Peterborough Blogs
Peterborough and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce Announce Business Excellence Awards Recipients
/The Peterborough and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce handed out its 2024 Business Excellence Awards at a ceremony held at Showplace Performance Centre on Tuesday night.
Phillip Jolicoeur (middle) with his family, announced as the Business Citizens of the Year. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough and the Kawartha Chamber of Commernce.
The awards are designed to publicly recognize and honour local businesses with a passion for excellence.
Almost 50 businesses and individuals were profiled in 22 categories, with recipients announced live on stage.
The following are the nominees and award recipients:
4-Under-40 Profiles, in memory of Kathy Windrem
Dr. Taylor Bonner
Joe Curry
Hillary Flood
Dylan Radcliffe
Businesswomen of the Year
Entrepreneur
Rosalea Terry of nectar co. (Recipient)
Organization
Heidi Popov of Kawartha Gymnastics (Recipient)
Business Citizen of the Year
Phillip Jolicoeur of PJ The Marketing Guy, Phillip Jolicoeur Entertainment, Photo Booth Fun (Recipient)
Business Student Leadership Prizes (winners listed)
Ali Jammal (Trent University)
Joylyn Johnson D Souza (Trent University)
Swarna Latha Mareedu (Fleming College)
Commercial Development or Renovation
Ashburnham Realty (The Railyard Development)
The Canadian Canoe Museum (Recipient)
Holmes Riseley LLP (823 Park St. S.)
Customer First
The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge
Couture Candy (Recipient)
McLeod's EcoWater
Employer of the Year
Engage Engineering
Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory (Recipient
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Green Street Inc.
nectar co.
Wanderlight Alpaca Experience (Recipient)
Peterborough County Farm Family of the Year (winners listed)
• Scott, Paula, Jason & Shelby Cornish (Whiskey Lane Livestock)
Green Initiatives
Camp Kawartha (Recipient)
Cheeks Ahoy
Dietrich Homes
Health & Wellness
Acceptance Nurse Psychotherapy
Flow Spa (Recipient)
Trent Health in Motion
Hospitality
Levantine Grill
Millbrook Mercantile (Recipient)
Local Focus
Lang Pioneer Village Museum (Recipient)
Market Hall Performing Arts Centre
OmniWorx Design
Marketing & Promotion
Cottage Country Lifestyle Magazine
Harmony for Healing
nectar co. - The Viral Keepsake Campaign (Recipient)
Micro Business
The Chocolate Rabbit (Recipient)
Millbrook Mercantile
Peterborough Disability Tax Services
Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year
Sama Noor Yousafzai (Goodies on Mews)
Not-for-Profit
Five Counties Children's Centre
Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region – (Recipient)
Kawartha Gymnastics
Professional Services
Acceptance Nurse Psychotherapy (Recipient)
Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory
Holmes Riseley LLP
Retail
Dan Joyce's Retailing Limited
Paris Marine (Recipient)
Shop The Lake Inc.
Skilled Trades
R & M Smith Contracting (Recipient)
Tom's Heating and Cooling
Tourism
Beachwood Resort
Kawartha Country Wines
Lang Pioneer Village Museum (Recipient)
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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring JA-NEO, Kawartha Montessori, Peterborough Symphony Orchestra and Peterborough Chamber
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
Nominations are open for Junior Achievement’s Business Hall of Fame.
It’s an opportunity to recognize businesses from across Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes who have helped shape our local economy and inspired others through their achievements. Recipients are people who embody a legacy of excellence, displaying unwavering commitment, leadership, and innovation throughout their careers. Visit ja-neo.org to nominate a deserving business in our community. The deadline for nominations is Nov. 29.
Kawartha Montessori School is hosting an open house at their beautiful location at 2247 Burnham Line in Otonabee South Monaghan on Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon.
This is a good opportunity to check out the school if you’re considering Montessori for your child or just curious about their unique learning environment. You will have an opportunity to explore their classrooms and facilities, meet their dedicated teachers, learn about Montessori curriculum and find out how they nurture independent, confident and lifelong learners.
Get an early start on your gift buying and support Peterborough Symphony Orchestra at the same time by bidding on their auction items.
The online auction launched earlier in October and will continue to 4 p.m. on Nov. 2. Starting at 6:30 p.m. that evening, bidding will continue in person at the PSO concert at Showplace and conclude at the post-concert reception in the Cogeco Studio. One of Canada’s foremost piano virtuosos, David Jalbert will be joining the orchestra that evening. Visit thepso.org for more information.
Want to be part of the conversation on the direction of tourism in Peterborough County?
The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Peterborough County to hold a series of Tourism Talks at various locations. These roundtable discussions are meant to engage local businesses that are involved in, rely on, and otherwise impacted by tourism in the County. We want to get a better understanding of the needs of local businesses and what we can do to create a stronger, thriving local tourism sector for many years to come.
Don't Be Scared of 'Ghost Taco' As They Host Grand Opening Of New Peterborough Location
/Peterborough’s newest spot for one of Mexico’s most popular food, ‘Ghost Taco’ held its grand opening at its location at 110 Chandler Cres. on Friday morning.
(From left to right) Samantha Buckley, Ghost Taco co-founder and CEO, Addison Tomas and Chef Matt Basille doing the ‘Ghost Taco Challenge’, testing customers spicy limits with a ghost pepper consomme. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The grand opening opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Jeff Leal, Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP and the Peterborough and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce.
The event featured merchandise giveaways, a social media photo contest, raffles, drink samples (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and live cooking demos from chef Matt Basille.
Guests could participate in the ‘Ghost Taco Challenge’ to test their spice tolerance with the restaurant’s latest creation, a consommé made from ghost peppers.
The restaurant is known for experimenting with traditional tacos. It offers more familiar styles, such as ‘Carnita’ (pulled pork) and Baja fish but also original concepts such as ‘Crispy Korean Tofu’ and ‘Charred Brussels.’
Bowls, sides and drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), including their own brand of beer called ‘Ghost Taco Cerveza,’ are also available.
The grand opening showcased their new limited offer: ‘The Ghost Taco,’ a birria beef and cream cheese taco in a deep-fried tortilla with a ghost pepper consommé.
“We call ourselves 'unauthentic Mexican' largely because it gives us the chance to really experiment with different flavours and different concepts,” explained Samantha Buckley, Ghost Taco co-founder and CEO. “There really is something for every flavour profile and they're all chef-inspired gourmet creations so it's not your typical build-your-own taco place.”
Tomas (left) checks in on Liam O’Connor of the Peterborough and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce (right) for social media during the ‘Ghost Taco Challenge’. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Ghost Taco was created after some creative pivoting from Buckley during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We own a couple full-service restaurants in Newmarket and a boutique event venue and in the middle of Covid, we were going into the second lockdown, we got shut down at our event venue and we just testing different take-out concepts,” she explained. “We figured, 'you know, what's really missing in the market?' and it's gourmet tacos in a quick-service setting.”
Through testing, social media and a pop-up, the restaurant started a hole in the wall before blowing up which started Ghost Taco.
The small franchise began in Newmarket and opened a second location in Vaughan. Peterborough has become home to its third restaurant and Whitby is planned to be the fourth in the winter next year.
“Jamie, one of our operators here in Peterborough, he really loved the brand and he inquired with us about what we could do to get one of these in Peterborough,” said Buckley. “It was always on our radar. We have ties to Peterborough through our family. You have such a family small-business feel so it really was the perfect fit for us.”
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Voice of Business: The Importance of Safeguarding Our Intellectual Property
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This week on the Voice of Business, we are diving into an important yet often overlooked topic: Intellectual Property (IP).
IP refers to creations of the mind, like inventions or artistic works, which are increasingly important in today's growing ‘ideas economy.’ This economy is centred around intangible assets like software, technology, and digital innovations. Recently, Jim Balsillie, former co-CEO of BlackBerry, discussed on CBC the urgency of safeguarding Canada’s intellectual property in our evolving economy.
We encounter intellectual property every day, from the apps we use—like Facebook, Netflix, or Microsoft Office. We also observe our reliance on IP with Tesla’s autonomous driving systems or user interfaces with our phones. For business owners, it’s essential to protect their IP, as it shields their innovations from competitors and creates potential revenue streams through licensing agreements. However, many businesses, particularly those in the tech sector, underestimate the importance of protecting their intangible assets.
Balsillie’s podcast appearance emphasizes the consequences of not prioritizing IP protection, which are evident in Canada’s lagging productivity. He warns that foreign companies are buying Canadian-owned IP, which could push Canada to rank last among OECD countries in terms of productivity. According to Balsillie, the issue isn’t who invents these technologies, but rather who owns the rights to them. As more Canadian IP is sold to foreign companies, the potential for foreign entities to shape the future of Canadian industries grows. This could lead to significant changes, including headquarters relocating outside of Canada and essential jobs being outsourced abroad.
The elephant in the room, Balsillie notes, lies in the lack of a legislative framework that incentivizes businesses to retain their IP domestically. On top of that, there’s a gap in educating corporations about the value of IP and how to manage it effectively. He highlights how other countries, such as China, are far ahead in patent filings for technologies like artificial intelligence. China has filed 400,000 AI-related patents, while Canada on an industry wide scale has filed roughly 40,000. This further illustrates how other countries are actively protecting their innovations, giving them a competitive edge in the global market.
Balsillie also draws attention to the sharp growth of the intangible economy, which now makes up for 92% of the value in the Standard & Poor's 500 index—up from just 17%. This rapid growth will only continue, making it even more important for Canada to protect its intellectual property. He argues that Canada must foster a more attractive business environment to encourage companies to hold their IP rather than sell it to foreign competitors. While he doesn’t go into detail, Balsillie suggests we should learn from international models of legislation regarding IP retainment.
Another concerning trend is the growing number of Canadian pension funds being invested abroad. Balsillie points out that if our own investors are placing their money outside of Canada, it should be a wake-up call that our market is not offering the support needed for businesses togrow and thrive. Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted strategy that includes educating businesses about IP and creating a market that rewards innovation and encourages companies to keep their IP in Canada.
Finally, whether you are a large tech company or a small local business it is important business owners are aware of the advantages of their IP rights. Not only does keeping IP retain jobs in Canada- it also boosts our economy. Balsillie stresses the need for a comprehensive strategy to educate businesses about the benefits of protecting their intellectual property and fostering an attractive market environment. By doing so, Canada can ensure its productivity stays competitive and hold onto its valuable innovations!
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Maple Light, Cancer Takedown, Peterborough County and Sarah Budd
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
A Peterborough company has launched Canada’s first hard maple seltzer.
Maple Light founders were inspired to create the refreshing cocktail while boiling down sap in their sugar shack. Seeing an opportunity, they official launched Maple Light this summer. It’s a drink that is lightly and naturally sweetened with a hint of real maple syrup balanced with subtle citrus notes. The drink is now available at select bars, restaurants, and golf courses and is expected to launch in grocery and convenience stores this fall. You can order it at drinkmaplelight.ca
It's time for the third annual Cancer Takedown fundraiser on Nov. 7 from 7 to 10 p.m at Market Hall.
It’s a night of song, story, and solidarity featuring the comedic genius of Linda Kash and Megan Murphy and music from Melissa Payne, Kate Suhr, The Weber Brothers, and more. All proceeds go to cancer care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. Tickets are available at tickets.markethall.org.
Thanksgiving may be behind us but our farming community is still very much at work harvesting their crops that feed our communities.
Peterborough County and the local OPP want to remind the rest of us to slow down and be aware that there are large, slow-moving vehicles on roads. The vehicles may not be fast enough to keep up with traffic, but our farmers are on a tight timeline to get the harvest in. Don’t expect them to pull over on the shoulder. Make sure you have a clear path and that the operator knows you’re behind them before passing. It’s the safe and respectful thing to do and the OPP are reinforcing that with careless driving fines for impatient drivers.
We at the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce bid farewell to Sarah Budd, our President and CEO for the last two years.
Sarah brought extensive experience from the non-profit world, having served for 15 years as the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region. She leaves the Chamber a stronger voice for businesses across the region. She will take that passion and energy for the business community to her new role as the manager of Community Development in the County’s new economic development department.
Hometown PTBO: Mike Watt and His Business Flavour Celebrating 25 Years in Downtown Peterborough
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This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Mike Watt, owner of Flavour Fashion, about the store's 25th anniversary, what they're doing to commemorate the occasion and the importance of keeping it local.
Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Right to Heal, Mallard Heating and Air, Grady's Feet Essentials and Halloween in the Booro
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
A Right to Heal is teaming up with local business 100 Acre Brewing Company, hosting Friendsgiving on Oct. 20 from 2 to 6 pm.
This free admission event includes live music, local vendors, corn hole boards, prizes, a food truck and of course, local craft beer. Located on a beautiful rural lot, 100 Acres Brewing is a great place to enjoy some fall colours. Drop by 390 Ashburnham Dr. on Oct. 20 to raise some money for a great local cause and have a good family-friendly time.
With colder weather rolling in, it might be a good time to connect with a new local business: Mallard Heating and Air.
They do installation, maintenance, and repairs of furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, and fireplaces. Your climate comfort is a priority for Mallard Heating and Air, offering HVAC services that are designed to save you time and money with top-notch heating and air conditioning solutions. They service customers across Peterborough City, County, and Kawartha Lakes. Visit mallardhvac.ca for more information and to book an appointment.
In 1984 Ken Grady Sr. founded Grady’s Orthopedic Service from his home.
A year later, he opened the first Grady’s Shoes storefront in downtown Peterborough. Ken’s son Tony, along with his wife Kelli, bought the store in 1997. Together, they’ve created a legacy of 40 years as the go-to destination for quality comfort footwear. They opened their own storefront at 231 King St. back in 2018, initially as storage, office space, and a pickup location, officially relocating there in 2022. Congratulations Ken, Tony, and Kelli on your incredible legacy, both through your business and as leaders in our community.
It's time for Halloween in the Booro.
Head downtown Peterborough on Oct. 26 from 5 to 8 pm as the streets come alive with frightful fun and sweet surprises. This family-friendly event is organized by the DBIA and is designed to not only bring the community together but also to shine a spotlight on the local businesses that make downtown Peterborough a special and unique destination. There are nearly 30 local businesses joining in the fun, which includes trick or treating, a scavenger hunt for kids, and late-night shopping. Get more information at theboro.ca.
Peterborough's Feet Stays Comfy As Grady’s Feet Essentials Celebrates 40 Years In Business
/It was a huge milestone for Grady’s Feet Essentials as they celebrated their 40th anniversary in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at their King Street store on Thursday morning.
Tony (left) and Kelli (second from left) cutting the ribbon as tony’s father Ken Grady Sr. (second from right) and employee Theresa (right) help in the ceremony. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
“When we think of all the things we survived to get here, all the ups and downs, the drops in the economy and the pandemic, it's just so exciting to have reached this milestone,” said Kelli Grady of Grady’s Feet Essentials.
The municipal, provincial, and federal governments acknowledged the business’s milestone. Mayor Jeff Leal and representatives from MP Michelle Ferreri and MPP Dave Smith were present to congratulate the Gradys and present them with certificates of recognition.
In 1984, Ken Grady Sr. founded Grady’s Orthopedic Service from his home, crafting custom orthotics for local customers. He opened the first Grady’s Shoes storefront in downtown Peterborough a year later.
In 1986, Ken’s son Tony Grady started helping after school each day. He purchased the store with his wife, Kelli, in 1997 and was rebranded as Grady’s Feet Essentials. They opened a kiosk at Lansdowne Place Mall in 2000. This led to further expansion into an entire storefront on the mall’s upper level in 2005 and a major renovation with the help of a retail designer in 2011.
Kelli (left), Luna (front) and Tony (right) together in thie business. Luna is one of the store’s highlights and always hard at work with the Grady’s. Both Kelli and Tony are active members of the Rotary Club of Peterborough, each having been recognized as Rotarian of the Year. The store sponsors several local organizations, including the Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival, Community Care, 4th Line Theatre and New Stages Theatre. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
