Amusé Coffee Co. Opens Pop Up Location In VentureNorth Building In Downtown

Local café Amusé Coffee Co., which opened its first location at 641 George St. in 2015, has now also opened a "pop up" location for its authentic Paris-inspired charm of fair trade organic whole bean coffee and baked goods in the main lobby of the VentureNorth Building in downtown Peterborough.

Photo courtesy FastStart Peterborough

Owner Lindsay Brock will be serving Amusé products on Mondays and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the hopes of eventually being there more days.

“I’m so excited to be expanding into VentureNorth, they have so many exciting things happening in this building and I’m really happy to be connected to that,” says Brock. “We are currently here Mondays and Wednesdays for March, and hopefully on a more permanent basis thereafter.”

Amusé founder Lindsay Brock at her second location (photo courtesy FastStart Peterborough)

We are so excited that @amusecoffeeco is now in @VentureNorthPtb Monday & Wednesday! ☕️ #fuel #MondayMotivaton pic.twitter.com/zP5520enxz

— Innovation Cluster (@InnovationPtbo) March 5, 2018

Amusé Coffee Co., which sprung out of the FastStart Peterborough program for budding entrepreneurs, continues to serve Fair Trade Organic whole bean coffee, premium loose tea, and a range of baked goods and brunch options with a French-feel.

The VentureNorth Building is located at 270 George St. N.

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Watch: Documentary On Oral History Of Peterborough Downtown Farmers' Market

The Downtown Farmers’ Market is proud to have been a producers only market since their inception 20 years ago.

Starting in 1996, this market was formed by a group of local farmers looking to set up a new, producers only market that would help them grow their businesses, build community, and offer customers a mid-week downtown location for purchasing fresh seasonal produce, local meats, cheeses, flowers and other local goods.

Shoppers can be sure they are buying local seasonal vegetables, flowers, meats, and cheeses from the farmers themselves, as well as wonderful baking, prepared lunches, crafts, coffee and drinks from the folks who made them.

To learn more about the history of the market and how it has helped local farms and businesses, check out this new documentary from local filmmaker Brian Mitolo...

The market's 2017 season ends October 25th.

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Stock Up For Thanksgiving At Peterborough Downtown Farmers' Market

Hit up the Downtown Farmers’ Market on Wednesday, October 4th to stock up on all your Thanksgiving grocery needs with all the best local produce, meats, cheeses and products our region has to offer.

In addition, local potter Carolyn Cisco will be on-hand offering pottery demonstrations between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Watch or receive a 10 minute hands-on lesson! (6+, weather permitting).

Only four weeks remain in what's been another great season for the Peterborough Downtown Farmers' Market. The last market for this year is on October 25th. Come on down to stock up on all your favourite products, thank your farmers, and bring someone who hasn’t visited yet.

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What Peterborough Needs: A Mariposa Type Market?

During our travels, we come across interesting businesses that we think could be a neat fit in our beautiful city.

If you were to stop for a meal at Orillia's own Mariposa Market, we think you would agree. With over 500 reviews averaging 4.5 on Trip Advisor, we're not the only ones who make sure to stop in for a bite when passing through.

Open 7 days a week, this gem is in a turn of the century building that sprawls out in all directions once you enter. With lots of wood accents and nods to its historic roots, they offer baked goods, a café and plenty of places to sit down and socialize with three levels that overlook the store. Each time we have visited, there has been a line-up for their numerous glass cabinets of freshly made meals.

Their extensive menu rotates daily so even upon frequent visits you won't have the same food twice.

Thanks to their success, the Mariposa Market recently renovated to add a quick to-go counter at the back of the building to help alleviate the line-ups for sit-down meals. They also added numerous new bathrooms on the main floor and spacious new seating in their upper floor.

Make sure to feed the parking meter in the lot across the street because you will be sure to spend some time here. The Market also includes two neighbouring stores (The Seasons Shop & The Scent Shop), both located on either side that offer home curiosities, books, kitchen ware, clothing, jewelry and handmade items.

There is also the store Apple Annie's downstairs offering every kitchen gadget you could ever dream up, fresh fudge and sauces, jams and other tasty meal items that you can either make yourself or give as a gift.

Curiously, the Mariposa Market does't offer Wi-Fi, but perhaps if they did it would clog up their already busy locale.

So now that you've had a quick run-down of what the Mariposa Market is, hopefully we've answered "Why would Peterborough need another coffee shop?". The building itself really adds to the experience so we would envision it being in an older building downtown.

Obviously we are just coming up with fun ideas to ponder in our debut "What Peterborough Needs" column, and while we already love our city the way it is, it's always fun to think of what could work or not work.

We would love to hear what you think Peterborough needs. Email us with neat places you've seen on your travels that might translate here.

—by Evan Holt

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Peterborough Entrepreneur Launches Mobile App For Users To Discover Their Next Meal Based On Their Mood

Peterborough entrepreneur Sultan Moni, a student at Trent University, has launched a new app that could change the way consumers choose their next meal. Zatiq is a platform for users to discover local foods around them that will match their cravings to a meal.

Through artificial intelligence, this unique app—now available in Google Play Store and launching on the App store in August—could redefine the food and hospitality industry. A mix of inputting the user’s mood and meal preferences will allow the app to be personalized at any user’s command.

“People are always hungry but often never know what they want to eat,” says Moni. “I wanted to solve that problem since there are so many different types of meals to discover.”

Moni is based out of the Innovation Cluster’s downtown Cube in Peterborough, and combined his love for trying new meals and developing technology to create a food discovery app that can benefit anyone who wants to discover new food and find that perfect dish.

Entrepreneur Sultan Moni

“It is exciting to see a disruptive new app born in Peterborough & the Kawarthas which has the potential to be used in different markets around the world," says Michael Skinner, President & CEO of the Innovation Cluster.

With Zatiq’s leading search capabilities, there are various inputs available to find their next meal. When searching by business, user’s can browse for specific restaurants, cafés and other food hot spots. The innovative “mood” search engine lets the user find meals that will satisfy based on what they are feeling, such as happy or heartbroken. No matter what kind of day the person is having, they can find a meal fit for them.

With the ability for users to follow each other’s profiles, the app provides an interactive experience when trying new foods, allowing people to comment or like another user’s ratings, check-ins, or pictures.

Another benefit of the app is each time a user checks in to a location, points are gained. These can be redeemed as coupons, discounts, samples, offers and other deals provided by businesses. Rewards could be anything from a free coffee to a free iPhone 7.

“This app will expand even more as people in different locations download it,” says Moni. “Zatiq will allow users to add meals and locations to the app’s search list, so anyone around the world will be able to find a good meal, gain points and have fun wherever they are.”

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15th Annual Rotary Ribfest Is This Weekend At Millennium Park

The 15th Annual Rotary Ribfest starts this Friday (July 7th) at Millennium Park in downtown Peterborough along the Otonabee River.

Photo courtesy DBIA

“There is an exciting musical lineup for this year’s Rotary Ribfest as well a delicious sampling from nine local restaurants and of course, lots of cold beer,” says Terry Guiel, DBIA Executive Director. “All through the year we hear people saying they’ve got Rotary Ribfest marked on their calendars and that it’s one of their favourite events of the summer."

Hot Rocks: Rolling Stones tribute band plays Friday night (Photo courtesy DBIA)

Admission to Rotary Ribfest is free. The hours are as follows:

• Friday, July 7: 11 am to 11 pm
• Saturday, July 8: 11 am to 11 pm
• Sunday, July 9: 12 pm to 5 pm

Photo courtesy DBIA

Local restaurants participating this year include:

• Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews
• The Nutty Chocolatier
• The BrickHouse Craft Burger Grill ‘n Bar
• Island Cream Caribbean Cuisine
• Village of Thai
• Kettle Drums
• La Hacienda
• Silk Roots
• The Silver Bean Café
 
Ribber’s Row includes:
• Fat Boys
• Boss Hogs BBQ
• Jack the Ribber
• Smokehouse Bandits
• Ontario Corn Roasters
 
ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP

Friday, July 7
• 12 – 1:30 pm: Pat Temple and the HiLO Players
• 1:45 – 3:15 pm: Rye Street
• 3:30 – 5 pm: Briannah Cotton Band
• 5:15 – 6:30 pm: The Cadillacs
• 6:45 – 8:15 pm: We Ain't Petty / Tom Petty Tribute
• 8:30 – 10 pm: Hot Rocks – Rolling Stones Tribute presented by Shorelines Casinos
 
Saturday, July 8
• 12:00 – 1:30 pm: John Curtis musical show
• 1:45 – 3:15 pm: John Curtis Band
• 3:30 – 4:45 pm: Max Mouse and the Gorilla's
• 5:00 – 6:30 pm: Samurai Fly
• 6:45 – 8:15 pm: Kim Doolittle
• 8:30 – 10 pm: Rikki Nicks — Fleetwood Mac Tribute presented by Wolfe Lawyers
 
Sunday, July 9
• 12 – 1:30 pm: Austin Carson Band
• 1:45 – 3:15 pm: Dean James
• 3:30 – 5 pm: Gunslingers

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5th Annual Paint The Town Red Has 30 Restaurants Participating This Year

The 5th annual Paint the Town Red all day event in support of United Way Peterborough takes place on July 19th.

Participating restaurants, cafes and pubs will be donating 25 percent of their daily sales to support United Way Peterborough & District, with proceeds directing impacting vital social services in your community.

La Hacienda is one of participating restaurants

This year, there are already 30 participating restaurants—up from 22 this year. 

Also, a big red spoon (with a touch of plaid) has been introduced this year by the United Way Peterborough, built by United Way cabinet member Terry Guiel (pictured above and below)...

Sam's Place is one of participating restaurants

Fresh Dreams Peterborough is participating

The @UnitedWayPtbo #PaintPtboRed team. 29+ restaurants in @downtownPtbo participating this year. July 19th! Don't miss it!! #ChangeALife pic.twitter.com/p1vPN6jupG

— PTBO_CANADA (@Ptbo_Canada) June 22, 2017

Paint the Town Red @UnitedWayPtbo fundraiser July 19 in @downtownPtbo pic.twitter.com/yTD78PJbRS

— Terry Guiel (@Terry_Guiel) June 22, 2017

We are delighted to announce we'll be participating in @UnitedWayPtbo's #PaintPtboRed July 19th, 25% of sales that day to United Way Ptbo. pic.twitter.com/l2MEY2azE7

— Gerti's (@GertisPub) June 20, 2017

For more info on Paint the Town Red, click here and check out the hashtag #PaintPtboRed.

If you're a restaurant that would like to participate, contact Erica Richmond at the United Way Peterborough here.

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Dessert Bar Sweet Spirits To Launch In Downtown Peterborough

Sweet Spirits, a fine dessert caterer specializing in crepes and waffles, is set to open its first retail shop (261 George St. N., Unit 130) in downtown Peterborough.

To celebrate their dessert bar opening, on June 1st, Sweet Spirits will welcome the public to tour the new treat shop for their launch from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and try some decadent desserts!

Sweet Spirits delicious chocolate cheesecakes

Enter the newly renovated shop to try a slice of cake, or their specialty French Macarons. Desserts aren’t the only thing to look forward to now, with Sweet Spirits offering “boozy desserts”. Take your pick of your favourite spirit, beer and wine to find your favourite dessert, or just head straight there for the alcohol-infused ice cream.

“I always have a craving for cake and wine, but found there were not a lot of options in Peterborough to get the two together,” says Sweet Spirits owner Hannah Howey as why she is opening the dessert bar.

Hannah Howey pictured at Cub's Lair Entrepreneurial Competition

Specializing in fine desserts, Howey was able to start her career path through the FastStart Program in Peterborough, which helps entrepreneurs between the ages of 18-29 jumpstart their business ideas.

Howey started catering to events such as weddings and parties, pushing to pursue her passion as a business. She competed in FastStart’s entrepreneurial competition Cub’s Lair, where Sweet Spirits achieved a runner-up prize for her business success and originality.

Her waffles are delicious

Gaining recognition for decadent desserts and unique flavours at these events, Sweet Spirits is well-known in the local business community for providing a high-quality catering service to the region. Now, Sweet Spirits will open shop to feature an array of desserts that will be available in store as well as continuing to cater within the local area.

“We are taking desserts to another level and can’t wait to share it with everyone!” says Howey.

We can't wait to try it.

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Lakefield's Hard Winter Bread Company Launches Custom Built Mobile, Wood-Fired Bagel Oven

The Lakefield-based sourdough bakery Hard Winter Bread Company has announced it will now be adding delicious Montreal-style bagels to their market tables this spring.

The company—which is run by couple Graham Thoem and Jessica Arsenault—prides itself on creating simple, healthy foods using quality ingredients. They will be baking the fresh bagels on-site at markets in the Kawarthas in their new custom built, mobile wood-fired oven.

“Our time living in Montreal is when we understood the makings of a perfect bagel," says co-owner Graham Thoem. “They need to be handmade, and they must be wood-fired. When it comes to the texture, flavour and authenticity, a live wood fire is the secret to a truly Montreal-style bagel.”

Co-owner Jessica Arsenault adds that the expansion will be part production, part performance. "Customers will find us rolling, boiling and baking bagels right on site at markets," she says.

For the expansion into mobile production, the couple enlisted the help of world-renowned mason and oven-builder, Alex Chernov, from Stovemaster in Orangeville.

Beginning Saturday, May 13th, customers can find Hard Winter Bagels at the Peterborough Farmers’ Market until October. They will also be available at the weekly Lakefield Farmers’ Market.

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