The latest new business openings and business transformations including new owners, moves and major renovations. More great reasons to shop local!
Forest Hill Real Estate Collingwood
Collingwood’s newest real estate firm has been providing commercial and residential real estate services throughout the Greater Toronto Area and Southern Ontario since 1985.
“While Forest Hill Collingwood is new to the area, my team is not,” says Managing Partner and Sales Representative Sue Creed. “I am very proud of the group that has already joined Forest Hill Collingwood. They are a smart, energetic and innovative group who believe in our philosophy and have decades of experience working in the area.”
Services include buying, selling and leasing real estate properties, property staging and property management. It’s a full-service local brokerage with provincial connections, notes Creed.
“Forest Hill Collingwood combines local expertise with one of Southern Ontario’s strongest real estate brokerages,” she says. “Our large network allows us to expand the reach of any of our clients’ listings to a large and diverse customer base. This provides greater access for people considering a vacation home or a permanent move to Southern Georgian Bay.”
Creed holds an MBA and has a background in brand management prior to joining Forest Hill Real Estate in Toronto. She says the firm has “mastered the art of marketing,” adding the customer is always number one.
“I believe first and foremost in taking care of the client first. I feel strongly that if we take care of the customer, no matter what, in the end things will work out for everyone.”
Hours: Mon. to Fri. 9–5
114 Ontario Street, Collingwood, ON, L9Y 1M3
705-999-5590
foresthillcollingwood.com
Occasions Food Hall
Collingwood has a new fine food boutique offering prepared gourmet and culinary products for food lovers. The store’s slogan says it all: ‘Eat Well, Eat Happy, Eat Together!’
“Our offerings cannot be found anywhere else in retail, as these products are created and sold primarily into wholesale for hotels, convention centres, casinos, caterers, etc.,” says Victor Strano, who owns the business along with Peter Keresteci and their wives, Anita Strano and Kim Keresteci. “Our business is built around preparing unique, gourmet culinary products, on trend, usually reserved for chefs, and offering those products to our local community in our upscale retail location.”
Strano is a Red Seal Chef, while Peter Keresteci has been in the foodservice business for 30 years. Together they have been operating the parent company, Better Food Concepts Inc., for many years, supplying gourmet prepared foods to retail and foodservice operations across Canada.
The 2,000-square-foot Collingwood retail shop carries handcrafted hors d’oeuvres and appetizers, mini dessert bites, handmade imported pastas and all-natural sauces from Italy, selected fall and summer truffle oils, salts and tapenades. For entertaining at home, the store offers fully prepared meats, as well as unique side dishes and gourmet brunch items.
“Before we opened Occasions, only chefs were able to buy these items. Now we are giving consumers access to these chef-inspired products,” says Strano. “We take the hard work out of entertaining at home. We prepare the unique, fine-quality items. You simply need to finish them (heat or thaw) in order to serve chef-inspired foods to your guests.”
Occasions Food Hall will open a second location in Port Carling this summer.
Hours: Wed. to Sat. 10–5
49 Huron Street, Collingwood
705-443-8658
occasionsfoodhall.com
TRANSFORMATIONS
Baker Tilly SGB LLP
The accounting firm formerly known as Collins Barrow has adopted the Baker Tilly (BT) global brand and name. The location, people, fees and contact information remain the same.
“Five years ago, we were a regional firm with a 60-plus-year history in this area,” says Janet Currie, executive partner. “We were honoured to be asked to join Collins Barrow and become part of a national co-operative network of professional accounting firms. As of January 7, 2019, we are now part of a global brand, Baker Tilly, which is an international co-operative network of professional accounting firms.”
Baker Tilly SGB LLP is a full-service public accounting firm, providing personal and corporate tax services, family trusts, estate planning, U.S. non-resident filings, as well as accounting and audit services for small and large businesses.
“When we joined the Collins Barrow network a few years ago, Collins Barrow was already a member of Baker Tilly International, but there was no requirement to adopt BT’s name and branding,” explains Currie. “In December 2018, BT adopted a new logo and as part of this rebranding, is requiring all member networks to adopt it as well. We understand the BT brand is quite well known in Europe, as many of their member firms there adopted their name several years ago. This will raise/create awareness in North America of the power and prestige of the Baker Tilly name.”
She adds that BT’s Collingwood office staff is “35 strong” for the 2019 tax season. The firm also has offices in Meaford, Owen Sound and Walkerton.
Hours: Mon. to Fri. 8:30–5
115 Hurontario Street, 3rd Floor (Arlington Shoppes & Offices), Collingwood
705-445-2020
bakertilly.ca
De Groot Wealth Management of RBC Dominion Securities
De Groot Wealth Management is excited to announce the addition of Cassandra de Groot as associate advisor. Cassandra graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2010 with a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) and joined RBC Dominion Securities in 2013 in Ottawa, where she spent the last five years working for a large advisory team. As a licensed associate advisor, Cassandra is working closely with Vice President, Investment and Wealth Advisor Elizabeth de Groot and Associate Advisor Jo-Anne Tuttle, assisting with portfolio reviews, financial projections and supporting de Groot Wealth Management’s commitment to community involvement in the Georgian Triangle.
“Adding Cassandra to our team will enhance the client experience,” says Elizabeth de Groot. “She is excited to bring her experience and expertise back to de Groot Wealth Management in her hometown of Collingwood.” Cassandra has completed the Canadian Securities Course (CSC®) and the Conduct & Practices Handbook (CPH®) through the Canadian Securities Institute, and is currently working on her Wealth Management Essentials (WME®).
De Groot Wealth Management of RBC Dominion Securities offers holistic wealth management services specializing in tax-efficient portfolio strategies, in-depth financial and charity planning, as well as estate and legacy planning. Through RBC Wealth Management Financial Services Inc., Elizabeth is life licensed and has access to over 10 insurance companies for estate planning solutions.
Hours: Mon. to Fri. 8:30–5
1 First Street, Suite 230, Collingwood
705-444-4742
edegroot.ca
