Economic Development eNews | August 22, 2023 | |
Top feature photo: The Tipped Ship Owner Trish Bolechowsky in her unique emporium. Below with local artisan Mary-Lou Quenneville of ReKreations. | |
The Tipped Ship Experience
ELGIN - Expect the unexpected at The Tipped Ship.
This big, whimsical destination with fascinating treasures and delectables is located in one of Elgin's cornerstone buildings. You begin planning your next visit, and the one after that, because chances are you're not going to see everything there is to see in just one trip.
"I have a lot of people tell me they'll be back," says proprietor Trish Bolechowsky, who admits her fine goods emporium is filled with items she herself loves - a broad spectrum of old and new, quality fashion and fancy, and everything from quirky wine bottle stoppers made locally to fine art and gourmet food items.
Adding to the appeal of this historic former general store (circa 1883) is how Trish has managed to transform it back into a community hub and favoured gathering place.
"There is a lot of energy. I want it to be an experience you remember, a place where you can come in and decompress and enjoy," says Trish.
So how did it come to pass that this engineering project manager based in Ottawa, who was also a radio co-host that coordinated a major singer-songwriter series, end up in Elgin running such a shop?
"I saw (the building) and thought this is fun," says Trish, adding her son and his family had moved to nearby Athens. Initially it was a mystery even to her what she would sell but it all came together. The community joined in the fun with various suggestions.
"It grew from there. Once I opened the doors, connections started to build. People have embraced it," says Trish. She has formed about 30 partnerships with area businesses, such as Furnace Falls Coffee, Krista Cameron Pottery and Ridgway Confections. Local authors, artists and crafters are involved, including a jewelry maker and horticulturalist.
Trish is also planning on adding special events featuring folk music, weekend workshops, food and yoga on the lawn. "There is so much more I want to do and so many more products I'd like to feature - the possibilities are endless," says Trish.
Learn more about The Tipped Ship on the website, Facebook and Instagram pages. Send Trish an email or call 613-299-6535. Shop hours are Friday to Sunday until Labour Day. Following that, the emporium is open weekends. The location is 3 Main Street, Elgin.
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Inspiring Garden Adventures
Looking for some road trip inspiration? There is still time to experience the 1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways Garden Adventures tour.
This local tour was named in the top 10 "Best Garden Tours in Ontario" 2023 by Destination Ontario. A mix of 13 private and public gardens and garden centre displays connect to make up the Garden Trail throughout Leeds Grenville. Unique gardens feature perennials, shrubs, trees, food production and also showcase a range of plant matter from native plants to the uncommon.
The Garden tour's very own Mary Ann Van Berlo, and her Van Berlo Gardens near Maitland, was recently featured in an edition of Fine Gardening magazine. The 1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways tourism region is curated by the Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office.
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Toledo Store celebrates 35th Anniversary
TOLEDO - Kitley Grocery & Service Centre is 35! The community recently threw owner Lynn Kerr a surprise anniversary party, a reflection of how much she and her business are appreciated by customers. Lynn is a rural convenience store legend.
"I've never looked back," Lynn said in a 2019 interview when her business was featured in this newsletter. She was raised on a farm just down the road. "I pretty much grew up here at the store. When I first bought it, I didn't know enough to be afraid of running a business." Learn more about Kitley Convenience & Service Centre on the website. The centre is located at 74 Main Street, Toledo, at the crossroads of County Road 1 and County Road 8. Call them at 613-275-2834.
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Lynn Kerr bought the business when she was 20 with a loan from her Dad. | | |
B&H Your Community Grocer features local products, meats and produce. | |
60th Anniversary Celebrated at B&H
KEMPTVILLE - B&H Your Community Grocer is celebrating the significant milestone of six decades in business. The store is owned by Jim and Judy Beveridge.
To help celebrate, B&H will be hosting a pancake breakfast in the store's parking lot on Saturday, September 23 in partnership with the Rotary Club.
The late Keith Beveridge, the store's co-founder and Jim's father, was a Rotarian. The breakfast is free but donations to the Kemptville Youth Association will be appreciated.
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Nominate a Leader in Your Community
Do you know a person who volunteers their time to help grow and develop your municipality's economic vitality or tourism appeal? The Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office is asking individuals, municipal councils and economic development committees to nominate candidates for the annual Bill Thake Memorial Award for Economic Development Leadership.
The award winner will be announced prior to the Economic Development Summit on November 17th and will be officially honoured at the event. Nominees will be recognized at a local municipal presentation by the Warden.
If you have someone in mind within the 10-member municipalities of Leeds Grenville, consider putting their name forward.
You can connect with us at [email protected] or call Deanna Clark at 613-342-3840, ext. 5360.
The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, September 22, at 4 p.m. For more information visit our Summit 2023 webpage.
Nomination form
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Immigrant Entrepreneur Award Nominations
Nominations are now open for the 9th Annual Leeds and Grenville Immigrant Entrepreneur Award. This award is for anyone born outside of Canada who owns/operates a business in Leeds and Grenville and also lives here. Anyone can nominate an individual and their business (including self-nominations).
Designed to showcase and highlight the amazing businesses and hard work done by our local immigrant entrepreneurs, the winner will be announced in October at the Bridges to Better Business event. The award is presented by the St. Lawrence Rideau Immigration Partnership.
Nominations are open until September 9th, 2023. You can nominate through the Immigration Partnership Facebook page, send an email to Lauren or phone/text 613-213-4455.
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Complete Your $2,500 Grant Application in One Day!
Do you feel there’s not enough time to apply for the $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant (DTG)? Not sure where to start or are you stuck in the process? We've got the perfect solution!
Join the Digital Specialist live on Thursday, August 31 at 10 a.m. for the one-hour “Accelerate Your Grant Application: From Idea to Submission in One Day" webinar. In this power-packed session, you’ll be equipped with the tools, strategies, and insider tips to confidently submit the DTG application in just one day. Regionally, over $600,000 has already been distributed directly to businesses through the DTG. This may be the last opportunity to get your share of the grant that can help transform your operation as the program closes on September 30th.
This webinar will cover:
- A step-by-step walk through of the grant application process
- Techniques to efficiently organize required materials
- Key elements of a successful budget proposal
- Tips for highlighting your project's impact
- Common mistakes to avoid and Q&A
You can use the funds to purchase a new Point of Sale system, pay for a Facebook Ad campaign, create your website, subscribe to software like Canva, register for digital training and more. If you're serious about adopting or upgrading digital for your business, this webinar is a must-attend! Don't miss out on this opportunity.
| Virtual sessions are also available during the day and there are extended hours to suit your schedule. For more information on the program, visit our Digital Services webpage. | |
Small Business Consultations | |
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Free In-person Business Consultations
Starting your own business poses questions, challenges, and uncertainty. Leeds Grenville Small Business can help you analyze your business situation and help you identify opportunities in the marketplace.
They can also help you with market research, writing an effective business plan structure, government regulations, licensing information and sourcing finances.
This September, they are offering free 45-minute, in-person business consultations in 3 Leeds Grenville communities to answer your questions and give you guidance on what steps to take next.
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RTO9 Annual Tourism Summit - Tourism Reimagined
As the Ontario tourism industry begins it's recovery, RTO9 (Regional Tourism Organization) is looking into local tourism and how operators have reimagined their offerings to weather the storm and come out the other side stronger than ever. Listen to panel discussions on Agritourism, Rural vs. Metropolitan Tourism, and Provincial and National Sector leaders as they discuss advocacy and marketing. Hear from keynote speakers as they share their experience and knowledge from working within the Ontario tourism industry. Celebrate our amazing Makers by visiting the always popular Marketplace to sample and purchase one of a kind products from around the region. Lunch will be included.
WHEN: Friday, September 8, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront, 2 Princess Street, Kingston
COST: $27.96
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Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library | |
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Newcomers to Canada: Find Your Next Career
Are you a newcomer to Canada settling in the Kemptville, Prescott or Brockville area? Join CSE Consulting and OTEC's Monique Allen to learn more about a valuable new online tool that will help you take the first steps in building your new career in Canada. Supported with funding from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), CareerAtlas is free for a limited time for newcomers.
WHEN: Thursday, August 24, 10-11 a.m.
COST: Free
For more information on this online session, send Tracy McDonald an email or call 613-258-6576.
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Navigating the Field Trip Market
This is an online webinar hosted by RTO9 (Regional Tourism Organization) featuring guest speaker Phil Casey. Ontario Teachers and School Boards are constantly looking for ways to amplify their curriculum yearly by incorporating Field Trips, but what exactly do they look for? How can you make them aware of you? This workshop will discuss those questions and many more to help increase school visits and ensure you are best prepared for them.
WHEN: Tuesday, August 29, 10-11 a.m. online webinar
COST: Free
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Accessing Capital for the Agri-food Sector
This webinar hosted by Ontario East Economic Development Commission will explore traditional and non-traditional options for farm businesses in Ontario to access capital and how it is important to economic development.
Access to sources of income and capital are an essential element in the growth and development of farm businesses. Access to capital refers to funding, any source of money that will be used to implement the business plan. Capital is used to generate income for a business by buying assets, paying personnel, and contracting for services. Most farms are capital-intensive businesses with investment needed in assets such as land and buildings, equipment, inputs like seeds, fertilizer or livestock.
WHEN: Tuesday, August 29, 10-11:30 a.m.
COST: Free
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Accelerate Your Grant Application: From Idea to Submission in One Day
Join the Digital Specialist live for the one hour “Accelerate Your Grant Application: From Idea to Submission in One Day" webinar. In this power-packed session, you’ll be equipped with the tools, strategies, and insider tips to confidently submit the DTG (Digital Transformation Grant) application in just one day. Regionally, over $600,000 has already been distributed directly to businesses through the DTG. This may be the last opportunity to get your share of the grant that can help transform your operation as the program closes on September 30th.
WHEN: Thursday, August 31st. 10-11 a.m.
COST: Free
Connect with Digital Service Specialist Cyndy Bolton via email or call 613-342-3840, ext. 5368.
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Leeds Grenville eNews Deadlines for submitting information:
If you have an upcoming workshop, seminar, or business-related event, please email it to us in advance.
- Submissions for the September 5th edition should be received by Monday, August 28th.
- Submissions for the September 19th edition should be received by Monday, September 11th.
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Ann Weir
Economic Development Manager
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Deanna Clark
Economic Development Officer
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Joanne Poll
Administration / Communications Support
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Shelbi McFarlane
Business Development Officer
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