Economic Development eNews | February 9, 2021 |
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Top feature photo: Luke and Susan Thomas of Luke's European-style Market in Athens. Below: A display of Luke's bestselling barbeque sauce and a made-to-order specialty coffee. |
Above photos: Various seasonal pastries created by Luke, including Orange-cranberry Brioche, Niagara Peach Danish, and Butter Croissants. |
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Luke's European-style Market
expands into online business
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ATHENS - Luke's European-style Market owners Susan and Luke Thomas know how to reach out to their fans.
Since launching their business almost 16 years ago, there is no question the couple has been successful in removing obstacles while reinventing their operation to keep a large and loyal customer base coming back for more. Now they are expanding and taking their products online.
"The idea going forward is to further build our brand and line of products to our online shop," says Luke, who is the creator of all his own coffee sauces and syrups as well as his made-from-scratch, in-house compotes and BBQ sauces. Beginning March 1st when it goes live, you will be able to visit their online selection, including their bestselling Raspberry Shiraz Compote, at
The coffee shop is known far and wide for its unique pastries and amazing specialty coffees and teas. For the many fans of these delicious items there is no worry. Susan and Luke will continue to serve these take-out items alongside online product sales.
"We have continuously adapted and evolved according to need and niche and will continue to do so," says Susan, adding Luke's sauces and syrups, as well as his many other creations, will now reach even more customers.
"All of Luke's recipes are made with a purpose. He started with Vanilla Bean and loves adding new flavours and enhancing his existing sauces," says Susasn. The coffee sauces and syrups will be ready to launch soon and will be available for individual consumers for use at home, as well as in commercial format for interested coffee shops.
There is everything from savoury to sweet, from Luke's chocolate and Irish Cream to his chutneys and BBQ sauces. They're must haves for those who have tried them.
The couple, who have four children - Hannah, Elijah, Ethan and Jude, moved to the area from New Brunswick in 1997. Friends encouraged them to buy a home in Athens in 2004 and around the same time the former Athens Video Plus came up for sale. Opening a retail outlet was not something they'd ever considered.
"I came in here and I started to get a vision of a coffee shop - that was the beginning of my learning," says Luke.
The couple say they felt starting a new business was a great opportunity even though they had no idea how much work it would be on top of a young family. And there were tough patches along the way but they overcame them with adjustments to the services and products they provided. They switched over from an eat-in café to take-out only in 2011.
"We have had great community support. People kept coming and adjusted when we went to take-out only," says Luke. "And we've found it is a better, more efficient format."
“Going forward, our goal is to further develop our online store to give our customers a greater selection of the same quality products they got from our shop, for their enjoyment and use at home," adds Luke.
Seasonal cottagers are among their loyal following as well as people who make a special trip to Athens while going back and forth between Toronto and Montreal. The shop is located at 29 Main Street East in Athens. You can call them at 613-924-1844 or send them an email. Don't forget to check out their online shop once it goes live. |
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What is a Hashtag, Anyway?
# Recognize this? You have most certainly seen it on most social media platforms, peppered in sentences and articles and attached to images and videos. Yes, this wonderful little symbol previously known as the “pound” or “number” sign, is now doing double duty as a digital symbol of importance.
According to the Ad Council, it is defined as “hash·tag: a word or phrase preceded by a hash or pound sign (#) and used to identify messages on a specific topic.”
The Hashtag started gaining momentum about 10 years ago. Originally solely associated with Twitter, it has gained popularity in other social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube. Adding one to your posts and keying it into your search remains one of the best ways to stay on-trend and current. Using them in your post helps to expose your audience to your products, services and philosophies. Search them to track the momentum of a specific keyword or phrase such as #ymca #Olympics2021 or #bestqualitypurse, finding results fast and easy. Keep hashtags relative to your business and your clients.
If you are a bookkeeper, then try a broad search with #taxes. Drill down for more specifics with #2020taxes, and even further with #2020taxesontario and check out the results. Keep them short, watch spelling, minimize punctuation, and don’t repost until you have researched the tag. Play around to get the knack. Soon, you’ll be on top of what’s happening in your field. Use hashtags to stay current and keep the conversation going with your customers and things that matter to your business.
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Digital Service Squad Success Story
Members of the five Digital Service Squads (DSS) have been working throughout Leeds Grenville to improve business online presence.
One business that has taken advantage of the services provided by the DSS for Gananoque & Leeds and the Thousand Islands is The Green Gecko in Lyndhurst.
The Green Gecko prides itself on being a shop like no other with a mandate to provide value priced goods from around the world and down the road.
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Above : Terri Dawson, owner of Lyndhurst's The Green Gecko. |
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Located on the main street in the quaint village of Lyndhurst, The Green Gecko has become a go-to spot for many locals and tourists looking for a unique gift idea or for a treat for themselves. Celebrating 15 years in business was a milestone in 2020 and the owners recognize that a key to their success is their commitment to the local community.
"It's been a goal for a long time to have a better online presence as well as an ecommerce store but COVID sure moved that goal to the top of the priority list," says Green Gecko owner Terri Dawson.
"The Digital Main Street programs and the DSS have been instrumental in helping me reach and continue to work on those goals. The one-on-one assistance from the DSS made all the difference in helping me navigate the online world and set myself up for success," she says. "I am definitely well ahead of where I would be if I was still trying on my own."
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COVID-19 Business Updates |
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MPP Steve Clark shared, “While the Leeds-Grenville-Lanark Health Unit numbers have been declining slowly since the Stay-At-Home order was put in place, the Active COVID-19 Case numbers last week were disappointingly still above the benchmarks for GREEN status and are in YELLOW."
"For this reason, the Chief Medical Officer of Health - Dr. Williams, and locally Dr. Stewart, have included Leeds Grenville and Lanark among the regions that will return to the framework February 16th. We look forward to being able to return to increased flexibility next week if numbers hold," MPP Clark said.
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Ontario Small Business Support Grant
Leeds Grenville Economic Development is highly encouraging businesses to check their eligibility for this grant! Application deadline is March 31, 2021.
Funding is available for small businesses (including sole proprietors) with less than 100 employees, that were required to close or significantly restrict services under the provincial shutdown, that came into effect on December 26, 2020. At the launch of this fund, there were some technical glitches in the provincial online application system that has now been resolved.
Check out the following videos to help with your application:
- Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria, Ontario’s Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Take Reduction: Application Video
- Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade's How to Apply Video
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Leeds Grenville Small Business Centre presents Terry-Ann Hare,
Beauty Inside
Watch and learn how a local business owner applied for the grant in a matter of minutes! Terry-Ann Hare of Beauty Inside allowed Leeds Grenville Small Business Centre to record her application process and share it. This video actually shows two processes. One process if you have not applied for an Ontario Grant during the pandemic and another if you have! Please watch the entire video before you proceed with your own application.
For more information on the Ontario Small Business Support Grant see the user guide. |
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Need Help with Grants and Funding Programs?
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Need Expert Business Advice?
Small Business Enterprise Centres have funding to connect you with business experts for no charge is you have experienced a loss in revenues due to COVID-19. Funded by the Province of Ontario and available for a limited for time.
Experts in the following areas are available:
- Business Planning / Business Coaching
- Accounting Processes / Finance / Cashflow
- Legal
- Marketing / Social Media
- Human Resources
Contact for businesses located in: Elizabethtown-Kitley (north portion), Merrickville-Wolford, Rideau Lakes, Westport: Small Business Advisory Centre (Smiths Falls / Lanark County / Leeds Grenville)
Contact for businesses located in: Athens, Augusta, Brockville, Edwardsburgh Cadinal, Elizabethtown-Kitley (south portion), Front of Yong, Gananoque, Leeds and the Thousand Islands, Prescott, North Grenville: Leeds Grenville Small Business Centre, Email Carol Hardy | T: 613-342-0400 ext. 4432 | Website
COVID-19 Information for Businesses: New information will continue to be posted on the dedicated business COVID-19 webpage at www.investleedsgrenville.com/covid19.To ensure you don’t miss anything, go to the bottom of the webpage to subscribe and you will receive updates as they are posted. For additional business assistance call 613-342-3840 ext. 5365 or email.
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Local input is being requested on labour market information and the Ontario Government programs. Please take a few minutes to complete the surveys below.
Eastern Workforce Innovation Board - EmployerOne Survey
Understanding local labour market demand (3-10 minutes)
Deadline February 26, 2021
Ontario Government is looking for input on how the government can continue to support people and employers during COVID—19
Deadline: February 12, 2021
Ontario Government is looking for input on shaping the Digital IT program
Deadline: February 26, 2021
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Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library |
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Share More – Save Time – Grow Sales
Small Business Social Media Interactive Session
The Leeds Grenville Digital Service Squad are sharing best practices and quick and easy ways to:
- Build a social media plan
- Fill your marketing calendar
- Create shareable content
- Post to the best platforms
WHEN: Wednesday, February 10, 11 a.m. to Noon
COST: Free
To Register. Cyndy is available to assist by email or by calling 613-342-3840 x 5368.
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Google Ads 101 - It's Not as Hard as You Think!
Getting in front of customers at the right time and place, and only when they're looking for you, is a powerful addition to your digital marketing toolkit - but beware of the great Google slot machine! Join RTO 9 and Sean Rucko, Digital Marketing Manager with Search Warrant, to learn how to do it the right way so you don't go down the rabbit hole.
WHEN: Tuesday, February 16, 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
COST: Free
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Introduction to Instagram: The Basics
Instagram is one of the hottest social media channels for businesses! In this webinar featuring Jennifer Baker, participants will learn how to convert to a business account, as well as connecting to an existing Facebook Page. Participants will be walked through designing an eye-catching profile, including name, username, bio, and contact information, as well as creating their first post. Once complete, participants will learn how to follow / unfollow accounts, and search content, including users. Presented by the Small Business Advisory Centre.
WHEN: Tuesday, February 23, 10-11 a.m. (Part 1 of a 3-part series)
COST: Free
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Anti-Racism: Let's Get Uncomfortable
Confronting Racism in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. This session will challenge you to think critically about your role in building an equitable hospitality and tourism sector.
Topics of discussion include:
- The realities of racism BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) hospitality and tourism business owners face in the region.
- Structural shortcomings that prevent the advancement of BIPOC-owned businesses.
- Steps non-BIPOC business owners and organizations can take to be anti-racist in practice, both as employers and as service providers.
WHEN: Tuesday, February 23, 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
COST: Free
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WSIB performance-based incentive program for micro-business (1 to 5 employees)
Keeping your team safe and healthy at work is good for business. This WSPS and WSIB program provides a clear roadmap for you to improve safety in your workplace, whether you are just getting started or want to improve systems and processes you already have in place. Successfully participating in the program can earn your rewards of up to 75% of your WSIB premiums.
This pilot program is built for small businesses (1-5 employees)
- Flexible timelines allow employers to work at their own pace
- Registration is open all year (rolling 12-month cycle)
- Recognition is based on individual participant performance
- A WSPS volunteer will provide coaching / feedback as they work to implement one topic
WHEN: Thursday, February 25, 10 a.m.
COST: Micro Businesses (1-5 employees) who join this pilot program will pay a discounted registration rate of $49 + HST, for a limited time, while still being eligible for the WSIB rebate.
For more information contact 416-528-2935 or 1-877-494-9777
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StrikeUP 2021 Digital Conference for Women Entrepreneurs
Working with Women Entrepreneur Strategy (WES) and Ecosystem Partners, Northumberland CFDC invites you to StrikeUP 2021, a virtual conference dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs and providing a forum for growth, mentorship and financing.
StrikeUP will provide you with an opportunity to learn from globally-renowned Canadian women leaders who share a passion for uniting and strengthening women entrepreneurs and women-led networks. From successful business founders to leading experts across the areas of mental health and marketing, to mentor meet-ups and networking, StrikeUP allows for an invaluable learning experience and forum to build the skills of women entrepreneurs to help them lead Canada’s economic recovery and put women entrepreneurs at the forefront.
WHEN: Thursday, March 4, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
COST: Free
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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 February 23rd edition should be received by Friday, February 12th, 2021.
- Submissions for the March 9th edition should be received by Monday, March 1st, 2021.
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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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Jim Hutton
Business Development Officer
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32 Wall Street, Suite 300, Brockville, ON K6V 4R9
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