative Director of acorn30 and Douro Ward Councillor. Acorn30 is delivering white oak tree seedlings as gifts to its clients and planting a seedling for each client on the grounds at Camp Kawartha. For each planting, a donation is made by acorn30 to the Health Centre fundraising campaign. campkawartha.ca/health-centre

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Creative ResiNation, Kate's Foot Care Services, The Weekend Route and Dawn Hennessey

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition… 

Ashley Lamothe recently launched Creative ResiNation, an online store that features her unique art, drinkware and clothing. Lamothe is all about using modern creative tools to add some sparkle to the beauty of indigenous functional art.

You can purchase right from her website where you’ll find keychains, earrings, ribbon skirts, tumblers and cups, bookmarks and more. Her advice is to throw kindness like confetti so check out Creative ResiNation on social media or creative-resination.myshopify.com/

Kate’s Foot Care Services is Kate Cowan’s new business. Located in the Home Hardware Plaza in Bridgenorth, Kate is utilizing her RPN Certification, her Advanced Foot Care license and seven years of experience to provide Diabetic foot care and education, maintenance of corns, calluses and fungus nails, non-invasive ingrown nail maintenance and advice and assessment of proper fitting footwear. Find Kate’s Foot Care Services on Facebook or call for your first appointment at 705-868-4833.

The Weekend Route is new online platform developed by Innovation Cluster client Big Clic Inc. The Weekend Route is designed to profile unique off-the-beaten-track experiences, food and hidden gems that only the locals know about. Users can curate their own trips by searching and adding stops based on their interests. Check it out at theweekendroute.com.

Congratulations to Dawn Hennessey, the Business Centre Manager at the Peterborough and Durham Business Development Bank, who recently accepted the new role of Senior Client Partner. Dawn brings over 17 years of BDC market and client experience to her new position.

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Former PTBOCanada Owner Releases New Motivating Book With StudioPTBO

Former PTBOCanada owner Neil Morton is doing well for himself.

He and Cody May, StudioPTBO C.E.O. have released their new book, “What if you Could? The Mindset and Business Blueprint for Your Life of Purpose” on Monday.

StudioPTBO owner Neil Morton (left) and CEO Cody May (right) celebrate the release of thier new book. May suggested the idea of writing the book to Morton over two years ago. Photo Courtesy of StudioPTBO.

The book gives its readers an energetic blueprint and template to live your best life. It could bring an idea to life, pursue leisurely goals or anything to help maximize your life without bringing negativity according to Morton.

“A lot of us are wired to think we can’t do things when human beings are actually capable of amazing things,” he said. “‘Why can’t you do something?’, if you have that mindset, you can crush anything.”

StudioPTBO was founded in 2015 Neil Morton and Nora Mickee. Cody May joined the partnership in April of 2018. Photo Courtesy of StudioPTBO.

The book was a project on Morton’s bucket list that he wanted to cross off. The timing for the book’s release could not be more perfect since Canada is opening up from the pandemic with no better opportunity to go for it Morton explained.

“One of the big messages of the book is to go get it now and just do it,” he said. “I know it sounds simple but so many people have that mindset now. That we’re not just going to survive but thrive.”

Readers have already received their book pre-orders and gave the authors overwhelming positive reviews.

“So far, the feedback has been phenomenal,” Morton exclaimed. “We’ve been using the hashtag #whatifyoucan. It’s been incredible.”

Cody May (left) and Neil Morton (right) outside StudioPTBO, Morton’s marketing service agency business he focuses on after selling PTBOCanada in March. Photo Courtesy of StudioPTBO.

The former owner of PTBOCanada makes numerous references to Peterborough in the book. He cites his deep local connection with the city and why he moved back home after living in Toronto for many years.

The book is currently available on Amazon for Kindle, Amazon for paperback and Barnes & Noble paperback. The book will soon be available in the Peterborough Public Library and Trent University’s Bata Library, Morton’s alma mater. He is also working to get the book sold by Chapters in Peterborough as well as other local book stores.

Morton had co-founded PTBOCanada with Evan Holt in 2010. It was sold to current owner Kirtus Evoy in March after owning the business for over a decade.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Flossophy, StudioPTBO, Business Excellence Awards and Excelsior Centre

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition… 

Congratulations to Danielle McIver on the opening of Flossophy. Danielle started her business in March of last year and was able to adapt and grow what she described as her little candy floss company into a full-blown confectionary store!

Located at 75 Hunter St. in East City, Flossophy features handspun candy floss, made on-site chocolate, gourmet popcorn, candy collections, soft-serve ice cream and super sundaes jammed with all your favourite toppings!

What if You Could? - The Mindset & Business Blueprint for Your Life of Purpose, is the title of a new book available now!

Co-authored by former PTBOCanada owner Neil Morton and Cody May of StudioPTBO, the book includes many local Peterborough references and is designed to give people the motivation and the mental toolkit they need to create a more prosperous, happier life personally and professionally.

From surrounding yourself with the right people to creating your own luck in life, Neil and Cody have created an easy-to-read gem, packed with valuable tips. Just look for “What If You Could? on Amazon.

Last call for nominations for the 18th annual Peterborough Business Excellence Awards from the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce. As we emerge, battered and bruised from the pandemic, it’s time to rally behind local businesses and recognize the hard work, creativity and resilience of our business community.

Nominating your favourite business is as easy as entering their name and self-nominations are encouraged and are a great way to recognize your team. The deadline is June 23. Details are at excellencepeterborough.ca

Congratulations to Satish Thakkar and the Excelsior Group on last Friday’s groundbreaking celebration for a $10 million project on the North East corner of Parkhill Road and Chandler Crescent.

Called Excelsior Centre - Peterborough, the 13,000 square foot development will include 15 second-floor apartments and ground-floor retail. Excelsior is committed to hiring as many sub trades from the local area as possible and expects to complete construction in early 2022. The Brock Mission and Cameron House both received donations as part of the ceremony on Friday.

For leasing inquiries, contact steven.weiss@cbre.com or dion.gemmiti@c21.ca or visit efggroup.ca.

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