Terry’s Labour Day message
Sault Business Matters has received the following message from Sault member of parliament Terry Sheehan relative to Labour Day.
…[read more]Lunches for learning
In order to try to ensure that no child has to go to hungry at school, St. Vincent Place in the Sault is offering a new ‘lunches for learning’ program.
…[read more]Affordable housing for seniors
To be sure, every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place that they can call home.
Ergo, the governments of Canada and Ontario are combining to invest more than $1 million towards a new affordable housing development in Sault Ste. Marie to provide seniors at risk of homelessness with housing and support services.
The erstwhile Rosedale public elementary school, located at 90 Chapple Avenue, is being transformed into a nine-unit housing development.
…[read more]High school football in U.P.
High school football will not be played in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario this fall relative to COVID-19.
But it will be played throughout Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula.
Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive order that allows for the resumption of all fall high school sports across the Great Lakes state.
…[read more]Return of Reggie’s downtown
Spruced up on the inside and outside but with the same iconic look, Reggie’s Place Tavern is set to re-open for business on Tuesday at 11 a.m.
With new operators Randy and Kylie Lapossie at the helm, Reggie’s Place Tavern — located just past March Street on Queen Street E. in the Sault’s downtown– has has been getting ready for its September 1 re-opening for the past month or so.
It will mark a new chapter for the local watering hole which had become a popular gathering place for folks of all ages and many walks of life for well over 25 years under previous operator Reggie Daigle.
…[read more]RIP, Mark Desmoulin
He had the warm, friendly smile. He gave the warm, friendly hello.
It did not matter where or when I saw him. It did not matter if it was morning, afternoon, or evening, on a given day of the week, month, or year.
What mattered is that Mark Desmoulin was a kind kid with a good heart and an infectious smile.
And what is heartbreaking and sad is that after years of struggling with drug addiction, Mark passed away recently at the young age of 37.
…[read more]I.D.A. walk-in clinic is open
A new walk-in clinic is open at the I.D.A. Drug Mart location in Wellington Square Mall in the Sault’s east end.
“We have opened this clinic to assist with wait times at the Sault Area Hospital, especially for non-urgent ailments,” part owner Joe Greco relayed to Sault Business Matters.
…[read more]Reggie’s is re-opening
An iconic downtown bar is poised to push the re-start button on Sept. 1.
With new operator Randy Lapossie at the helm, Reggie’s Place Tavern — located just past March Street on Queen Street E. in the Sault’s downtown– has a sign on one of its front windows that is signalling the Sept. 1 re-opening.
It will mark a new chapter for the local watering hole which had become a popular gathering place for folks of all ages and many walks of life for well over 25 years under previous operator Reggie Daigle.
…[read more]Fish dish back at Gliss
Kristi Turner, who manages Gliss Restaurant in the Sault’s downtown, has confirmed that the eatery is again offering its all you can eat fish special.
Gliss has also confirmed its current dine-in hours to Sault Business Matters.
…[read more]Library turns the page
The James L. McIntyre Centennial Library, located on East Street just off Bay Street in the Sault’s downtown, will be reopening its doors to the public starting today.
The downtown library closed on March 17 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, as part of a staged reopening, the Centennial Library will be open Monday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Curbside service will continue to be offered, Sault Business Matters has confirmed.
…[read more]Patience, safety and health
As junior hockey leagues across Ontario have later start dates for the 2020-2021 season on their respective, proposed agendas, the province is intent on putting students and teachers back in the classroom on time, in September.
…[read more]Sault joins Canada United
The weekend of August 28 to 30 has been proclaimed Canada United Weekend in Sault Ste. Marie.
And Rory Ring, who is the chief executive officer for the Chamber of Commerce, confirmed that mayor Christian Provenzano and Sault city council are supporting the Canada United movement that encourages buying and dining local.
“We’re grateful to the mayor and to council for supporting this endeavor,” Ring relayed.
…[read more]Odd Job Jacks official app
Sault Ste. Marie is now home to a property maintenance business with an app, one that features grass cutting and mowing on demand and — looking ahead to the winter — snow removal on demand.
…[read more]Equity, diversity leader at AU
By way of a special mission to support cross-cultural learning, Algoma University has assumed a long-standing leadership role in addressing issues of equity, diversity and inclusion within the communities it serves.
…[read more]Boost for northern Ontario
The government of Canada has confirmed a commitment of more than $13 million to support economic development within Indigenous communities, businesses and organizations in northern Ontario.
Sault Ste. Marie member of parliament Terry Sheehan, representing the governing Liberal Party of Canada, noted that the funding flowing through FedNor will support a total of 22 projects across the northern Ontario region.
(The projects that are slated to receive funding are listed below.)
…[read more]We lost two good ones
Two smiling faces recently departed their loved ones as friendly, affable folks who were simply known as good people.
Marilyn Jones (nee McCauley) and Richard Nystedt were both known for their infectious smiles and kind words.
They came from different walks of life and made their own separate ways that included links to the community and to local sports.
…[read more]“… Out in the country …”
Can we frame this as picture perfect? Um, we think so.
We have this breath-taking photo to share with you as we head into the second week of August of what has been a spectacular summer thus far in the Sault and throughout the Algoma District.
For more details on where this fab photo was taken — and for an enlarged version — see below.
“ … find a quiet place, far from the human race, out in the country … before the breathing air is gone … before the sun is gone, just a bright spot in the night time … “ — from the song ‘Out In The Country’ by Three Dog Night.
…[read more]Newly renovated I.D.A.
The owners of I.D.A. Drug Mart have confirmed the opening of their newly renovated Wellington Square location in the Sault’s east end.
The Wellington Square outlet is open seven days a week.
Current hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
The best food winners are …
We have the winners from the first-ever, “who has the best food” survey compiled by Sault Business Matters.
We were, simply put, overwhelmed with the response which included more than 750 e-mail responses (we specifically asked for e-mail) and another 17 who opted to post under our original story of August 1.
In fact, we had so many responses that we are recognizing the top four finishers in each category, as opposed to our original thought of top three.
See below for the list of winners … and thank you to all who participated!
…[read more]Museum trivia night
This looms as a fun opportunity to support the Sault Ste. Marie Museum while showing off your trivia skills.
And maybe even learn something new about Canadian and local art, media, music and sports history.
To that end, the local Museum, along with OutSpoken Brewing, will be hosting a pair of Tuesday evening trivia nights — on August 11 and 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
…[read more]Central United flea market
Looking for some great bargains?
Well, Central United Church, located on the corner of Spring and Albert streets in the Sault’s downtown, will be featuring a flea market through the month of August.
Twenty people will be allowed inside at one time and public health measures will be followed including the need for masks and hand sanitizing.
…[read more]Who has the best food?
We think that the Sault has a good reputation in the food industry.
So, Sault Business Matters has come up with a “who has the best food” feature as it pertains to local establishments.
See below for a total of 10 “who has the best food” categories and e-mail your choices to us. (Your name will not be used.)
The top three finishers in each category will then be published here on Sault Business Matters on Wednesday, August 5.
…[read more]Sault Transit improvements
Sault member of parliament Terry Sheehan, who is also the parliamentary secretary to the minister of economic development and official languages, has confirmed funding for six public transit projects in the city.
…[read more]August at the senior centre
The Senior Citizens Drop In Centre, located on Bay Street in the Sault’s downtown area, has lined up its August activities. They are as follows.
…[read more]Please clean up the graffiti!
Such a beautiful city we would have only if all of the ugly graffiti that is ruining the appearance of our Heritage buildings in our downtown would be removed or covered up!
Whose responsibility is it to clean up the graffiti? Is it the responsibility of the building owners or the business owners?
Or maybe I ask should the City show some leadership and take action and help pay for the clean up of the graffiti?
…[read more]Marty & Kelly on Mane St.
Multiple patio bars have become a nice — and welcome — addition to downtown Queen Street in the Sault. And one of the more popular patio bars is located outside Mane St. Cafe and Social House.
…[read more]New hours at SVP food bank
St. Vincent Place, located on Albert Street E. in the Sault’s downtown, will be adjusting the hours of operation for its food bank effective August 1.
…[read more]Sault smiles with Tony B
Tony Bennardo, the ageless owner of Bennardo Jewellers in the Sault, has extra reason to smile today.
That is because, the patriarch of the long-time local business store is celebrating a milestone birthday.
Um, how old is this young fellow?
…[read more]Look what we found downtown!
Another patio bar has popped up in the Sault’s downtown.
And this one features wine, local beer on tap and street treats a la Broers Jansen.
Located in front of Broers Jansen wine bar, right next to the Sault Ste. Marie Museum, the patio bar includes both a hot dog stand and a cheese curd cove.
…[read more]Good and bad in all factions
I am writing this to offer my support for the good police officers who do their best to protect the citizens of our city.
As we know there are those people who think that our police department should be “de-funded” because of the actions of some police officers in other cities.
What I ask does that have to do with the chief of the Sault police force and the police officers of the Sault?
The way that I see it and please correct me if I am off base, but there are good and bad in any profession! So why pick on the police force???
…[read more]Cheers to Northern Superior
Having continued to service the local beer industry through delivery and its retail store through the earlier phases of the COVID-19 crisis, Northern Superior Brewing is moving into the next stage of operation.
Trevor Zachary, who is the general manager of Northern Superior Brewing, has outlined the next phase of reopening to Sault Business Matters.
Zachary confirmed that as of noon on Friday of this week, the indoor tap room at Northern Superior Brewing will again be open to the public.
…[read more]Good to go at Grocer 4 Good
Lisa Vezeau-Allen, who is the founder and president of Grocer 4 Good, has confirmed that the store will re-open next Monday, July 20.
The little grocery store is located on Gore Street in the Sault’s downtown area.
Vezeau-Allen made the announcement relative to the re-opening of Grocer 4 Good on behalf of its board of directors and collaborative agencies.
…[read more]IDA opening in Queenstown
The locally owned and operated IDA Drug Mart string of stores will soon be setting up a new shop in the Sault’s downtown, Sault Business Matters has confirmed.
…[read more]For the good of the Sault
First I wish to start off by giving a big “thank you” to Sault Business Matters for all of your many positive articles about our local businesses!
By featuring so many of our local businesses and those in our community in such a positive light it can encourage residents of our City to support our local business owners . . . and I am sure that all of this promotion through the articles is helping.
By choosing to live in the Sault we should all be supporting our local business owners by buying their products as opposed to shopping “on line” and not keeping our money in the Sault.
…[read more]Re-opening the Rhodes
The City of Sault Ste. Marie continues to re-open its facilities by employing a phased approach as it tries to ensure appropriate safety measures for the community and limiting public health risks.
…[read more]Sault museum seeks input
Following is an edited version of a press release sent to Sault Business Matters from the Sault Ste. Marie Museum.
The Sault Ste. Marie museum is launching an ongoing project that seeks community input on experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and hopes for the community’s future.
Re-creating the community is the Museum’s newest project that strives to involve collaboration with individuals and organizations in Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma District to help it reflect on and preserve this historical moment.
…[read more]Sault is a friendly place but …
Sault Business Matters has received the following letter to the editor from a relative newcomer to the city.
Hello! I moved to Sault Ste. Marie in 2019 to take a job that has helped me to support my wife and our young family.
We like living in Sault Ste. Marie and we are able to afford to live in a small house in downtown of Sault Ste. Marie.
…[read more]United they stand at local church
Central United Church has decided to wait until September to re-open.
Sault Business Matters has confirmed that the venerable downtown church, which is currently undergoing renovations, will take the summer months off before starting services and activities again in September.
And there is a ‘say it all’ message that Central United wishes to share.
…[read more]“… We are all Team Canada …”
Sault Business Matters has received the following Canada Day message from Sault member of provincial parliament Ross Romano.
Happy Canada Day! Today marks 153 years since Canada’s confederation.
Canada Day gives us the opportunity to remember our past, be thankful for our rights and freedoms, and take pride in our shared values and ideals.
Over the years, members of our community have made major contributions to Canada, and the world.
…[read more]PUC sustainability report
PUC Services Inc. has released its 2019 sustainability report which highlights what is termed its “commitment to investing in sustainable growth, people and the communities (we) serve.”
…[read more]Sault smiles … with an encore
Okay, so we featured these two as our Sault smiles back in April.
But some smiles are contagious.
In the case of Tim and Lindsay Ellis, the husband and wife duo who co-own Eagle Radio 95.1 in the Sault, this could not be more true.
And while it may be true that Tim has “a face for radio”, the same cannot be said for his absolute, better half, Lindsay.
You think?
…[read more]Message from Creative Nest
Sault Business Matters has received the following message from Diana Petainen, who is the owner of Creative Nest Studio.
…[read more]Bennardo extends hours
Sault Business Matters has confirmed that Bennardo Jewellers, which is located on Great Northern Road in the Sault, has expanded their hours.
…[read more]Mane St. patio bar is open!
With a new food and drink menu, Mane St. Cafe has opened its patio bar effective today.
Located at 626 Queen Street E. in the Sault’s downtown, Mane St. Cafe is locally owned and operated by Krista Nolan and her family.
A well trained staff spent last week preparing for today’s opening.
Krista tells Sault Business Matters that the fully covered patio bar will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m., “rain or shine.”
…[read more]Old Stone House to re-open
The Ermatinger∙Clergue National Historic Site — aka the Old Stone House — will re-open to visitors beginning next Tuesday (June 23.)
Attendance will be limited and visitors will be asked to wear their own masks and gloves in order to protect themselves, the exhibits and the historic integrity of the artifacts.
As part of the Ontario government’s Stage 2 mandate relative to the COVID-19 pandemic, barriers have been placed in museum rooms to prevent the use of interactive and high-touch areas.
…[read more]First service at First Baptist
Service resumed at First Baptist Church of Sault Ste. Marie on Sunday.
Along with other places of worship, the venerable downtown church had been closed under order from the Ontario government due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jack DeVries, who is the pastor of First Baptist Church, told Sault Business Matters that “our opening went very smooth.
…[read more]Open for Sunday service
First Baptist Church has resumed its Sunday service, Sault Business Matters has confirmed.
Along with other places of worship, the venerable downtown church had been closed under order from the Ontario government due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jack DeVries is the pastor of First Baptist Church.
…[read more]More money for SAH
Sault Ste. Marie member of provincial parliament Ross Romano has confirmed that premier Doug Ford and the Ontario government is delivering on a promise to reduce the strain on the local health care system.
…[read more]How Algoma U will operate
School is — and will be — in at Algoma University, albeit with a different approach.
Algoma U has confirmed and finalized its plans relative to academic programming for the 2020 fall term.
And Algoma president and vice chancellor Asima Vezina said the method of operation is “a decision not taken lightly by the university.”
…[read more]True North Stronger Fund
Following is an excerpt of a press release sent to Sault Business Matters from Northern Credit Union relative to its ‘True North Stronger Fund.’
…[read more]Feds helping businesses
Following is an excerpt from a press release sent to Sault Business Matters via the constituency office of Sault Ste. Marie member of parliament Terry Sheehan.
…[read more]Catholic churches re-opening
Sault Business Matters has received the following message from the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie relative to the recent announcement via the Ontario government that churches will be allowed to re-open.
…[read more]Re-opening … this week!
A lengthy list of businesses, including restaurants, hair salons and malls, will be allowed to re-open as of Friday in parts of Ontario — including Sault Ste. Marie — as the province enters Stage 2 of its restart phase through a regional approach.
…[read more]Love for the Sault via RR
EDITOR’S NOTE: Sault Business Matters has received the following message from Sault Ste. Marie member of provincial parliament Ross Romano.
On this day two years ago, our government was elected to lead Ontario.
As I look back on my time as your Member of Provincial Parliament, I am overwhelmed with a sense of pride.
Sault Ste. Marie is my home. It is the place I learned to ride a bike, went to school, established a career, and the place my wife and I raise our family.
…[read more]Re-opening as of today …
Short-term stay facilities in Ontario such as bed-and-breakfast, cabins, cottages and condominiums are allowed to resume operations as of today, the provincial government has confirmed.
…[read more]Sault smiles with Vintage kid
Eight-year old Owen Whitehead wears the smile of a happy customer of Vintage Games N Junque.
A great aunt and great uncle of young Owen recently purchased a WWE Wrestling Ring toy for him at Vintage Games N Junque.
Locally owned and operated, Vintage Games N Junque is located in the Sault’s downtown.
…[read more]