The Back40 Smoke House Restaurant Set to Open Its Doors In Downtown Peterborough On May 1

The flavour of slow-cooked meats is coming to Downtown Peterborough, as restaurant The Back40 Smoke House opens its doors to the public on May 1.

Mitch Lowes, owner of Flame Spitters Hot Sauce and co-owner of The Back40 Smoke House has his hot sauce available in over 160 locations. His brand has also won seven first-place awards. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

It is co-owned by Jamie and Darby Mousseau, Chris Duplantis and Mitch Lowes. It is located at 287 George St. N. at the former Taso’s Restaurant & Pizzeria and the short-lived The Locker Room location.

The restaurant will feature traditional smokehouse cuisine including pulled pork, brisket, ribs and more. The restaurant is an extension of the Mousseaus as they own the restaurant ‘The Back40 Smoke Box’ in Fenelon Falls and Whitby and have a catering business of the same affiliation.

“At first it was going to be a Cajun Creole restaurant, that's what my plan was,” explained Lowes. “He owns three restaurants so he suggested bringing it here and it just made sense.”

Both the Mousseaus and Lowes have their own lines of hot sauces, The Back40 Hot Sauce and the locally owned Flame Spitters Hot Sauce, respectively, which are also being incorporated into the menu. Their respective products will also be available for purchase at the establishment.

They met at a hot sauce expo and frequently attended the same events over time. Their partnership helped spark the dream of the local entrepreneur to open a restaurant.

“Eventually, I was going to take Flame Spitter to the next level, take the money I've been saving for it and this opportunity arrived for me,” said Lowes.

To accommodate the bar rush, the smokehouse will have a take-out window with a condensed menu, as it is conveniently located near several nightclubs and bars. It will be open until 3 a.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It will feature sandwiches, poutine and chicken wings.

The restaurant plans to feature live music, special event nights, daily food specials, and 12 local draft beers on tap, with two of them on rotation.

“We hope to turn this into a place for the community will actually love, sit down and enjoy,” said Lowes.

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Community Future Peterborough Unveils 20 Entrepreneurs For Its 2025 Starter Company Plus Program

Community Future Peterborough’s (CFP) Business Advisory Centre (BAC) has unveiled its 20 businesses selected for its 2025 Starter Company Plus Program, announced at the Venture North Building on Wednesday morning.

The 20 entrepreneurs were gathered at the announcement of the businesses selected for the program. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

CFP received over 70 applications for this year’s cohort.

“This is truly a life-changing program,” said Rosalea Terry, BAC manager. “The quality of applications this year was exceptional, and our selected entrepreneurs represent some of the most committed and determined founders we’ve seen. We are proud to support them on their entrepreneurial journey.”

The Starter Company Plus program helps businesses accelerate their growth with mentorship, training and funding. This provincial government-funded program offers entrepreneurs access to expert guidance, networking opportunities and up to $5,000 in grant funding after completion.

“We’re thrilled to welcome this talented group of entrepreneurs into the 2025 Starter Company Plus program,” said Devon Girard, CFP executive director. “Their creativity, drive, and commitment to growth embody the spirit of entrepreneurship we aim to support. We’re excited to be part of their journey and look forward to their impact on our city and county.”

The 2025 Starter Company Plus Cohort includes:

City of Peterborough Participants:

• Groovy Little Smoothie Co. — Kara Ainsworth

• Stoney Island Studio Live Event Painting and Creative Services — Julie Anastasia McMillan

• The Willow Studio — Angela Demeester

• Architecture of Wellness — Jackie Orsetto

• Wild Woman Ayurveda — Maggie O'Rourke

• Doody Call — Millie Kingston

• Home and Well Inc. (Home & Well) — Kelly Clark

• Common Thread Films — Kait Howell

• Miller Exterior Painting — Dennal Leya Miller

• Burkitt Solutions Co — Brianna Burkitt

• Heeling Souls K9 Training — Alexis Mills

• Joint Venture Inc. o/a Lost Cannabis Company — Brent Morrison

• Layin' Divots — Krista Charette

County of Peterborough Participants:

• Transitions (Tentative Name) — Kelly Gower and Roselyn Rodriquez

• The Forest Hill Lodge — Jacqueline Lyons

• Belmont Farmstead — Amanda O'Rourke

• Urban Roots 47 Salon and Spa — Karen Kearney

• Lark and Lemon — Kristen Offen

• Joint Venture Inc. o/a Lost Cannabis Company — Brent Morrison

• National Touring Museum — Timothy Jeffries

• Millbrook Fit — David Lundrigan

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The Antique Store Closing Its Doors After 49 Years; Store Holding Online Auction To Sell Remaining Items

After 49 years of business, Michael Seeley is closing the doors of The Antique Store at the end of the month and an online auction has been posted to sell out his stock.

Seeley holds a clock that has been sold through the online auction. All items in the store are up for bids but cannot be made in person. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Seeley has announced the closure, as he is retiring, with the store’s lease set to expire at the end of April. He spent the last year downsizing inventory through in-person sales and is selling the remaining items through an online auction, catalogued by Curated.

The Antique Shop opened in 1977 and settled into his current location at 277 George St. N. in the 1980s. During that time, the business survived a fire, the Peterborough flood and a pandemic.

Seeley plans to travel and spend time with his grandchildren following retirement.

“I’m going to lie down. I’ve heard about this thing called a weekend,” joked Seeley. “I really want to thank the people who have supported me and given me the opportunity to do what I’ve done. A lot of people don’t get to do what they love.”

He’s holding regular preview hours at the shop, Monday through Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m. Shoppers can preview the items in the store and then place bids online. The auction closes Thursday. Winning bidders can pick up their items on Friday and Saturday.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Mac + Cheese Festival, New Canadians Centre, POI and Canadiana Cabinets

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 Mac and Cheese Festival is back in downtown Peterborough and it’s bigger, bolder and cheesier than before.

This month-long celebration of comfort food is underway now, with downtown restaurants putting their own creative spin on mac and cheese dishes for the public to try, rate, and enjoy. There are classics and some creative takes on the dish like mac and cheeseburger samosa and a mac and cheese poutine. The festivities wrap up with a Grand Finale Bash on Saturday at the Quaker Foods City Square. There will be a mac and cheese showdown with live judging for the Judge's Choice Award, a beer garden, live music, vendors and family-friendly fun. Visit theboro.ca for more details.

The New Canadian Centre has purchased its building from St. James United Church.

This historic building at 221 Romaine Street was built in 1917. The New Canadians Centre moved in back in 2012 and will continue sharing the space with St. James United Church and the St. James Players theatre group. The New Canadian Centre has been instrumental in welcoming thousands of newcomers and hosting numerous cultural celebrations, shared meals, and community events.

POI is celebrating it’s new Peterborough office at 418 George St. N. in downtown Peterborough.

POI has been led by three generations of the Scholl family for six decades, creating inspiring workspaces. Their goal is to create spaces that help businesses achieve their goals and create a place where people want to go. They offer everything from pencils and paper clips to desks and filing cabinets. They have solutions for home offices as well.

We’re profiling local business that make stuff right here in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. This week it’s Canadiana Cabinets.

Founded in 1995 by Bill Barker, they have been producing a versatile lineup of standard and custom cabinets ever since. Their high-quality cabinets are the result of merging traditional and hi-tech construction methods. Their cabinets are custom built-to-order and constructed on an efficient production line with the latest in industry technologies. Drop by and see their beautiful showroom at 2712 Brown Line and see what this local, family-owned business can do for you.

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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Voice of Business: Investing in Ontario’s Future: Why Sustainable Investment Matters

Welcome back to this week's Voice of Business. Today, we’ll be discussing the future of post-secondary education and what is needed to ensure its sustainability, particularly as Canada faces increasing demand for skilled workers and the need to enhance productivity.

As you know, Canada’s productivity has been lagging for years—this is not a new issue. There is a direct correlation between productivity, the quality of our post-secondary education system, and workforce development. This week, we’ll examine the impact of post-secondary investment and the advocacy efforts that have been undertaken on this issue.

Last month, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce(OCC), and the Council of Ontario Colleges and Universities, released a letter urging the provincial government to invest in post-secondary education. The provincial government has frozen funding for the sector, leading institutions to rely heavily on international students for revenue. Without critical funding, many post-secondary institutions have been forced to cut programs vital to Ontario’s economy. This has dangerous trickle-down effects on workforce development, especially as we strive for self-sufficiency amid a hostile trade environment. If we want to position ourselves for success, we need targeted investments that contribute to and build our economy. The letter highlights the key link between strategic investment in AI and technology and the need to spur innovation in post-secondary institutions home to Ontario’s research and development. Investing in post-secondary education not only drives innovation but also strengthens our workforce and economy. If the government is investing in key growth sectors, we must ensure we have the talent to support these investments.

How did this problem arise and worsen? A combination of underfunding and a tuition freeze contributed to the crisis. In 2019, Premier Doug Ford mandated a 10 per cent tuition cut for colleges and universities. With domestic tuition frozen at this reduced rate, post-secondary institutions had to find alternative revenue sources to offset the financial shortfall. By 2024, the federal government further strained the sector by capping international student permits by 35 per cent to address housing market pressures, particularly in areas with low rental vacancy rates. As a result, post-secondary institutions began reporting significant revenue shortfalls. Adding to the crisis, another 10 per cent funding cut was introduced this year. Consequently, 24 of Ontario’s colleges are projecting a billion-dollar deficit by the 2026-27 school year, forcing many institutions to implement program suspensions and layoffs. Locally, Fleming College has suspended eight more programs, in addition to the 29 programs cut last year. Another notable college is Seneca Polytechnic which was forced to close its Markham campus due to declining international student enrolment.

Universities may need to downsize to remain financially viable. Although the Ontario government has allocated $1.3 billion to post-secondary education, the Ontario Council of Colleges and Universities reports that this does not account for the $2.5 billion in ongoing base funding recommended by an expert panel commissioned to assess the sector’s financial health. In short, current funding levels are not sustainable.

The OCC and the Council of Ontario Universities and Colleges are advocating for a new approach to post-secondary funding, including:

• Increasing base operating revenues

• Fully funding enrolment expansion

• Enhancing research funding

• Strengthening partnerships between government, industry, and academia

Your local Chamber of Commerce, along with other Chambers across the province, has signed onto this advocacy effort. As a Chamber, we recognize the critical role that education plays in equipping our business community with top talent. Universities and colleges are essential to providing graduates with the skills needed to drive our province’s and country’s prosperity. Given the federal government’s continued cap on international student permits, the current funding model is unsustainable, and urgent action is required to ensure the long-term viability of post-secondary education in Ontario.

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

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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.

Since relocating from Sherbrooke Street in 2012, NCC has occupied the top floor of the church.

“221 Romaine Street has become a place where newcomers find the support and strength to launch their new lives in Canada,” said Andy Cragg, NCC outgoing executive director. “It is a place where lifelong friendships are forged.”

The church was constructed in 1917 and the congregation, along with the St. James Players community theatre group are continuing to use the building as tenants of NCC.

“As NCC steps into ownership, we do so with a profound sense of commitment and pride,” said Cragg. “We aim to preserve the legacy of this space and ensure it remains a beacon of hope and a hub for community connection.”

Despite NCC not being a religious-based organization, they say they share many common values with St. James United Church, including a vision for a diverse and inclusive community according to Julie van Haaften, St. James United Church Minister.

“It means a great deal to us to have a community organization that respects and loves the building as we do,” she explained. “The New Canadians Centre has been an exceptional tenant and partner over the past 12 years.”

NCC will manage rental opportunities for various spaces within the building, including the gym, Wesley Hall (a performance venue with a capacity of 350) and other meeting areas.

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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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