Old Steeler of NFC Fame
Better late than never. Brad Jourdin, who was a star wide receiver for the Sault Steelers during their debut championship season of 1972, will finally be inducted into the Northern Football Conference Hall of Fame.
…[read more]Windsor Hotel memory bank
Located in the Sault’s downtown, it just recently re-opened as the Windsor Place Retirement Residence. Owner Feroze Virani took over the iconic Windsor Park Hotel during Covid and over the past few years, has restored the downtown jewel into what is hoped will be a return to prominence.
…[read more]One year for Lil’s Asian Cuisine
Happy anniversary! On April 20, 2022, Lil’s Asian Cuisine opened its doors at 112 March Street and the reception Lil and her friendly team have experienced from the local community is something she and her partner Garry are very, very grateful for — and they have found it truly heartwarming.
…[read more]Uncle Gino’s is downtown
There is a new pizza place in the Sault’s downtown. As Sault Business Matters was first to report, Uncle Gino’s Pizzeria has taken over the old East St. Pizza location and will be open for takeout five days a week, from Tuesday through Saturday.
…[read more]New to Low & Slow
Sault Ste. Marie’s Low & Slow, which is featured on ‘You Gotta Eat Here’ for a reason, has recently changed up its menu — and if you haven’t stopped in yet, maybe you should!
…[read more]Gold medal wrestler
A gutsy gold medal performance by Nevaeh Pine of Whites Pines Collegiate was the highlight for a group of Sault Ste. Marie high school wrestlers who recently competed at the Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Association championship tournament in Ottawa.
…[read more]All about RJ’s Market
RJ’s Market, located at 238 Wellington Street West, has been serving the residents of Sault Ste. Marie in the historic Steelton area since the early 1990s. Under new ownership, the store aims to continue to offer residents convenience, fresh food options, friendly service, and convenient to-go options and is the perfect place to go for your quick shopping needs.
…[read more]Why are Sault rinks so dirty?
There is no nice way to write this. Our rinks are dirty, disgusting and embarrassing. It says here that John Rhodes Community Centre, built in 1979, is poorly maintained and attended to. Same applies to GFL Memorial Gardens, which opened in 2006 and has quickly turned into a grubby, grimy barn.
…[read more]All about Laker Express
Jake Lake is the proud owner of fast-growing Laker Express Inc., which is now a corporation as of January 1, 2023. He started his business in 2014 as a contractor for Muskoka Delivery Service.
…[read more]My best chum Stafford
She came into our lives on a Sunday morning in January of 2012. She was a one-year old rescue dog and for me, it was love at first sight.
…[read more]AU soccer stays local
Why leave home when university and athletics can be combined here? It is a question that has just been answered by one local academic/athletic standout. Berlyn Killoran of St. Mary’s College in the Sault has officially signed with the Algoma University women’s soccer team ahead of the 2023 fall term.
…[read more]Jeff Viotto and Company
It is no surprise that financial security is something everyone should be concerned with and having the right advice can make all the difference. It’s not the conversation many people look forward to but it is so important and Jeff Viotto and Company make the conversation as easy as possible.
…[read more]All about Zero Gravity
Zero Gravity Mind & Wellness opened in July of 2022 after owners James and Deanna Seaton purchased the business in May of 2022 from the previous owners who ran it under the name InSPAration Float Centre.
…[read more]They have freeze dried snacks!
Opening in May of 2022 at 789 Queen Street E. in the Sault’s downtown, 40 Below Freeze Dried Snacks has been creating a fun way to enjoy many of your favorite snacks in a new way through the magic of freeze drying!
…[read more]All about Zoli’s Kleaners
Good guy Bronson Kovacs made a good name for himself as a hockey player who rose through the ranks of the game in Sault Ste. Marie from pee wee to bantam to midget to junior A before playing four years at the National Collegiate Athletic Association level and six more years as a pro over in Hungary.
…[read more]Fallen Leaves Maple Syrup
Fallen Leaves Maple Products is a family operated maple syrup producer operated by the Chevalier family. Phyllis, Dan and Nathan Chevalier established Fallen Leaves Maple Products in 2018 after a humble start making maple syrup in their backyard.
…[read more]Dermal Enhancements
In 2018, Katie Mohamed opened her part-time business, Dermal Enhancements, initially offering permanent eyebrows only. She went on to earn 24 additional certificates allowing for many more permanent makeup services and esthetics and skin care.
…[read more]Election reflections
The people have spoken. And while it is lamentable that the number of ballots cast for the 2022 Sault Ste. Marie municipal election fell well below the majority of eligible voters, the fact remains that those who were elected were designated fair and square to sit in the mayor’s chair and represent city council for the next few years.
…[read more]DaVinci Teeth Whitening
Since September of 2018, Rochelle Rodrigues, the owner of DaVinci Teeth Whitening, has been taking clients and as she proudly tells us, she has given hundreds of people the confidence to smile in just a few short years.
…[read more]Sandro’s … good food since 1979!
Looking for homemade deliciousness? Drive past the fast food options and into 465 Trunk Road in the Sault’s east end where you will find Sandro’s, a locally owned and family-run restaurant.
…[read more]Kumon makes learning fun
Wonder what Kumon is all about? Sault Business Matters recently had a chance to connect with the owner of the local franchise, Shelly Skinner-Noel, who explained that Kumon is a math and reading program for ages three and up.
…[read more]Honouring Ryan, Yeomans
Sault Ste. Marie’s Walk of Fame selection committee has confirmed the recipients of its 2022 Walk of Fame award. This year’s award is given posthumously to Tim Ryan and Bobby Yeomans of the Canadian pop rock band Jackson Hawke.
…[read more]Trishia Crema, realtor
Trishia Crema began working as a realtor in 2019. She currently works full-time for Royal LePage in Sault Ste. Marie, where she has worked for the past eight months.
…[read more]Q Cafe in the downtown
Since 2014, Q Café, now located at 523 Queen Street East in the Sault’s downtown, has been serving some of the freshest, homemade meals from scratch that our community has grown to love for good reason.
…[read more]Sault Steelers started in ’72
A recent victory by the Sault Steelers over their arch rival Sudbury Spartans not only gave the locals a winning record for the 2022 regular season but a home game for the opening round of the playoffs, which get underway next month.
…[read more]All about Forty-Five Social
It opened less than nine months ago as an innovative, well planned, well thought out concept. Located at 117 Spring Street, between Albert and Queen in the heart of the Sault’s downtown, Forty-Five Social has become a fresh face as a new local business.
…[read more]NTAAA: bus wraps and more
Northern Transit & Arena Advertising Agency has been growing rapidly in Northern Ontario and throughout the province. NTAAA has been serving northeastern Ontario for five years in transit-outdoor related advertising in Sault Ste Marie, North Bay and now Orangeville.
…[read more]Rah, rah, rah … blah, blah, blah
Some of what goes with being an extreme, intense sports fan is the unconditional loyalty to a favourite team. It is such loyalty that National Hockey League fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs can well attest to.
…[read more]All about Stephanie’s Joy
It was on July 4, 2021 that a new quaint little shop opened up on Queen Street East in the Sault’s downtown — in the old Mike’s Lunch location — by the name of Stephanie’s Joy.
…[read more]The Wine Barrel
It is pretty hard not to immediately like Steve, Josh and Bethany Jansen, owners of both the Wine Barrel, a u-brew location, and Broers Jansen, a cozy wine pub in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. Steve and Josh are the brothers of “Broers” Jansen (Broers means brothers in Dutch) and Bethany, is married to Josh.
…[read more]Then, now at the Windsor Hotel
It has been sitting empty for several years now as the restless hands of time have passed it by. But current owner Feroze Virani has taken over the iconic Windsor Hotel with construction underway that his firm says will turn the 10-storey downtown landmark into a retirement home. Let us hope that the opening is not far off.
…[read more]RIP, boxing legend Steve Nolan
This is a tough one to write and report on. That is, a mere few days after celebrating his 62nd birthday, legendary Sault Ste. Marie and world class boxer Steve Nolan passed away suddenly from an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
…[read more]Low & Slow Smoked Fusion Grill
Since 2014, Chad Stewart and Blake Richards, owners of Low & Slow Smoked Fusion Grill, have successfully brought Southern style BBQ fused with Canadian and other International influences to the people of Sault Ste. Marie. And they can proudly lay claim to being the Sault’s Best for Smoked BBQ.
…[read more]Mathieu Gentès, Athletics Canada
Sault Ste. Marie native Mathieu Gentès has been appointed as the interim chief executive officer for Athletics Canada.
…[read more]RIP, Bobby Yeomans
A quiet, soft spoken legend on the local music scene, Bob Yeomans passed away suddenly on Saturday. The mystical Yeomans was a musical presence for six decades, performing with countless bands and talented musicians.
…[read more]Local artist Steve Mancuso
Sault Business Matters was very happy when approached by local artist Steve Mancuso regarding promoting his growing art business venture, Manculi Artwork. If you are curious about the name “Manculi” like I was, here is the answer!
…[read more]Old teachers, good memories
Teaching is like any profession. There are good ones, pretty good ones, and bad ones. And it is the good ones who provide positive direction that lead to good instruction, good times — and even better memories.
…[read more]Make Salami via City Meat Market
Being a proud Calabrese Italian, I learned the art of making sausage and salami from my parents and it is something my three sisters and I still do today. Our parents have both passed away but we proudly carry on this great tradition and based on the demand we have for our dried sausage, Mom and Dad taught us very well.
…[read more]Feature: Holly Lasante Fitness
One thing I noticed immediately when I decided to try out some of Holly Lasante’s virtual strength training sessions as inspiration for this story is how supportive and encouraging she is even through what can be an impersonal mode of training being online.
…[read more]Franzisi’s = delicious food!
It was a pleasant surprise when I received a message from Maria Moro-Franzisi with some kind words regarding my efforts in supporting local businesses and her wanting to go ahead with some advertising here on Sault Business Matters.
…[read more]Identity Salon … Deb’s Spa
Identity Salon, located conveniently at 668 Wellington Street East with plenty of parking, looks forward to seeing new and old clients.
…[read more]Neal’s Country Farm & Market
On a recent day off, I decided to pay an impromptu visit to Neal’s Country Farm & Market and had a chance to connect with the friendly and hard-working owners Greg and Allyson Neal. I caught them by surprise but as expected, was greeted warmly by name as they stood in their mud splattered clothing and boots — true farmers!
…[read more]Feature: Superior Vision Care
I recently had a chance to catch up with the friendly and personable office manager of Superior Vision Care Tammy Culina, who also happens to be the wife of the equally friendly and personable optometrist there, Dr. Tom Culina, or Tom as he prefers to be called by his patients.
…[read more]Investing in our downtown
If you work, live, or frequent the Sault’s downtown, you just may have taken note of the modest growth that the area has experienced over recent times.
Forty-Five Social, which includes a men’s clothing store, barber shop, bar and cafe, along with Lucy Ro Clean Beauty, is just the latest local business enterprise to set up shop in the Sault’s downtown.
…[read more]Uncle Gino’s Cafe & Ristorante
Since 1985, Uncle Gino’s Café on Second Line West has been serving up some great Italian food and fan favourites like their famous and monster size delicious panzarotti.
It opened in 1985 with Maria and Gino Calvano as the hands on and hard working owners.
…[read more]Fall programs at FBFM
(EDITOR’S NOTE: We have this from the team at Fit Bodies. Fit Minds.)
Ready to get back in the gym and become a stronger version of you?
Here at Fit Bodies. Fit Minds., we’re offering a variety of programs this Fall to help you develop a strong body, balanced mind and a powerful life!
…[read more]Election aftermath overview
It may rightfully be stated that Sault Ste. Marie came within less than 250 votes of potentially shooting itself in the foot at the recent federal election.
That is because Conservative challenger Sonny Spina came oh so close to unseating Liberal incumbent Terry Sheehan. And had Spina prevailed, the Sault would have been on the outside looking in given that Canada re-elected Justin Trudeau of the Liberals as Prime Minister for what is now a third term.
…[read more]Fixated by football
Okay football fans, here we go. Are you ready for some nonsense?
A mind altering obsession with millions across North America including thousands in good, old Sault Ste. Marie, the National Football League begins the 2021 regular season this week.
…[read more]A wish list for the Sault
I love this town. I really do. When people trash the Sault, I invariably defend it to the hilt, even if the criticism is warranted.
Having said that, I do have a wish list for the betterment of the Sault.
…[read more]SK Group online platform
Since 1992, the multi-faceted SK Group Inc. has been serving the Sault and area offering top notch customer service.
It started out primarily as an embroidery business but then securing a larger space in 1996 allowed for expanded production facilities, more equipment and thus more capabilities.
…[read more]Mmmmm … Agawa Fish & Chips
There is nothing better than a fish fry using fresh locally caught fish. Am I right? Lucky for us in the Algoma region, we have access to some pretty amazing fresh local fish courtesy of a family run operation, Agawa Fishery.
…[read more]Transit bus advertising options
I recently had a chance to catch up with Blaine Smith, who is the managing director of Northern Transit & Arena Advertising Agency (NTAAA), and received some updates from him. As a refresher, NTAAA provides promotion services for businesses and organizations in Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, and Sudbury.
…[read more]Stellar service at Tamar’s
For businesses like Tamar’s Trends who rely a lot on things like weddings, large social events and gatherings, it is an understatement to say that COVID-19 has significantly affected the bottom line of the downtown flower shop.
…[read more]Ready for patio bars, beers
As many of us anticipate the imminent opening of outdoor patios relative to the go ahead from the Ontario government, the Sault’s downtown area will feature at least 10 licensed outlets that we know of, including some new ones.
…[read more]On the grill at Stackburger
Anyone who knows Kevin Syrette can vouch for his love of a good burger going back to his childhood and many years of traveling as part of the musical group Bear Creek where he would try burgers wherever he went.
Thus, it is very fortunate for the people of the Sault that in 2015, Kevin decided to take a leap of faith and open his very own burger joint — and voila, the now very popular Stackburger was born.
…[read more]Feature: Steel City Delivery
For over 20 years, Steel City Delivery has quietly been serving the Sault and area and building a loyal following primarily because of their friendly, efficient and reliable services.
…[read more]