October 2012 - Biz Magazine

northcountrybusinessnews.com
TODAY IS A
GOOD DAY
TO WEATHER TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES
Now more than ever, sound financial
advice is critical. I can help.
Alan Paton* CFP®, B.Eng.
705-789-5246
[email protected]
38 Glenwood Drive
Huntsville, ON P1H 1B6
October 2012
Muskoka’s Business Newspaper Since 1997
Eats and arts at Nipissing Riding the
*Mutual funds offered by
Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc.
© Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2012.
craft beer
tidal wave
Mohawk Grill
Tasty homemade food at
Dwight restaurant.
See p. 7
Create a job
Workshop introduces
unemployed to self
employment.
See p. 5
BOHEMIAN BANQUET: Tammy Gravina and Elizabeth Louter plan to keep the
student body healthy and happy at the Lakehouse Cafe at Nipissing. See page 13.
Downtown project gets new lead
Dependable
service of office
equipment by
certified technicians
705-787-0517
Canada Post Agreement #40025080
By Corey Wilkinson
Phyllis Finch is taking over as
Gravenhurst’s new downtown revitalization co-ordinator.
The Muskoka resident replaces
Marilyn de Lang, who resigned
from the position on Jun. 22.
“I’m really enjoying the job,”
says Finch. “I’m making connections with business owners, the
BIA (Business Improvement Area)
and the chamber of commerce.”
Finch started the position in September, and has begun her tenure
by collecting as much information
as she can through input acquired
during three surveys.
The first survey was designed to
get residents’ input on what they
want to see in the downtown.
“We want to get input from the
community as to what they want to
see,” says Finch. “We really want
to engage the business community
and provide the resources to support them.”
The second survey is for business owners, while the third survey
deals with downtown buildings and
includes occupation levels, size,
rent, lease and availability.
“All this information will help
develop a strategic plan and how
we move forward,” says Finch.
“Gravenhurst has all the key
FINCH - p. 13
By Corey Wilkinson
The brewery hasn’t been built
yet but the beer is still flowing at
Sawdust City Brewing Company.
Riding a massive surge in the
popularity of craft beer, Sawdust
City has expanded their brewing
production, been accepted to sell
in LCBO outlets and are set to
build a brewery next to Zensations
at the Gravenhurst Wharf.
Sawdust City is hoping to break
ground in the spring, according to
co-founder Sam Corbeil.
“It takes a lot longer to build a
brewery than one expects,” says
Corbeil. Sawdust City currently
has a warehouse in Gravenhurst
used for dry storage.
Just because the brewery is
homeless doesn’t mean they aren’t
brewing. Sawdust City beer is currently being brewed at Black Oak
Brewing Co. in Toronto.
Sawdust City Brewing started
selling suds roughly one year ago
on Nov. 18. They began by brewing 1,000 litres of beer each month
but have now expanded to 8,000
litres each month with the purchase of two, 40 hectolitre tanks
(one hectolitre equals 100 litres).
The expansion comes in
advance of their acceptance into
LCBO stores, making their beer
available to many more people.
Sawdust City beer should be available in the LCBO by May.
“Once the snowball starts
rolling downhill it picks up speed,”
says Corbeil. “The LCBO was
SAWDUST - p. 7
Celebrating Small Business – see p. 8 - 12
Open to the public - visit our website
www.northgraniteridge.com
705.385.0808
LIMITED MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE NOW – PAY NOW FOR 2013 SEASON + PLAY GOLF SEPT/OCT FREE
***PROSHOP SALE ON NOW***
2
October 2012
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
Hot tub handyman solves problems
Customer service
is key for new
businessman
By Sandy Lockhart
Hot tub repairs can be
overwhelming but there are
a few simple things you can
do to prevent problems,
according to Greg Avdeeff,
who opened Typhoon Hot
Tub Service in June.
“Check your chemical
levels once a week. Ensure
your lid fits well all the way
around, and address any
problems with the tub as
soon as you find them,” he
says. “These are the simplest methods to keep your
hot tub clean and troublefree.”
If you do run into trouble,
or need some assistance,
Avdeeff is the guy to call.
He has more than seven
years experience and today
works his way around hot
tub plumbing and electronics like a skilled surgeon.
He has worked on nearly
every make and model of
hot tub, has seen practically
every problem that can arise
and is applying that experience to his own business.
He is based just south of
Huntsville and travels
throughout Muskoka and
beyond to repair and service
hot tubs.
“Customer service is the
key to the success of a business,” he says, explaining
his priority is taking care of
customers, and even helping
them save money by sharing
preventative maintenance
instructions.
“You can start by keeping
your filters clean and rotate
them on a regular basis. At
the end of each month, take
your dirty filters out and put
a fresh set in. Put the dirty
filters into a cleaning solution for a few hours, remove
and spray the paper folds
completely. Then let them
dry. End of the next month,
do it all over again.”
If you are a seasonal hot
tub user, you also want to
take care with winterizing
your hot tub correctly.
“Simply draining the water
and pouring a jug of
antifreeze down the filter is
not good enough,” says
Avdeeff. “There could still
be anywhere from 25 – 50
litres of water caught in the
plumbing lines.”
Proper
winterization
requires vacuuming lines,
loosening fittings and proper application of antifreeze.
Avdeeff provides this serv-
SERVICE SATISFACTION: Greg Avdeeff opened his hot tub service business in June.
ice.
To make the most of your
hot tub, Avdeeff tells his
customers to repair their hot
tub when it needs it, maintain it properly throughout
the year and most importantly, enjoy.
He says most full-time
residents use their hot tubs
through the winter.
“That is the best time,”
he says. “You are sitting in
the tub and light snow is
falling down – that’s fantastic!
Fireplace King warms up to new location
By Chris Occhiuzzi
The Fireplace King’s new
Huntsville digs look great,
have more space and provide customers with more
showroom options.
Owner Randy Nickason
says they held a
grand opening on
Oct. 5 and 6, with
hundreds attending
at their new location on the corner
of Main St. West
and Cairns Dr. The
Fireplace King had
been at its previous
home on Bickley
County Drive for
roughly 20 years.
“We felt that we
had outgrown the
facility,”
says
Nickason. “Both the showroom and warehouse space,
and we felt it was time to
move on to bigger things.”
Nickason, who bought
the Fireplace King from his
parents four years ago, has
been working in the business over 10 years and
began construction on the
new building in 2010.
The Fireplace King now
has almost 8,000 sq. ft. to
house the extensive showroom, office and warehouse. Nickason says they
mal heat.
“Pretty much anything to
do with heating and cooling, we’ll have the product
and the service to meet any
customer’s needs,” says
Nickason.
He says the
larger showroom
gives The Fireplace King the
tools to provide
customers with a
better idea of
how the different
products work
and what they
might look like
finished in someone’s
home.
They have over
75 working displays, the building’s heated with geo-thermal and it’s displayed for
the customer to see. There
are also two fully functional boilers on display.
“There are a variety of
products we have here on
display for anyone to see,”
says Nickason.
“Pretty much anything
to do with heating and
cooling, we’ll have the
product and the service
to meet customers’ needs”
FIT FOR A KING: Randy Nickason, owner of the Fireplace King in
Huntsville, is excited about being able to give customers more options.
have nearly doubled their
operating space.
The business offers a
wide range of heating products, from wood and gas
fireplaces, wood stoves to
high efficiency forced-air
gas furnaces, boilers, hot
water systems and geo-ther-
October 2012
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
3
Businesses getting mobbed with cash
By Chris Occhiuzzi
The mob has descended on
Huntsville and business owners couldn’t be happier.
Taking a cue from a growing North American initiative,
Jeff Carter has gathering
interested individuals in the
community to create a Cash
Mob.
These Cash Mobs, which
Carter hopes to see grow to
include over 100 people,
meet at a pre-selected time
and location, then walk as a
group over to an independent,
locally owned business.
Once at the business, the
members of the Cash Mob
will each spend $20 on a full
price item. No sale items or
items attached to coupons can
be purchased according to
Carter’s Cash Mob rules.
Businesses that are about to
be mobbed are notified five
days in advance.
“We won’t be going into
any big box stores or chains,”
says Carter. “The idea is to
choose local businesses who
give back to the community
and to help stimulate the
economy.”
He says by choosing a different business each time a
Cash Mob mobilizes, the
money helps create jobs and
keep existing workers steadily employed. This initiative is
especially helpful during the
shoulder season.
However, it’s not just the
one business receiving a
boost each time a Cash Mob
convenes. Carter says various
food and beverage outlets will
be chosen as the spot of an
after party for every outing.
The concept behind a Cash
Mob is members of the community helping out other
members of the community
providing economic stimulus.
“Other merchants can contact us if they want to partici-
Time for new ideas
Do you need help developing a business idea? Do
you need help with your
existing business?
Now that the summer season is over, there is finally a
bit of time to focus on growing and improving your
business.
It might even be time to
start up a new business.
Muskoka Futures, Muskoka
Small Business Centre,
Muskoka Self Employment
Assistance Program and
Donna Douglas are now
offering
workshops
designed to make a positive
impact on your business or
help develop your own new
business.
Courses include business
planning in Huntsville on
Oct. 19; Marketing and
Advertising in Huntsville on
Oct. 16 and Bracebridge on
Oct. 18; Business and financials in Huntsville on Oct.
22 and in Bracebridge on
Oct. 25; Books and taxes
in Huntsville on Oct. 29 and
Bracebridge on Nov. 5.
Businesses that attend all
four workshops are invited
to participate in the Business Catalyst Event on Nov.
12 at the Port Sydney Community Centre from 7 to 9
p.m.
Huntsville classes will be
held at the University of
Waterloo, 87 Forbes Hill
Drive. Bracebridge classes
will be held at Nipissing
University, Muskoka Campus at 125 Wellington St.
Those interested can contact Muskoka Futures at 1800-414-6570 or visiting
Muskoka futures.ca
pate,” says Carter. “Even if
they are not chosen for that
day’s Cash Mob, they can
offer prizes for the after party
and promote the initiative
through Facebook or on their
websites.”
Carter says he first heard
about the Cash Mob when a
group of people living in
Cleveland, led by an attorney,
gathered in a group of 40 and
descended upon a local bookstore in November 2011. The
group took its idea online and
the movement has grown to
the point where over 30 states
have Cash Mobs, as well as
several Canadian towns and
cities.
While each group has its
own procedures, some of the
original Cash Mob rules
include getting approval from
store owners and setting a $20
spending minimum for individuals in the group. The
rules also state the Mob
should head to a local bar or
restaurant for a party following the main event.
“We’ve adopted the basic
rules from the very first Cash
Mob,” says Carter.
CASH MOBBERS: This group of enthusiastic community members
and many more were part of the Huntsville Cash Mob on Oct. 13.
Canadian icons promote Explorer’s Edge
As part of a long-term
strategy to build shoulder season tourism throughout Algonquin Park, the Almaguin
Highlands, Muskoka and Parry Sound, Regional Tourism
Organization 12 (RTO12) has
launched a major fall marketing campaign and enlisted
some big Canadian names to
help promote it.
In a multi-media campaign
that includes radio, online
and out-of-home advertising
and social media, RTO12,
also known by its consumer
brand name as Explorers’
Edge, hopes to distinguish
itself from other Ontario destinations that are also market-
ing fall by highlighting an
additional colour that exists
in abundance in its own
region – blue.
“The
thousands
of
sparkling blue lakes that carpet this region really amplify
the fall colours,” says James
Murphy, executive director of
Explorers’ Edge. “If you look
at a photo of our region in
fall, mostly likely you will
see a lake in it, and blue will
be the dominant colour
amongst the red, yellow and
orange. It’s our spectacular
blue lakes that heighten the
brilliance of the traditional
fall palette. In Explorers’
Edge, we’ve got red, orange,
yellow – and we’ve got blue
too.”
To raise awareness of this
unique feature, Explorers’
Edge turned to Roots cofounder Michael Budman and
world champion kayaker
Adam van Koeverden, two
well-known Canadians who
have strong ties to the region:
Algonquin Park inspired
Budman and co-founder Don
Green to create their company, and van Koeverden has
long trained on Tea Lake in
the iconic park.
“We are thrilled that
Michael and Adam are lending us their support,” says
Murphy. “Their involvement
will help us build new audiences for the region by
changing the perception that
we are primarily a summeronly destination, and will
help to distinguish us in a
crowded fall tourism market.”
The campaign, created by
Cloud AdAgents of Toronto,
includes an intensive radio
campaign targeting the GTA
featuring Budman and van
Koeverden, as well as a video
for distribution online via
Youtube and Facebook.
Other components include
digital advertising via Cineplex Media, online advertising and a “Fall Blue” contest.
From design to completion, simple to complex, you can depend on us to
handle your project with efficiency and quality.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
COMMERCIAL PRINTING
SIGNS & DISPLAYS
PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS
abengraphics.com | 92 Hanes Road, Huntsville | [email protected] | 705.789.4404
4
OPINION PAGE
October 2012
EDITOR’S NOTEPAD
Growth
from within
One doesn’t have to look far to see the economic
backbone of Muskoka is its entrepreneurs. While it is
always good to work at attracting new businesses to
Muskoka, one cannot overlook the value of what is
already here.
Rather than devoting much time to chasing new
investment from outside Muskoka, it may make more
sense to adjust our economic development focus by
providing increased support for existing Muskoka
businesses to thrive and succeed.
Many of Muskoka’s most successful businesses are
not chains or big box stores. They are the businesses
that started, here, in Muskoka with an idea that grew
with blood, sweat and tears and quality customer service.
The days of big factories sweeping into town and creating hundreds of jobs are a thing of the past. Local
entrepreneurs are needed to rejuvenate the Muskoka
economy.
Decades ago, a business started with a good idea,
hard work and luck.
Today there are resources to assist Muskoka’s entrepreneurs with everything from developing their initial
business plan to funding assistance when it is time to
expand.
There are even programs to assist with the training of
employees and the upgrading of their skills.
Dedicated business people donate their time and
knowledge, helping the next generation to develop
their own successful businesses.
Muskoka organizations depend on these people as
mentors.
For those in less than satisfying jobs, it could be
worth a visit to the Muskoka Small Business Centre or
the Business Enterprise Resource Network, or at least a
conversation with their friendly staff.
Some people have great ideas but lack the confidence, or equity, to start a business but there are
resources to make this challenging choice a little simpler.
Starting a new business is not easy but in Muskoka,
there are ways to turn business dreams into reality.
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
New funding for small business
One of the most common questions asked of us at Muskoka
Futures is, “what grants do you have
available for new business owners
and how do I apply?”
Unfortunately, our answer is
almost always the same, “Muskoka
Futures does not provide grants to
small and medium for-profit-businesses.”
Muskoka Futures is a financial
lender that provides loans (not
grants) to businesses in order to
assist with their start-up or expansion, or assist with the purchase of
an existing business. We get questions about grants because new business owners are always looking for a
way to grow their business without
growing their debt.
Under a new program offered by
Innovation Initiatives Ontario North
(iiON), there is now such a way for
small and medium enterprises, the
Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program (SFEP).
iiON is a Regional Innovation
Centre (RIC) located in North Bay
at Nipissing University /Canadore
College with a service area including the District of Muskoka.
Whether you are a first-time
entrepreneur, researcher, or business
veteran, iiON has services and programs to sharpen your skills and
advance your business goals includ-
Muskoka
Futures
By Lucas Ruttan
ing: expert coaching and mentorship; programs to support collaboration between business and academia; and assisting to identify financing programs and opportunities with
potential investors.
The objective of SFEP is to support small and medium–sized enterprises in developing their ability to
advance the growth of their business, and to enhance innovation,
commercialization, management
and trade capacity in the Parry
Sound/Muskoka, Nipissing/Temiskaming and west Nipissing Districts.
The program has identified three
key areas that the contributions will
be distributed for: sales and marketing, product development and business enhancement.
Funding of up to $5,000 is available to support small and medium
businesses in accessing contracted
expertise, services or direct costs
related to these areas of business
development.
Sales and marketing assistance
may support items such as trade
Know the trespassing rules
An owner of land or premises is
protected from trespassing by the
Trespass to Property Act.
The key to this legislation is
signage. A person trespassing on
land or premises must have notice
that entry is prohibited.
The signage may be general in
nature, such as “No Trespassing,”
as everyone has seen.
The signage may also be specific in nature. A trail sign on
land which specifically permits
an activity, such as snowmobiling
in the winter is deemed to prohibit other activities, such as ATVs
in the summer. However, if the
only signage is a trail sign prohibiting snowmobiling in the
winter, then the activity of ATVs
in the summer is deemed not to
Lange
on Law
By Donald Lange
be prohibited.
The best thing to do to dispel
uncertainty is to have both general and specific signage. An owner
who seeks to avoid liability for
injury caused by unwanted motorized vehicles should post the
appropriate signage.
Prosecution for an offence is
normally conducted by the
Crown. A person traversing land
may have a defence that the person reasonably believed he or she
North Country Business is published by Cottage
Country Communications, a division of:
Donald Smith
Sandy Lockhart
Marc Bonitatibus
Publisher – Print & Digital
Editor – Print & Digital
Production Manager
Donna Ansley
Shannon Donnelly
Lisa Edlington
Martha Gillan
Laurie Johle
Karen Lawrence
Connie Zator
Matt Driscoll
Addie Collins
Matthew Walker
Advertising Sales
Photographer
Assistant Editor
Design Department
Chris Occhiuzzi
Journalist
Corey Wilkinson
Angy Gliddon
Ken Northey
Susan Smith
Reader Sales
and Service
show expenses, sales training, market research, e-commerce and business plan development. Product
development assistance can support
product research, feasibility studies,
and intellectual property assessment. Business enhancement assistance may support technology
assessments, lean manufacturing
studies or innovation process audits.
All applications to SFEP are subject to a competitive review process.
For more information on the Step
Forward Entrepreneurs Program,
including a full description of eligibility requirements, applicable
project costs, and application
forms,
please
visit
www.worthacheque.ca
For businesses that do not meet
the requirements of the SFEP,
Muskoka Futures is still here to
help.
We offer business loans, at competitive rates, for any size business
operating within the district of
Muskoka.
In an application to us we want to
know how your business will succeed and how we can help.
Check out our website at
www.muskokafutures.ca, call the
office at (705) 646-9511, or stop in
at 111 Manitoba Street, Bracebridge
to learn more about our lending program.
Copyright© 2012, Sun Media Corp.
All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material
published in North Country Business is strictly
prohibited without the written permission of the
publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility
for unsolicited material.
had an interest in the land, for
example, as a right-of-way by use
over 20 years. The maximum fine
is $2,000.
A monetary award may also be
granted to the owner for damage
to the property caused by the trespasser which is enforceable in the
Small Claims Court.
For serious and repeated trespassing problems, it is prudent to
inform the local OPP detachment
that “No Trespassing” signs have
been posted on the property.
There is no requirement to do
this under the legislation. However, there have been situations
where the OPP have refused to lay
a charge of trespass when they are
called to a scene because they do
not have the information on file.
Address changes should be sent to the address
below.
How to contact us:
Mail:
P.O. Box 180, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1T6
Street Address:
12 – 440 Ecclestone Drive, Bracebridge
Phone: (705) 646-1314
Fax: (705) 645-6424
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.northcountrybusinessnews.com
1 year subscription (12 issues) $23.89 plus HST
Canada Post Publications Mail Sales Product
Agreement Number 40025080
Printed in Canada.
October 2012
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
5
Georgian Bay snags marketing awards
Georgian Bay’s marketing
efforts are getting attention
on a national stage.
During a recent Township
council meeting, Mayor Larry Braid accepted two Marketing Canada Awards.
The awards were presented
to the Township of Georgian
Bay as part of a national submission contest. The Township competed against
municipalities all across
Canada.
Georgian Bay submitted
four submissions for excellence in best practice and
were awarded two marketing
awards; one for the Just Add
Water Festival 2011 marketing campaign, and another
for their electronic newsletter
‘e-news.’
“The Township of Georgian Bay is delighted with
both awards,” says Mayor
Braid. “I can recall the
tremendous number of people who joined us during the
Just Add Water Festival 2011.
No doubt our marketing campaign worked, and we are
pleased.”
Braid went on to say, as a
community which recently
passed their Sustainable
Georgian Bay Community
Based Strategic Plan, council
is pleased with the commitment from staff towards finding new sustainable and cost
effective solutions to share
information with residents
and guests.
“Council has tasked staff
to find solutions that work
with the way all of our residents want to communicate
in our township,” says Braid.
The e-news bulletin is
posted at the start of each
month on the Township’s
website and Facebook page.
It is also in print, and available at all township libraries
and municipal facilities.
The awards were distributed by the Economic Developers Association of Canada
(EDAC), Canada’s national
association of economic
development professionals,
representing every province
and territory across Canada
with more than 1,000 members.
The association recognizes
that marketing a community
is an integral part of the economic development profession and therefore provides
the
Marketing
Canada
Awards competition as an
opportunity to exchange and
review promotional literature
and other marketing material
produced by municipalities
across the country.
NATIONAL HONOURS: Mayor Larry Braid (centre) joins town councillors to accept two national awards for their marketing efforts.
Self employment options offered at workshop
Those looking to unleash
a great idea and create a job
they love are in luck.
Employment Ontario is
offering two, free interactive
workshops to explore one’s
self employment options.
Geared towards those
who are unemployed and
run through the Ontario Self
Employment Benefit Program, these workshops entitled Exploring Self Employment are being offered on
Oct. 22 from 1 p.m. to 4
p.m. and on Oct. 29 from 9
a.m. to 4 p.m. Both sessions
are being held at Gagnon’s
Independent Grocer in
Bracebridge.
The first workshop will
focus on exploring one’s
business idea, examining the
entrepreneurial traits and
technical skills necessary to
operate the business, discussing potential risks that
could affect the business and
brainstorming resources for
research related to starting a
business.
The second session will
explore the market (customers, competitors, etc.)
for the idea, examine financial considerations, identify
resources for ongoing financial and market research,
and discussing what makes a
viable business in today’s
marketplace.
“The exploring self
employment workshops are
GORDON, GINGRICH, HARRIS & FLEMMING
C hartered Accountants
AUDITING & ACCOUNTING
SERVICES
CORPORATE, ESTATE &
PERSONAL TAX PLANNING
152- 3 Manitoba Street
BRACEBRIDGE
7 William Street
PARRY SOUND
705-645-5255
705-746-5828
www.cggh.ca
PARTNERS
F. Glenn Gordon, C.A. – Stephen Gingrich, C.A., CFP
Brandy Harris, B.Acc., C.A. – Howard Flemming, C.A.
Tailored insurance solutions
designed for your business needs.
Our brokers work with you, compare your insurance options, and help get you the
best value and most appropriate coverage possible. And best of all, we’re right
here in town.
To learn more or to get a no obligation insurance quote,
contact Tim Withey today.
705-783-3289 or 1-800-263-6976
1-110 North Kinton Avenue | Huntsville, ON | P1H 0A9
Services available in Ontario through Canada Brokerlink (Ontario) Inc. ™BrokerLink and Design is a trademark of Canada Brokerlink Inc. used under license. © Copyright 2011 Canada
Brokerlink Inc. All rights reserved.
designed to help anyone go
through the analysis needed,
for their self employment
idea,” says Drew Hutcheson
business program consultant
with the Business Enterprise
Resource Network.
“It is a strong injection of
useful information.”
He says after attending
the workshops, some join
the program and others
decide to go out on their
own and start their own
business.
To register or for more
information call Business
Enterprise Resource Network at 705-645-4225 or
email: sue@selfemployment
assistance.ca
6
October 2012
ADVERTISING FEATURE
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
Business Spotlight
Looking for
a Great Employee?
We’ve got skilled candidates
ready to make an immediate
contribution to your business.
Wage incentives may be available.
Brent McIntosh – Employer Liaison
YMCA Employment Service - Huntsville
60 King William Street
705-787-0349
[email protected]
This Employment Ontario service is funded in part by the Government of Canada
Adam Todd and Jason Turner, owners of Northern Upfitters in Huntsville,
will keep your vehicles running at peak performance.
From oil changes to the
ultimate truck tune-up
Your foundation coating
& sealing professional
Basement waterproofing
Driveway & interlock coatings
Call now for your free consultation
705.645.6792
www.steernorth.ca
R
oofing
of all Types
GBS Contracting
Services Inc.
SPECIALIZING IN FLATS/
TAR & GRAVEL
GENERAL CONTRACTING
ALL WORKMANSHIP
5 YR WARRANTY
COMMERCIAL / RESIDENTIAL
[email protected]
705
687-9143
Cell: 705-641-8898
www.gbscontracting.com
EMERGENCY
SERVICE
24 HOUR
At Northern Upfitters,
owners Adam Todd and
Jason Turner work hard to
deliver honest and professional automotive services to
the people of Muskoka and
surrounding area.
Located at 741 Muskoka
Road 3 North in Huntsville,
Northern Upfitters is a fullservice automotive repair
shop. “We are an auto and
truck repair shop that specializes in full-service repairs
of all kinds of vehicles – commercial, recreational or residential,” says Jason.
“We focus our full attention on our customers. Every
job is important – no matter
how big or small – from a
major engine overhaul to a
quick oil change,” says
Adam. “Our goal is to provide each customer with the
personal service and expertise
they deserve.”
“What people might not
know, is the variety of services we offer,” says Adam. “We
are diesel specialists, yes, but
we do a whole lot more.”
At Northern Upfitters,
they work on small cars, light
and medium duty trucks,
even RVs and trailers. People
are welcomed to come in and
speak to one of their representatives or visit the website
(www.northernupfitters.com).
Customers like the service
at Northern Upfitters. “Since
we opened over a year ago,
referrals continue to be a
main source of new customers,” says Adam. “People
appreciate our personalized
treatment. We make sure
everyone is treated fairly.”
With over 35 years combined experience in the automotive trade, they know a
satisfied customer is their
greatest asset. “That’s why
we get the job done right the
first time and stand behind
our work,” says Jason.
Serving a community the
size and geography of
Muskoka means providing a
broad list of services. “Vehicles are a necessity in this
area,” says Adam. “There are
a lot of working vehicles,
trucks especially. People are
travelling long distances on
some less-than-ideal road
conditions. So we need to
ensure people get back on
the road quickly.”
Shop hours are Monday to
Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30
p.m. “But on a typical day,
we put in whatever hours are
necessary,” says Adam.
The Northern Upfitters
garage is well-equipped and
ready to handle almost any
problem. “And if we can’t do
it, we know who can. It
means less running around,”
says Jason. “You always have
to keep the customer’s wallet
in mind.”
Their diverse, comprehensive services set them apart.
“We are a registered Napa
AutoCare Centre repair facility which means we offer
their 12 month/20,000 kilometres warranty,” explains
Adam.
Northern Upfitters is filling an important niche in
the area. “We are certified
diesel specialists. There is a
local need for aftermarket
dealer specialists,” says Jason.
They can also provide all the
same services, for gas-powered vehicles too.
“Sometimes you want a
little more from your vehicle,
like getting more towing
power out of your diesel,”
says Adam. “That’s part of
our performance services.”
At Northern Upfitters,
customers talk directly to the
person working on their
vehicle. “We want our customers to be knowledgeable
about the service and repairs
we do,” says Adam. “It’s all
about education. We take
the time to walk them
through the process and let
them ask questions. When
people are happy, they come
back.”
Tell Muskoka
residents
who you are
and what you
offer!
Spotlight your business in
this advertising
feature - includes both
advertising and
editorial content.
Call your Sales Rep. Today
705-646-1314
October 2012
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
Mohawk Grill is tribute to
owner’s native ancestry
By Chris Occhiuzzi
There’s a new place for
good, homemade food on
Highway 60 in Dwight.
The
Mohawk
Grill
opened this summer and
already the owner, who has
20 years experience as a
cook, says business is doing
well thanks to the support of
many people in the community.
Greg Baumhour, who
with partners Andrea Kelly
and Don Derry, made his
vision become reality, has
lived in Muskoka since
1978 and worked at a variety of restaurants including
the Algonquin Inn, Family
Place in Huntsville and
more.
“I was trained by a lot of
different chefs in the business,” says Baumhour.
Baumhour was also
inspired by watching The
Simpsons with his daughter.
On the show, there is a
bar/restaurant called Moe’s.
When
Baumhour
was
younger his nickname was
Mo, and he told his daughter
one day he would have his
own restaurant with the
same name as the one on
TV.
While the name didn’t
quite happen, Baumhour
stayed true to the dream and
the Mohawk Grill is now up
and running. The name
means a lot to Baumhour
because it gives respect to
his Native ancestry.
He says there are tradi-
CHAEL LITTL
I
M
.
E
J.D
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT, CPA (ILLINOIS)
MASTER OF TAXATION (UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO)
Income & Commodity Taxes
Small Business Accounting
Personal & Corporate Planning
97 Kimberley Avenue
Bracebridge, ON P1L 1Z8
Tel 705-646-1100
Fax 705-646-1196
Committed to
Muskoka
Contractors
440 Ecclestone Drive
Unit 19
Bracebridge
866-461-7599
P 705-646-1600
F 705-646-1630
PAHAPILL and ASSOCIATES
Chartered Accountants
Professional Corporation
With Offices in Huntsville, Burk’s Falls and Parry Sound
Carl W. Pahapill, CA
Partner
Head Office
6 Main St. W.
Huntsville, ON P1H 2E1
DWIGHT DINER: Restaurant owner Greg Baumhour has 20 years
experience as a chef. He opened the restaurant in the summer.
tional pickerel dishes and
homemade roast beef, which
come with vegetables and
either wild rice or potatoes
as part of the dinner menu.
“I make my own roasts,”
says Baumhour. “I get all
my beef from the butcher at
Trout Creek. It’s very good
quality beef.”
As well, the Mohawk
Grill offers burgers, fries,
onion rings, homemade
chili, pulled pork, beef,
Smokies cheese sausages,
pizza and much, much more.
The namesake Mohawk
burger is six ounces of beef
with no fillers or additives.
With a steadily growing
clientele, Baumhour says
not only did Kelly and Derry help him start the business, but Dave Connell of
Muskoka Small Business
Centre as well.
Connell
helped
Baumhour with marketing
and business plans to secure
the grants and funds necessary to get going.
“Dave’s a very good
man,” says Baumhour. “He
really helped me out a lot
with the paperwork I needed
to do.”
Sawdust City making waves in market
Continued from FRONT
originally in year five of our
plan. We’ve been criss-crossing the province and getting
the word out.”
Sawdust City Brewing Co.
was founded by Corbeil, who
is from Bracebridge
and Rob Engman, who
lives in Gravenhurst.
Their goal was to
establish a craft brewery and to continue to
experiment with new
ingredients and types
of beer. Corbeil is a
former teacher of the
Brewmaster’s program at
Niagara College’s Teaching
Brewery. He learned the
brewmaster’s craft by working in breweries in Germany.
“It’s a great time to be in
the craft brewing market,”
says Corbeil. “People are
7
really interested in trying
new beers.”
They have already brewed
10 different types of beer.
They also recently teamed up
with a few other craft brewers
to attempt to brew a tradition-
mented by wild yeast found
in the air, a process called
spontaneous fermentation,
and left to age in wooden barrels. The process can take as
long as three years to create
beer.
and Gateway Kolsch.
“All our beers names say
something about Muskoka
without saying the word
Muskoka,” says Corbeil.
Their seasonal beers are
another story. “They’re goofy
names,” says Corbeil.
Beer names include
The Princess Wears
Girlpants, I Swear
Sugarpants and It Was
Your Idea! “We’re
having fun with it,”
says Corbeil.
All their beers are
made with natural
ingredients and contain no
preservatives. Most beers
take between two and three
weeks to brew from scratch.
“We might not have a
building yet but we’re not
resting on our laurels,” says
Corbeil.
“We’ve been criss-crossing the province
and getting the word out.”
al lambic beer, something
Corbeil says has never been
attempted on a commercial
level in Ontario.
“It’s a pretty fun experiment,” says Corbeil.
A traditional lambic beer is
created when the beer is fer-
“We’re in the craft beer
industry, let’s craft something,” says Corbeil.
Sawdust City has five
main beers that they brew,
Golden Beach Pale Wheat,
Lone Pine IPA, Ol’ Woody
Alt, Skinny Dipping Stout
Huntsville: 705-788-0500
Cell: 705-774-0574
Email: [email protected]
ROBERTSON
• SOFT RELINES
•
•
•
•
IMPLANT RETAINED DENTURES
DENTURE
FREE CONSULTATION & ADJUSTMENTS
CLINIC
HOUSE AND NURSING HOME CALLS AVAIL.
COMPLETE AND PARTIAL DENTURES(warranty incld.)
• SAME DAY RELINES, REPAIRS, TOOTH & CLASP ADDITION
• TEETH CLEANING BY INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
DENTAL HYGIENIST
All insurance plans accepted
PLACING DENTURES DIRECTLY AFTER TEETH ARE REMOVED
646-2990 55 Ann St. Bracebridge
Donald J. Lange, LL.B., Ph.D.
Barrister-at-Law
Civil Litigation - Ontario Superior Court
20 years Toronto experience
Defending or launching lawsuits
• Property disputes • Road access • Sale/Purchase problems
• Family Cottage issues • Estate litigation • Legal opinions
Phone: 705-489-4974
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.donaldlange.com
Office Location:
69 Main St., Minden
(by appointment only)
8
October 2012
CELEBRATING SMALL BUSINESS
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
Wealth of resources for small business
Agencies can help
with all aspects
of your businesss
By Sandy Lockhart
Small business owners in
Muskoka don’t have to look
far to find organizations,
agencies and even companies to offer them support
and information to help
with their businesses’ success.
For everything from
business planning and loans
to hiring and training staff,
there is someone in Muskoka who can assist with
those tasks.
Muskoka Small Business
Centre provides free advice
and assistance to people
starting and growing a business, explains managing
consultant Dave Connell.
“Come in and have a
chat,” he says to anyone
thinking about starting a
business or expanding one.
“We help people put all
the pieces in place. We are a
pretty good first step,” he
says, adding they can connect business people with
others in the community,
NORTHERN LIGHTS: Georgina Oliver, Janine Brandon, Julie Crate and Doreen Cain are ready to help employers find
the right staff for their business. They also offer training opportunities and incentives for employees.
HILLSIDE LIFT FOLLOWS
THE CONTOUR OF THE LAND
We have perfected and patented
the world’s first hillside lift that will follow
the contour of the ground.
This is an exciting enhancement to our lifts.
As the lift travels over the different angles
of the hill, the car always stays horizontal.
This will allow a lift to be installed in some
awkward sites that would make a standard
straight line installation impossible.
An added benefit to working on this new
lift at knee height is the ease of installation.
Of course, ease of installation translates
into huge savings for the customer.
Mobile
Millwright
Service
Turnkey or D.I.Y. Lifts
Repairs and Upgrades
“Hill Hugger”
Our new patented
seat leveller
Allows lift to follow the
contour of the land.
1-866-933-LIFT (5438) • 705-645-7381
[email protected]
www.cottagelifts.com
In Business Over 22 Years
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
linking with everything
from the YWCA’s women
in business program to
training options. “We will
let you know what else is
out there.”
The Muskoka Small
Business Centre is the
place to register your
business but they can
also assess the business plan and even
help develop a plan
that is needed for
financing, says Connell. “We can help
with HST registration
and WSIB,” he says
listing just a few of
the services.
Young
entrepreneurs are also supported by
the Muskoka Small Business Centre. “We run Summer Company and operate
the Youth Incubator program year round,” he says.
They also run a business
plan contest in the high
schools,
encouraging
growth of the entrepreneurial spirit.
Muskoka Futures is primarily a financier for businesses but executive director David Brushey welcomes people to contact
them with questions about
business.
He explains they are
closely linked with other
business
resources
in
Muskoka and help link
business people to other
services in the community.
“We build partnerships and
there are a lot of organiza-
CELEBRATING SMALL BUSINESS
Their innovation program identifies new entrepreneurs in the community
and matches them with
experienced entrepreneurs.
“We also have an advisory
panel,”
he
says,
adding that is a great
resource for business
people.
Contact North is
Ontario’s
distance
education and training
network, a non-profit
organization funded
by the Ministry of
Training and Colleges,
and located in Muskoka at the Nipissing
University Campus in
Bracebridge.
“We have something for
everyone from PhD to basic
literacy,” says Cathy Oleson, centre co-ordinator for
the Bracebridge location of
Contact North, adding that
students must be 18 and
over.
Employers and apprentices can come to Contact
North for the training component of their apprenticeship. Sometimes there are
businesses or organizations
that wish to hire someone,
but they need to have their
high school diploma. “We
can help them get high
school courses online,” she
See FUNDING – p. 10
October 2012
9
“We help people
put all the pieces in
place. We are a pretty
good first step.”
tions out there to help business people,” says Brushey.
Muskoka Futures helps
small and medium sized
businesses funding both
start-up and when they are
looking to expand and
grow. “Clients should
approach the banks first,”
he says. “We can work hand
in hand with the banks too.”
Muskoka Futures also
has a mentorship program,
business counselling and
advisory services. “We are
working with the entrepreneurship program at Georgian College, bringing that
education here,” says
Brushey.
EXCELLENT CENTRE: Rob McPhee says the Business and Technology Centre of Excellence is set up for tablet workshops.
WE INSTALL
FLAT ROOFING
DARRYL & MARCY DENNIS - OWNERS
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL
Over 20 Years Experience
Fibreglass Shingles, Cedar Shingles & Shakes,
Metal Roofing, Enviroshake, Inspire Roofing
• Single Ply Rubber Membrane • TPO
• Built Up Flat Roofing • Sheet Metal
ROOFING DONE YEAR ROUND
FULLY INSURED - W.S.I.B. INSURED
705-646-1801
1-877-646-1801
Call For Your Free Estimate
www.advancedroofingmuskoka.com
We have a barge available for
daily and weekly rental
www.advancedbarging.com
10
October 2012
CELEBRATING SMALL BUSINESS
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
Funding may be available
Trim & Railings
Wainscotting
Shelving
Closets
Doors
Windows
Casings
Built-in Corner
Cabinets
Face Frame
Bookcases
Continued from – p. 9
explains.
Many courses are online,
and can be studied at anytime. “You can do this even
if you work at night,” she
says, adding that just about
anything
is
available
online. “That option
fits around people’s
lives.”
Employees can take
training needed for
promotions or so they
can learn how to take
on more responsibilities at their workplace.
College and university students can write
proctored exams on-site at
the Bracebridge Contact
North facility.
For employers, Contact
North offers many workshops that could educate
employees and improve the
workplaces. These include
programs focusing on teamwork, leadership, customer
service,
communication
skills and more. “A lot of
those are free,” says Oleson.
Finding the right staff
can be challenging and time
consuming.
Muskoka
Staffing can help you find
the right staff and take care
of the required government
paperwork too.
Owner Kelly MacDuff
says they can help fill any
position from executive
placements, administrative
staff, and payroll to tempo-
all those services.
When trying to fill a
position, an employer will
visit Muskoka Staffing with
a job description and explanation of what they are
looking for. “We can focus
and find the right person,”
explains MacDuff.
They go through
the resumes and the
client can choose to
take part in the interview process if they
wish. “The majority
of employers let us
make that decision,”
she says.
Muskoka Staffing
can also provide temporary
employees for businesses
that have production levels
that rise and fall.
MacDuff welcomes small
business owners and managers to call Muskoka
Staffing. “Just call up and
chat,” she says. “We find
out what they need and just
take it from there. Once we
get to know you, then we
know what your business
requires.”
Northern Lights is an
employment services centre
that offers many programs
and support that could be
“Just call up and chat.
We find out what you
need and just take it
from there.”
rary positions too.
Sometimes the temporary
staff is such a good fit that
they move to full time. “If
they find they are a good
worker and good fit with
the company, the employer
might hire them full time,”
says MacDuff.
With staffing supplied, it
saves the employer’s time.
“We offer payroll services,
pay WSIB on behalf of the
employer,”
she
says,
explaining as long as they
are officially considered an
employee of Muskoka
Staffing, they take care of
Bespoke (bih-spohk)
(adjective Brit.) – made to order. Made according to
the specifications of an individual.
Health, wellness
& lifestyle balance.
Bespoke Fitness is moving to serve you better:
Moving to 170 Muskoka Rd N (next to the Scotia Bank). We
strive to provide the highest quality professional services in
health, wellness and lifestyle balance.
Bespoke Fitness is owned and operated by Darren
Wigginton, RMT. Darren is a member of the
College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, personal
trainer and ART practitioner.
• Massage Therapy • Myofascial Release
• ART (Active Release Technique) • Hot Stone Therapy
• Personal Training • In-home Appointments
NEW LOCATION: 170 Muskoka Street, Gravenhurst
www.BespokeFitness.com 705.205.1451
The whole ethos and concept of Bespoke Fitness revolves
around the individual and personal requirements of each client.
Our objective is to provide our clientele with the necessary
training tools and motivation to succeed in attaining their health
and wellness goals and overall lifestyle empowerment.
Personal training is one of the best means to effectively achieve
your goals. Whether you need assistance with motivation,
weight loss, or simply want to maintain or improve your overall
health, our personal training program is the safest and most
effective way to achieve your health and fitness goals.
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
beneficial for small businesses. “We are driven by
what small business owners
are looking for,” says Julie
Crate, team leader for
Northern Lights.
Northern Lights acts as a
resource for small business
owners
helping
with
recruitment, training and
even offering meeting
space in their location.
They can also review their
own client list, to see if
there is a good fit for the
position in their files.
“We
have
financial
incentives available to local
employers,” she says,
explaining they can cover
the cost of training for a
specific number of weeks in
some situations. “It can
make a big difference to a
small business,” she says,
adding the average training
assistance is about $4,000.
For employers working
in the trades, they can also
administer the apprenticeship signing bonus. They
offer employee training
programs
including
WHIMIS programs either
monthly or bi-monthly.
“We had the employment
standards people come in to
talk about employees and
employer rights and responsibilities,” she says.
Muskoka
Community
CELEBRATING SMALL BUSINESS
October 2012
CREATE A JOB: Drew Hutcheson and Sue Tait assist those working towards self employment.
Network has completed
their project to build 65
towers, allowing thousand
and thousands to access
high speed Internet when
they had nothing before,
explains executive director
Rob McPhee. That connec-
tivity is important to many
Muskoka businesses.
Businesses and organizations are welcome to use
the Business and Technology Centre of Excellence in
Bracebridge. “Users have
access to wireless systems
11
connected to fibre optics for
world class broadcasting,”
says McPhee. “We have
large projections displays
for anything you want to
demonstrate plus LCD
screens for multiple displays at the same time.
Businesses and organizations can call McPhee to
book the space and just pay
minimal orientation and
technician fees as needed.
The only mandatory fee is a
$40 flat open and close fee.
Muskoka
Community
Network also offers the
BEAM (Broadband for ebusiness and marketing)
program. Owners can apply
for funding to create an
ebusiness presence for their
business. “In some cases it
has had a very significant
impact on the business and
how their customers find
them,” he says. “It is a real
game changer.”
Others take advantage of
using the BEAM funding to
develop their digital content. “It could be video creation, social media creation
and channels for YouTube
that a business can leverage,” he says.
To date, Muskoka Community Network has assisted 185 businesses. “There
are also an additional 60
See YMCA – p. 12
Connie Zator
705-385-4034
BUY • HOST • JOIN
The Perfect Gift for Everyone!
OCTOBER WARMER | Slapshot
Every night is hockey
night with Slapshot!
Celebrate Canada’s national pastime with
this Scentsy warmer, featuring a picture
window set into a square taupe column.
HURRY WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
OCTOBER SCENT | Mandarin Moon
Light up this season with Mandarin Moon – spirited cinnamon and glowing ginger illuminated
by sweet orange and star anise.
Scentsy has over 80 fragrances – No flame, smoke or soot.
Buddy Holiday Sale
on until December 31st or
while supplies last.
Quantities Limited – Order Early!
Please stop by my booth on
November 17 at the
Bracebridge Sportsplex Craft Show
Call or email me to place an order, host a party or join my team:
Connie Zator, Scentsy Independent Consultant
(705) 385-4034 or [email protected]
Visit my website to see other Scentsy Warmers and fragrances, Velata and Grace Adele products.
www.conniezator.scentsy.ca
12
October 2012
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
YMCA hosting employer
education workshops
MUSKOKA BREWERY • TRUE NORTH LOG HOMES • SANIPULL
SPLIT RAIL DUAL AXIS SNOWMOBILE SKIS • GEMTHANE PRECOA
TED WOOD SYSTEMS
These are some of the amazing products created in Bracebridge.
Imagine what your company can do here!
Call us to explore this opportunity:
Continued from – p. 11
beam projects currently in
process,” he says.
On the innovation side,
MCN has been working on
computer mapping,
and is looking towards
the future developing
new business plans
and proposals for the
next generation of
broadband. “We know
there are very aggressive consumption patterns by the public,”
he says, adding when
they first started the
high-speed project six years
ago, no one knew about
Netflix.
The YMCA Employment
and Literacy Service in
Huntsville has resources to
help both employees and
employers.
Over the next few
months, they are hosting
several free workshops but
registration is required by
calling 705-787-0349 or
e-mail brent_mcintosh@
ymca.ca or maryellen_
[email protected].
The YMCA’s Lunch and
Learn sessions have been
“You really need
to love what you are
doing to succeed in
business”
created to assist employers
and/or supervisors in promoting and fostering positive employee relationships, resulting in a committed, loyal and motivated
team.
This five-week series
runs every other Thursday
from 12:00 p.m. -1:30 p.m.,
starting Thursday, Oct. 18
and features the following
Cheryl Kelley, Economic Development Department
705-645-5264
U
[email protected]
www.bracebridge.ca/madeinbracebridge
nicholas popovich
planning & associates
Specializing in Land Use Planning
783 Manitoba St. Bracebridge P1L 1W9
[email protected]
705-645-6022 • 705-394-5044 (c)
Young Entrepreneurs Discuss
Business Sustainability,
Funding & Growth
Monday, October 22
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
at Gravenhurst Centennial Centre
$25 YWCA members/ $35 non-members
Daycare Provided!
Register online at:
www.ywcamuskoka.com
Networking Lunch included!
For more details: 705-645-9827
Be part of a lively
conversaƟon around
business issues that
impact young women!
Featuring:
KATY MCGREGOR
Northern Disposal
& Sanitation
Recipient of New
Business of the Year
SONYA GRABOWSKI
Bowskidesigns
Muskoka Youth
INCubator Participant
AMANDA GREAVETTE
Painter
Recipient of YWCA Women
of Distinction Award for
Arts, Culture & Creativity
sessions:
Employer Responsibilities – Thursday, Oct. 18,
Recruitment & Selection
- Thursday, Nov. 1,
Employee Orientation Thursday, Nov. 15,
Employee Performance Management Thursday, Nov. 29,
Customer Service Thursday, Dec. 13.
For those who have
a great idea, connecting with the Business
Enterprise Resource
Network could be a
great idea. They operate the
Ontario Self Employment
Benefit and Self Employment Assistance program.
If you are unemployed,
meet certain criteria and
would like to start your own
business, the program
offers financial and business support for up to 42
weeks.
“If you are unemployed
and can’t find sustainable
employment, you are likely
eligible,” says Drew Hutcheson, business program
consultant for the Business
Enterprise Resource Network.
He says the candidates
must have a business idea.
“A person who has experience doing some kind of
service for people and
doing it well,” he says is
key.
In the past, participants
have started businesses in
everything from construction and accounting to massage and retail sales. “We
look for skill and passion,”
he says. “You really need to
love what you are doing to
succeed in business.”
While taking part in the
program,
participants
attend workshops and are
coached and mentored
while building a network of
other business people.
Graduates of the program
regularly come back as
guest speakers.
Orientation and information sessions for the next
set of SEB programs are
taking place this month and
next across Muskoka.
Whether starting a business, adding or training
staff or making changes to
the way you run your business, there are many
resources available to assist
you through your changes.
Muskoka is a good place to
grow your business.
October 2012
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
13
Bohemian partners with Nipissing U
By Matt Driscoll
Nipissing University and
the Bohemian Cafe are hoping they’ve found a match
made in heaven.
This school year, the
two have teamed up to
offer Bohemian at the
Lakehouse.
“The students are
really loving it so far,”
says Tammy Gravina,
the owner of the
Bohemian Cafe and Gallery,
located on a Manitoba Street
in Bracebridge.
Bohemian at the Lakehouse is a cafe/pub with a
full menu and a facility that
features artwork from the
marked its official opening
earlier this month with a ribbon cutting ceremony, and is
the creation of Gravina and
“We have healthy food and we’re cost
effective. Everything is homemade.”
downtown gallery, as well as
music, games and special
events. The unique eatery
HOME
VISI NS!
Decorating & Concepts
Our Passion is accenting your lifestyle
& maximizing your living space
business partner Elizabeth
Louter.
“We open at 8 a.m. and we
go ‘til late,” says Gravina.
“Some nights it might be 9
p.m. - mostly towards the
start of the week. Then we’re
open until 2 a.m. on the
weekend.”
Although the cafe caters
largely to the student body, it
is open to the general public
and Gravina says she’s optimistic they can entice the
curious from across Muskoka to stop in and try out the
menu.
“We have healthy food and
we’re cost effective,” says
Gravina. “Everything is
homemade. We do panini
sandwiches, our daily soups
and all our own baking. We
try and be as health conscious as possible. We
have a lot of gluten
free and dairy free
products.”
The cafe is already
drawing a solid crowd
of both students and
staff, says Gravina.
If all goes according
to plan, Gravina hopes to
partner with the art department to get artwork from the
students hanging with local
artists both at the Lakehouse
and at the downtown gallery.
“They have a really good
art program here so we’re
going to try and work with
(professor) Janet Stahle-Fraser,” says Gravina . “She’s one
of my favourite artists so it’s
very exciting.”
The contract is for one
year, but there are options for
subsequent years. Gravina
says if the Bohemian continues to work for the school
and the gallery, it could be the
start of a lasting partnership.
FABULOUS FIXIN’S: Elizabeth Louter makes
a sandwich at the Bohemian at the Lakehouse.
Finch takes over
revitalization post
Continued from FRONT
components to be really successful.”
Finch brings a wide range
of experience to the position. She has 17 years of
experience in social and
economic development in
the district of Muskoka. She
helped start the Gravenhurst
Youth Centre, was heavily
involved in the project that
developed the Great Beginnings
program
for
young/new mothers, worked
on an extensive agricultural
Contact Ginny 705-788-3374
[email protected]
Huntsville, ON
survey for the District and
worked on developing the
Town of Huntsville’s transportation plan.
Downtown Gravenhurst
has faced a number of challenges in recent years,
including numerous fires
and business closures and
Finch says her aim is
squarely on making the area
a better place to shop and do
business.
“The goal is to have a
more vibrant downtown,”
says Finch.
BRINGING IT BACK: Phyllis Finch takes
over as the revitalization co-ordinator .
RAIL BALLAST • GOLF/SPORTSFIELD MIXES • BOOM TRUCK/EQUIPMENT SERVICES
Port Carling • Rosseau • Ullswater • Sprucedale
705-765-6447 • 866-478-2779
[email protected]
14
October 2012
MUSKOKA’S CHAMBERS
OF
COMMERCE
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
Chamber ready for busy autumn
15 Robert Dollar Dr.,
Bracebridge
Phone 705-645-3057
Toll Free 1-800-461-5495
www.muskokawindowanddoor.ca
Tell Muskoka
businesses who
you are and
what you offer!
Showcase your business in
our Business Spotlight
feature - includes both
advertising and
editorial content.
Call your Sales Rep.
Today 705-646-1314
Brokerage, Independently Owned & Operated
By the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber
of Commerce
The Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of
Commerce continues to move forward by
developing new programs and improving
existing marketing strategies to ensure success for all of our members and Muskoka as
a whole.
Signature events such as the upcoming
Girlfriends Getaway Weekend, being held
from Nov. 9-11, and the Comedy Festival in
February are just the beginning of what we
see as a full slate of shoulder season weekend events being marketed to specific groups
or individuals.
Right now we have a heritage event, a
culinary event and a 55-plus event all in the
works to be rolled out in the near future.
Each of the signature events is based on
the same concept and is designed with a
famous headliner to attract each niche market. The headliner creates a buzz about the
event, which makes it easier to work with
area accommodators, retailers and food and
beverage outlets to package and promote the
weekend festivities.
The collaboration of the chamber of commerce and businesses in Huntsville and Lake
of Bays is imperative in making each of
these signature events a success.
Although Girlfriends Getaway Weekend
and the Comedy Festival have been generously funded by Celebrate Ontario, under the
authority of the provincial government,
much of those funds are used to secure the
headlining talent. Businesses need to be
involved to market and host the event once
the interest grows because it’s about selling
our communities, not just the headline act.
Any business wanting to be involved with
a signature event weekend can visit our website and check out the very thorough, ‘how
your business can get involved’ guide.
As for the upcoming Girlfriends Getaway
FAB FASHIONS: These fun loving ladies dressed up to enjoy the Friday night fashion show during the 2011 Girlfriends Getaway Weekend.
Weekend, tickets are still available for both
the Diva Soiree featuring Jeanne Beker and
the Amanda Marshall concert. Just contact
the chamber if you’re interested.
On a different note, the Huntsville/Lake of
Bays Chamber of Commerce Volunteer
Development Program is eliciting a tremendous response. We’ve hosted several courses
to date and have many more scheduled.
Leadership, CPR and more are available.
They have been very well attended and for
the Smart Serve program, a waiting list was
even compiled. We are currently examining
the interest and options for hosting another
evening of Smart Serve.
Welcome to our new chamber members
HUNTSVILLE/LAKE OF BAYS CHAMBER
Back Country Tours 1-888-955-9076
Enterprise Rent A Car 705-789-1834
Lakeland Networks 705-646-1846
Table Soup Kitchen Foundation 705-783-5827
Transition Huntsville 705-787-1986
BRACEBRIDGE CHAMBER
Accutrim 705-644-2890
Hutchinson Environmental 705-645-0021
Pita Pit 705-706-2868
MUSKOKA LAKES
Barrie Trim and Moulding 705-739-2200
GRAVENHURST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Pedachenko Media 705-646-8390
Muskoka Home Staging
705-706-1170
Rip Line Designs 705-826-8880
Knight Hawks DJ Service 705-770-9415
Sawdust City Brewing Company
[email protected]
P romotional P roducts
Advertising Specialties
Proudly supporting the Chambers of Commerce
www.rlpmuskoka.com
These programs are very important to train
our potential volunteers and even those who
are already giving their time to the community.
We clearly rely on community volunteers
to help us deliver our larger events and as
such, we need to engage new volunteers
through a variety of channels, including
offering them new skills in exchange for
their time.
For information on our signature events,
volunteer development program, or to learn
more about the chamber email us at: [email protected] or call 705789-4771.
Proud Supporter of the
Chamber of Commerce
PENS • LABELS • DECALS
CALENDARS • GLASSWARE
126 Greer Road, Port Sydney
705-385-2311
www.homesmuskoka.com
Box 201 • Port Carling • ON P0B 1J0
(705) 765-5352
Est. 1956
HELP SUPPORT
YOUR CHAMBER
Call 705-646-1314
to advertise
[email protected]
northcountrybusinessnews.com
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
MUSKOKA’S CHAMBERS
OF
COMMERCE
October 2012
15
Keep it in Muskoka
By Chris Occhiuzzi
Chambers of commerce from across Muskoka are joining
forces in a concentrated effort to create a shop local campaign
called Choose a Chamber Member First – Keep It In Muskoka.
The Huntsville/Lake of Bays, Port Sydney, Utterson and Area,
Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Muskoka Lakes chambers are
launching the initiative on Oct. 17 at the Riverwalk Restaurant in
Bracebridge at 1:30 p.m. The Keep It In Muskoka campaign is
also being supported by Muskoka Futures.
The new initiative aims to encourage individuals to understand
the benefits of supporting their local chambers of commerce and
their members.
“By choosing to spend money at a chamber member’s business,
they are supporting good business practices and business health,
not only in the particular community, but in Muskoka overall,”
says Kelly Haywood, executive director of the Huntsville/Lake of
Bays Chamber of Commerce.
She says part of the program’s objective is to inform residents
about what a chamber does for the community and why supporting a chamber member creates a strong local economy.
From signature events such as the Bala Cranberry Festival and
Ontario Winter Games to marketing and promoting Muskoka
across the province, the country and the world, chambers of commerce are busy behind the scenes creating opportunity and bringing visitors to the area.
Haywood says these are just a few examples of the work being
Events listing
The following events are for chamber of
commerce members only. If you would
like to attend, contact the hosting chamber
about joining or to find out about guest
invitations.
Small Business
Financing
•••••
Community Development
Grants
www.muskokafutures.ca
TALKING SHOP: Susan Friedman, Garth Legris,
Clark Wescott and Liam Cragg enjoy the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce Business After
Hours networking event held on Sept. 25 at
Northern Lights Employment Services Centre.
images from your iPhone to when to hire a
professional, the seminar will touch on the
fundamentals of photography for business
marketing. The seminar will take place
from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. To register contact
the chamber office at 705-687-4432 or
[email protected]
Proudly sponsored by
riston LLP, 45 Ann St., Bracebridge from
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. To RSVP call 705645-5231 or email the chamber at:
[email protected]
November 14
The 19th Annual Bracebridge Chamber of
Commerce Outstanding Business Achievement Awards are presented by Smartax
Business Services South at the Rotary
Centre for Youth from noon to 2 p.m.
Tickets are $45 each and can be reserved
by calling the chamber office. Visit:
www.bracebridgechamber.com
November 3
The 29th Annual President’s Ball presented by the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce takes place at Deerhurst
Resort. The theme is Roaring Twenties.
Enjoy a cocktail party, gourmet dinner and
dance the night away. Silent and live auctions. Tickets $90 plus HST. For tickets or
information call 705-789-4771 or email
[email protected]
October 25
The Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce
is hosting a seminar entitled Photography
for Business Marketing. From posting
October 30
Bracebridge Chamber members and their
guests are invited to our monthly Business
After Hours Networking Meeting at Bar-
BRACEBRIDGE
HUNTSVILLE/LAKE OF BAYS
PORT SYDNEY/UTTERSON AND AREA
1-1 Manitoba St.
705-645-5231, Fax: 645-7592
[email protected]
www.bracebridgechamber.com
8 West St. N., Huntsville
705-789-4771, Fax: 789-6191
[email protected]
www.huntsvillelakeofbays.on.ca
15 South Mary Lake Road, Unit 4, (next to
Dean’s Home Hardware) Port Sydney
705-385-1117, Fax: 385-9753
[email protected]
www.portsydneycoc.com
GRAVENHURST
MUSKOKA LAKES
685-2 Muskoka Rd. N.,
705-687-4432, Fax: 687-4382
[email protected]
www.gravenhurstchamber.com
3181 Muskoka Rd. 169, Bala
705-762-5663, Fax: 762-5664
[email protected]
www.muskokalakeschamber.com
November 17
The Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce
presents Winter Gala 2012. Tickets are $30
for members and $45 for non-members.
Enjoy live music, dinner and dance at the
Terry Fox Auditorium. For tickets contact
the chamber office at 705-687-4432 or
[email protected]
Muskoka’s Largest
Sleep Galleries
67 Silverwood Drive
Huntsville
705-789-5589
6 Robert Dollar Drive
Bracebridge
705-645-2279
How to contact
your chamber
Jacqui Semkow
Muskoka Mortgage
Specialist
Muskoka and Parry Sound
705-646-4238
705-646-1314
111 Manitoba Street
Bracebridge, P1L 2B6
done at chambers of commerce throughout Muskoka.
To find out more, she says get in touch with the local chamber
and ask what it can or already is doing for businesses and the
community as a whole.
October 17
The Port Sydney, Utterson and Area
Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Business After Hours from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at
North Granite Ridge Golf Club hosted by
Port Sydney Electric. Take advantage of
this networking opportunity. Bring your
business card for our draw. For details:
[email protected]
Our next advertising
deadline is
Wednesday,
October 31
(705) 646-9511
1-800-414-6570
Fax: 705-646-1810
Pager: 1-866-767-5446
[email protected]
YOUR COTTAGE
COUNTRY BUILDING
SUPPLY STORE
Bala • Bracebridge • Dorset
Gravenhurst • MacTier
www.timbrmart.ca
16
October 2012
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
Nipissing’s success story
By Matt Driscoll
Jan Lucy, the administrator for Nipissing University’s Muskoka Campus has
recently been visiting
Muskoka’s town councils
to tell them the facility has
come a long way since it
began 16 years ago.
Speaking in Bracebridge
earlier this month, Lucy
said when the campus first
opened the student body
was comprised primarily of
local, middle-aged women
taking part-time programs.
Nipissing now boasts a
state of the art campus, with
residence and 51 staff,
including students.
The vast majority – nearly 85 per cent – of students
now come from out of
town, and most are in their
early to mid-20s, said Lucy.
Students actively take
part in charity events raising money for cystic fibrosis, cancer research and
local food banks, among
others, said Lucy. The campus also has partnerships
with several area businesses, including restaurants,
gyms and clothing suppliers.
“On reflection, this truly
is a time for celebration,”
said Lucy.
Say... “I DO”
to this targeted advertising opportunity
CORPORATE
MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
HEALTHY BODIES = A STRONG BOTTOM LINE
Protect your most valuable asset... Your Employees!
In Canada all Corporate Memberships paid by Employers are
100% Tax Deductible.
Wellness programs are highly valued by all generations in the
workplace and send a clear message that the company cares
about the well-being of the Employees.
COTTAGE
Celebrations
2012
Active employees take 27% fewer sick days and 14-25% fewer
disability days.
*SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE YOUR BUSINESS
COSTS CAUSED BY ABSENTEEISM
*REDUCE TURNOVER BY CREATING A
“LOYALTY TOWARDS COMPANY” ATTITUDE
*ENRICH THE QUALITY OF WORK LIFE FOR
YOUR EMPLOYEES
Wed at the fall
fair
• Incorporating
Muskoka’s history
into
the big day • We
ekend weddings
Reaching couples planning their wedding and
those who influence their purchasing decisions.
Muskoka Weddings is the magazine for planning a couple’s
perfect day in the unique beauty of cottage country.
Muskoka Weddings embraces the best Muskoka has to
offer. Editorial features provide professional advice from
experts in wedding planning, fashion, floral design, catering,
photography and anything else that is needed to help a
bride and groom celebrate their special day.
From the engagement to the honeymoon, Muskoka
Weddings makes the difference in ensuring every walk down
the aisle is a memorable journey.
To book your ad space please call 705-646-1314
Advertising Deadline: November 27, 2012
Release Date: December 27, 2012
*SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT EMPLOYEE MORALE,
FOCUS AND PRODUCTIVITY
*WITNESS THE GROWTH OF MORE CONFIDENT
AND SELF-RELIANT EMPLOYEES
THE MUSKOKA FITNESS CLUB...YOUR
COMMUNITY PARTNER IN KEEPING YOUR
WORKFORCE HAPPY, HEALTHY AND WELL.
CALL TODAY TO DISCUSS CORPORATE
MEMBERSHIP DETAILS
705-646-1848