Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Bentley Bits, Escape Maze, Electric City Catering and Carl Oake

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…

Looking for some special treats for your furry friend?

There’s a new local line of treats for dogs and cats called Bentley Bits from Bentley and Co. They’re not only tasty but healthy too. They are made with all-natural ingredients, like grass-fed beef tallow, coconut oil, and parsley. It’s good for their coat, skin, and digestion. Tracey Townsend started making treats as her cherished dog Bentley was getting older and could no longer eat hard treats. You can find them at Starfra Feeds at 152 Douro 9th Line with more locations coming. You can also buy direct by connecting on Facebook with Bentley and Co.

There’s a lot going on at Escape Maze these days.

Just 20 minutes south of Peterborough on a beautiful rural property, they offer elaborate escape rooms, party packages, tactical laser tag, corporate team bonding events, outdoor adventure gamers, and even weddings. They are renovating an old favourite room into a brand new adventure coming later this year. In the meantime, try their Wizards and Dragons room where magic, wonder and adventure come to life. Book your next outing at escapemaze.ca.

Susan Tung, founder of Hanoi House, is opening a new business — Electric City Catering.

The new catering business will launch this spring. It offers seamless service and show-stopping culinary creations, serving a wide audience and diverse range of special occasions, including weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations. Electric City Catering takes pride in providing the wow factor with stunning food displays. Find out more at electriccitycatering.ca.

I’m going to take a moment to honour a true local business and community leader.

Carl Oake passed away recently and leaves behind a huge legacy. Carl embraced the Rotary club’s motto of Service Above Self. He built a successful business with Carl Oake Century 21 United Realty. Despite the busy life of an entrepreneur, Carl invested much of his time and resources in building a stronger community through charitable work. He raised more than $1.4 million over 38 years through his annual swimathon, raising funds for Easter Seals and rotary community projects. Carl served on numerous boards, fundraised for many charitable causes, and was recognized for his work with quite a few awards, including the Chamber’s Business Citizen of the Year back in 2002. There’s far too much to list here in the Business Beat, but there’s no doubt he has left our community a better place.

If you want to have your business featured on the Business Beat or know of a business doing something new and interested, shoot an email to joel@pkchamber.ca.

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Local Restaurateur to Launch 'Electric City Catering' This Spring

Susan Tung, local restaurateur and Hanoi House owner, is officially launching ‘Electric City Catering’ this spring, announced on Tuesday.

Tung (left) and Bell (right) in front of Hanoi House, Tung’s first restaurant that she opened in Febuary of 2020. Photo courtesy of Susan Tung.

“The name ‘Electric City Catering’ pays homage to Peterborough’s heritage while reflecting our commitment to being a vibrant part of this community,” said Tung. “We aim to make every event unforgettable by combining incredible food with memorable experiences.”

The company would be available to service several occasions, such as weddings, corporate events and private celebrations. Tung says the company’s services can be used for either formal, casual or any atmosphere in between.

“We’ve loved hosting special moments within the four walls of our restaurants but this venture allows us to expand and be part of even more celebrations throughout the community,” she explained.

Morgan, Hanoi House’s general manager (and Tung’s former restaurant NAKA Japanese), will be the catering director for Electric City Catering. She graduated from George Brown’s Culinary Management program and has had prior experience working at Kettle Drums before moving to Hanoi House.

Tung opened Hanoi House on Valentine’s Day 2020, located at 213 Hunter St. W. After opening a second location of Hanoi House at 1040 Lansdowne St. W., Tung closed the Hunter Street location to consolidate the restaurant several months later.

She founded and opened NAKA Japanese in mid-February of 2023 at her former Hanoi House location on Hunter Street. W. Tung sold NAKA to Emily Tan on Nov. 1.

According to Tung, Electric City Catering is currently accepting bookings for the spring and summer. Inquiries or bookings can be made by emailing electriccitycater@gmail.com. A catering menu can be found at www.electriccitycatering.ca.

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Community Futures Peterborough Launches Free Workshop Series: Entrepreneurship 101

The Business Advisory Centre and Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) is launching a new, free workshop series designed to support entrepreneurs and small businesses in Peterborough City and County, announced on Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

These workshops aim to take the guesswork out of starting or growing a business while fostering a sense of community among local entrepreneurs, according to Devon Girard, CFP executive director.

“Community Futures Peterborough and our Business Advisory Centre are committed to empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed,” she said. “This workshop series is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to learn, connect, and thrive in Peterborough City and County.”

The series will cover a range of essential topics for business success:

• Business Planning and Launching Your Business: Learn how to build a strong foundation for your business and bring your ideas to life.

• Marketing and Branding: Discover effective strategies to promote your business and build a compelling brand.

• Funding Options for Businesses: Explore various funding opportunities and understand how to access them.

• Understanding Cash Flow and Forecasting Finances: Gain insight into managing your finances and planning for sustainable growth.

A one-time tax preparation workshop will also be offered in March to help businesses prepare for tax season.

“This series was designed to address the most pressing needs of small business owners, providing practical insights to help them build resilient and innovative businesses,” said Rose Terry, Business Advisory Centre manager. “It’s important to create a continuous learning journey, fostering growth, and ensuring long-term success for the local business community which is why we encourage entrepreneurs to attend the entire series.”

The Entrepreneurship 101 workshop series is free and open to all entrepreneurs, anyone exploring entrepreneurship and small business owners in the region. It is held three times annually.

The first Entrepreneurship 101 Series for 2025 has been set for the following dates:

• Feb. 5

• Feb. 19

• March 5

• March 19

• March 26 (Annual tax planning workshop)

“Funding is one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face, but also where the greatest opportunities lay,” said Braden Clark, CFP loan manager. “These workshops will demystify the funding process, equipping participants with the tools to secure and manage financing effectively. Understanding cash flow and having a clear financial forecast is essential for long-term success, helping business owners build confidence to make informed decisions and seize opportunities.”

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Dietrich Homes, Lakefield Literary Festival, The BORO 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…

Dietrich Homes has finished the first net zero-ready home in Peterborough and the Kawarthas at 303 Mullighan Gardens.

Dietrich Homes are dedicated to energy efficiency, sustainability, and innovation in homebuilding. A Net Zero Ready Home is built to exceed today’s building standards and is capable of generating as much energy as it consumes when paired with renewable energy sources. It involves superior insulation, high-performance windows, advanced HVAC systems and airtight construction.

The Lakefield Literary Festival is now a federally approved charity, offering tax receipts for donations of more than $100.

The Literary Festival is a volunteer-run organization that stated in 1995. It is a nationally renowned Festival that brings important Canadian authors to Lakefield every July and hosts a respected Young Writers Contest for secondary school students. It relies on generous donations from people and businesses for half of its annual revenue. Find out more and donate at lakefieldliteraryfestival.com.

Photo courtesy of the Lakefield Herald.

There’s still time to win big when you support local businesses.

Shop downtown with your Holiday Shopping Passport and you could win a $1,500 downtown shopping spree in Boro Gift Cards courtesy of the Downtown Business Improvement Area. Pick up your passport at participating downtown locations, get it stamped as you spend money, and drop it off at a participating location when it’s full. Parking is free downtown until the end of December. While you’re downtown, check out the lit-up tree at Quaker Foods City Square and skate on the outdoor rink.

Looking for a private office to rent?

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce have vacancies at the Business Centre at 175 George Street North in the beautiful and historic train station. It is fully accessible with shared kitchen space, boardroom, and reception. Offices are available for daily and yearly leased rentals. The Business Centre offers ample free parking and secure access when you want it. Contact the Chamber at pkchamber.ca for more information.

If you want to have your business featured on the Business Beat or know of a business doing something new and interested, shoot an email to joel@pkchamber.ca.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Hometown PTBO: Jordan Leal Going FromCo-Owning The House of Scales to The Hub Sauce Co.

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with former House Of Scales owner and The Hub Sauce Co. founder Jordan Leal about his decision to leave the former to focus on the latter which launched last year.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring The Alzheimer Society, GreenUP, PTBO Northern Originals and Community Futures

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…

The Alzheimer Society is launching a Dining for Dementia campaign through January.

Dine out at a participating local restaurant and a portion of every meal’s cost will be donated to the Alzheimer Society. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy some delicious food, support local businesses, and raise money for a good cause. Each participating restaurant will be offered free training and resources for their staff on enhancing customer service and accessibility for patrons living with dementia. Reach out to the Alzheimer Society for more details and a list of locations.

The holiday season is a critical fundraising time for local charities and non-profits.

Many of them depend heavily on donations through the holiday season to provide community programming for the rest of the year. They would normally be sending you reminders in the mail. Consider this your reminder to donate. Give online, over the phone, or drop by their offices.

After many years selling sustainable products, GreenUp is closing its downtown retail store.

The mission when it opened was to give people sustainable options. Since then, local retailers now stock a lot more sustainable and environmentally friendly products. The store will be open until December 21 with all remaining stock going on clearance from January 7 to 17. You can find everything from household and hygiene products to gifts and gardening items. All proceeds from store sales will continue to support GreenUP's charitable work in the community.

I’ve had a couple of questions about where you can get Peterborough-branded clothing. There are some new unique clothing and accessory options available from Ptbo Northern Originals. You can find them at Flavour Fashion at 383 George St. N. in downtown Peterborough or online at ptbonorthernoriginals.com. Peterborough branded items include hats, crewnecks, hoodies, long sleeves, t-shirts, tank tops, and kids items.

Looking for support for your small business?

Get the free Small Business Toolkit from Community Futures. It’s packed with information and designed for local entrepreneurs. It includes support for things like payroll, registering a business, and crafting a business plan. You can find the Small Business Toolkit and other helpful support at communityfuturespeterborough.ca.

If you want to have your business featured on the Business Beat or know of a business doing something new and interested, shoot an email to joel@pkchamber.ca.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Hometown PTBO: The Chocolate Rabbit's Kristine Webster and Her Family Hitting the One-Year Milestone With Its Peterborough Location

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Kristine Webster of The Chocolate Rabbit about the Peterborough location hitting the one-year milestone, continuing Lois MacEachen's legacy since opening in 2005 and keeping the business in the family since buying it in 2021.

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Voice of Business: Navigating the Holiday Tax Break

This past month has been challenging for businesses and organizations across Canada.

With postal strikes affecting businesses across Ontario, we’re diving into some news that could shake up our holidays for businesses and shoppers across Canada. Starting this Saturday, December 14th, 2024, the government is rolling out a GST/HST tax exemption on various products until February 15th, 2025.

The GST/HST offers zero rate taxes on multiple products. The following products are:

• Food

• Beverages

• Restaurants, catering, and other food or drink establishments

• Children’s Clothing and Footwear

• Children’s diapers

• Children’s car seats

• Children’s Toys

• Jigsaw Puzzles

• Video Game consoles

• Physical Books

• Printed Newspapers

• Christmas and Similar decorative trees

Now, this may seem like a win for consumers. No tax means lower prices and we could see increased spending, but we don’t know the whole impact on businesses and how this pressure to comply with new tax rules takes its toll at a time when shipping is delayed from ongoing postal strikes. While customers might enjoy the savings of an estimated total of $1.7 billion, businesses are stressed and scrambling to get ready. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), many small businesses call this tax break a headache. A survey from 3,500 small businesses found that 75 per cent of small firms expect it’ll cost them about $1,000 just to reprogram their systems to handle the exemption. And 65% said there’s not enough time to get everything in place before the deadline.

With the perceived benefit for consumers, businesses will still have to go through the tedious task of updating their systems. This tedious task could update their computing systems to apply zero-tax to the products listed above.

Some industries, such as hospitality, will have to go through more tedious tasks than others. This involves distinguishing between selecting the alcohol eligible for GST/HST relief because there are specific alcoholic beverages eligible for tax relief and some that are not. According to the CRA, beer and malt beverages (canned or bottled beer, pitches of beer) qualify. Wine, cider and sake (including fortified) that are 22.9 per cent alcohol by volume or less. And/or Spirit cooler and premixed alcoholic beverages that are 7 per cent ABV or less also qualify.

The items that would not qualify are alcoholic spirits and liqueurs, including cocktails with spirits that would not qualify. For example, a sangria, including wine and rum, would not qualify. Beverages sold from a vending machine also are not eligible. Examples like these create an additional burden for businesses. Another burden is that businesses will additionally have to revert to their original systems after the tax relief period.

There are also some confusing rules around returns. For instance, a customer buys something now during the tax break, then returns it and repurchases it later. That could mean extra fees for businesses handling those transactions through credit cards. And let’s not forget some of the confusion around qualifying items—like age limits for children’s products. Businesses will need to sort through these nuances, which could lead to even more confusion. This is not ideal for already stretched small businesses preparing for the busy holidays.

While the government hopes this holiday tax break will boost consumer spending, not everyone is convinced. Only 4 per cent of small business owners surveyed by the CFIB think it’ll lead to stronger sales. For many, the costs and logistical challenges seem to outweigh the potential benefits. As Saturday looms closer, this GST/HST relief is inevitable. Still, we can only hope this holiday relief will increase sales for our local businesses and make the tedious work worth doing.

If you’re a business owner feeling overwhelmed, there are resources to help you navigate this. You can call the CRA’s GST/HST inquiries line (1-800-959-8287 for English, 1-800-959-8296 for French) or check out the CRA’s webpage here.

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

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Volunteer Peterborough, Peterborough Musicfest, Canopy Support Services 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…

Lois Tuffin received some well-deserved recognition for her work in creating Volunteer Peterborough.

She won the Charity Village’s Most Outstanding Individual Impact — Volunteer award for her tireless work leading a non-profit match-making service. The award celebrates the outstanding impact made by a volunteer at a nonprofit or charity. Since launching in July 2023, VolunteerPeterborough.ca has signed up 1,524 individuals who are seeking volunteer roles and 162 organizations who rely on volunteers. It welcomes posts from non-profits and the roles they have open so volunteers can find this information in one handy location.

Looking to dine out?

Get more than $1,000 in discounts with the 2025 Peterborough Musicfest Diner’s Book. This year’s edition includes 80 incredible restaurants, cafés, pubs, bakeries, candy shops, and more across Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Coupons are valid from January 1 to November 30. Proceeds go to support Peterborough Musicfest and their work putting on Canada’s longest running free concert series, bringing in premier artists to perform in Peterborough. The Diner’s Books are a great gift for foodies or the hard-to-buy-for person on your holiday list. Get them at Lansdowne Place or online at ptbomusicfest.ca.

Peterborough-based Canopy Support Services is celebrating its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The organization has grown since 1974 to support over 6,500 individuals annually across 13 programs. Canopy provides case management, skill-building, caregiver training, mental health counseling, and more. They provide a welcoming, safe, and accessible environment for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder to have access to individualized supports, resources, and specialized clinical services.

Looking for a holiday party with local businesses?

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce is hosting Christmas in the County, a holiday social in partnership with Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association and Kawartha Lakes Construction. Join us on Thursday, Dec.12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Kawartha Lakes Construction at 3359 Lakefield Road in Lakefield. There will be food, drinks, games, and networking. Register at pkchamber.ca.

If you want to have your business featured on the Business Beat or know of a business doing something new and interested, shoot an email to joel@pkchamber.ca.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.