| |
|
Economic Development eNews | September 26, 2017
|
|
|
LUXE Boutiques is full house of local talent
|
|
PRESCOTT - Something special is happening at the historic Fort Town address of 392 Edward Street.
In just under a year, LUXE Boutiques in Prescott has branched out to take over the landmark two-storey stone house with more than 50 artisans, 80% of them local. It has become a great companion to the established LeMar LUXE Spa Studio Inc. in the south wing of the house. Together they are a destination for shopping and pampering.
"It's super fun to be surrounded by such creativity," says owner Leslie Fournier, who along with her husband Mark gutted the former Slater Funeral Home building after purchasing it nearly 10 years ago. In 2012, she took the bold move of relocating her well-established spa and hair salon from Manotick.
"People said why P
rescott, and I said why not Prescott?" says Leslie. "It's a diamond in the rough." She said a majority of her Manotick customers followed and new local clientele continues to grow. The salon now employs 10 people.
Leslie has had the idea of being a small business incubator for some time. Initially she wanted to run a multi-shop destination with her siblings. That didn't happen but LUXE Boutiques sure has. Once she put the idea out there, people lined up.
"In August 2016, I put (the idea) on Facebook to see if there was any interest. In one day, I had 25 people. I knew right away it was going to take over the whole house," says Leslie.
Artisan numbers have continued to rise throughout the past year. Business has been good too. Sales last Christmas were "mind blowing" she says. People can walk through the house and take in dozens of businesses at once then take a break in the tea room.
Sue Torrance is part of the Boutiques group. She operates Tasty Indulgences. "You can feel the energy in here. We celebrate each other," says Sue. There is a true feeling of strength in numbers. Someone may come to see another artist and wind up meeting another and seeing his or her work.
"It's all about exposure," says photographer Crystal Peer. She has her work on display on two walls and it's cost-effective. "It's a great atmosphere. I think it's brilliant having the spa and shops together."
Some rooms are rented by a single business owner/artisan while other products are in shared spaces. No matter what, there is something to see at every turn, including artwork up the front entrance staircase. There is a variety of furniture, mosaics, felt and baby specialty items, quilts, sculptures, woodworking, etched and stained glass, salt lamps and so much more.
LUXE Boutiques of Prescott continue to evolve as a destination, says Leslie. She hopes many of the artists and craftspeople continue to thrive within the unique environment.
She also sees it as a launch pad for some. "I will love it if some of these businesses get their start and then move on to fill our empty downtown shops," Leslie says.
|
|
 |
|
Top feature photo: Leslie Fournier, bottom left corner, has opened the door for 50+ small business owners, including Christine Campbell, second from left, Sue Torrance, centre, Steve Ray and Christa Johnson, shown here in the LUXE Boutiques Tea Room.
|
|
|
|
The house was built in 1897.
|
|
|
|
|
Patty Vickery helps out in the Olde Thymes Country Home Decor Shop owned by Yvette Perrin.
|
|
|
|
Sue Torrance owns Tasty Indulgences featuring frozen entries and specialty foods.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Le Boat Managing Director Cheryl Brown, centre, and Base Manager Canada Sandy Crothers cut the ribbon at the new office. They are flanked by the le Boat team for North and Latin America, Europe and Australia.
|
|
|
Sandy Crothers speaks to the crowd at the Smiths Falls opening.
|
|
|
|
Le Boat opens its Smiths Falls headquarters
|
|
SMITHS FALLS - Le Boat officially opened its new North American headquarters at the Lockmaster's House with fanfare on September 20.
Company officials and local political leaders, along with Parks Canada staff, attended the soft launch of the office opening. Le Boat relocated its North American headquarters from Clearwater, Florida, to the new site on the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"We've got our team assembled," said le Boat Managing Director Cheryl Brown, introducing Sandy Crothers, Base Manager Canada, and his team Laurie Hudson-Craig, sales manager for North and Latin America, Lisa McLean, marketing manager for Canada, the U.S. and Latin America, and Edwin Dyer, vacation planner.
Ms. Brown told the gathering of about 50 people her company is investing $16-million to bring self-drive boat tours to the Rideau Canal. She noted eight of the 16 state-of-the-art vessels have already been built with the other half underway. The Horizon fleet boats will be shipped to Canada in time for the grand opening in May 2018.
Learn more about this new business by visiting their
website. There is a new section called Discover Canada.
|
|
|
|
Ann Weir is Economic Developer of Year
|
KINGSTON - The Ontario East Economic Development Commission has named Ann Weir the BDC Ontario East Economic Development Officer of the Year.
Kevin Coleman, of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), presented Ann Weir, Leeds Grenville Economic Development Manager, with the award at the opening ceremonies of the annual Ontario East Municipal Conference (OEMC) at Kingston's Ambassador Hotel September 13th.
"I'm very honoured to receive this award," Ms. Weir said. "It's a team effort and this includes staff Deanna Clark and Joanne Poll, Counties Council and their municipal staff, plus business and community leaders."
The BDC Ontario East Economic Developer of the Year Award is presented annually to an economic developer based in eastern Ontario who has provided exceptional performance in his or her community and contributed to the advancement of the economic development profession.
"Ann has many achievements in economic development and success in facilitating tourism investment, a strategic priority for Eastern Ontario," said Rita Byvelds, Team Lead with the Ministry of Economic Development & Growth; Research, Innovation and Science. Ms. Byvelds submitted the nomination. She noted Ms. Weir was instrumental in bringing Europe's le Boat to the Rideau Canal and securing a $16-million investment to the region.
Ms. Weir is proud to support and work with many businesses in Leeds Grenville. She looks forward to seeing continued growth and development in a region that offers a phenomenal lifestyle.
|
|
|
|
Top feature photo: Ann Weir is flanked by United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Warden Robin Jones and Counties CAO Andy Brown.
|
|
|
|
|
BDC's Kevin Coleman presented the award at the opening ceremonies of the OEMC conference in Kingston.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last call for Economic Development
Leadership nominations
|
|
Nominations for the 2017 Bill Thake Memorial Award for Economic Development Leadership are still being accepted.
DEADLINE: Friday, September 29, 2017
Also called the Warden's Award, it recognizes a volunteer who has shown outstanding commitment and leadership resulting in the growth and vitality of the Leeds Grenville economy within the 10 member municipalities. It is presented at the annual Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit on Friday, November 17th.
An overview of the award and the nomination form are online on our Summit 2017 page. Registration for the event is now open.
|
|
|
|
New recognition awards launched by OMAFRA
|
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has started a new program called the Rural Ontario Leaders Awards.
Awards will be presented in each of the following streams:
- Individual Awards (25 years of age and older)
- Individual Youth (24 years of age and younger)
- Community (Municipality or Indigenous community)
- Business
- Not-for-profit/non-government organization
Rural residents, communities, businesses and organizations are eligible to apply for an award, and can self-nominate or be submitted on behalf of an individual or group through the application process.
Deadline: October 11, 2017, at 5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business Assistance Call for EmployerOne Survey
|
The 1000 Islands Region Workforce Development Board conducted the Leeds Grenville EmployerOne survey in November 2016. To view the Leeds Grenville 2016 Results visit our Workforce Development Board page on our website.
The report provides local businesses, employment services, educators and economic development officers with valuable insights into our local skills and human resource requirements.
It's time to undertake the 2017 survey. If you completed the survey last year, you are invited to enter your updated information. If you have not participated previously, please take a few minutes to let them know more about your business and workforce requirements.
Please complete the Survey. The first 50 that fill out a full survey will receive a $10 Tim Hortons gift certificate.
Need help?
Contact Maureen Keeler
T: 613-382-7462
Confidentiality:
All answers are treated in strict confidence, used for statistical purposes and published in aggregate form only.
|
|
|
|
Invitation to Giant Tiger Johnstown Community Day
|
|
Visit Giant Tiger's 600-000-square-foot distribution centre set to open in 2018. Activities include a
Kids' Zone, Touch a Truck, BBQ and a sneak peak of the new state-of-the-art facility.
WHEN: Saturday, September 30, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: 1 Giant Tiger Boulevard, Johnstown.
COST: Free, including a Charity BBQ
EMPLOYMENT: Visit Giant Tiger's Careers page on their
website or you can send your resume directly to
[email protected].
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Your tourism input is needed for assessments
|
The Great Waterway - Regional Tourism Organization 9 (RTO 9) has contracted NEXTFactor Enterprises to conduct 8 regional assessments using its DestinationNEXT web-based diagnostic tool. The assessment is based on 20 variables related to destination strength, community support and engagement.
By objectively measuring these factors, DestinationNEXT empowers RTO 9, Rideau Canal and 1000 Island communities, industry stakeholders and the Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office to identify strengths, priorities, areas for potential improvement and develop strategies for future growth. This assessment tool has been recognized as one of the most significant tourism developments in the world and has become widely accepted as a best practice in planning and policy work.
As a valued member of the Tourism Industry, your participation is critical to the success of this process.
Rideau Canal:
WHEN:
Monday, October 16th
,
1-4 p.m
.
WHERE: To be determined
1000 Islands:
WHEN: Monday, October 16th, 8:30 -11:30 a.m.
WHERE: To be determined
This is an online assessment, we ask that you bring an iPad or laptop to participate.
Deadline to register: Friday, October 13th by 4 p.m.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Managing Energy
This session hosted by SWITCH is for Ontario energy management professionals. Topics will include reducing energy consumption and lowering costs, savings opportunities, government incentives and regulatory changes affecting business.
WHEN: Thursday, October 19,
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
WHERE: Ambassador Hotel and Conference Centre, Kingston
COST: SWITCH members $99;
Non members $149; Students $25; Group rate $119
Attendees include facility and energy managers, plant engineers, operations and maintenance managers/supervisor and engineers.
|
|
Bridges to Better Business
The Leeds Grenville Small Business Enterprise Centre presents keynote speakers Kevin Savoy, ACTIONCoach, and Brodie Church, from brodiechurch.com, plus a business panel with Ashley Hill, Podium Sports, Laura Bradley, King's Lock Craft Distillery and Rob Thompson, Rob Thompson Realty.
WHEN: Thursday, October 26,
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Chateau Brock, 803 Chelsea Street, Brockville
COST: $50 - continental breakfast and lunch included
The Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year, Paul Boivin Award and Entrepreneur of the Year will be presented at this event.
|
|
|
Registration now open
Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit
|
Friday, November 17, 2017
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
North Grenville Municipal Centre
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
