Grand Opening of Peterborough's Artisanal Retail Store, Handmade Heaven Hits Lansdowne Place

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Lansdowne Place is now the home of an artisanal retail store, Handmade Heaven as lots of shoppers were lined outside the storefront for its grand opening on Monday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The store features goods from over 70 different local businesses — including junior makers — that make 100 per cent of the sales in exchange for paying rent to use the retail space.

Local artisans that want to rent space in the store must fill out an application online.

“I know there's a huge artist community around here. I just did a calling and all the makers, the artists and all the talent basically did the rest and had an overflow of applications,” said Sam Milne, Handmade Heaven owner.

Milne has family connections with the ‘The Nooks,’ a chain that is a similar concept to what he is doing for Peterborough with Handmade Heaven. It has seen success with 18 locations in Canada including Vaughan Mills.

The storefront is located across from Dollarama on the upper floor. Milne had announced on his Instagram that Lansdowne Place that he was setting up shop in mid-March.

“As soon as I saw this location, I knew instantly that this was going to be the store,” explained Milne. “It's absolutely perfect, I know the people of Peterborough are going to come out and support. It's been above and beyond what I expected so far.”

Roughly over 50 people were lined up outside prior to the opening. Milne says the store is a great outlet for local artisans to be recognized and supported. Artists get up-to-date notifications on when their product gets sold in the story.

“(I) really try to get people out to support their local makers and see all the beautiful things there's handmade artists have actually made,” said Milne. “Every time one of these makers sells something with their hard work involved, they (customers) have no idea how much it means to these people when they see their sales.” 

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Peterborough Barbershop, Working Human, Arcwear Apparel and PTBO Chamber

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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…

Haircuts and beard trims have arrived on Sherbrooke Street with the help of Curtis Self and Paul Ferguson, owners of Peterborough Barbershop.

The new shop is located at the former Laurie Jones and Company Hair Designers at 165 Sherbrooke St. in downtown Peterborough. The business partners joined forces after years of experience in the industry. Walk-ins are welcome or make an appointment online at peterboroughbarbershop.ca.

Dynamic duo and Principal Consultants Kendra Mancini and Michelle Fenn have just launched their new business, Working Human, on Friday.

They provide diverse learning experiences that foster both personal and professional development. They support individuals, teams, and organizations to reach their highest potential through human-centred coaching, consulting and customized learning. Working Human believes in life-defining work, not work defining life. You can find them online at workinghuman.ca and on Instagram at @workinghumaninc.

There’s a new line of clothing for welders, by welders called Arcwear Apparel.

It’s a brand created out of a need for classic, stylish apparel for welders to show their pride in the trade. The branded apparel includes slogans like “Just Weld It” and “Weld Done.” The products include shirts, hats, and stickers. Check out their designs or order some merchandise at arcwearapparel.com.

Do you own a business, want to start a business or are looking to grow a business in the North Kawartha area?

There’s a Business Town Hall scheduled for June 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the North Kawartha Community Centre at 340 McFadden St. in Apsley. Interested businesses can learn more about funding opportunities and business support from TeamPTBOKawarthas, which includes the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, Peterborough and Kawarthas Economic Development and Tourism, Community Futures, the Innovation Cluster and North Kawartha Economic Development. It’s an opportunity to get connected in supporting the local business community. Get more details at pkchamber.ca.

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Voice of Business: Diversifying Healthcare to Ease the Burden On Emergency Rooms and Family Doctors

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Our healthcare system is in crisis.

Hospitals are struggling to fulfill all the healthcare needs we are asking of them. At the same time, many people in Ontario are without access to a family doctor. Lack of access to healthcare is leading to greater lost time and limiting workforce mobility. While our hospital and family physician services are in need of investment, there are other healthcare professionals in our communities that are underutilized and can help fill in the gaps when it comes to primary and non-urgent healthcare needs.

This is why the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce is submitting the following as a policy resolution to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC). It’s a document we worked closely on with fellow chambers, boards of trade, and industry associations. The OCC takes policy submissions once a year which goes to members at the annual convention later this week to be debated and voted on. If approved, they become part of the OCC’s advocacy efforts for the next three years.

Hospitals are regularly at capacity for dealing with emergencies and staffing struggles have led to regular temporary closures to new admittance.

While COVID-19 and a particularly difficult influenza season created challenges, adding further pressure is the lack of family physicians. According to the Ontario College of Family Physicians, more than three million Ontarians could be without a family doctor by 2025.

People without a family doctor are left to piece together their healthcare services with what is available to them, including attending Emergency Rooms for non-urgent healthcare needs.

Increasing the service capacity of hospitals and access to family doctors should be a priority for the government, but there are other healthcare services that can help take some of the pressure off in the near term.

Nurse Practitioners can shoulder some of the demand for family doctors by funding more Nurse Practitioner-led clinics as a primary care option, as well as funding the additional Nurse Practitioner seats at Ontario's universities.

Similarly, pharmacists have the expertise to ease some of the healthcare burdens by increasing their ability to prescribe and administer medication. Steps have recently been taken to expand this capacity, but more can be done.

Community Health Centres are able to provide physical and mental healthcare to some of our most vulnerable citizens. There are still many communities around Ontario that do not have this service, which serves individuals who live with complex mental health and/or addictions, extreme poverty, and disability. It is welcoming to newcomers, racialized individuals, Indigenous persons, and individuals who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. The need for Community Health Centres is especially important for businesses located in historic downtowns that are dealing with the consequences and filling in some of the gaps for marginalized individuals.

Enhancing funding for Community Paramedicine Programs will assist communities with an additional safety net that will meet people’s healthcare needs without a visit to the hospital.

We need our government to work with local healthcare providers to ensure people have access to walk-in clinics. This is a vital stopgap for people unable to access a family doctor, but in need of non-emergency healthcare — yet many communities are un- or underserviced. Enhancing access to walk-in clinics is a necessary preventative measure that will ensure the treatment of various ailments that may otherwise be escalated and lead to readmittance, putting further pressure on an already strained healthcare infrastructure.

Mobile clinics offer resources to rural communities that are often without significant local healthcare services.

Employers in Ontario are facing significant challenges in attracting and retaining their workforce. Providing adequate and efficient healthcare will minimize absenteeism and create a stronger, healthier workforce.

Workers are reluctant to relocate due to the potential loss of access to a family doctor, limiting workforce mobility in Ontario.

Healthcare challenges increase in rural communities, adding more barriers to attracting skilled workers — particularly for our struggling tourism sector.

A healthy workforce will drive a healthy economy.

Our recommendations to the Government of Ontario:

  1. Provide more funding for Nurse Practitioner-led clinics, and fund additional Nurse Practitioner seats at Ontario's universities

  2. Expand funding for community paramedicine programs.

  3. Support Community Health Centres as a means of addressing healthcare needs for those with barriers and needs that fall outside the scope of traditional healthcare systems.

  4. Ensure communities have access to walk-in clinics.

  5. Invest in mobile clinics to meet non-urgent healthcare needs in rural communities.

  6. Make medical schools more financially accessible to students interested in entering the medical field.

  7. Work with the federal government to Improve the mobility of physicians within Canada by broadening the national licensure program.

  8. Continue to improve recognition of equivalent qualifications held by international medical graduates to integrate them into the Canadian medical field and meet fast-growing demand.

  9. Increase admission capacity for different types of healthcare professionals,

  10. Expand programs to offer incentives for healthcare professionals — including physicians, nurses, specialists, and technicians — to locate in rural and northern regions experiencing higher levels of healthcare workforce shortages.

  11. Ensure that communities across Canada possess the digital infrastructure necessary for enhanced and integrated telehealth programs that bring physician teams and patients closer together.

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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Nominations Now Open for the Chamber of Commerce's Business Excellence Awards

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Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce has opened the call for nominations for the 2023 Business Excellence Awards. 

photo courtesy of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

Nominating your favourite business is as easy as entering their name on our Express Nomination Form. The Chamber will then reach out to let them know and collect the details. Self-nominations are encouraged and are a great way to recognize your team. Express and self-nomination forms are available online.

The Business Excellence Awards were established to promote the advancement of responsible business leadership within the community. Awards will be handed out in over 20 categories including the prestigious Business Citizen of the Year Award. 

Businesses and individuals within the City and County of Peterborough are eligible, and do not need to be members of the Chamber of Commerce.

“In Peterborough and the Kawarthas, excellence is all around us,” says Sarah Budd, Chamber President & CEO.  “Every day, businesses and not-for-profits throughout the city and county are delivering exceptional service, providing incredible experiences, and finding innovative ways to grow. We encourage everyone to take a moment to recognize the businesses and organizations that make our community great.”

The Early Bird nomination deadline for nominations is May 10 at 4:30 p.m. and the Final deadline for nominations is May 24 at 4:30 p.m. The nominations received before May 10 at 4:30pm will be entered into the Early Bird Draw to win a $100 gift card for the Chamber member business of your choice.

Three Finalists in each category will be announced in August, with the award recipients announced live on the big stage – October 18th at Showplace Performance Centre.

There are categories for every business size and sector:

  • 4-Under-40 Profiles in memory of Kathy Windrem

  • Business Citizen of the Year

  • Business Student Leadership Prizes

  • Businesswoman of the Year – Entrepreneur

  • Businesswoman of the Year – Organization

  • Commercial Development or Renovation

  • Customer First

  • Employer of the Year

  • Entrepreneurial Spirit

  • Farm Family of the Year

  • Green Initiatives

  • Health & Wellness

  • Hospitality

  • Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year

  • Local Focus

  • Marketing & Promotion

  • Micro Business

  • Not-for-profit

  • Professional Services

  • Retail

  • Skilled Trades

  • Stuart Harrison President’s Award

  • Tourism

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Brant Basics, Cavan Chiropractic, Beavertails and Excellence Awards

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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…

Brant Basics is growing! Brant is working with the owners of TCB Office Furniture and Supplies to look after their Peterborough clients.

Katrina Favron from TCB has joined the Brant team. TCB closed its Peterborough store in March after 12 years of doing business locally. Family-owned since 1964, check out Brant’s 25,000 square-foot downtown Peterborough location at 296 George St N., which is home to their retail store, office furniture showroom and an incredible team of productivity experts.

Cavan Chiropractic has moved to Millbrook after 30+ years on Tapley Quarter Line.

Cavan Chiropractic offers a variety of services, including chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, orthotics, laser therapy, taping, cupping, and both large and small animal chiropractic care. Find out more about their new location or book an appointment at www.cavanchiropractic.ca.

Delicious Beavertails are coming to Peterborough!

Located at 1665 Chemong Rd., the new franchise is expected to open soon and serve their famous flat whole-wheat Canadian pastries served piping hot with your choice of 120 possible topping combinations. Beavertails have the distinction of being served to former President Barak Obama on his visit to Ottawa. The location will also serve ice cream and other iconic Canadian treats. The new Peterborough location can be found on Facebook or check out the menu at www.beavertails.com.

It’s time to celebrate excellence in our business community.

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce has kicked off its annual Excellence Awards with a call for nominations. Do you know any local businesses that go above and beyond? Businesses that excel in their sector and in our community? Help them get recognized for their hard work. Send it in by May 10 to be eligible for a $100 gift card for a Chamber member of your choice. All nominations are due May 24. Go to www.pkexcellence.ca for more details and to submit your Excellence nomination.

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Partnership Leads to Grand Opening of New Barbershop Off Downtown Peterborough

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The newest place to get a haircut has opened up as owners Paul Ferguson and Curtis Self have opened up their new shop, Peterborough Barbershop with its grand opening on Tuesday.

The shop is located on 165 Sherbrooke St., the former site of Laurie Jones and Company Hair Designers which closed down after 36 of business due to Jones retiring.

“It's nice to be in what was Laurie's spot for the better part of 40 years,” said Ferguson. “It's kind of a full-circle type of thing. I've had family members that have gone to her for years and years so it's nice to take over those roots and continue that legacy of a good family spot here.”

The family-friendly and welcoming atmosphere of Jones’s business is what Self and Ferguson want to incorporate into their barbershop.

“We're trying to have a good welcome spot and be family-oriented,” explained Ferguson. “We wanted to bring back the values of a good family traditional barbershop.”

“We want it to be a community hub for people to come by, feel comfortable and a welcoming spot for anyone who wants to come in for a bit of a trim,” added Self. 

Self had barbered for the past eight-and-a-half years while Ferguson worked in the business for the past five. Self began as an apprentice and became a master barber. He apprenticed Ferguson as the latter is currently a senior barber, working his way towards being a master barber.

Both men say that opening the shop was the next step in advancing their careers.

“It was the logical next step,” explained Self. “It's just a progression in our carer and decided to take on the task and the responsibility of opening up a barbershop for ourselves.”

“Becoming a shop owner I think is the best way for me personally to become the best possible I can and doing it with Curtis was a shoo-in just because we work well together,” said Ferguson. “He was a mentor to me and we feel like we can grow in this space better than any other spot.”

Since the first week of the barbershop’s opening, both barbers have been seeing customers in past businesses they have worked in that have been ‘emotional at times’ according to Self.

“It tugs at your heartstrings a bit,” explained Self. “It's heartwarming and it's just gratifying seeing those faces because really at the end of the day, what it's about.”

“Being a barber is a perfect opportunity to meet with people all day long,” said Ferguson. “We wanted to be a part of the fabric of the community and being in the southern part of downtown here has been amazing.”

Peterborough Barbershop is open five days a week from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. from Tuesdays to Fridays and 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Appointments can be booked online with walk-ins welcome.

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Hometown PTBO: Andrew Pyle on His Philanthropy and Starting a Business in Town 21 Years Ago

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This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with Andrew Pyle of The Pyle Group about moving to Peterborough 21 years ago to start a family, starting a wealth business, his philanthropy and his children including his son Luke who has been diagnosed with Down Syndrome.

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Innovation Cluster Partners with Kawartha Manufacturers Association to Provide Free Memberships for New Local Manufacturers and Clean Tech/Social Innovation Startups

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The Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas (ICPK) unveiled its partnership with the Kawartha Manufacturers Association (KMA), offering complimentary membership in its association to emerging manufacturers and early-stage Innovation Cluster clients in the manufacturing and clean tech/social innovation sectors.

photo courtesy of innovation cluster.

Tom Sayers, one of longest standing members of the Kawartha Manufacturers Association said, “the KMA was founded 30 years ago with a mission to increase the competitiveness of manufacturers in Peterborough and the City of Kawartha Lakes by providing forums for sharing best practices, collaborating on training initiatives, and creating a network of experienced problem-solvers.”

Diane Richard, President of Diatom Consulting and Professional Training, is a KMA member and serves on the Innovation Cluster board. Diane emphasized the importance of KMA's initiative, stating, "the free membership program offered by KMA is an incredible opportunity for new manufacturers and Innovation Cluster clients to access invaluable resources and connect with industry experts. It will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and success of businesses in our region."

Camila Duarte, Senior Innovation Specialist & Programs Director at the Innovation Cluster, stated, "this initiative aligns perfectly with our goal of fostering innovation and growth in the manufacturing and clean tech/social innovation sectors. It's a great way for emerging businesses to tap into the wealth of knowledge and experience within the KMA community."

By offering free memberships to emerging manufacturers in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, along with early-stage Innovation Cluster clients, KMA aims to expedite the growth of these new manufacturers and startups, benefiting the community by creating skilled technology jobs resulting from their endeavours.

John Jankowski, current KMA Chair, encourages local manufacturers and Innovation Cluster clients to take advantage of the free membership offer or renew their existing memberships. "We are very excited to bring our community back together after several years of challenges for our members and the inability to hold events," says Jankowski.

For more information on the free membership offer or to renew a membership, please contact the KMA at info@thekma.com.

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Voice of Business: SME Institute

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As a chamber of commerce, our main objective is to help the businesses in our area thrive. We do this by offering promotion, professional development, connections within our community and assistance with issues at all four levels of government. As a local chamber, we are also able to offer our members services provided by our big sisters, the Ontario and Canadian Chambers of Commerce.

One of these services is the SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) Institute by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC).

The SME Institute promotes itself as a “one-stop shop for services and resources, we are a community of partners, mentors and peers who are committed to the collective success of SMEs.”

So, what does this mean for local businesses?

As a Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce member, you can access training, consulting, networking, SME-focused tools and resources, and tips on the SME website.

The training programs are run by the CCC partner and trusted experts, to bring relevant and up-to-date content to help your business grow.

“Learn how to recruit, retain and train talent; find and attract investors; use technology to grow your business; and boost your business performance through diversity and sustainability.”

Their consulting page has a list of “trusted experts and connections to get the support you need to help you reach your goals.” Experts from Grant Thornton LLP, M2M Business Solutions, Cat-Tec Inc., Goodman Sustainability Group and Mentor Works - A Ryan Company are included as advisors – with packages and services available for any member ready to access them.

The SME Institute also has a Marketplace page, with extra tools available to help businesses become more efficient. As an example, Canadian Government Funding Application Writing Services by Mentor Works, “a leading government funding firm dedicated to streamlining the funding and grant application process for businesses across Canada. Through Ryan ULC, an award-winning global tax services, consultancy and software provider, Mentor Works can offer a 360 Funding Experience and a grants discovery and screening platform that helps match businesses with government funding opportunities.”

The SME Institute’s Founding Sponsor, our friends at RBC, also offer some services. First, the RBC Insight Edge “helps you uncover actionable insights for your business without the need to sort through mountains of data. Using anonymized credit and debit card transactions along with demographic and location data, RBC Insight Edge offers real-time intelligence through an easy-to-use dashboard.”

The second is the RBC PayEdge. “RBC PayEdge is an innovative accounts payable platform that automates payments to suppliers by integrating with your accounting system. It enables you to easily access funds from any Canadian bank account and most credit cards to pay suppliers globally. Businesses of all sizes can save time and money using RBC PayEdge — whether they’re an existing RBC banking client or not.”

As the world changes, including the way businesses operate and how customers interact with them, all organizations can use the resources available to them to stay competitive. As your local Chamber, we can help on a local, provincial, and national level.

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Bobcat, WingsUp!, The Village Wine Shoppe and Lang Pioneer Village

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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…

Bobcat of Peterborough is celebrating their grand opening on May 19 at 2161 Wittington Dr.

The dealership opened back in May of 2020 and recently came under new ownership with Ryan Di Bello. Ryan started as a sales specialist but took over ownership in January of this year. Bobcat sells, rents and services equipment for both business and home use.

A new franchise of WingsUp! is celebrating its grand opening from April 28 to 30 at 1135 Lansdowne St.W.

Drop by and sample some tasty chicken. WingsUp! prides itself on sourcing all of its chicken from Canada and only serving it fresh — never frozen. They focus on takeout, delivery, and catering. Get your wings in 18 flavours from sweet to bold and spicy. Check out their menu at www.wingsup.com.

After 22 years working in local industrial technology, Lori Konig is starting a new adventure running The Village Wine Shoppe in Bridgenorth.

Konig will officially take over ownership of the business on May 1 as Pat Flache retires. The Village Wine Shoppe ferments on site. Customers select their wine, add yeast and wait five to eight weeks. It is an economical way to create the wine you want. Drop by 874 Ward St. in Bridgenorth to start making your own wine.

Have a Feast On the Farm on May 28 and 29 as the Culinary Tourism Alliance partners with Peterborough and the Kawarthas Tourism to hold the event at Lang Pioneer Village.

This unique two-day, zero-waste fundraiser event series includes a curated gastronomic experience for food lovers on the first day — featuring Chef Brad Watt of Publican House Brewery and Pub, Chef Tyler Scott from Rare Escape, and Chef Lisa Dixon of Black Honey Café. The second day is focused on interactive sessions for industry professionals. Tickets and details are available at www.ontarioculinary.com.

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