New Canadians Centre Assumes Ownership of St. James United Church Building
/The New Canadians Centre (NCC) has officially assumed ownership of St. James United Church located at 221 Romaine St., announced on Monday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Peterborough Blogs
New Gaming Store "Luck of the Draw Games" Has Its Grand Opening In Downtown Peterborough
/Gamers rejoice as a new trading card and board game store, ‘Luck of the Draw Games,’ had its grand opening in Downtown Peterborough on Monday afternoon.
Co-owners Christina Toms (left) and William Rider (right) showcasing Magic the Gathering and Pokémon product sold in the store. Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Game product, board games and gaming accessories will also be available for purchase but the store currently experiencing shipping delays. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Located at 424 George St. (the former location of The Cell Shop), the business is co-owned by William Rider and Christina Toms, who actively play Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon Trading Card Game, respectively; both games have products carried in the store.
In addition to the two aforementioned games, the store plans to carry board games and Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game products. However, the store temporarily has neither in stock due to shipping delays.
Card game products include booster packs/boxes, card singles, and related accessories. The store will also accept product trade-ins for cash and/or store credit.
Terry Hill (left) trades in a valuable Yu-Gi-Oh trading card to Toms (right) as part of the service the store delivers. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Peterborough had two trading card and board game stores operating Downtown for the past eight years with Dueling Grounds and Grey Guardian Games.
The latter closed its doors in late January, was sold and relocated to Cobourg, with a grand opening on May 1. Rider says this shop fills the hole in the gaming community left behind from Grey Guardian Games’s departure.
“Christina and I are both into card games, board games and we honestly wanted to do something for the community,” said Rider. “Just have a place you can go sit down, play with your friends and grab a couple of things.”
Both co-owners were frequent customers of both stores and played a role in their respective groups. They opened their new store as a hub and a way to advance the gamers’ community.
“When you spend a significant amount of your time of your life in the community, that's why people have that dream (of opening a store),” explained Rider. “It's almost like the next step of doing what you love. Bringing it to the community and having and being the place that people can come around and gather and enjoy it with you, friends and the community itself. It really is the dream, honestly.”
The locally-owned store offers free use of their gaming tables and plans to have a schedule for in-house tournaments and event nights within the week. Rider says the store plans to renovate the storefront to allow more gaming space and introduce more products to accommodate games such as Warhammer, Dungeons & Dragons and more.
“It's a place for the community,” said Rider. “You're always welcome at the end of the day.”
Magic: The Gathering Singles on sale in the store’s Display case. The store currently has singles for Magic and Pokémon and plan to expand with Yu-Gi-Oh! Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The following are the store’s business hours:
Monday: Noon to 8 p.m.
Tuesday: Noon to 8 p.m.
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Noon to 8 p.m.
Friday: Noon to 10 p.m.
Saturday: Noon to 10 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 8 p.m.
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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Gauvreau Accounting, Peterborough Humane Society, Community Futures Peterborough and Havelock Metal
/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…
Congrats to Bob and the team at Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory for being recognized by Great Places to Work Canada as number 32 in the country for employers with 100 to 1,000 employees.
Founded in 2008, Gauvreau has grown to more than 200 employees with offices in Peterborough, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Steinbach. While the team has grown, the goal of creating a business where people want to come to work every day remains unchanged. Want to join their team? Gauvreau is planning to hire a number of senior accountants this spring.
Peterborough Humane Society’s 50/50 and Marlin Travel/Collette ‘Ruff’le are back, running until May 14.
Get your tickets by April 17 and you will be entered into the early bird draw for $500. Last year’s two 50/50 winners received nearly $22,000. This year’s ‘Ruff’le is for a $5,000 voucher from Marlin Travel and Collette Travel which can take you anywhere in the world for your dream trip. Not only do you get a chance to win big, but you are supporting the important work of the Peterborough Humane Society. Visit phs5050.ca to see what the jackpot is at and to get your tickets.
The Business Advisory Centre and Community Futures Peterborough have launched a new Tariff Toolkit.
It has been developed with the shared expertise of local economic development teams and trade experts, this toolkit was designed to support businesses navigating the complexities of tariffs and global trade. It includes things like a step-by-step guide to understanding tariffs and how they apply to your products, tariff classification tips to ensure accurate product categorization, an import/export cost calculator template to estimate duties and taxes, and much more. Visit communityfuturespeterborough.ca to download the kit.
We’re going to keep highlight local businesses making things right here in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
This week we’re showcasing Havelock Metal. They have been in the steel business locally for more than 30 years, specializing in steel roofing, siding, trim, and accessories. They were founded in Havelock in 1993 and moved to their current facility at 901 Major Bennett Drive in Peterborough in 2018. They have a beautiful showroom and allow the public to buy directly from their manufacturing facility.
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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Community Futures Peterborough Launches New Toolkit to Support Local Businesses With Advice on Managing Tariff Risks
/In response to the ongoing trade challenges posed by United States tariffs, Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) has launched the Tariff Toolkit as a strategic resource to support businesses for the community.
Photo courtesy of CFP.
This is a collaboration with the Business Advisory Centre, the City of Peterborough, the County of Peterborough, the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), and Peterborough + the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
CFP says the evolving trade landscape between Canada and the United States has created uncertainty for local businesses. All aforementioned organizations came together at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre to connect businesses with industry experts who provided initial guidance on minimizing the impact of tariffs on March 4. While the specifics of the tariffs may change, the need for businesses to rethink their approach to trade remains constant according to Devon Girard, CFP executive director.
“We have always been mindful of not only the direct impacts tariffs themselves have on businesses but also tariff speculation and lasting change in consumer buying patterns. Those are the effects our area businesses are feeling right now,” she said.
According to CFP, the Tariff Toolkit is a practical resource that helps businesses assess their current trade strategies and explore new opportunities. It will also offer insights and actionable steps that businesses can work on with their advisors to develop a resilient approach to international trade. It is available to all businesses in the City and County of Peterborough.
“Downtown businesses are navigating an increasingly complex trade environment, and the Tariff Toolkit arrives at a critical time,” said Nour Mazloum, Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area executive director. “It equips our businesses with the practical strategies and expert insights they need to adapt, stay competitive, and build long-term resilience. We're proud to support this initiative and ensure our local business community has every opportunity to thrive—no matter the global challenges.”
The Tariff Toolkit offers businesses guidance in key areas, including understanding the financial impact of tariffs, identifying alternative sourcing strategies, expanding customer bases beyond tariff-affected regions, mitigating financial exposure through hedging and risk management, repositioning brand messaging in response to trade shifts, and leveraging local and international partnerships to drive growth.
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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Restwell Upholstering, Le Boat, Summer Soul Yoga and Peterborough Matboards
/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…
Restwell Upholstering is celebrating 80 years here in Peterborough, keeping our homes and businesses looking and feeling good.
Restwell’s expert upholsterers, sewists and sales staff can help you with anything from a small repair to a cherished family heirloom, from commercial restaurant seats to refilling patio cushions and everything in between. They work with 25 fabric suppliers, many of which are Canadian. They can help you find the perfect fabric, vinyl, or leather for your project. Check them out at 494 The Parkway, Unit 5.
It's great to see local businesses working together. Summer Soul Yoga and Wellness worked with Le Boat last summer on some promotional material.
Le Boat is an international boating vacation company that recently began service on the Trent-Severn Waterway based out of Peterborough County. Summer Soul owner Ashley Woollacott recently had her picture on one of Le Boat’s luxury vessels in the Globe promoting the Trent-Severn Trail Towns, a key local tourism program, to a national audience. Check out Le Boat for your Ontario staycation and you can find Summer Soul at 394 George Street North in downtown Peterborough.
The Chamber of Commerce is hosting a couple election events.
There’s an all-candidates business issues debate on Tuesday, April 8 at Lakefield College School from 7 to 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. There will also be a Coffee with the Candidates event on Tuesday, April 15 at Holiday Inn Peterborough from 9 to 10 a.m. These events are in partnership with The Kawarthas Home Builders Association, Central Lakes Association of Realtors, Peterborough and District Construction Association, and the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area. Visit pkchamber.ca for more information.
We’re going to keep highlighting some amazing companies making products locally. This week it’s Peterboro Matboards.
They’ve been in business locally since 1902. They make high-quality matboard for the art and framing industry. Their pulp and paper chemistry expert has helped design matboards that cut better, giving smooth bevels and a clean look. Their quality has earned the company both the Fine Art Trade Guild and new PPFA standards. Peterboro Matboards are a major global player in the industry, shipping product around the world from their Peterborough facility.
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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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Mortsocks, Doody Call, Listening For Spring and Paluski Boats
/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 team at Mortlock Construction have long prioritized community, taking on projects that support and house those living on the margins.
Now they’re trying something a little different. Upon learning that socks are the most needed clothing item in homeless shelters, they’ve launched Mortsocks. This social venture involved working with a local design company to develop Peterborough-themed dress socks that give back. Buy one pair of Mortsocks and Mortlock Construction will donate six pairs of socks to those in need through Brock Mission and the Peterborough Community Health Centre. You can order them online or pick up a pair at The Vine at 165 Sherbrooke St. in Peterborough. You can make a difference – one step at a time.
Spring is a good time to hire someone to do the dirty work of cleaning up after your dog with Doody Call, a new luxury pet waste removal service.
They offer a premium, discreet, and eco-friendly solution to keep outdoor spaces clean, fresh, and waste-free. Doody Call offers white-glove customer service, flexible scheduling, and top-tier sanitation practices. Their services include single visits to weekly maintenance plans, providing tailored solutions that fit every pet owner’s lifestyle. Find out more at doodycall.ca.
AON’s Canterbury Gardens is presenting Listening for Spring, a magical evening of serenading sounds in support of the Canadian Council of the Blind Peterborough Chapter.
The evening will feature the meaningful mental magic of Ian Crawford, the delightful Jazz of Carling Stephen and Rob Phillips, and a silent auction. It all happens May 2 starting at 6:30 p.m. at Canterbury Gardens. Get more information at ccbpeterborough.com.
We’re going to keep profiling business that are making things right here in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. This week it’s Paluski Boats.
They’ve been making boats since 1980, originally starting with recreational rowing shells. They have built a reputation for high-quality craftwork, design, and durability. Today, Paluski manufactures high-performance and extremely durable canoes, kayaks, and paddles that meet the needs and expectations of recreational boating enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. All their materials are 100% made in Canada with their production facility in Lakefield.
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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New Canadians Centre Executive Director to Step Down From Role at End of June After Six-Year Tenure
/Andy Cragg, New Canadians Centre (NCC) executive director will step down at the end of this June after close to six years in the position.
Photo by David Tuan bui.
“Andy has made tangible, lasting contributions to the organization and Peterborough is a more inclusive and welcoming community because of his efforts. We are truly grateful for his dedicated service – he will be missed,” said Ghada Hussein, board chair.
Since 2019, Cragg has been instrumental in guiding the growth of the New Canadians Centre and navigating the local impact of multiple challenges and crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the fall of the political regime in Afghanistan, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and changes in Canada’s immigration policies according to a media release.
During Cragg’s tenure, many programs and services were added and expanded so the NCC could better meet new Canadians' language, educational, employment and settlement needs. The staff complement grew from 25 to 50 and the organisation’s budget doubled as NCC was successful in applying for grants and growing support from donors.
NCC served more than 2,000 newcomers from 104 countries last year – a 50 per cent increase over the previous year. Initiatives such as English in the Workplace, the Life Skills Program, and Community Training Program were implemented to respond to client and community needs. Through Cragg, the NCC also developed a Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan – a commitment to support clients, volunteers, and employees to realize a vision of nation-building that grows from mutual respect and understanding between Indigenous peoples and settlers. Most recently, Cragg has led the successful negotiation of a three-year contract with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to continue our work of serving newcomers in our region.
“It is an enormous privilege to lead this organization and an honour to contribute to its transformative work. After an incredibly rewarding six years, I’m looking forward to shifting focus to time with my young family,” said Cragg.
The Board of Directors has initiated a comprehensive search process to hire a new executive director and will work closely with Cragg and the senior leadership team to manage the transition and ensure operational continuity. NCC says a job posting will be shared in April and the new Executive Director is expected to be announced prior to Cragg’s departure.
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Voice of Business: Expanding Canada’s Trade in a Shifting Global Landscape
/
This week in Voice of Business, we are diving into trade expansion and the need to diversify Canada’s trade amid an ongoing tariff war.
Now, more than ever, it is crucial to explore new trade partners. With internal trade barriers coming down and more reductions expected, Canadian businesses are looking for ways to expand beyond our traditional reliance on the United States.
Locally, the reality is that the U.S. remains Ontario’s largest trading partner, accounting for over 81% of our exports and supplying 52% of our imports. Given this deep economic relationship, shifting trade beyond North America is no simple task. It involves numerous hurdles, including regulatory challenges, financial risks, costly investments, and market uncertainty. In this article, we explore the key considerations for expanding trade and the role government can play in supporting businesses as they navigate global markets.
The first step in diversifying Canada’s trade is providing businesses with the resources and opportunities to branch out. Trade missions are an effective way to connect Canadian businesses with international markets, helping them reach a global audience. These missions facilitate networking with senior officials and key industry players, creating opportunities to diversify exports and establish a presence in foreign markets. Canada must commit to supporting key industries impacted by tariffs to mitigate potential consequences if another trade war arises.
One upcoming opportunity is the Team Canada Trade Mission to Thailand and Cambodia at the end of May. Click here to find out more about how this trade mission could benefit your business.
Trade agreements are another powerful tool for businesses exploring international markets. Canada currently has 16 free trade agreements (FTAs), with Ecuador recently initiating discussions for a new agreement. FTAs help lower trade barriers, streamline regulations, and create easier pathways for businesses to expand. While moving operations or sales to another country may not fully offset the costs of U.S. tariffs, establishing a presence in alternative markets can help mitigate future trade risks.
Despite the benefits, expanding into new markets comes with challenges. Businesses must navigate language barriers, cultural differences, and varying regulatory frameworks. Researching international markets and understanding cultural norms are critical steps in ensuring a product or service aligns with local consumer expectations.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face additional obstacles, such as high shipping costs, fluctuating foreign exchange rates, and complex compliance requirements.
Unlike large corporations, SMEs may lack the resources to absorb these costs, making international expansion a more daunting endeavor.
While businesses must take the lead in establishing themselves in new markets, there are valuable resources available to ease the transition. The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) provides support in over 160 cities worldwide, helping businesses navigate foreign markets and connect with global partners.
While expanding internationally cannot fully replace Canada’s deep trade ties with the U.S., it is an important strategy for reducing long-term risks. By leveraging government support, trade agreements, and market intelligence, Canadian businesses can build resilience and unlock new growth opportunities.
The time to act is now—Canadian businesses must look beyond our southern neighbor to secure a more stable and diverse economic future.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
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Peterborough DBIA Relaunches Mac & Cheese Festival; 17 Restaurants Vying For Championship Title
/The title of Mac + Cheese Champion is up for grabs as the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) has relaunched its Mac and Cheese Festival for a fourth year running from April 1 to 26, announced on Tuesday.
Heather Wasson, Turnbull Cafe Owner showcases her entry: Hot Honey Mac Attack. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.
This year’s festival will feature exclusive in-restaurant specials and a Grand Finale Event on April 26 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Quaker Foods City Square.
There are 17 downtown restaurants competing to win the championship trophy, each offering its own twist on the beloved comfort food, such as The Dirty Burger’s Mac & Cheeseburger Samosa.
The public can vote online to crown a winner for this year’s event.
“We figured, why settle for just one cheesy guilty pleasure when you can have two?” said Tyrone Flowers, The Vine owner and current champion. “This year we’ve combined two fan favourites - mac and cheese and jalapeño poppers - into one irresistible dish. It’s rich, creamy, packed with flavour and just the right amount of heat. Cheese lovers, we made this one for you.”
Local celebrity judges will decide a winner for this year’s Peterborough’s Mac & Cheese Champion at the grand finale. The contenders for the grand finale event include: Dreams of Beans, La Mesita, The Vine, The Boardwalk Game Lounge, The Riverside Grill and Sam’s Place Deli. Vendors will also be selling drinks and sweets.
“The Mac & Cheese Festival is a fantastic way to showcase the culinary talent and the creativity of our downtown restaurants, while also bringing the community together over a dish we all love,” said Nour Mazloum, DBIA executive director. “We’re excited to bring this event back with an outdoor festival component that not only supports our local business community but also kicks off the Spring season in a really exciting way - with a day full of food, music and fun for all ages.”
Four local bands, including Jeanne Truax, Warren Frank, Brooklyn Doran, and VANCAMP, will perform live throughout the afternoon. A beer garden will be set up on the rink pad at Quaker Square, with local breweries, including 100 Acre Brewing Co., Sandbagger Hard Seltzer and Maple Light.
“I’m really looking forward to playing the mac & cheese festival at Quaker Square with the band,” said Calvin Bakelaar, VANCAMP frontman. “There’s nothing like an outdoor event with live music and an unreasonable amount of mac & cheese to really kick off spring.”
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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Just Spray It, JA-NEO, Charlotte Products and CAM Containers
/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…
Just Spray It is expanding their insulation services to include blow-in fiberglass insulation in addition to their spray foam insulation service.
Spray foam works great for basements, walls, and hard-to-reach areas while blow-in fiberglass is a great option for attics. They have helped hundreds of homeowners and local businesses save on heating and cooling costs. Founders Rob and Mitch met in college and saw an opportunity to open their business. They are licenced, insured, and ready to insulate your home, garage, or shipping container. You can reach them online at justsprayit.ca.
Celebrate local business leaders by getting an early bird ticket before April 13 for the 2025 Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes Business Hall of Fame on May 29 at 5 p.m.
Now in its 10th year, this annual celebration is put on by Junior Achievement Northern and Eastern Ontario and the event is presented by Drain Bros, Alf Curtis Home Improvements, and Peterborough Truss and Floor LTD. Inductees are selected for their lasting contributions to economic development locally. They embody a legacy of excellence, displaying unwavering commitment, leadership, and innovation throughout their illustrious careers. Get your tickets at ja-neo.org.
The team at Charlotte Products and Swish Maintenance have been busy celebrating some big milestones.
Here’s a shout out to:
Peter McMurray who just marked 45 years there as a research and development technician
Ken Fisher, a production mixer who has been with them for 35 years
Jennifer Toms, the friendly face and voice of Swish as a receptionist of 35 years
Production stager Carey Laroche who just celebrated 30 years
