BACKSTAGE PASS: Habitat for Humanity’s Midland ReStore

  Looking for a neat piece of furniture or décor to liven up your place while helping the environment and charity? Well, the search doesn’t need to be far as Habitat for Humanity’s Midland ReStore has you covered. “Shopping at ReStore is a socially conscious decision,” explains Jane Clark, director, people and culture, for Habitat […]

BACKSTAGE PASS: H.S. St. Amant & Sons

A Penetanguishene-based business has been helping area residents with a wide range of home services for close to 150 years. H.S. St. Amant & Sons was founded in 1875 and originally operated as a blacksmith shop. Founded by Etienne Steven André St.Amant, the company is now a fourth-generation, family owned and operated business. Company president […]

BACKSTAGE PASS: Askennonia

Askennonia Senior Centre isn’t just a great place for local seniors to get together with friends and meet new ones. “Our friendly volunteers and professionals deliver affordable programs that members want and need to maintain or improve health,” explains Askennonia executive director Judy Contin. Located at the North Simcoe Sports and Rec Centre in Midland, […]

BACKSTAGE PASS: North Simcoe Therapy Network

As the pandemic wears on, people’s mental health will continue to be a major point of concern. And that’s where the North Simcoe Therapy Network (NSTN) can offer assistance to area residents struggling to cope with not just the pandemic, but also a range of other issues that can cause stress, anxiety and depression. Throughout […]

BACKSTAGE PASS: Nicholyn Farms

  An area farming operation has developed an excellent reputation for providing high-quality produce and its humane treatment of animals. “People want to know where their food comes from,” explains Nicholyn Farms director of vision Lynda Van Casteren. “They want great quality, produced locally from a source that they trust. We have created a one-stop […]

BACKSTAGE PASS: Black Light ISS

Black Light Investigative and Surveillance Services is built on community. “Everything we do is not to compete, but in fact, to try and fill a void that is lacking or, in our opinion, missing the attention in today’s society,” explains Ryan Stacey, the agency’s investigations director, CEO and founder. But Stacey says that not everyone […]

BACKSTAGE PASS: Farm2Door

Looking for a one-stop destination to enjoy local food 365 days a year? Well, look no further, because Farm2Door has you covered. “We feel that we’re actually partnering with our community,” explains general manager Bart Nagel. “Two out of every three dollars spent at Farm2Door go straight to the producers. “So it’s absolutely true that […]

BACKSTAGE PASS: North of Exile Games

Arguably, board games offer one of the best ways for friends and families to connect. Locally, there’s a great option to help you enjoy this time-trusted method. Since opening its doors in 2017, North Of Exile Games Inc. at 61 Main Street in Penetanguishene has become a very popular destination. “We are in the business […]

BACKSTAGE PASS: Rooted

While it’s relatively new on the region’s culinary scene, a Victoria Harbour business is already planting strong roots. “Rooted has been making a very conscious effort to become a part of our community by organizing events, supporting charities and local families,” Rooted co-owner Jennifer Kelly explains. A small family-owned business, Rooted began as an online […]

BACKSTAGE PASS: Georgian Bay Books

It may be small, but a downtown Midland business has proven to be mighty successful just five years after opening. Since opening its doors on April 1, 2016, Georgian Bay Books has become a popular locale for area residents looking for the latest fiction and non-fiction offerings. “We decided to take a chance and open […]

BACKSTAGE PASS: Assisting You Social

If you’re looking for a social leg up, there’s a local business that can help you with that. With offices in Midland and Barrie, Assisting You Social offers a wide range of services to help with digital marketing strategy and content while delivering results to businesses, non-profits and charities. “We were founded in 2013 by […]

BACKSTAGE PASS: Chef Bill Presents

While the Bay Street storefront may be new, Chef Bill Presents has been a going concern for five years. “We are very new to Midland as a store, but Chef Bill Presents has been in business since 2016 where I came out of retirement basically because I was looking for something I could do that […]

BACKSTAGE PASS: Abilities Rehabilitation

Sue Cook says it might be one of the area’s best kept secrets. She’s speaking of Abilities Rehabilitation Services, which she runs while offering a wide range of services from its Midland base. “Many people do not realize that we have these services in Midland,” Cook explains. “They are familiar with physiotherapy and chiropractic clinics […]

BACKSTAGE PASS: Midland Food Tours

With the region’s rich agricultural heritage and abundant food offerings, Kelly Kurtz knew the opportunity was there. So the Midland resident did something about it and opened Midland Food Tours earlier this year. Since starting over the summer months, Kurtz says participants have really enjoyed the experience. “People enjoy my food tours because they get […]

BACKSTAGE PASS: Community Reach

  For more than 15 years, a local charitable organization provides a vital lift to the lives of North Simcoe residents. Community Reach North Simcoe offers people who do not have transportation or who need accessible transportation, rides to their medical appointments, shopping, other community services and social events. “Many are seniors and many live […]

BACKSTAGE PASS: Full Line Electronics

On the local retail scene, Full Line Electronics Inc. could be seen as a type of father figure. While there are many newer retail outlets popping up across North Simcoe nowadays, Full Line Electronics first opened its doors in Midland in 1979, operating as the local Radio Shack dealer with a shop on King Street. […]

WSPS Health and Safety Articles for September

     60,000 visits into the pandemic: what workplace inspectors are finding  While focusing on compliance with COVID requirements, these trained professionals also keep a constant eye out for other hazards and infractions. See what they’ve encountered.     The latest on sanitizing workplaces: 7 best practices  For months we’ve been sanitizing our workplaces to […]

President’s Message |

President’s Message 2021 Virtual AGM Hello, my name is Peter Kostiw and I am the president of the Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce. I would like to welcome you to the 2021 online President’s Message. This year’s AGM is being presented in this format due to COVID protocols and until we return to our […]

Get In The Loop |

    Have you received your $20 take-out gift card yet? It’s so simple – show us a receipt valued at $50 or more from a member restaurant, and we will give you a $20 gift card towards your next take-out order during May. ——————————– A special thank you to Canadian Tire for rallying for our restaurants […]

Happening |

  A very warm welcome to La Baie Crêperie!  Located at 342 King Street in downtown Midland, La Baie Crêperie features fresh and healthy crêpes with a wide variety of savoury and sweet signature selections, using fresh-cut veggies, fruit and premium cut meats along with gourmet toppings.OPEN for pick-up or delivery – Wed to Sun – 11 […]

News |

    | S.S. Keewatin Town Hall | Join Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton, Dan Travers from The Keep Keewatin Home Campaign, and Keewatin’s Curator, Fred Addis in a live discussion of the future for S.S. Keewatin. Mark your calendar for Monday, March 29, 2021, at 7 pm. CLICK HERE to learn more about this Facebook […]

Happenings |

    | Google My Business Webinar | Tomorrow: Thursday, March 18th – 9:30 am With Donna Chang and Jenny Vincent, Google Account Managers Destination Ontario is pleased to present the next educational webinar in our series: Google My Business. Learn how to optimize your digital presence in this free tourism-focused webinar. The presentation will start […]

Events & Update |

      | Navigating the 2021 Tax Season | Thursday, March 25th – 10 am to 12 pm Join Allen Lloyd, Tax Advisor and Consultant, and Founder of Lloyd Management Services for this free virtual session. As a former Canada Revenue Agency employee, Allen has the knowledge and experience to properly prepare your tax […]

Behind the Business with Rachel Germin of EcoRefinishers

Tell us about your business and how it got started? Our business began in 2006 with Zack (my husband) working for his dad to refinish countertops, bathtubs, and cabinets. A few years later, however, his father had a stroke and things went into limbo for a bit. In 2012, we married and decided to take a […]

WSPS Health and Safety Articles for February

  5 steps to keep up with evolving COVID-19 requirements As the pandemic evolves, so does the province’s response. Lockdowns, public health orders, and inspection blitzes are just some of the initiatives in play against the pandemic.’     Boost your pandemic controls with this tool With stubbornly high COVID-19 infection rates and highly infectious […]

There is no good reason not to….

 …. join the chamber of commerce “No time for it” All the more reason to give your financial support to those who are working on your behalf “Too many organizations” The Chamber of Commerce is a partner in every business and with every citizen “I’m a professional” Then your greatest asset is people and a […]