northcountrybusinessnews.com
December 2013
Muskoka’s Business Newspaper Since 1997
Muskoka
to gain
from deal
A cut from the past
SHAVE AND A HAIRCUT: Johnny Ahsome is the co-owner of Muskoka’s newest barbershop – Type Salon and Barber in Gravenhurst, which opened Nov. 2. The retro-style barber
shop offers a range of unique services, including a straight razor shave. See page 7.
Riverside sold, renos planned
By Chris Occhiuzzi
After years of speculation about
its potential sale, the historic
Riverside Inn in Bracebridge has
finally changed hands.
Vimal Patel and his family took
over ownership of the property on
Nov. 8 and they’re excited about
the future. Former owner Don
McGillis had owned the property
since 1994.
We can produce
everything you need
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The Patel family has been visiting Bracebridge and Muskoka for
years, having been based in Orillia. Vimal Patel says the move was
one they thought about a lot and
when the opportunity arose they
jumped at the chance.
The Riverside Inn is a 54-room
hotel, complete with a pool, fitness
centre, sports lounge, bowling alley,
a restaurant, docking on the Mus-
koka River and much more.
“We always have known the
area, we always drive by the
Riverside when going to Santa’s
Village and other attractions,”
says Patel. “We came for a cruise
as well. We checked out the place
a few times, we liked it and it
came on the market. This is the
place we want to be.”
­See NEW - p. 8
By Chris Occhiuzzi
After three years of detailed negotiations, an agreement in principle has been reached on a Comprehensive Economic and Trade
Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union (EU).
Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Tony
Clement is excited about the possibilities and opportunities this deal
could provide Canadians, specifically businesses in his own riding.
He says the economic benefits
from the deal could soon create
almost 80,000 new jobs in Canada.
However, he expects it to take
several years before the deal actually comes into play, due to the
fact each province and EU country
must individually ratify it.
Still, he says a trade agreement
with Europe gives a lot of advantages to businesses looking to grab
a piece of the pie overseas, which
features around 540 million consumers. It will make Canada an
even more attractive destination
for investors and manufacturers,
creating jobs and opportunities.
With 28 member states and an
annual economic activity of almost $17 trillion, the EU is the
largest and most lucrative market
in the world. It is bigger than the
United States, which is Canada’s
top trading partner.
With this agreement, the number of countries with which Canada has free trade agreements with
will triple from 14 to 42, providing
free-trade access to over half of
­See EUROPEAN - p. 9
440 Ecclestone Dr. Unit 7 Bracebridge
705-645-8781
[email protected] / muskoka.kkpcanada.ca
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Rock shop
The Ontario Stone Depot
offers employment and
more. They also hope to
expand in the future.
See p. 9
Rosseau tops
Condé Nast readers have
selected the Rosseau in
Minett as one of their top
15 resorts in Canada for
2013.
See p. 8
SureNet sold
The Huntsville
telecommunications
company has been
purchased by Vianet from
Sudbury.
See p. 2
Canada Post Agreement #40025080
Chamber of Commerce Awards – see p. 10
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www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
December 2013
3
Huntsville incubator should be business boon
The partners involved in
the commencement of an
Accelerator Feasibility and
Business Plan project are
excited about the possibilities moving forward.
Muskoka Community Network (MCN), the Town of
Huntsville and the Waterloo
Summit Centre for the Environment have joined forces
to determine the ins and outs
of potentially establishing a
business accelerator program
in the area.
A business accelerator
would not only be able to
help find access for busi-
nesses to important funds
but could also offer strategic
guidance on a variety of levels to help with growth and
achievement.
Maureen
Cubberley,
MCN chair, says she is
pleased with the announcement by Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Tony Clement, on
behalf of FedNor minister
Greg Rickford, that MCN
will receive $110,000 for
the feasibility study and
project plan for a technology accelerator and data
centre in Huntsville.
The FedNor funding was
part of a total $443,700 provided to the Parry Sound–
Muskoka region, of which
the Muskoka Community Futures Development
Corporation will receive
$333,730 to establish a
business incubator that will
provide mentoring, coaching and training programs,
business readiness assessments, as well as workshops
to assist entrepreneurs commercialize their products
and ideas.
“This is an exciting announcement for all of Muskoka and the town of Hunts-
ville,” says Mayor Claude
Doughty. “I am pleased to be
working with all the partners
involved and we are looking
forward to the results. The
development of a business
accelerator for our community will help attract emerging
companies to Huntsville and
build upon our goal of creating a more vibrant and resilient economy.”
The accelerator feasibility and business plan will
be conducted by Morley and
Associates Inc., who were
selected by the Accelerator
Feasibility Project Manage-
ment Group through a public RFP process held earlier
this year.
This new project is the
continuation of ideas which
started with the Accelerate Muskoka event held on
March 22 at the Waterloo
Summit Centre for the Environment. Hundreds of individuals from the private and
public sector participated in
the event.
Dr. Colin Yates, principal
for the Waterloo Summit
Centre for the Environment,
says he is happy about the
future opportunities created
through business accelerators.
“The University of Waterloo is a leader in cultivating
innovative projects, and fostering entrepreneurial spirit
among its students, faculty
and staff,” he says. “Accelerators have been shown to not
only drive business growth,
but provide a medium where
cutting edge research and
student projects at institutions such as ours can be
transferred towards the creation of innovative products,
services and groundbreaking
companies.”
in the future,” he says. “Our
goal is to continue providing
fast, reliable, affordable and
personable service to our
customers.”
Carter,
who
started
SureNet in 1997, and is the
station manager for Hunters
Bay Radio (HBR), wanted
to be able to devote more
time to his duties at the radio
station as they move from
strictly online programming
to the FM airwaves.
With a decision expected
to come in late November
from the CRTC regarding
HBR’s FM license, the time
was right for Carter to sell
his Internet business. He
says selling SureNet was
part of the plan once the
radio station began its pursuit of a FM license.
He thanks the community for being so supportive
of SureNet and is grateful
for the friends he’s made
through the business.
“Vianet was a good fit because they are in Huntsville
and have been for a long
time,” says Carter. “We sold
the same services. I did talk
with other companies, but
none had a local presence,
or offered the same products.
The logical choice was Vianet and the offer was good.”
Gasteiger says all the
changes are positive for the
SureNet customers who are
now being provided Internet
services from Vianet.
“A big thing will be longer
technical support hours and
more support staff to help
customers,” he says. “The
transition should be reasonably seamless, as several of
the SureNet services were
already running on the Vianet network. There will be
no price changes and all
SureNet email address will
remain active indefinitely.
We are really excited about
this acquisition and we hope
customers are as well.”
Vianet acquires SureNet telecom company
By Chris Occhiuzzi
Telecommunications provider Vianet has purchased
SureNet to further expand its
business in Muskoka.
A Subury-based company,
Vianet is celebrating 25
years in business this year
and president Will Gasteiger
says they have been serving the Muskoka market for
many years already. He says
Vianet and SureNet have always shared a good relationship as friendly competitors.
“Vianet even provided
some wholesale services to
SureNet over the years, so we
actually have a track record
of collaboration for the good
of residents and businesses
in the area,” says Gasteiger.
“Our offices were a couple
blocks apart on Main Street
in Huntsville. With that as
context, it simply made
sense to look at this acquisition once Jeff (Carter) at
SureNet felt it was the right
time to move on. We love the
region and the people who
live and work there. We’re
really excited about growing
our services in the region.”
Gasteiger says Vianet was
NEW DEAL: Jeff Carter
has sold SureNet.
one of the first Internet service providers offering services in the Muskoka marketplace and have always had a
strong presence.
Several years ago they
acquired Muskoka.com and
Gasteiger says the acquisition of SureNet certainly
strengthens Vianet’s position
further.
“Over the past several
years we have started to
build out our own fibre infrastructure in several communities, and having a high
density of customers in a
community is definitely one
factor in deciding where we
focus these types of efforts
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4 December 2013
Opinion Page
EDITOR’S NOTEPAD
As barriers fall,
markets open
The agreement in principle on the comprehensive
economic and trade agreement with Europe is loaded
with potential.
However, the realization of that potential will depend
on the ability of the business sector to take advantage
of the new markets when the deal with the countries of
the European Union is fully adopted.
According to independent reports, the Harper government’s figures of 80,000 new jobs for Canadians
might be a tad on the optimistic side, but that doesn’t
mean the deal won’t result in more jobs.
It’s a good indicator jobs will be created when Muskoka-area businesses like Langford Canoe and the Ontario Graphite Mine are already expressing interest in
taking advantage of the deal.
The key is to find areas where Canadians can
offer a product superior to what can already be found
in Europe.
While there might be significant challenges when it
comes to items like wine, cheese and luxury automobiles, minerals and items as intrinsically Canadian as
the canoe are a different story.
According to federal government figures, exports of
canoes and other pleasure craft to the EU totalled $51
million in 2011. These are iconic Canadian products
and customers in Europe are willing to pay the tariffs,
as they stand, to have them.
Dropping tariffs can only benefit the many companies
in Muskoka who take pride in offering these unique,
top quality products.
The forestry sector is another area that stands to gain
immensely when the trade barriers begin to fall. Although the industry might no longer be as central to
Muskoka’s economy as it once was, it remains a key
component of the area’s economic sector and the potential for growth.
It is now up to these businesses and others to do their
homework and market themselves accordingly to the
European market.
Business owners need to be ready to take advantage
of the new opportunities when the deal becomes a
reality.
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
Giving your business legs
In my book Positively Speaking I
write about the attitudes, principles
and habits that need to be adopted
in order to develop a successful
business.
However, once you have built
your business you have to continue
to develop and secure it. You cannot sit back and go into maintenance
mode. If you do, your competition
will move ahead of you and take
from you the business you worked
hard to create.
It is now time for you to give your
business the legs it needs to carry it
forward and lay the foundation of
longevity.
There are a number of ways that
this can be done, but I am going to
talk about what is, in my view, the
number one way to achieve legs and
longevity: Trustworthiness.
I have lost count of the number
of times I have been told, “Word of
mouth is the best kind of advertising.” They are, of course, right. But
many of those people didn’t know
how to create ‘word of mouth’.
Positively
Speaking
By Brian Garvey
It doesn’t happen overnight and it
requires a lot of dedication and effort.
Before I go any further, I would
like to add that my response was
always the same; “You still need to
advertise elsewhere until you have
achieved that level.”
Being trustworthy means that you
are a person of your word, and that
you will do what you say you are
going to do. Not only that but you
do it when you say you will do it,
not when you want to do it.
Many of us have had the experience of hiring someone to do a job
and on the scheduled day they don’t
show up. Sometimes they don’t
even bother to call and let you know.
Being trustworthy means that the
advice or information you give to
Mandatory reporting laws
In Ontario, there are mandatory
reporting requirements imposed
on practitioners requiring those individuals to report about their patients to government authorities in
certain situations.
A doctor, for example, must
report to the Registrar of Motor
Vehicles under the Highway Traffic Act the clinical condition of any
patient over 16 years of age who,
in the doctor’s opinion, is suffering
from a condition that may make it
dangerous for the patient to operate
a motor vehicle.
As well, if an optometrist is of the
opinion that a patient is suffering
from an eye condition that may
make it dangerous for the patient
to operate a motor vehicle, the optometrist must report the patient’s
condition to the Registrar. The reports are privileged information for
the Registrar only, are not open for
public inspection, and cannot be
used as evidence in any trial.
Mandatory reporting may also
Lange
on Law
By Donald Lange
involve hospitals. There is legislation in Ontario called the Mandatory Gunshot Wounds Reporting
Act, 2005 which requires a hospital
that treats a person for a gunshot
wound to report that fact to the police. The reporting must be made
orally and as soon as it is reasonable practicable to do so without
interfering with the person’s treatment or disrupting the regular activities of the hospital. As with
medical practitioners and optometrists, hospitals cannot be sued for
fulfilling their reporting obligations under the law.
The spread of communicable
diseases, such as AIDS, has led
the government of Ontario to pass
legislation called the Mandatory
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others is true, accurate and reliable,
not self-serving, but what is best for
a customer or client. That the product quality is the best and meets the
needs of the customer. Trustworthiness means that you will go the extra mile for your customers.
Just as important as building trust
with customers is building that same
trust with employees and associates.
There is a saying that, “What happens at the bottom is a reflection of
the top.” If you want the front line
of your business to reflect a positive
image it will require leadership on
your part. No matter if you have a
large staff or you are on your own,
leadership starts at the top and the
hardest person to lead is yourself.
Creating trust, reliability, a reputation for honesty and being a person of your word is the best longterm strategy to give your business
the legs to keep growing and secure
its longevity.
You can watch Brian’s In Conversation video at: www.PositivelySpeakingbyBG.com.
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If the request is refused, a hearing takes place before the Consent
and Capacity Board. The Board
will order the person to provide
a blood sample for analysis if it
believes, on reasonable and probable grounds, that (1) the applicant
came into contact with a bodily
substance of that person, (2) the applicant may have become infected
with a communicable disease, (3)
a blood sample from that person
would not endanger his or her life
or health, and (4) the blood sample
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December 2013
5
Online service aims to make business easier
You may be aware of Muskoka Futures, by seeing our
logo on community flyers or
ads, or reading about us in
news articles. Maybe you’ve
attended workshops we have
hosted, or participated in one
of our programs, such as Innovation Muskoka. Perhaps
your bank has suggested us
as a source to assist you with
your small business. Despite
how you have heard about
us, you still might not be
sure who we are.
Muskoka Futures is part
of a national network of
Community Futures Development Corporations.
These local organizations
support their communities
by offering business information, counselling and access to capital.
We also work closely
Muskoka
Community
Futures
By David Brushey
with community partners to
support local economic development and communitybased-projects.
Our primary activity is
providing financial support
to small businesses through
loans, whether it is for a new
start-up, expansion of an
existing business, or to assist
a business to maintain jobs.
In the current economic
climate, our role in supporting area businesses is
more important than ever,
and we are working hard to
identify new programs and
services to help our businesses become more sustainable.
Muskoka Futures is currently developing a program
that is designed to deliver
additional opportunities for
entrepreneurs to further develop their business management skills.
While Muskoka Futures
has offered a mentorship
program for a number of
years, we are examining
ways to broaden the business counselling part of
our organization, and are
developing a continuum of
programs that will assist
entrepreneurs from the startup phase through growth
and innovation. Services are
expected to include mentorship, new workshops and
business curriculum, access
to business coaches, bookkeeping advice, advisory
panels and on-line business
training programs.
On Friday, Oct. 25, the
Honourable Tony Clement,
MP for Parry Sound-Muskoka announced funding
support from FedNor for this
program.
While our new program
is in the final stages of development, there are some
services that are currently
available including an online human resources service and access to an on-line
business program called
Small Business Solutions.
No matter how many employees your business has,
managing human resources
can be both challenging and
time-consuming. There’s a
lot you need to know, a lot of
paperwork and there’s also a
lot at stake if you make the
wrong move.
You can now access qualified support to help you
manage employees through
Muskoka
Futures
and
Humaniqa.
If you are looking for assistance with developing HR
policies or forms; or need
advice regarding a specific
HR issue, contact Muskoka
Futures, and we will assist
you in accessing the support
you need.
The Small Business Solver is an on-line business service that aims to make operating a small business easier
through training and access
to a wide range of business
resources.
No matter how you learn,
the Small Business Solv-
er provides a solution for
you. It includes interactive
on-line tools, one-on-one
coaching, webinars, and
live on-line training, among
other resources.
A membership in the
Small Business Solver also
provides access to savings
on supplies, printing and
other business expenses.
If you are interested in the
resources available through
Small Business Solver, you
can take a look at www.
smallbusinesssolver.com,
and then contact Muskoka
Futures for more information.
We invite you to learn
more about us by visiting us
at www.muskokafutures.ca,
calling us at (705) 646-9511
or dropping in to our office
at 111 Manitoba Street.
its dedication to social and
community causes. As the
parents of four children,
supporting causes that help
sick children is very important to Ian and Tara. “We’ve raised thousands
Muskoka chairs to support
the Celebrity Fundraiser for
SickKids (the chairs brought
more than $3,000 at auction), have supported charity
golf tournaments and were
asked to carry the torch for
the 34th Annual KOA
Kids
for
Cancer Golf
Tournament.
Gravenhurst Home
Hardware
has
also
supported numerous other
initiatives within the community including the local
curling club, the Gravenhurst Santa Claus Parade
and they worked with the
Gravenhurst Fire Department on another.
This past summer, a message about the store went
viral after Ian and Tara posted a sign allowing customers
to bring their pets into the
store rather than leave them
inside their cars while shopping during warm weather.
Community reaction was
overwhelming and the story
became a social media sensation on Facebook with
6,700 “likes,” more than
1,300 “shares,” and 751
comments. “People don’t realize they
are allowed to bring their
pets in,” he says. “It’s a
hardware store, so we welcome them.”
They even have a supply
of dog cookies at the checkout counters.
He says customers worry
when they see a dog in a car
on a hot day, so it made sense
to make them welcome.
“We have a lot of pet
lovers as customers,” he
says adding they have a
chocolate lab at home.
Plans are underway for
future events, including a
bigger holiday season food
drive and the annual ladies’
night scheduled for the last
Thursday of November. A
guys night, with pulled-pork
sandwiches is planned for
February.
Home Hardware owners win major award
National award
given for public
relations
By Sandy Lockhart
A prestigious Home Hardware public relations award
went to Gravenhurst Home
Hardware earlier in the autumn.
Ian and Tara McNaughton, the dealer/owners of
the store, were awarded
the 12th annual Paul Straus
Public Relations Award during Home Hardware’s fall
Shareholders’ Meeting in St.
Jacobs.
The award recognizes the
outstanding
commitment
Ian and Tara display towards
public relations and community service in the town
of Gravenhurst, according to
Home Hardware.
“It was humbling for us,“
says Ian of their selection
from all the
Home
Hardware in Canada
to receive this
honour. “At the
end of the day,
everything we
do is for community.”
Ian
continues, “Home Hardware is
all about small towns and the
local community and giving
back to those in need.”
Gravenhurst Home Hardware was recognized for
“Home Hardware is all
about small towns, the local
community and giving back.”
of dollars for sick kids,” says
Ian of their time in Muskoka. They raised $750 for
the SickKids Foundation at
their second annual Ladies
Night last fall, donated
WINNING WAYS: Paul Strauss,CEO of Home Hardware, presents Ian McNaughton with his award, accompanied by Rob Wallace in public relations.
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Business Financing available
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• Loan Guarantees or Equity Investments
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Call Tyler Lockhart, Investment Consultant,
for more information on Business Financing
for
start-up, reorganization or expansion.
www.muskokafutures.ca
(705) 646-9511 x250 1-800-414-6570
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6 December 2013
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
Great Finds in Gravenhurst
By Corey Wilkinson
A new shop located off
Muskoka Beach Road near
Taboo resort is home to
unique art and antiques.
Great Finds opened its
doors this summer and offers some truly original
items for a home or cottage.
The store is the longtime
dream of owner Leslie Bedford.
“I’ve been wanting to
open up a shop for 10
years,” says Bedford. “I
finally did it.”
The opening of the store
on July 20 was a memorable
occasion, happening the
day after a massive storm
uprooted trees and caused
much of the town to be
without power for multiple
days.
Despite not having power
and having to clear two
large fallen trees from her
own property, Bedford says
she still had customers stop
by and check out her new
shop.
Great Finds is located
at 1016 Brydon Bay Road,
just off of Muskoka Beach
Road, and is situated in a
converted workshop.
“It has a rustic charm and
character to it,” says Bedford.
Bedford has lived in Muskoka for the past 10 years,
and recently moved to
Gravenhurst from her home
in Kilworthy to start her
new business.
“I love it up here,” says
Bedford.
Great Finds features antiques, one-of-a-kind items
and handmade sweaters.
Many of the items are made
by Bedford herself.
“I’m trying to concentrate
on things that are different
and handmade,” says Bedford.
Great Finds sells original
pieces of Bedford’s art, as
well as refinished furniture, handmade paper lampshades, custom table lamps
and more.
“The lampshades I got
into because I could never
find a shade I liked,” says
Bedford, who crafts them
out of handmade paper before fitting them into a custom metal frame that gives
them the appearance of
stained glass.
Bedford enjoys running
her own businesses. She
also runs Leslie’s Retreat, a
bed and breakfast out of her
home on the property.
“This is great. I get to do
something different everyday,” says Bedford.
Great Finds is open
Thursday, Friday and Sunday afternoons, and is open
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
UNIQUE HOME: Leslie Bedford is realizing her
dreams with her Gravenhurst shop, Great Finds.
By Chris Occhiuzzi
In just four short years,
Shelley Westgarth has taken
her homegrown Belly Ice
Cream company from Muskoka area farmers markets
to province wide food outlets. Up next is a booth in
Hollywood.
Having showcased her
handcrafted, all natural ice
cream during the Toronto
International Film Festival,
Westgarth was contacted by
a public relations company
with offers for the American
Music Awards, Super Bowl,
Academy Awards and other
high profile events.
With a price tag of $2,500
per show to flaunt her delicious products, Westgarth
chose the one with the most
bang for her buck and Belly
Ice Cream will be hanging
out with Oscar in March.
“It’s really amazing and
exciting,” says Westgarth,
who started the business in
2009. “We’re going to showcase Huntsville and Muskoka as well while we’re
there. I try to use as many local products in my ice cream
as possible, sticking within
a 250 km radius to purchase
most of my ingredients.”
Westgarth is planning on
bringing two new Belly Ice
Cream flavours to Hollywood. One is called the
Red Carpet, featuring raspberry chocolate truffle, and
the other is an extravagant
champagne and gold leaf
concoction sure to whet the
palette called And the Winner Is ...
“Both will be packaged
in etched glass and I would
like to have a local company
make the containers for me,”
says Westgarth. “Eventually
the flavours will be released
to the public with a special
label saying: Belly Goes to
Hollywood.”
Other flavours at Belly
Ice Cream include Dulce de
Leche with spiced Mexican
Ice cream maker hits the big time in Hollywood
Chocolate, Basil Gelato,
Muskoka Maple Mocha with
fudge ripple and Thai Watermelon Sorbetto.
Being a trained chef Westgarth started the company
out of her home and sold her
goodies at various Farmers
Markets.
She hopes to continue to
grow the company as things
take off.
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7
December 2013
Vintage barbershop brings unique style to Muskoka
By Corey Wilkinson
This ain’t your father’s
barbershop, but it’s pretty
close.
Type Salon & Barber in
Gravenhurst is the newest
barbershop featuring local
stylist Johnny Ahsome. Ahsome owns the barbershop
along with his wife Alissa
and Kelly Kehl.
The Barbershop held its
grand opening on Nov. 2.
“The big news is that Johnny’s back,” says Alissa. Johnny formerly owned the 6 KG
Beauty Salon in Gravenhurst.
Johnny spent the past few
years working in B.C. but has
had stints working in salons
and barbershops across North
America, including New
York City and Seattle.
Johnny spent his childhood
helping his mother out at her
salon, Astrid’s Hair Salon in
Gravenhurst. It was there that
his passion for hairstyling
emerged.
“It was my sanctuary as a
kid,” says Johnny, who has
21 years of experience. “I
just love it. It was a natural
thing.”
Type Salon & Barbershop
has a deliberate vintage look
to it. One of their goals was to
bring back the classic barbershop experience.
“We really wanted to bring
back heritage barbering,”
says Alissa.
The shop offers a full
range of services, including
haircuts and colouring. It is
also one of the first places in
Muskoka to offer a hot towel
shave with a straight razor.
“There’s a lot of trust involved,” says Johnny. “It’s a
very close connection you get
with the client.”
Johnny learned how to do
a proper straight razor shave
by practicing on balloons
covered with shaving cream,
CLOSE SHAVE: Johnny Ahsome demonstrates his
straight razor skills on wife Alissa at Type Salon.
where the slightest prick
would cause the balloon to
pop.
“It’s a ritual men need,”
says Johnny about the straight
razor shave. He feels that the
salon business has largely ig-
nored men.
“We need more men rituals.”
The walls of the shop
are lined with heritage barbering products, including
aftershaves produced by
housekeeping and prides herself on her thoroughness and
attention to detail. “If it needs
it. It gets washed.”
Marges goes beyond just
housekeeping for her clients
– she can buy groceries, run
errands, pick up dry cleaning,
do the ironing and go shopping on their behalf.
Marges can also cook and
prepare meals in home for her
clients.
“It’s kind of like I’m the
mother looking after whoever
needs care,” says Marges.
Muskoka’s House Elf is an
ideal service for seniors or
those with limited mobility.
Marges used to work in a
retirement home and is using
that experience in her new
business. “It just kind of developed,” says Marges.
She started Muskoka’s
House Elf as a way to keep
working at something she
loves.
“It’s like second nature to
me,” says Marges. “By hav-
a company that recreates
aftershaves from old recipes,
some almost 200 years old.
“We just thought it would
be nice to have this unique
space in Gravenhurst,” says
Alissa. “We wanted to provide a space for locals that
they’d be comfortable in, that
they could call their own.”
As part of the community
feel, the shop is open every
other Monday, not for stylings or shaves, but for game
day, where anyone can drop
in and play their favourite
board game.
Type Salon & Barber is
committed to the local community and has partnered
with Employment North to
offer free haircuts and shaves
for their clients, to help them
look their best while looking
for work.
“A haircut and shave can
give someone their confidence back,” says Johnny.
They also offer $10 men’s
haircuts on Tuesday, $10 haircuts anytime for retired veterans and discounted prices
for first responders (police,
firefighters, paramedics). A
regular priced men’s haircut
ranges in price from $15 to
$25, while a women’s haircut ranges in price from $20
to $45.
The salon also has stylist
Michelle Garry and salon apprentice Cora Schilling working there.
Almost everything in the
salon has a unique story behind it and Johnny is fascinated by the history of barbering.
The shop includes a display
case of vintage shaving and
hairstyling equipment. The
salon has four refurbished
barber chairs that date back to
the early 1900s.
Type Salon & Barber is located at 310 Muskoka Road
in Gravenhurst.
ing my own business I can
take the time I want to with
somebody.”
When on-site in a client’s
home Marges brings all her
own equipment and cleaning
supplies.
Muskoka’s House Elf can
be booked on an as needed
basis. Marges, Muskoka’s
House Elf can be reached at
705-687-2763.
Jobs big or small, Muskoka’s House Elf does it all
By Corey Wilkinson
If one is in need of housekeeping, cooking, shopping,
groceries or other errands,
then Muskoka’s House Elf
could be just the service.
Gail Marges is the house
elf who founded the business in August. She named
her business after the helpful house elves found in the
Harry Potter series.
“I was inspired by the character Dobby from Harry Potter,” says Marges.
House elves in the books
are helpful creatures that routinely perform a myriad of
duties in service to the book’s
wizards.
HOUSE ELF: Gail Marges is eager to work.
As Muskoka’s House Elf,
Marges is fully licensed and
insured. “The service is great
for anyone,” says Marges.
Marges offers complete
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8 December 2013
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
New Riverside owners
plan major changes
TOP HONOURS: The scenic surroundings helped earn JW Marriott The
Rosseau Muskoka, a spot on the coveted Condé Nast Traveller Awards list.
Condé Nast taps Rosseau
NEW INN TOWN: Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith (centre) welcomes the
new owners of the Riverside Inn, the Patel family, to Bracebridge .
Continued from FRONT
For years the family has
owned and operated the
Knights Inn in Orillia. They
also owned the Bayview Inn
in Orillia.
Bringing extensive experience and an eye for details to the Riverside Inn,
Patel says they will be reno-
ing rooms and more will get
a freshening up.
“Every corner of this
place is going to be renovated, each and every corner,”
says Patel. “The service
provided by this hotel has
been wonderful, so we’re
going to keep that and update the look of the hotel.”
vating the property to give it
a modern look and complete
overhaul in terms of appearance.
He says they will be
making the Riverside Inn
energy efficient, as well as
updating the décor. All the
room units, the restaurant,
the banquet hall, the meet-
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Weddings
celebrations •
Muskoka-made
jewelry • Professio
nal planners ease
means a great deal to our
entire team,” says general
manager Tony Tamburro.
“It is fantastic recognition
of their commitment to
excellence.”
Tamburro notes that 14
of the 15 Canadian resorts
chosen by Condé Nast Traveller readers are in Alberta
or British Columbia.
“The Readers’ Choice
award shines a spotlight on
our beautiful destination as
a year-round alternative to
the more well-known parts
of Canada,” he says. “A
luxury resort in the midst of
pristine nature is rare. I am
very proud of the intuitive
service our associates provide and the way they love
to give our guests a truly
unique Muskoka experience.”
To see more on the
awards, visit http://www.
cntraveler.com/readerschoice-awards/canada/bestresorts-canada.
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.
WATER’S EDGE
Winter wonderl
and
Condé Nast Traveller published their annual
Reader’s Choice awards in
November, and the team at
JW Marriott The Rosseau
Muskoka was thrilled to see
their resort in fifth position
among the Top 15 Resorts
in Canada.
Condé Nast Traveller is
a highly respected global
publication focused on luxury travel, whose motto is
“Truth in Travel”.
“This prestigious award
stress
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www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
December 2013
9
European deal will be felt in Muskoka: Clement
Continued from FRONT
the entire global marketplace.
“Once the trade deal is
ratified, the day that it’s ratified, 98 per cent of all the
tariffs of the goods moving
into Europe are removed,
they go down to zero,” says
Clement. “It’s a huge new
market for a lot of local and
national businesses. I’ve
talked to Crofters Gems in
Parry Sound, MBRP Auto
Parts in Huntsville, Ontario
Graphite Mine, Langford
Canoes and they really see a
potential export opportunity
with the passage of this deal.
No question both locally and
nationally it’s a real game
changer in terms of new
markets.”
Clement says he is proud
of the way negotiations took
place to get an agreement
in principle ready to be discussed by Canada’s provinces and the EU nations.
He says there is give and
take from both sides but sees
it as very positive for Canadians.
Using the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) as an example,
Clement says CETA will
have a broader range in
terms of trade.
“This deal is being hailed
world wide as the first 21st
century deal because it’s
seen as the broadest deal
ever,” he says.
“NAFTA was a deal basically featuring goods and
some services, but this deal
covers all services as well
as manufactured goods and
other things like investment.
It also covers procurement
by individual governments,
so it’s a really broad ranging
deal and people are saying it
will be the template for future trade deals around the
world.”
As for Canada’s CETA
partners, Europe sees this
agreement as a gateway into
the North American market
and the opportunity to create a similar deal with the
United States, says Clement.
“They’re currently negotiating a deal with the United
States,” he says. “They have
now got a template for a deal
with the United States.”
By Chris Occhiuzzi
Under the guidance of
managing partner Tom Nunn,
the Ontario Stone Depot is
giving young people from
Muskoka the opportunity to
obtain full-time employment,
earn good wages and learn
valuable life skills on the job.
Nunn, a former educator in
Huntsville, joined the Ontario
Stone Depot last October and
was offered a chance to become a partner in the eightyear-old company near the
end of 2012. He did so and
is extremely happy about his
current situation.
With support from his
partners in Toronto, Nunn
employs eight people at the
Stone Depot year-round, and
had five others working there
in the summer.
The Ontario Stone Depot
works closely with the
YMCA Employment Services in Huntsville and have
hired a couple of people
through the organization.
The employees pick up work
skills, as well as life skills at
the Stone Depot.
From using a hammer to
break off smaller pieces of
stone from large chunks of
granite, to manning high tech
machinery for fine cuts and
sizing, the employees have
to be physically and mentally
capable.
“We have a student here
that came as a co-op student
from St. Dominic and now
he’s a full-time employee.
He’s been here 10 months,”
says Nunn.
“It’s good that these young
men have an opportunity to
work every day all year, it
keeps them on schedule and
it’s fun because I can teach
them about things I used to
teach kids in my class about
banking and RRSP’s, rent
versus owning and mort-
gages, buying cars versus
leasing cars.”
Nunn is also hoping to see
the five summer employees
who returned to school come
back to the Ontario Stone
Depot next summer because
they are already trained and
have all the skills necessary
for the job under their belts.
Owning a nearby quarry
just west of Burk’s Falls allows the Ontario Stone Depot
to look into the future and
provide granite products at
reasonable costs to not only
Muskoka-based
contractors and stone masons but
to dealers in Ottawa, North
Bay, Parry Sound, Sudbury,
Fenelon Falls and Peterborough. They have also sold
products to places in Winnipeg and Montreal, and are in
talks with several more dealers.
Nunn and the Ontario
Stone Depot also have the
LEADING THE WAY: Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Tony Clement says a
trade deal still to be ratified between Canada and the EU is the first 21st
century trade agreement and will provide a template for the future.
Stone Depot offers a helping hand to youth
opportunity for growth as
they have a nearly unlimited
supply of granite just a short
truck drive away.
“My hope next year is that
we would almost double our
work force in the summer,”
says Nunn.
“Our own quarry is one of
the better quarries around because of the colours.”
They feature granite with
greys, blacks, browns and
tans, and blues and make six
distinct products for the consumer.
With encouragement from
his fellow partners Nunn is
looking ahead towards growing the company as much
as possible and offering local employment year round,
which he is quite pleased
about.
“We own our land, we own
the quarry, so we’re in good
shape to grow,” he says.
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10 December 2013
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
Chamber Awards honour best in business
By Corey Wilkinson
The Bracebridge Chamber
of Commerce honoured local
businesses during the 20th
annual Outstanding Business
Achievement Awards held at
the Rotary Centre for Youth
on Nov. 13.
The awards featured 40
nominees from local businesses in nine different categories.
The awards master of
ceremonies was Bracebridge
Chamber director Nathalie
Tinti. Those in attendance
for the event, included Parry
Sound-Muskoka MP Tony
Clement.
Mayor Graydon Smith of
Bracebridge was this year’s
guest speaker and spoke passionately about entrepreneurship in the town.
“The spirit of entrepreneurship in our community is
alive and well,” said Smith.
Smith described how
Bracebridge, and Muskoka in
general, are well-known and
well regarded by people not
just from Ontario but from
places around the world.
“We come from a very
powerful place in Ontario,”
said Smith. “People have
a warm, fuzzy story about
Bracebridge.”
Smith added that is not
something a lot of communities have. Others are better
known for more infamous
reasons.
He talked about the Town
council’s continuing work to
improve the community.
“We’re preparing Brace-
AWARD WINNERS: Nathalie Tinti (top row, far left) the director of the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce with the winners from
the 20th annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards, top row, Andrew Bridle, Stan Tait, Julia Watson, Ellen Froud, Don Smith,
(bottom row) Elena Banfield, Joelle McRae, Carlie Willford and Linda Acton-Riddle. The awards were held Nov. 13.
bridge for not just tomorrow
but for today,” said Smith.
Smith spoke of the town’s
success in urging the provincial government to grant access for Bracebridge to the
Eastern Development Fund,
after the town was removed
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from the Northern Development Fund.
“It’s incredibly important
that we can do that,” said
Smith about accessing the
funds available.
Smith highlighted the
new developments happening at the Wal-Mart Smart
Centre location, where after
years of inactivity three new
stores are being constructed.
The construction is in part
due to council’s work with
Smart Centres to spur on the
property’s development, said
Smith.
Smith also noted that
Bracebridge continues to see
institutional investment in
portunity in the community
for smaller niche manufacturers to operate.
“Bracebridge
continues
to be an economic leader in
Muskoka,” said Smith, adding that Bracebridge is different from the other communities in Muskoka. “Let’s find
our own path, not everyone
else’s path.”
Smith praised the local
business community, calling
them leaders and the best ambassadors for the town.
“Everyone in this room is
a leader in the community in
one way or the other,” said
Smith.
“The community has
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the community, highlighting
the success of the Georgian
College and Nipissing University’s campuses in Bracebridge, as well as the recently
constructed Trillium Lakelands District School Board
(TLDSB) regional office and
education centre.
“There’s a lot of investment in success in our
community that serves the
broader Muskoka community,” said Smith, calling the
investments in the community Bracebridge 2.0.
Smith also discussed the
difficulty in luring large
manufacturing operations to
the area, but that created op-
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everything we need to be
successful now and in the future,” said Smith. “Without a
lie, we can honestly say we
are from the greatest town
in Ontario, and the greatest
town in Canada.”
The nine awards were then
presented to their worthy
recipients. The New Business of the Year award went
to Pita Pit, while the Young
Entrepreneur of the Year
award went to the owner of
Pita Pit, Andrew Bridle.
The Business of the Year
award went to Muskoka
Brewery, while the Outstanding Retail Customer Service
award went to Classy Cuts
Salon & Spa.
Stan W. Tait Jewellery
received the Home Based
Business of the Year award
and Castle Peak Retirement
Residence received the Service Provider of the Year
award.
Julia Watson, from Tiggs
Clothier, was named Female
Business Person of the Year.
While Don Smith, from Muskoka Magazine and Momma
Bear’s Ice Cream & Sweets
was named Male Business
Person of the Year.
The final award for Outstanding Contribution to
Bracebridge went to Habitat
for Humanity Muskoka.
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
December 2013
11
Winners come from many business sectors
Barb Hunter from RBC Royal Bank presents Andrew Bridle, the owner of Pita
Pit, with his Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Pita Pit also received the
New Business of the Year Award which was sponsored by OfficeWorks.
Jennifer Baziuk from TD Canada Trust presents the Business of the Year Award
to Joelle McRae from Muskoka Brewery.
“Without a lie, we can
honestly say we are from
the greatest town in
Ontario, and the greatest
town in Canada”
Town of Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith was the guest speaker for the awards and spoke about the
town’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Sandra Gallagher from Georgian College Muskoka Campus presents the Home
Based Business of the Year Award to Stan Tait from Stan W. Tait Jewellery.
Guy Gagnon from Your Independent Grocer presents the Service Provider of the
Year Award to Carlie and Todd Willford from Castle Peak Retirement Residence.
12 December 2013
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
Awards honour Bracebridge entrepreneurs
Nathalie Tinti, Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce Director displays the Outstanding Retail Customer Service Award, sponsored by Muskoka Staffing that
went to Lisa Fitzmaurice and Cathy Anderson from Classy Cuts Salon & Spa.
Dylan Scott from Barriston LLP, presents the Male Business Person of the Year
Award to Don Smith from Muskoka Magazine and Momma Bear’s Ice Cream
& Sweets.
Ellen Froud, from Habitat For Humanity Muskoka, receives the Outstanding
Contribution to Bracebridge Award from Chamber director Nathalie Tinti,
along with fellow Habitat for Humanity Muskoka member Linda Acton-Riddle.
Nicolette Ruston from CIBC presents the Female Business Person of the Year
Award to Julia Watson from Tiggs Clothier.
Donald J. Lange, LL.B., Ph.D.
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Small business owners & local decision makers rely upon
North Country Business news, sales leads and networking
opportunities to grow their businesses.
To advertise, call 705-646-1314
Winter Beard returns
What could be more reminiscent of a frigid northern winter than an insulating beard and
a warming Muskoka specialty
brew?
To that end, Muskoka Brewery has released their Vintage
Double Chocolate Cranberry
Stout – appropriately named
Winter Beard.
“The concept for this beer was
to create a limited run brew, made
with unique ingredients, with the
ability to cellar and improve with
age. We wanted to shift perceptions of how people think of
beer,” says Gary McMullen, of
Muskoka Brewery.
In 2011, Muskoka encouraged
consumers to cellar a bottle or
two of Winter Beard to enjoy the
following holiday season. The
response was overwhelming,
says Todd Lewin, VP of sales for
Muskoka Brewery.
“What we found was that consumers were purchasing Winter
Beard by the case with the sole
purpose of cellaring in mind,” he
says.
“It was amazing.”
Not all of Muskoka Brewery
fans had the ability to cellar age
this brew at home.
To offer this experience to
the masses, Muskoka Brewery
has created a vintage area in
the brewery to cellar this beer
to perfection. The brew
has been stored upright in
a temperature controlled
area, away from direct
sunlight for one year.
The cellaring process
allows for the complexities in the beer
to mingle and mature
in the bottle resulting
in a premium taste
second to none.
This special brew
is available in limited quantities at the
LCBO, select Beer
Stores and the Muskoka Brewery Retail
Store.
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
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By Corey Wilkinson
Staples continues to serve
its customers even after
they’ve made a purchase by
offering comprehensive tech
services to ensure that they
are getting the most out of
their latest desktop, laptop or
tablet computer.
“We pride ourselves on
having friendly knowledgeable staff that you can rely on
and trust,” says Chris Rhody,
the general manager for the
Bracebridge Staples. “You
come in with questions and
leave with answers.”
Staples covers the three essential tech services.
Firstly, they can fix or upgrade desktops or laptops, in
typically one to three days.
They can breathe new life
into an older computer by upgrading certain parts, including video cards, memory and
RAM. Staples technicians
can also remove viruses for
$59 from infected computers
within 24 hours.
The second service Staples
offers is computer set up.
They can help set up a customer’s new desktop, laptop
or tablet. The set-up service
costs $99 and includes set up,
program installation and data
transfer from the old computer to the new one. Customers
can also include Norton Antivirus software, and one year
of free virus removal to their
set up for $149.
The third tech service is
computer training and tutorials. Individual tutorials
with Staples knowledgeable
computer technicians can be
booked in-store and can cover
a range of subjects, from basic
computer use to specific programs. “It’s ideal for those
new to computers or tablets,”
says Rhody.
Tutorials cost $30 for a
half hour or $60 for an hour.
The Staples in Bracebridge
also offers a group tutorial
class once a month, details of
which can found in-store or
online.
The Bracebridge store
opened in 2010, while the
other Muskoka Staples in
Huntsville opened in 2007.
There are over 300 Staples
stores nationwide. Each store
offers approximately 16,000
sq. ft. of retail space and
carries over 5,000 different
products.
“If you need something for
your office we have it,” says
Rhody. “Our goal is to be the
total business solution provider for small businesses.”
Staples makes setting up a
small business or home office
as easy as pushing a button.
Taking a quick trip to the
Staples locations will make
short work of your shopping
list.
Some of the products carried include printers, fax machines, organizers and a large
selection of colours and types
of paper products.
Also available is a wide selection of furniture for your
home, office, or home office;
including desks, chairs, and
filing cabinets.
On top of the products
available, Staples has a variety of other services includ-
ing the Copy Centre and the
Easy Tech Force.
The Copy Centre is a onestop-shop for all printing
needs, including copying,
faxing, printing, business
cards, binding and more.
At the Easy Tech Force the
staff can help setup a new
computer, transfer files from
an old computer, perform repairs and install upgrades.
Staples in Muskoka also
offers a selection of great gift
ideas for the holiday season.
“We have a huge selection of the latest technology
gifts and toys,” says Rhody.
“We’ve seen a big surge in
computer tablets, they are the
hottest item right now.”
Staples has other great gift
ideas including MP3 players,
laptops, consoles, computer
and video games, including
the newest gaming systems:
the Sony Playstation 4 and
Microsoft Xbox One.
“Digital cameras are always a hot item this time of
year,” says Rhody. “We have
all the major brands, Canon,
Nikon and Sony, in pointand-shoots all the way up to
DSLRs.”
At Staples you can also
find the Apple Centre, which
offers all the latest products
from Mac, including iPods,
iPads, MacBooks and accessories.
Staples is open Monday to
Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7
p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
on Thursday and Friday. On
weekends Staples is open from
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and
12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
148 James Street,
Bracebridge, ON
Call 705-645-1431
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14
December 2013
Muskoka’s Chambers of Commerce
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
Chamber seeks to entice new markets
By Jennifer Clute
Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce
Muskoka Lakes is the ultimate four season
destination; a popular year round getaway for
those who seek outdoor adventures, culture,
history and rest and relaxation.
Home to pristine waters, a vibrant nightlife, artist studios and some of the best restaurants in Ontario, Muskoka Lakes welcomes a wide variety of visitors.
My job as the tourism and marketing coordinator at Muskoka Lakes Chamber of
Commerce (MLCC) is ultimately to explore
and implement new marketing campaigns
that will focus on new tourism sectors; including the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transsexual (LGBT) and Asian travel markets.
During the course of my FedNor one-year
contract with MLCC, I aim to successfully
lay the foundations of attracting and retaining these travels markets.
The LGBT travel market has remained
relatively untapped by many of Canada’s
destinations and tourism-related businesses,
and therefore represents a lucrative opportunity worth an estimated $7 billion annually
with the average Canadian LGBT traveller
spending $1,300 compared to $595 spent by
the general population.
In order to tap into this exciting economic
opportunity, I aim to further promote Muskoka Lakes as a welcoming community within the Greater Toronto Area.
Some of my goals in Muskoka Lakes include raising the Pride flag, continuously
working alongside local businesses and tourism stakeholders to ensure market readiness
and securing a strong, positive presence at
World Pride in 2014.
Simultaneously, I will further promote
15 Robert Dollar Dr.,
Bracebridge
Phone 705-645-3057
Toll Free 1-800-461-5495
www.muskokawindowanddoor.ca
Events listing
Nov. 26
Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce
members and their guests are invited to the
monthly Business After Hours Networking Meeting. This month’s host is James
Street Place, 148 James St., Bracebridge.
The event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
This is an excellent opportunity to make
business connections. Don’t forget to bring
your business cards. The Bracebridge
Chamber facilitates 10 Business After
Hours events each year. To RSVP to the
event, call 705-645-5231, or send an email
to: [email protected].
Dec. 5
The Port Sydney, Utterson and Area
YOUR COTTAGE
COUNTRY BUILDING
SUPPLY STORE
EXCITING TIMES: Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce new tourism and
marketing co-ordinator Jennifer Clute and chamber general manager Jane Templeton are planning to target new markets to boost tourism in Muskoka.
Muskoka Lakes within the Greater Toronto
Area (GTA) to target Asian Canadians.
In 2011, Canada welcomed approximately
236,600 overnight travellers from China who
contributed $408 million into Canada’s tourism economy.
In order to tap into this equally exciting
economic opportunity, I aim to target the
GTA and not only reach local Asian markets,
but tap into and market to their international
friends and relatives.
Some of my goals in Muskoka Lakes include capitalizing on the Asian market’s
enthusiasm and interest in Dr. Norman Bethune, continuously working alongside local businesses and tourism stakeholders to
Chamber of Commerce Christmas dinner is being held at Trillium Resort &
Spa. Consider making this your Company
Christmas Party.
Call the Chamber office for tickets: 705385-1117 or send an email to: [email protected]. Check out the chamber
website for more events: www.portsydneycoc.com
Dec. 10
The Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce
61st Annual General Meeting takes place
from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Riverwalk
Upstairs, 1 Manitoba St., Bracebridge.
Copies of the 2012/2013 Financial
Statements will be available at the meeting
or, upon request, two weeks in advance of
the meeting.
We will also be voting on the nominees
Bala • Bracebridge • Dorset
Gravenhurst • MacTier
Small business owners & local decision makers rely upon
North Country Business news, sales leads and networking
opportunities to grow their businesses.
www.timbrmart.ca
To advertise, call 705-646-1314
ensure market readiness and promoting the
picturesque outdoors of Muskoka Lakes and
its historical background and culture.
Furthermore, during my term as tourism
and marketing co-ordinator at MLCC, I will
assist the New Actors’ Colony Theatre in
marketing its 100th Anniversary; an exciting
milestone event.
I have been welcomed into this community
with open arms and I’m excited to see where
this year takes Muskoka Lakes and the steps
taken to further embrace tourism and the new
tourism markets.
I welcome you to contact me at any time if
you have any questions at 705-762-5663 or
email: [email protected]
for the 2013/2014 board of directors and
review the minutes from the 2012 AGM.
Jan. 28
Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce
members and their guests are invited to the
monthly Business After Hours Networking
Meeting.
The host this month is Patterson-Kaye
Resort & Spa, 1360 Golden Beach Rd.,
Bracebridge. The event runs from 5:30
p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
This is an excellent opportunity to make
business connections. Don’t forget to bring
your business cards.
The Bracebridge Chamber facilitates 10
Business After Hours events each year. To
RSVP to the event, call 705-645-5231, or
send an email to: [email protected].
HELP SUPPORT
YOUR CHAMBER
Call 705-646-1314
to advertise
[email protected]
northcountrybusinessnews.com
www.NorthCountryBusinessNews.com
Muskoka’s ChaMbers of CoMMerCe
GAL PALS: Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce advertising
and event manager Trish Kruusmagi helps out at the chamber’s welcome
booth with community volunteers Ashley Olsen and Marion Shaw on
Nov. 8 during the Girlfriends Getaway Weekend Diva Soiree event.
GREETINGS: New Tim Hortons owner
Derek Bobowski and Southeast Georgian
Bay Chamber of Commerce president Paul
Herriott get a chance to talk some shop at
an Oct. 29 chamber Meet and Greet.
Welcome to our new chamber members
HUNTSVILLE
Edward Jones - Andree Baillargeon
705-645-4844
Highland Court Inn & Suites 705-789-4424
Junk Takers Inc. 705-789-0856
Knights of Columbus Council #7851
705-787-1222
Powering Up Mobile 705-783-2131
Pure Muskoka 705-644-4514
Sustainable Tree 705-380-2088
The Bush Company Bar and Grill 705-635-8777
PORT SYDNEY/UTTERSON AND AREA
Black Creek Denture Services, Utterson
705-788-2919
Gene MacKinnon Plumbing, Huntsville
705-788-5764
Fibre Meadows Felting, Port Sydney
705-385-2057
Decemeber 2013
15
Small Business
Financing
•••••
Community Development
Grants
www.muskokafutures.ca
(705) 646-9511
1-800-414-6570
111 Manitoba Street
Bracebridge, P1L 2B6
Proudly sponsored by
BRACEBRIDGE
Farm Business Consulting 705-725-8893
Travel Counsellors Ltd. 705-644-4548
Chuck McNair Electric 705-646-0900
Muskoka MediSpa Weight Loss 705-646-0999
Nipissing University Residence and Conference
Services 705-645-6999
MUSKOKA LAKES
Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre 705-687-2115
Re/Max North Country Realty 705-645-8783
Dean Perry Acupuncture 705-687-2271
SOUTHEAST GEORGIAN BAY
Tim Hortons 705-279-0359
Seasons Change Landscaping & Contracting
705-330-1691
Verico Mortgage House 705-686-3145
Dependable
service of office
equipment by
certified technicians
705-787-0517
www.nearnorthbusiness.com
Contact your local Chamber of Commerce today
BRACEBRIDGE
1-1 Manitoba St.
705-645-5231
[email protected]
www.bracebridgechamber.com
GRAVENHURST
685-2 Muskoka Rd. N.,
705-687-4432, Fax: 687-4382
[email protected]
www.gravenhurstchamber.com
Promotional Products
Advertising Specialties
PENS • LABELS • DECALS
CALENDARS • GLASSWARE
(705) 765-5352
HUNTSVILLE/LAKE OF BAYS
PORT SYDNEY/UTTERSON AND AREA
8 West St. N., Huntsville
705-789-4771, Fax: 789-6191
[email protected]
www.huntsvillelakeofbays.on.ca
15 South Mary Lake Road, Unit 4, Port Sydney
705-385-1117, Fax: 385-9753
[email protected]
www.portsydneycoc.com
MUSKOKA LAKES
SOUTHEAST GEORGIAN BAY
3181 Muskoka Rd. 169, Bala
705-762-5663, Fax: 762-5664
[email protected]
www.muskokalakeschamber.com
Jacqui Semkow
Muskoka Mortgage
Specialist
Muskoka and Parry Sound
705-646-4238
Box 201 • Port Carling • ON P0B 1J0
Fax: 705-646-1810
Pager: 1-866-767-5446
Est. 1956
[email protected]
45 Lone Pine Road, Port Severn
Phone and Fax: 705-756-4863
[email protected]
www.segbay.ca
Muskoka’s Largest
Sleep Galleries
67 Silverwood Drive
Huntsville
705-789-5589
6 Robert Dollar Drive
Bracebridge
705-645-2279
16 December 2013
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