Big bucks spent on the Gardens
In what is being termed a collaborative effort, the City of Sault Ste. Marie and the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League have teamed up to spend more than $1,000,000 towards upgrading GFL Memorial Gardens.
According to a press release issued today by the Greyhounds, the OHL team and the City of Sault Ste. Marie “have made the most upgrades in the history of the Home of the Hounds this off season … in total, over $1,000,000 worth of enhancements were made inside the facility to improve fan experience and users safety.”
…[read more]Small business week
” … This year more than ever, we all have to focus on the needs and survival our small businesses … ” — Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce.
…[read more]All new Hockey North Show
There will be significant changes to the Hockey North Show when the well established program returns to the airwaves in mid November for its annual 25 week gig.
For one, the Hockey North Show with Randy Russon and Brad Coccimiglio is moving to a new radio home, Eagle 95.1 — on line via www.eagleradio951.com — from its former ESPN 1400 spot.
As well, the Hockey North Show will be broadcast live on Wednesdays from 5-6 p.m. (as opposed to Tuesdays) and as a bonus, all editions will be recorded and archived on www.eagleradio951.com as well as the Eagle 95.1 Facebook page for replay on demand.
…[read more]On line local shopping
The local Chamber of Commerce has teamed with AlgomaMarketplace.com to introduce a newer expanded online local shopping experience.
Fall into winter at Mane St.
Krista Nolan, who owns and operates Mane Street Cafe in the Sault’s downtown, has outlined plans for her neat, tidy and comfortable little eatery as fall heads towards winter.
Besides offering $5 pints of draught beer and $7 glasses of seven ounce wine, Nolan tells Sault Business Matters that she plans “to keep a storefront patio of some sort through most of the winter.”
…[read more]Happy Thanksgiving!
It is a day that is specifically set aside to be thankful.
Across Ontario, families are gathering, in respectful numbers we hope, to observe the Thanksgiving Day holiday.
In the Sault, we have much to be thankful for in terms of COVID-19 numbers being relatively low in comparison to the rest of the province, especially the Greater Toronto and Ottawa areas.
…[read more]Downtown could use these
Our downtown is an area that our City politicians and so called leaders have neglected for far too long.
It is a good thing that there are so many resilient small business owners who have invested in the downtown but the downtown needs more judging by the many vacancies in buildings along Queen from Pim Street to Bruce Street.
Soon we will have a drug store at the corner of Queen and Bruce and that is very encouraging! Additionally I have a list of other businesses that would be welcome additions to our downtown.
…[read more]Jacobs teams with Turco
This has Sault Ste. Marie pride and stardom written all over it.
That is, Kingsville Brewing Company has confirmed a partnership with Canadian and world curling icons, the Team Jacobs rink from the Sault.
The other side of the Sault connection is 45-year old Marty Turco, who is a part owner of Kingsville Brewing and a former National Hockey League and Canadian Olympic standout goalie of many years who also backstopped the University of Michigan Wolverines to a pair of national championships.
…[read more]Good healthy breakfast and …
Hello again! I am writing to say how much I enjoy your website in particular the many positive articles which are about the downtown area where I dwell with my wife and our family.
On this topic I wish to give a compliment to the very nice and clean restaurants that Sault Ste. Marie has that choose to serve a very healthy breakfast of which is an important way to begin each of the days.
…[read more]Best ever for Big Blue Box
Sault Business Matters has received the following press release from the good folks at St. Vincent Place, which is located on Albert St. E. in the Sault’s downtown.
…[read more]The boards are back in town
Broers Jansen, the quaint, popular wine bar that is located beside the Museum in the Sault’s downtown, is well known for its $5 glasses of a variety of red and white wines.
As well, Broers Jansen has become locally famous for its own version of a charcuterie board.
With its own blend of meats, cheeses, home made bread, roasted almonds and other treats, the Broers Jansen version of a charcuterie board is called a “bro-cuterie” board.
…[read more]Fall market vendors
The resolve was evident in the number of people who took part as supporters and vendors.
To be sure, it was a nice local feeling as part of a (sort of) nice fall day in the Sault’s downtown.
That is, in partnership with the local Downtown Association, the Sault Ste. Marie Museum held what it called a Culture Days Fall Market.
…[read more]This is happening today
This is another opportunity to support local.
Sault Ste. Marie Museum, in tandem with the local Downtown Association, is holding what is being called a Culture Days Fall Market.
The event is slated for today from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The fall market, outdoor event will be held behind the museum’s 690 Queen Street East location.
…[read more]Kudos to Claudio and PUC
The local Public Utilities Commission received an award in the category of worker safety during a recent “virtual” annual meeting and Ontario Electrical Safety awards event.
…[read more]NORP via Ross Romano
Sault Business Matters has received the following press release from Sault member of provincial parliament Ross Romano relative to a Northern Ontario recovery program. An edited version of it appears below.
…[read more]‘Culture Days Fall Market’
Sault Ste. Marie Museum, in tandem with the local Downtown Association, will be holding what is being called a Culture Days Fall Market.
The event is slated for this Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and kicks off the month of October.
The fall market, outdoor event will be held behind the museum’s 690 Queen Street East location.
…[read more]Missing high school hoopla
If there is a participation or experience that I miss at this time of year it is being a community volunteer as a basketball coach.
…[read more]Feature: Laura DeLuca
I recently met up with Laura DeLuca at a local downtown restaurant to chat about her work as a real estate sales representative for locally owned and operated brokerage EXIT Realty Lake Superior.
I have known Laura for a long time and even though it had been a while since we saw each other in person, it was as though no time had passed at all.
This type of easy and comfortable conversation is what anyone who contacts Laura for their real estate needs can expect. It doesn’t take long to realize that she has found the perfect fit for her personality and strengths and anyone looking to buy or sell their home is in good hands with Laura.
…[read more]New partner for NTAAA
Northern Transit and Arena Advertising Agency — which serves the markets of Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie and North Bay — has partnered with BrokerLink Insurance.
…[read more]Stay home … shop local!
I will be the first to admit that I miss traveling into the U.S. as we liked the odd weekend getaways to Michigan to places such as Gaylord and West Branch.
We also got into the habit of filling up the gas tank in Sault, Michigan and while over there having supper at Antlers or the Palace and once in a while going to the Kewadin Casino.
The closure of the border however has reminded my partner and me how important it is to support our own local businesses right here in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
…[read more]Reggie’s off to a good start
It is an old bar with a new beginning.
Reggie’s Place Tavern recently re-opened in the Sault’s downtown under new management.
The husband and wife tandem of Randy Lapossie and Kylie Lapossie opened the doors to Reggie’s on September 1 as the new operators after the iconic downtown bar had been closed for most of the past three years.
…[read more]Spectacular sunset
As September moves towards the end of summer and prepares to welcome the fall season, the beauty of the Sault area is on full display.
For example, as one heads west of the Sault past Goulais and into the Havilland Bay area, sunset can be particularly spectacular.
See below for a larger image of a recent Havilland Bay sunset as provided by Lily Heika.
…[read more]Please freeze the alcohol tax
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Sault Business Matters has received the following letter to the editor from Rory Ring, who is the chief executive officer of the Chamber of Commerce of Sault Ste. Marie.)
A rant of Mr. Ring is that a federal government alcohol escalator tax — one that is scheduled to increase again in April of next year — is a tax grab.
We now turn the floor over to Mr. Ring for the following editorial opinion.
…[read more]Here’s to you, Ron Irwin
Sault Ste. Marie has recognized a long-time local politician by renaming City Hall as the Ronald A. Irwin Civic Centre.
…[read more]Blue box food drive
Sault Business Matters has received the following press release from St. Vincent Place marketing and fundraising coordinator Sara McCleary.
…[read more]NerdCon is a no go
Sault Business Matters has received the following message from the organizers of the Steel City NerdCon event that was planned for next month.
…[read more]Boosting the downtown
There is collective effort being made to sustain and maintain business.
Any good city needs a thriving downtown and the Sault is no exception.
Issues remain — issues that might be resolved with more police presence at night and more support from local government — but the Sault’s downtown has businesses new and old that are more than doing their part to keep the area going.
…[read more]Muio’s extending service
Beginning next Tuesday — which is September 15 — Muio’s Restaurant will be open for takeout and delivery six days a week.
…[read more]Steel City NerdCon is coming
Steel City NerdCon is a go!
Sault Business Matters has learned that Vintage Games N’ Junque has decided to go ahead with its popular event at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.
It will have up to 40 exhibitors from across the province carefully spread out to allow for social distancing.
Details are as follows.
…[read more]Feature: Parlow/Ensurco
It is always a nice change to chat with an old friend for the purposes of a “work” story and such was the case when I chatted with Mike Parlow for this article.
You see, Mike and I go way back. How far back? How about some thirty plus years since we went to elementary school together at a great west end learning institution, St. Mary’s.
Michael is still the funny, personable, social, dependable, easy going guy that I remember from my childhood and those very character traits are what has made him so successful in his role with Ensurco Insurance Group as a broker/partner and risk manager.
…[read more]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]Feature: Norpro Security
For the past forty years, Norpro has been an industry leader in security, health and safety, and IT solutions.
And in speaking with the associate vice president of customer experience Allan Watson, it quickly became clear that the key attributes that Norpro prides itself on being synonymous with are responsiveness, approachability, and knowledgeability in all the sectors that it serves.
Norpro is an industry leader with a heart – and makes it its duty to maintain close ties to the communities in which it services.
…[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]The lake, on line, with Eagle
My wife and I and our dog just returned from a nice, relaxing, three day, three night excursion to Birchland Cottages in Iron Bridge, about 65 miles east of the Sault.
Besides the well maintained, clean and cozy cottage that we rented on splendid Clear Lake, there were other factors that contributed to the reclining, unwinding, days and nights.
There were daily barbecues, walks on roads of the wooded property, nights at the fire pit, cold beer and … classic hits music with crystal clear reception via the on line version of Sault radio station Eagle 95.1.
…[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]Massey Fair alternative
The COVID-19 pandemic has put what would have been the 113th edition of the Massey Fair on hold for this year.
But there is good news ahead.
Sault Business Matters has confirmed that officials have come up with alternative plans for the fair grounds for Saturday, August 29 with an event called ‘Pioneering the Pandemic.’
…[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]Iron Bridge family fun event
The Iron Bridge Agricultural Society is planning a family fun event for Saturday, September 19.
The event will be held at the Iron Bridge Recreation Centre on Chiblow Lake Road.
Pre registration is taking place until August 14.
A minimum of five families must be registered or the event will be cancelled.
To clarify, only one person in the family entry has to be a member of the Iron Bridge Agricultural Society.
…[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]Feature: NTAAA advertising
Effective and affordable advertising during these challenging times can be very hard to achieve.
Having said that, Northern Transit & Arena Advertising Agency (NTAAA) feels it offers one of the best options to assist area businesses — including Sault Ste. Marie — with branding and increased sales.
One of the company’s key objectives is to match their client’s interests with outdoor and indoor advertising products and services that will offer a direct link to the client’s consumer interests as well as their locations.
…[read more]