Peterborough Blogs
Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Community Futures Peterborough, Fastsigns and Kawartha Local Food Wholesale
/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…
Summer Company Program is Open
A sure sign that the seasons are changing is that applications are now open for the 2026 Summer Company Program through Community Futures Peterborough.
Students aged 15 to 29 in Peterborough and the county are encouraged to apply for up to $3,000 in grants, plus training and mentorship, to start their own summer business. Funded by the Province of Ontario, it builds hands-on experience for young entrepreneurs returning to school in the fall. Deadline is April 30, so head over to www.communityfuturespeterborough.ca/programs/summercompany to find out more…
New Ownership For Fastsigns
FASTSIGNS, a Peterborough Signage provider is being acquired by a group of franchise specialists, bringing in new investment and leadership to support growth and expand capacity for commercial clients across the region.
The centre has been purchased by a consortium led by industry expert Paul Watson and print-industry veteran Bill Goss, who will also serve as general manager. Operating in Peterborough since 2005, FASTSIGNS delivers bespoke signage and visual communications for local government, construction, retail, and large-scale brand rollouts. You can learn more about FASTSIGNS by going to www.fastsigns.com/Peterborough-ON
Kawartha Local Food Wholesale
Peterborough County is boosting its farm economy by promoting the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program.
This initiative, funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, connects over 800 local farms across 180,000 acres with buyers like restaurants, retailers, food services, tourist spots and golf courses in Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes. There is nothing like local Farm to Table meals and you can learn more about them by checking out www.grazeandgatherfood.ca or www.Kawarthachoice.com
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 brenda@pkchamber.ca.
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Eligible Liquor Licensees Can Sell Alcohol As Early As 6 A.M. For Final Day of 2026 Winter Olympics This Sunday
/For the final day of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has approved a temporary extension of liquor sale and service hours across Ontario on Sunday.
PTBOCanada Video Screenshot.
Eligible liquor sales licensees may begin selling and serving alcohol at 6 a.m. The standard closing time of 2 a.m. remains unchanged.
The extension applies only to indoor licensed areas, not to outdoor licensed areas such as patios, etc.
The gold medal game for men’s hockey between Canada and the USA starts at 8:10 a.m. EST on Sunday.
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The City Invites Businesses to Explore Leasing Opportunities At Miskin Law Community Complex
/The City of Peterborough invites businesses and organizations to explore a commercial lease opportunity at the Miskin Law Community Complex.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough
According to the City, the lease will enhance and expand services for visitors who use the facility. The space is 104 square meters, unfinished, with floor-to-ceiling windows and is located on the second floor in the northwest corner of the building. It is accessible off the walking track above the Russelle Toyota Pad.
An interested leaseholder will be expected to commit to a facility naming right within the building to further support the business's marketing and awareness. Naming rights for the walking track and multi-purpose rooms are available to a potential leaseholder.
Interested parties are invited to submit a written notice of interest to Scott Elliott, Corporate Sponsorship Manager, by email at selliott@peterborough.ca.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 28.
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Taste of Syria Comes to Downtown Peterborough With Aleppo Castle Restaurant Grand Opening
/Peterborough can get a taste of Syrian cuisine as the restaurant Aleppo Castle had its grand opening downtown on Wednesday morning.
Aleppo Castle owner Amhed El Nime puts the finishing touches on aji (egg and parsley fritter) before presentation. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Located at 349 George St. N., the restaurant serves familiar classic Middle Eastern favourites inspired by Aleppo, Syria, such as shawarma, falafel and hummus. Aleppo Castle also serves traditional Syrian cuisine, including batatas faroojh, aji, fatoush and more.
Amhed El Nime, Aleppo Castle owner, arrived in Canada three years ago. He had help adjusting to a new country through the New Canadians Centre and his business was aided through Community Futures Peterborough.
El Nime said he is grateful to Canada and Peterborough for welcoming him to the country, where he can build a new life and start a business in a short time.
“Slowly, slowly, slowly, I’ve been working hard,” he said. “I’m so happy for the people who helped me. Thank you to god, thank you for everybody and thank you to Canada.”
Mayor Jeff Leal, Community Futures Peterborough and the Peterborough DBIA attended the grand opening and sampled the Syrian cuisine. It was capped off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the occasion.
@ptbo_canada Peterborough can get a taste of Syrian cuisine as the restaurant Aleppo Castle had its grand opening in Downtown Peterborough. ##ptbocanada##journalism##news##fyp##syria🇸🇾 ♬ Síria Syria سوريا - DJ Reverb & Ads
Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Quickmill, City of Peterborough and K9 Health In Motion
/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…
Quickmill is Headed on a Trade Mission
Local company Quickmill has been selected to join one of the largest government-led trade missions Canada has ever sent to Mexico between Feb. 15 to 20. Quickmill, based right here in Peterborough for over 40 years, is a world leader in building large-scale CNC machining centers — which are powerful machines that cut and shape metal parts for industries like aerospace, oil and gas, mining and defense.
This comes as Quickmill uses a smart diversified growth plan to stay strong amid trade challenges. Only a select group of top export-ready firms were chosen. To learn more about this read their recent blog post on www.quickmill.com/blog
New Plough Map for the City of Peterborough
We have had a winter, and the City of Peterborough has launched a new interactive snowplow map to help residents and businesses track winter maintenance in real time.
Introduced in early February, the online tool uses GPS technology to show where plows are and how recently roads have been serviced, with updates every five minutes and colour-coded routes across the city.
It highlights priority areas like arterial roads, transit routes, and neighbourhood streets, giving a clearer picture of snow-clearing operations. To see the map in action visit www.Peterborough.ca/snow
Canine Rehabilitation is Coming to the County
A new canine rehabilitation and wellness centre is opening in Norwood. K9 in Motion Wellness Rehab officially opens its doors March first, offering services to support dogs recovering from injury, managing mobility issues, or simply aging comfortably. The facility will provide therapeutic massage, red light therapy, mobility aids, pet first-aid courses, and educational sessions for owners.
Operating since 2016, this new location is designed to give dogs individualized care in a calm, supportive environment while helping pet owners stay informed. Visit their website k9inmotionwellness.ca to learn more about their services and stay tuned for their grand opening.
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 brenda@pkchamber.ca.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.
Community Futures Peterborough Expands Entrepreneurship 101 Series For This Spring 2026 In Partnership with Scotiabank
/Community Futures Peterborough has partnered with Scotiabank to deliver its most extensive Entrepreneurship 101 workshop series to date this spring, expanding the program in response to continued demand from local entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough.
The Spring 2026 series builds on the success of the fall workshops, which supported more than 120 unique entrepreneurs and small business owners across seven sessions. Launched as a four-part series, Entrepreneurship 101 has rapidly expanded as more businesses across the region turn to Community Futures Peterborough for advisory and lending support. Feedback from participants and growing interest in business advisory services highlighted the need for additional, more specialized topics, leading to a partnership with Scotiabank to expand the series with two additional brand-new workshops.
“Scotiabank is proud to partner with the amazing team at Community Futures Peterborough to support the expansion of this valuable program supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses getting the advice they need to grow in our local community,” said Nolan Frazer, Scotiabank business banking team lead. “The success of local businesses and business owners is critical to the success of the community, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring this to life.”
The new workshops added to the series are in direct response to clients asking for additional support in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Human Resources. Appear First – Search Engine Optimization & E-Commerce, delivered by Brendan Quigley, will introduce participants to building an online presence, improving search visibility and online sales, and Employer Essentials – Understanding Your Obligations as an Employer, a session developed to help business owners better understand their responsibilities when hiring staff, delivered by the Office of the Employer Advisor and Service Canada.
“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting entrepreneurs with access to programs that meet their needs,” said the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). “Peterborough continues to demonstrate its commitment to delivering practical support that helps businesses in the region grow and adapt in a changing economy.”
Entrepreneurship 101 is designed to support individuals and businesses at various stages of their business journey, from those exploring an idea for the first time to existing business owners looking to strengthen their operations. The spring series places a stronger focus on practical areas such as e-commerce, search engine optimization, and employer responsibilities, reflecting the challenges business owners are seeking advisory support in.
“Investments in our local entrepreneurs help diversify and grow our economy, making success more inclusive across both the City and County,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “By offering practical, expert-led workshops, Community Futures Peterborough is ensuring that every business owner has the confidence to take the next step. Our government is proud to see such dedicated local support for those who represent the best of the Ontario spirit.”
The expansion of Entrepreneurship 101 aligns with broader trends seen through the Business Advisory Centre. Since April, Community Futures Peterborough has supported more than 340 unique businesses through over 440 in-depth, one-on-one consultations. The workshop series complements this work by offering accessible, hands-on learning opportunities that help entrepreneurs build confidence and make informed decisions.
“Entrepreneurs across the riding of Peterborough have been clear that they need practical support to help their businesses grow. This expanded Entrepreneurship 101 series is a direct and thoughtful response to that,” said Emma Harrison, MP, Peterborough. “The strong turnout last fall showed just how committed and resilient our local business community is, and it makes me incredibly proud to see local organizations stepping up to deliver the tools and training that entrepreneurs need to succeed in a changing economy.”
The Spring 2026 Entrepreneurship 101 workshops will be held at the Venture North Building in Peterborough on the following dates:
Spark Tank – Brainstorm and Validate Business Ideas: March 4
Launch Pad – Business Planning: March 11
Brand Lab – Marketing and Branding: March 25
Funding Fuel – Explore Funding and Financing: April 1
(new for Spring 2026) Appear First - Search Engine Optimization & E-Commerce: April 8
Staff Smart – Hiring Your First Employee: April 15
(new for Spring 2026) Employer Essentials – Understand Your Obligations as an Employer: April 22
Money Map – Cash Flow Forecasting: April 29
Protect It – Intellectual Property for Small Businesses: May 6
The Entrepreneurship 101 series is open to anyone looking to start a business, grow an existing one, or sharpen their entrepreneurial skill set. Space is limited, and early registration is strongly encouraged.
Registration and additional workshop information are available on the Community Futures Peterborough website at www.cfpeterborough.ca
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Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce Announces 2026 Luminary Awards Nominees for Women in Business
/The Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce has unveiled the nominees for the 2026 Luminary Awards for Women in Business, celebrating women whose leadership, innovation and generosity are strengthening the region’s economy and community.
Photo by Felicia Massey.
Established to shine a light on women whose contributions are often overlooked, the Luminary Awards recognize leadership across entrepreneurship, employment, community service and long-term impact. The awards honour women who lead visibly and behind the scenes in business, non-profit and community settings, and who create opportunities for others through their work.
The inaugural Luminary Awards sold out in 2025, drawing more than 200 attendees and recognizing five outstanding recipients: Sheena Howard, Jenisha Sanjit Arora, Rachel Stark, Tiffany Arcari and Jeannine Taylor. Taylor received the first-ever Legacy Award, which recognizes a lifetime of excellence, generosity and community impact.
“The Legacy Award reflects the heart of what the Luminary Awards stand for,” said Chair of the Peterborough and Kawartha Chamber of Commerce Board Susan Dunkley. “It honours women whose careers have not only achieved success but have changed lives and strengthened our community over time.”
@ptbo_canada @PtboChamber ♬ original sound PTBOCanada
The following five categories introduced in the inaugural year return for 2026:
Legacy
Honouring a woman whose career is defined by excellence, generosity and community impact. Her vision and success have created opportunities for others through employment, mentorship, philanthropy or long-term influence; leaving an enduring mark.
Nominees:
Judy Byrne
Monika Carmichael
Dr. Kristy Hiltz
Vanessa Oake Hogan
Dr. Jenny Ingram
Jenni Johnston
Cathy Olley
Anne Ryan
Susan Tung
Wendy Kelly
Betty Halman-Plumley
Trailblazer (Entrepreneur)
Celebrating a business owner whose leadership, ingenuity and boldness have sparked success and inspired others.
Nominees:
Winter Barringer
Kinjal Shukla Clement
Lisa Couture
Leanne Crump
Marsha Gaulton
Richa Grover
Catherine Hanrahan
Tracy Minnema
Ashley Flynn
Danielle Turpin
Rebecca O'Rourke
Emerging Entrepreneur
Celebrating a rising business owner who has launched a fresh, innovative venture that is already making its mark and shows exciting potential for the future.
Nominees:
Kara Ainsworth
Chasley Keepfer
Karen Kerr
Erin Shannon
Elena Thomas
Ashley Woollacott
Ashley Flynn
Marsha Gaulton
One to Watch (Employee)
Recognizing an emerging leader whose innovative ideas, meaningful contributions and proven success show outstanding potential for the future. Nominees may hold entry to mid-level management roles.
Nominees:
Allison Adam
Bethan Bates
Amanda Bedford
Lindsey Brodie
Michelle Nguyen
Rosalea Terry
“It still continues to be a big deal for women to be recognized and I think the Chamber’s doing an amazing thing with this,” said The Ten Spot’s Lindsey Brodie. “When you are being validated by other women it is so much more impactful.”
Barrier Buster
Celebrating a remarkable woman who has excelled in her field by breaking through barriers. She has faced challenges, whether gender-based, systemic, cultural, language, disability-related, or otherwise; and risen above them with skill, creativity and perseverance.
Nominees:
Ashley Flynn
Bridget McCluckie
Jane Bischoff
Jordan Lyall
Kayley Duggan
Nour Mazloum
Stephanie Wilson
Tori Silvera
Marsha Gaulton
New for 2026, the Chamber has expanded the awards to include two additional categories:
Building Belonging
Celebrating a woman whose inclusive leadership and equity-driven innovation has reshaped how business is done, demonstrating that building for belonging is not just the right thing to do, it’s a strategic advantage. Nominees may focus on workplace culture, employee experience and/or customer-facing innovation.
Nominees:
Mackenzie Annis
Akshana Katoch
Jennifer Lawson
Peggy Shaughnessy
Danielle Turpin
Patricia Wilson
Marsha Gaulton
Community Catalyst
Celebrating a woman whose leadership, collaboration and vision have sparked positive change in the community. A Community Catalyst brings people together, builds partnerships and drives meaningful progress on local priorities. Nominees can be paid staff or volunteers of a not-for-profit organization, or be an employee or owner of a business or enterprise.
Nominees:
Ashley Woollacott
Abby Zotz
Ashley Collins
Betty Halman-Plumley
Chelsey Carberry
Dana Hetherton
Emma Featherstone
Michelle Ferreri
Sheridan Graham
Tonya Kraan
Kat McCartie
Amy Muir
Marcia Steeves
Meryn Steeves
Rosalea Terry
Lois Tuffin
Susan Zambonin
Rebecca O'Rourke
Nour Mazloum
“I’m a female-owned business in the boxing industry, which isn’t the norm,” said Marsha Gaulton of Eastside Boxing and Wellness, who was nominated for four Luminary Awards this year. “This is a huge honour for me to be recognized for what I’m doing. Just to be seen like this in the community, it feels like my heart is exploding.”
The 2026 Luminary Award Ceremony will take place on May 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Great Hall, Trent University (1600 West Bank Dr.).
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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Uride, HERmanas Boutique and MicroAge PW
/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…
Uride Launches $20,000 Student Support Fund
Ride-sharing service Uride has introduced a new initiative aimed at supporting students facing financial challenges. The company has committed $20,000 to its Student Support Fund, which will award $5,000 to one deserving student each week throughout February. These funds can be applied toward tuition fees or other school-related expenses.
The program is open to students residing in communities where Uride operates. By providing this direct financial assistance, Uride hopes to help ease some of the economic pressures that many students experience during the academic year. For full details on eligibility and how to apply, interested students should download the Uride app.
HERmanas Boutique and Bikinis by Bridget Nominated for National Awards
Apsley-based HERmanas Boutique and its swimwear brand, Bikinis by Bridget, have earned dual nominations in the 2025 Canadian SME National Business Awards. The boutique, owned and operated by sisters Bridget and Victoria, has been shortlisted for Small Business of the Year.
The business is celebrated for its original, sustainably produced swimwear made with innovative Truelife® ECO fabrics, as well as its carefully curated selection of global fashion pieces. In addition to the business recognition, founder Bridget has received an individual nomination for Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
With summer fast approaching, now is the perfect time to explore their latest swimwear collections and seasonal styles. Visit their website at shophermanas.ca to browse the full range.
MicroAge PW Expands to Become MicroAge PWK Through Kingston Acquisition
MicroAge PW, serving Peterborough and Whitby, has reached a significant milestone by acquiring MicroAge Kingston and rebranding as MicroAge PWK. This strategic expansion brings together three locations with a shared commitment to supporting local businesses.
The Kingston team brings decades of experience helping regional organizations with their IT needs. The newly combined group has emphasized that it will maintain the strong local focus that has defined each location while benefiting from greater resources, broader expertise, and fresh momentum. By uniting strengths across Peterborough, Whitby, and Kingston, MicroAge PWK aims to provide even higher levels of IT leadership, service quality, and innovation to clients throughout the area.
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 brenda@pkchamber.ca.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.
Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce Announces HighSpeed Rail Advancement Event With ALTO
/Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce has announced the PK Conversations: HighSpeed Rail Advancement with ALTO event Feb. 19.
file photo.
