Economic Development eNews | March 23, 2021 |
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Top feature photo: Lansdowne Freshmart owners Sil and Yulrick Fernetich have focused on customer service for over three decades. |
Above photos from top: Maddy Marryatt at the cash, Sil in the meat department and a section of the produce and grocery section of the store. |
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Brothers keep products rolling out at Lansdowne Freshmart
LANSDOWNE - Almost 32 years ago, two young brothers took on the challenge of keeping a small grocery store alive in a big supermarket world.
Despite an uphill battle, Sil and Yulrick Fernitech have shown doubters and a curt, early-days bank manager, they could beat the odds. They and their friendly 20-member staff continue to steer an ever-improving store forward all the while respecting the location's 126-year community history.
"People call us 'the boys' on the top of the hill because we grew up in this store," says Sil. "We grew really fond of it and so we were determined to keep it going. Lansdowne has been very good to us and people were patient as we got to know the business," he says.
Sil and Yulrick say it is the community and its people that have inspired them to continuously grow and improve the store and its services. "We've reinvested and changed with the times and because of that we've been lucky to stay here and enjoy the area," says Yulrick.
Initially a general store, the location's history dates back to 1895. Amazingly, the store has only been owned by two families in over a century. Their grandparents, Clifford and Abbie Nunn, purchased it in 1947 and began turning it into a self-service grocery store. Then their parents Shirley and Silvano Fernetich became owners in 1965. The brothers bought it in June 1989. The store has been here for the community through thick and thin, they say, including the ongoing pandemic.
"People were happy to be able to stay in their own community to still get what they needed," says Sil of customer support for the past year. From the beginning of the lockdown, the brothers worked to make sure they had lots of stock and kept their fresh meat services running.
"When it (the pandemic) started it was a beast but everyone pitched in because we were even busier. People even starting coming from Gananoque to buy our fresh-cut meat," Sil says, adding staff and suppliers dedicated extra time and effort to ensure product flow was good.
The brothers have focused on keeping a rustic feel but with modern equipment. They joined the Freshmart program in 1992 and reorganized the store's layout in 1996. They purchased the adjacent fire hall to expand their storage space and parking in 2010. A new energy efficient Rack system allowed them to downsize from 17 to 6 compressors with one large outside condensing unit. The front end system was recently upgraded, as well as décor and signage. They use a heat reclaim system.
The brothers credit their friendly, dedicated staff for much of their success. Some have worked at the store for 40-plus years. "I love working for 'the Boys.' They're super bosses," says Brenda Asselstine, on staff since 1980.
"It's been pure pride to succeed and good staff providing guidance," adds Sil.
Learn more about Lansdowne Freshmart by visiting the Leeds Grenville Business Directory, the Freshmart.ca website or give the store a call at 613-659-2198. It is located at 3 King Street West in Lansdowne. |
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To assist businesses with the Ontario Public Health Measures, sector specific charts have been updated for business to easily compare the changes required.
Special note: the Ontario Government has made an adjustment for restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments when in the Grey–Lockdown, Red-Control and Orange-Restrict areas. Indoor dining has been adjusted to allow up to approximately 50 per cent of public accessible indoor dining area, subject to physical distancing rules. Total occupancy cannot exceed 50 patrons in Red-Control area.
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Support for Business Digital Assistance extended until June
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The Ontario Business Improvement Association (OBIAA) has agreed to provide further support for Digital Service Squad staff throughout Leeds Grenville.
While the region’s Community Futures Development Corporations assisted in continuing the program until the end of March, the OBIAA has confirmed funds that will further allow the program to continue into June.
Of the area businesses who have used the Digital Service Squad, 93% of the 49 survey respondents agreed they were satisfied with the services provided.
“We were thrilled with the opportunity and help received when applying for the Digital Main Street funding. The financial aid and assistance with our online presence will help us move forward in this time of change,” said Cindy Dopson, of Thake Home Comfort in Westport.
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Thake Home Comfort's Cindy Dopson, right, and administrator Megan Holmes, left. |
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What aspects of the service were you satisfied with? |
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The one-on-one digital consulting was the most popular service identified in the survey, followed by other Digital Main Street resources such as webinars and training materials.
Susan Gander, of The Wordsmith and the Rideau Lakes Business Directory, recommends business owners interested in enhancing their digital presence to contact Leeds Grenville Digital Service Squad member Cyndy Bolton.
"Cyndy is a great coach, very knowledgeable but patient and good humoured about giving entry-level help with such basics as editing a Google profile - encouraging without pushing, answering even the dumbest of questions, leaving my dignity intact! I’d highly recommend anyone taking advantage of this program," said Susan.
Leeds Grenville businesses that were surveyed had similar comments to Susan. Respondents felt that if free services were extended, 89% would utilize the service to improve their online presence.
With the extension of the program until June, now is the time to access Digital Service Squad for FREE!
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Digital Service Squad services include:
- Offering each business free one-on-one digital consulting, which may include an audit of current digital presence and recommendations for growth
- Assistance with Google My Business and keywords
- Help investigating point-of-sale inventory, customer and content management systems
- Help develop a better understanding of Facebook, Instagram and other platforms for business
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Referring businesses to the ShopHERE (website development) and Future Proof (total digital transformation) programs
- Being a touch point for current COVID-19 relief funding, referring further inquiries for support to Leeds Grenville Business Development Officer Jim Hutton.
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Augusta, Edwardsburgh Cardinal, Prescott
Dana Valentyne, Economic Development Officer
Town of Prescott
T: 613-925-2812 x 6221
Gananoque & Leeds and the Thousand Islands
McKenna Modler, Business Support & Marketing
Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands
T: 613-453-2656
Brockville
Haley Veronyak, Executive Director
Downtown Brockville
T: 613-345-3269 x 101
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Westport, Merrickville-Wolford, Athens, Front of Yonge, Elizabethtown-Kitley, Rideau Lakes
Jim Hutton, Business Development Officer
United Counties of Leeds and Grenville
T: 613-342-3840 x 5361
North Grenville
Matt Gilmer, Economic Development Officer
Municipality of North Grenville
T: 613-258-9569 x 153
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Funding and Financial Support |
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Community Building Fund - for Arts, Culture, Heritage, Sport and Recreation
COVID-19 has had an overwhelming impact on the arts and culture, heritage, tourism, sport and recreation sectors. These sectors are critical to the social and economic fabric of Ontario and its communities and to support their broader recovery, the Ontario Government is investing $105-million through this fund.
It is designed to provide support for arts and culture, heritage, tourism, sport and recreation and Indigenous communities that operate facilities and / or deliver experiences or programs for the public. Application resources and eligibility requirements are being released this Thursday, March 25th.
- Ontario Trillium Foundation will deliver two streams - Operating and Capital
- The Operating stream will be accepting applications beginning March 31st, with a submission deadline of April 28th, 5 p.m.
- The Capital stream will be available later in 2021.
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2021 Reconnect Festival and Event Program
This program is for eligible festivals and events taking place between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022.
The Ontario government is investing $20-million through the program to provide support to event organizers who are finding new, exciting and engaging ways to deliver local programming during the pandemic. These innovative ideas are creating opportunities for people across Ontario to reconnect with the beauty and diversity of their communities in new ways, whether in person or online, while providing local jobs.
To help with the application process, online information sessions are being offered via webinar and teleconference. To register for a session, please choose your preferred option below:
The deadline to apply is Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 5 p.m. (EDT).
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Tourism Adaptation Fund Second Round Opens April 1st.
The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev) recognizes the significant decline in tourism activity for many tourism dependent communities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and wishes to help offset the high costs incurred by tourism-oriented businesses and organizations.
The COVID - 19 Tourism Adaptation Fund provided funding to Regional Tourism Organization 9 for tourism-related businesses in the form of a one-time, non-repayable grant up to a maximum of $20,000 per business, excluding HST. Grant can total up to 80% of the net amount of approved project expenses. Applicant is responsible for 20% of net amount of project expenses and HST.
This fund is open for tourism operators in Leeds Grenville (excluding Gananoque due to a prior offering).
Eligible costs include:
- Implementation of health and safety protocols: additional hand washing/sanitizing stations
- Alterations to accommodate social distancing including expansion of patio space for restaurants (including tables, chairs, umbrellas) and/or acquisition of equipment like outdoor heaters to extend seasons
- Purchase of large-scale PPE or sanitizing equipment (fog machines etc.)
- Cleaning supplies for workers / customers
- Acquisition and implementation of digital tools and operating transformations like virtual queue, timed entry ticketing or contactless check-ins, contactless payment upgrades
Applications will be available on Tourismtalk.ca, as of April 1st, 2021. Intake will be open until funds have been disbursed, this is a first come first serve program.
This funding is available for re-opening costs incurred between June 1, 2020 and March 31, 2022.
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Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP)
The program assists all business sectors heavily impacted as a result of COVID-19, such as those in the tourism and hospitality industry. BDC will provide 100% guarantees of up to $1-million to help qualifying businesses finance day-to-day business operating costs. Loans range from $25,000 to $1 million, low interest and repayment terms up to 10 years. Contact your primary financial institution to find out whether the HASCAP Guarantee is a program for you.
These loans are for small and medium-sized businesses that have seen their revenues decrease by 50% or more as a result of COVID-19. The HASCAP Guarantee is available until June 30, 2021.
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Ontario Small Business Support Grant open until end of March
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.
Additional resources available include:
Deadline for application is March 31, 2021. For additional information and the application visit the provincial webpage.
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Need Help with Grants and Funding Programs?
Business Support Agencies are available to assist in accessing funding programs available for businesses impacted by COVID-19.
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Business Marketing Opportunity |
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Get your company noticed in Business Chronicles promotion
The Town of Gananoque and the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands are offering a 4th intake of the Business Chronicles Project; an initiative that showcases local businesses through social media posts and websites.
The objective is to give local businesses an opportunity to share their story and further cultivate relationships with the community and consumer. The project is funded by the Rural Economic Development Program (RED) administered by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. It is free to participating businesses.
This is an opportunity for local businesses to advertise, encourage shopping locally, and connect with future customers on a personal level. The business stories will be used as part of investment attraction campaigns to encourage other entrepreneurs to start or relocate businesses. Each business will be displayed on social media, promotional materials and on the Town / Township websites.
The deadline is March 31, 2021.
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Rideau Canal & Merrickville Blockhouse Draft Management Plan - Public Consultations
Public consultations are now underway on a draft Management Plan for the Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada and UNESCO World Heritage Site and Merrickville Blockhouse National Historic Site of Canada.
Consultations on the draft plan will run until March 31, 2021. You are invited to review the draft plan and then provide your feedback using a variety of online tools and platforms.
Parks Canada management plans are forward-looking documents that provide a vision of national parks and national historic sites at their future best, while outlining the key strategies and objectives for getting there. A new management plan will guide Parks Canada’s decisions and actions in protecting, presenting and operating the Rideau Canal and Merrickville Blockhouse for the next ten years.
Parks Canada achieves its mandate and vision through the active participation of its team members, First Nations partners, stakeholders, and with the support of Canadians. Consultation on the plan is meant to provide two-way dialogue to gather feedback, views, and/or ideas on issues and opportunities that relate to the management and operation.
This draft document is the result of multiple engagement sessions with Rideau Canal stakeholders and partners. Through this round of management plan consultations, they aim to collectively produce a strategy that will best guide the Rideau Canal into the future.
A special website has been launched, which includes various tools aimed at helping you understand the plan, while giving you the opportunity to add your unique perspective and ideas for the future.
Public video consultation sessions for the Rideau Canal Management Plan are:
Read the Draft Management Plan and provide your feedback online at: www.RideauPlan.ca
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Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library |
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Facebook and Instagram Ads - Setting up Custom and Saved Audiences (1 of 3 series)
This webinar is for for individuals, entrepreneurs, and new and existing businesses who want to develop a deeper understanding of developing Facebook and Instagram Advertising, specifically custom audiences.
Audiences are one of the most important components of developing advertisements! It is hosted by the Small Business Advisory Centre (Smiths Falls / Lanark County/ northern Leeds Grenville).
Participants by the end of this session:
- recognize how to utilize their custom audience in a Facebook or Instagram advertisement
- create up to three custom audiences for Facebook and Instagram ads
- execute effective advertisements
WHEN: Wednesday, March 31, 10-11 a.m.
COST: Free
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Virtual Local Food Conference
Explore diverse perspectives on local food in this virtual conference, hosted by the County of Renfrew and Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance, and brought to you with the collaboration of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
WHEN:
- Session 3: March 24, 10 a.m. to 12 noon: Surviving and Thriving: The Resilience of Local Food
- Session 4: March 31, 10 a.m. to 12 noon: Innovations in the Local Food Frontier: Greenhouse Production and Vertical Farming, Aquaculture, Aquaponics; 12-1 p.m.: Chef-Led ‘Taste of Renfrew County’ participatory lunch
COST: Free
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Cash Flow Management Strategies by Digital Main Street Future Proof
Future Proof is a program that assists businesses with identifying new markets, pivoting their business model, and developing and implementing a deep digital transformation plan. Cash Flow is the number one factor that decides the success and longevity of a business.
The presentation via Zoom will include
- Why you need to create a cash flow forecast
- Steps to improve your cash flow
- Sources of cash and grants to grow your business
A Q&A session will follow the presentations.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 31, 2-3:30 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 April 6th edition should be received by Monday, March 29th.
- Submissions for the April 20th edition should be received by Monday, April 12th.
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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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