Local Sports Retail Store Doubles As Community Hub In Unique Business Service

What looks like a sports apparel store, owner Mark Million of The Capital PTBO created a community hub for the sports community in downtown Peterborough that opened on Monday.

Mark Million also works as a realtor for Bowes & Cocks Limited Brokerage. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The store is located at 370 George St. N. and sells sports apparel such as hats, shirts and collectibles but offers a venue for other sports outlets. The space offers free rental space for events such as sports banquets, press conferences or fantasy draft parties.

Customers can use the space as a library for sports books available on-site, play table hockey or watch the game at no charge in a safe and welcoming environment.

"We're not here to make money off you. We're here to let you enjoy the moment,” said Million. “The downtown has for some generations of people, it has a stigma attached that isn't always true. It's not a scary space, it's a safe space run by entrepreneurs."

@ptbo_canada Need a place to hang out and do all things sports? The Capital PTBO invites you to relax, hang out and maybe shop while you are there! #PTBOCanada ♬ Smokin Out The Window - Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak & Silk Sonic

Million worked in retail with his brother for roughly four years before making a career change to a realtor for Bowes & Cocks Limited Brokerage. The brothers went back to retail after a friend’s suggestion to open a business since a major store closed its doors last February which left a void in the sports apparel market.

“Retail was my first love and I’ve done it for many, many years,” reflected Million. “National Sports announced that they were closing so that really started to move the ball forward. If we were to take a shot, go for it.”

The logo is made of wood and was crafted by Million’s son, Cole. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The store’s name carries local roots as the logo was designed by Mary Bucholtz of Bechwood Design. The Market Hall clock tower represents Million’s family lineage and heritage that was in Peterborough’s history.

"My grandfather's grandfather (on my mom's side) had the first business under the clock way back in the 1840s-50s," said Million. “He had a fish market, it was the first one underneath the clock tower so to bring that was fun.”

The store currently carries Electric City Football Club apparel and is in the process of getting rights to sell Peterborough Petes merchandise.

“It's a no-brainer for us to be involved in local sports and there's such a rich history here between lacrosse, hockey and Electric City soccer team that was around 120 years ago,” said Million.

Despite the space looking like a retail store at first glance, coming inside the store will show the true experience The Capital PTBO has to offer.

“Come and check out our space, don't buy anything,” said Million. “I don't need the sale as much I need you to understand what this space could mean for your sports organization or for your club or whatever the case may be. We want it to be a space to be inclusive for anyone that's comfortable to do that sort of thing.”

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Local Business Owner Garners Support From Community After Break In

Treasures and Memories, a custom engraving business in Brookdale Plaza, was broken into on Saturday though encouragement from the community is helping the business to recover.

Photo courtesy of Treasures and Memories.

“When we received the call from Peterborough Police in the early morning hours, I was panicked.,” said Barb Smith, owner. “When we arrived and saw the amount of destruction and damages, I was completely overwhelmed and a feeling of bleak, desperate defeat came over me.”

Smith opened the shop in late 2019 right before the pandemic hit. Like other business owners she has been struggling to navigate the changing restrictions, though with perseverance she has been able to grow her business.

When the thief broke in they smashed the main window, and merchandise in the store causing about $2,500 in damage that will not be covered by insurance.

“As the day wore on, sitting in the freezing cold, waiting for the window to be replaced, I was ready to give up, call it quits,” said Smith. “Then I started receiving calls from concerned customers. They lifted me up and encouraged me to persevere.”

Smith started a GoFundMe in hopes to recover from this loss.

“It is the wonderful customers we have and the support of our beautiful community that is making it easier to persevere, regroup and carry on,” she said. “The community we live and work in, is overall, very supportive and this is what will allow us to pick ourselves up, dust everything off and be the successful business I know we can be.”

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Junior Achievement, The Eyrie, Grady's and Floor Coverings International

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 this year’s inductees into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame. The formal ceremony will take place May 26 at the Loomex Group Hangar at the Peterborough Airport.

The 2022 inductees are; Eric and Marlaine Bennett from Bennett’s Furniture, Ken Blow and John and Glenda Lavery from KADEX Aero Supply, local restauranteur Ray Kapoor, Mary LaRocque from Marlin Travel, Lawyer Bill Lockington, Property Appraiser Peter McLean, Grocers Dave and Kimberley Morello, Peter Norris, formerly Holiday Ford, Vanessa Oake Hogan from Century 21, Michael Santos from Mercedes-Benz Peterborough and Ian Scates from Central Smith. 

For details on the May 26th event visit ja-neo.org

Congratulations to Tony and Kelli Grady who will be moving their entire store from Lansdowne Place Mall to their new location at 231 King Street (corner of King and Aylmer, formerly Angela Mark’s).

As of Feb. 1, they will be open seven days a week and will have all their popular footwear brands under one roof including Blundstone, Birkenstock, Finn Comfort, New Balance and more. The last day at Lansdowne Place will be Jan. 30 and all of their full-time staff will be moving with them. For all the details visit their website at gradys.ca.

The husband and wife team of Matthew and Kristin Morgan have an interesting new business called The Eyrie.

It is a Birds of Prey service-based company offering demonstrations, pest control and eventually a rehabilitation centre. Once we can all gather again Matthew and Kristin can do live, free-flight demonstrations with their team of trained birds at schools, local libraries, company and family events, campgrounds, fairs, festivals and more.

Matthew and Kristin are both highly trained and while they work towards their eventual goal of having a facility open to the public and a rehabilitation center, they would love to connect with you to talk about possible educational outreach programs. For details visit theeyrie.ca or find them on social media.

Floor Coverings International offers a mobile in-home, service that brings their selection of name-brand carpets, hardwoods, tile, stone, vinyl, cork and more right into your home.

The Mobile Flooring Showroom allows you to see how different flooring options will look and perform in your home. The process includes moving any furniture, removal of old flooring, new subfloor, installation and trim and clean up. Visit ptbo.floorcoveringsinternational.com

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Buttertart Factory, Feta and Olives, Eco Insulation and Organized By Design

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 Kawartha Buttertart Factory, located at the corner of County Road 4 and 28, next to the Douro Arena, recently expanded into a second location at 1135 Lansdowne St. in the Parkway Plaza near Shoeless Joes.

Famous for their wide variety of delicious butter tarts, owner Cathy Smith and her team also specialize in apple fritters, cinnamon rolls, pies, square, sweet loaves as well as grab-and-go items. Check it out in person or online at thebuttertartfactory.com or on social media.

Feta and Olives recently expanded from their Belleville location to Peterborough.

Now located in both the Quinte Mall and Lansdowne Place, owner Nick Reed describes Feta and Olives as fast, fresh and healthy Mediterranean food. They serve food such as gyros, donairs, salads, falafel, pitas, souvlaki and more. You will find Feta and Olives in the food court at Lansdowne Place or all over social media.

Rob Hatfield recently acquired the Eco Insulation franchise for the Peterborough area. Eco Insulation offers batt & poly, closed-cell spray foams and cellulose loose fibre blown-in insulation which can insulate, soundproof and waterproof your home.

They can also provide removal of existing insulation with mold or water damage. Located at 1057 Highway 7 E., Unit 18, in Peterborough, call (705) 868-4873 or visit ecoinsulation.ca.

If you are looking for some tips and tricks on organizing your life, Community Futures has an upcoming webinar called Tips and Tricks for Organizing your Life.

Nicole Cooke of Organized by Design will cover topics like; how clutter impacts your life, organizing your home, how to love your closet again, winning the battle with paperwork, “Drop Zones”, taking the stress out of relocating and more.

It is a free online event on Jan. 27 from noon – 1:00 p.m. Register on Eventbrite or visit communityfuturespeterborough.ca or organizedbydesign.space.

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Trent University Alumna Named Interim CEO Of National Non-Profit

Palette Skills, a national non-profit dedicated to helping organizations access untapped talent and create pathways for unemployed or underemployed workers announced the appointment of Rhonda Barnet as its interim CEO, on Tuesday.

“This opportunity connects to and is an extension of my national and international work of leveraging untapped talent to fill vacancies in high demand jobs and foster an inclusive economic recovery in Canada,” said Barnet.

As Barnet transitions into this new role as interim CEO for Palette Skills, she will also be transitioning into a new role at AVIT Manufacturing in Peterborough.

Barnet will now be an executive chair for AVIT, this will allow her to still be apart of the company while she pursues her other avenues and opportunities.

Barnet is a graduate of Trent University with a B.Sc. in Mathematics & Computer Science and a Chartered Director. She received a distinguished Alumni Award from Trent University in 2020, the Inspiring Fifty Canada - Women in Technology Award in 2018 and a Business Hall of Fame Inductee in 2017.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Cosmaroma, Rens Petes Depot, Golfing Around, Creative Kwe and Noah Crowley

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…

Cosmaroma recently opened at 821 Rye Street in Peterborough. Originally established in 2005 in Toronto, Cosmaroma specializes in stairs, flooring, bathrooms, mouldings, doors and all of the accompanying tools and hardware.

Most products are stocked on site and they work directly with manufacturers to create a specialty shop with low prices. A well-trained and knowledgeable customer service team is also a key focus for the company.

Check it out, just off Lansdowne at Rye Street behind Boston Pizza, or online at cosmaroma.com

Meanwhile, Rens Pets Depot opened in December in the same plaza. Starting out as a small Canadian feed and supply store in Oakville in 1975, Rens Pets Depot now has 33 Stores in Canada with more to come.

“Passionate about pets and the people they own” Rens likes to partner with local groomers, humane societies and other pet professionals, and is involved with adoption and pet license programs. Check it out at 871 Rye St. or visit renspets.com.

Golfing Around has the local golfing community excited. Golfing Around utilizes the Trackman advanced golf tracking technology in their indoor golf simulators which combines two radars and one camera to create a realistic experience playing some of the worlds iconic golf courses.

The new facility will also feature real-to-the-touch astroturf and crystal-clear high-definition projectors. Expected to open sometime in February at 342 Charlotte St., just down from Charlotte Pantry, you can sign up now for updates or buy a pre-sale package in advance. Visit golfingaround.ca for details.

Congratulations this week to two of Stu’s favourite people – Ashley Lamothe, who was recently announced as the new Indigenous Student Success Coordinator at the First Peoples House of Learning at Trent University.

Ashley’s businesses - Creative Kwe and Resination are remaining in operation. Just look for creativekwe on social media.

And congratulations to Noah Crowley on his recent appointment to Senior Accountant at BDO Canada.

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Ontario Announces Support For Small Businesses

The Ontario Government announced an Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant for small businesses that are subject to closure under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen, on Friday. It will provide eligible small businesses with a grant payment of $10,000.

Eligible small businesses include:

• Restaurants and bars;

• Facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities (including fitness centres and gyms);

• Performing arts and cinemas;

• Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions;

• Meeting or event spaces;

• Tour and guide services;

• Conference centres and convention centres;

• Driving instruction for individuals; and

• Before- and after- school programs.

The Ontario government is also providing electricity-rate relief to support small businesses, as well as workers and families spending more time at home while the province is in Modified Step Two.

For 21 days starting at 12:01 am on Jan. 18 electricity prices will be set 24 hours a day at the current off-peak rate of 8.2 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is less than half the cost of the current on-peak rate. The off-peak rate will apply automatically to residential, small businesses and farms who pay regulated rates set by the Ontario Energy Board and get a bill from a utility and will benefit customers on both Time-of-Use and Tiered rate plans.

Online applications for the previously-announced Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program will open on Jan. 18. This program will provide eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity with rebate payments for up to 100 per cent of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to public health measures in response to the Omicron variant.

Eligible businesses required to close for indoor activities, such as restaurants and gyms, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 100 per cent of their costs. Those required to reduce capacity to 50 per cent, such as smaller retail stores, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50 per cent of their costs. A complete list of eligible businesses will be provided prior to the launch of the application portal.

The Ontario Government is also introducing a six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for most provincially administered taxes, cutting wholesale alcohol prices to provide approximately $60 million in annual support to restaurants, bars and other businesses, and extending COVID-19 paid sick days until July 31, 2022 to keep workers safe and ensure they do not lose pay if they need to miss work for reasons related to COVID-19.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Peterborough and Kawartha Chamber of Commerce

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…

For Stu Harrison’s first column of the year, he wanted to focus on one story, the merger and consolidation of the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce.

The merger talks were triggered by the retirement of the General Manager of the Kawartha Chamber, Sherry Boyce-Found, who has skillfully managed the Kawartha Chamber for nearly 20 years. She not only retired in July and again in December but Sherry is likely still tying up loose ends today! Hats off to you Sherry!

As the Boards of both organizations considered all of the various aspects of a possible merger, it became obvious that a consolidated Chamber would be much stronger in a number of ways.

Nine full-time staff, working in both the Peterborough and Lakefield offices, representing over 1000 local businesses in the City and County, will continue to deliver on three fundamental promises; Influence, through our lobbying efforts at every level of government to help create the conditions for growth and improve the competitiveness of the business community. Profile, helping local businesses find new clients and partnerships through marketing and promotion. Knowledge, helping local businesses with training on business fundamentals and navigating the maze of Government supports, rules and regulations and to get us to the other side of this Pandemic.

The new Chamber will also continue to operate the ServiceOntario office in Lakefield with five staff ready to help.

In the next few weeks and months, you will see the roll-out of a new brand, consolidated social media channels, a new website and some exciting new programming and services.

If you are in business in the City or County of Peterborough, I hope you’ll take a look at the new Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce. For now, peterboroughchamber.ca or kawarthachamber.ca

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Trent University Student Wins $500 Early Bird Prize With The Boro's Holiday Passport Draw

Trent University student, Jonah Udovc has won the final Holiday Shopping Passport early bird draw of 2021, which is a $500 Boro giftcard.

Jonah Udovc and Terry Guiel, Peterborough DBIA. Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA.

Udovc’s winning Holiday Shopping Passport was drawn on Dec 15 at the Peterborough DBIA.

He collected his stamps after purchasing a coat from Wild Rock Outfitters and a new house plant from Plant Goals.

The $500 gift card can be used at various stores in the downtown core, and Udovc says he will use it to explore places he hasn’t been to.

“Supporting local directly impacts the livelihood of our local shop owners which feels far more impactful than shopping at a big box store. I love the downtown and couldn’t imagine shopping for the holidays anywhere else,” said Udovc.

Holiday Shopping Passports are still available at any one of the 150+ participating shops, boutiques, salons, restaurants, and cafes in downtown Peterborough. Each completed Holiday Shopping Passport increases the chance to win up to $1,500 in Boro gift cards.

The $1,500 grand prize draw will happen on Jan 12, 2022.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Ancient Trail Soap, Friendlily, Renew MediSpa and Anne Marshall

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…

Ancient Trail Soap is Bay Morgan’s new online retail company. Bay offers milk soaps that are all natural and handmade in small batches using locally sourced ingredients first.

Goat’s milk, olive oil and coconut oil are used as the primary ingredients and no palm oil or synthetics are added. Each batch of soap is made using the “cold process” with botanicals and clays for colour, taking a cure time of six weeks. Choose from many different types, colours, exfoliants, and fragrances from their online shop ancienttrailsoap.com

Jim Riches has taken his years of experience in the charitable sector and turned it into a unique new online shopping experience that features a percentage of every online sale going to a charity of your choice.

Nationwide, the website is designed to bring businesses, consumers and charities together in an everybody-wins scenario. When you visit the site you can explore the charities, the businesses, the products, and when you make a purchase, a percentage goes to the charity you choose. So, whether you are a charity, a business, or a consumer, check it all out at friendlilyshop.com

Roxanne McDonald-Brown created Renew MediSpa to deliver high-quality medical aesthetic services and advanced spa treatments to her clients.

Roxanne is a Registered Practical Nurse, with specialized certificates in Advanced Foot Care and Medical Aesthetic Practitioner. She and her staff offer a suite of services including laser hair removal, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, deep moisture facials and many more. Located at 755 Lock Street, check out renewptbo.com

Congratulations to Anne Marshall of Elmhirst Resort on her recent induction into the Tourism Industry Association of Canada Hall of Fame.

Peterborough is teeming with people who deserve this sort of national recognition, and Canada’s Volunteer Awards is currently looking for nominees. Recognizing the contributions of volunteers for not-for-profits, social enterprises, businesses or individuals. Just search for volunteer awards at Canada.ca.

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