The latest new business openings and business transformations including new owners, moves and major renovations. More great reasons to shop local!
The Grey Thornbury
Overlooking Thornbury Harbour and Georgian Bay, this new restaurant serves brunch, lunch and dinner, offering simple preparations of local ingredients to showcase the depth of local flavours along with shareable appetizers, burgers, salads and main dishes.
“The Grey is unique in a number of ways,” said owner Spencer Sgro. “First and foremost is our beautiful building that overlooks the Thornbury Harbour. Our patio is one of a kind and the only one to have these views overlooking Georgian Bay. Second is our team – we have pulled together some extremely talented individuals to help bring this idea to reality. Thirdly, our food. We are looking to serve simple and consistent classics all the while sourcing our food from the amazing local suppliers.”
Sgro recently moved back to Canada after spending 11 years in the U.K. “Restaurants have always been a passion of mine and I was able to live out that passion in London, England,” he said. “My last post before moving back was with Soho House acting as general manager for Cecconi’s.”
Sgro sees his staff as the most important aspect of his business because they provide the experience. “I also believe very much in creating a business that is simple and consistent and by doing so, you create that warmth when you greet new or returning guests, making them feel welcome and know they will be getting a great meal. We want to create that sort of classic neighbourhood staple.”
Hours: Wed. – Fri. 11:30 to 9,
15 Harbour Street, Thornbury
226-665-1717
thegreythornbury.com
On Pointe Concierge
Kim Furniss and Nancy Newton want to help you live your best life by taking tasks off your plate, offering “full corporate and personal concierge service, freeing up time to take back the life you want and deserve to live.”
The new business offers a broad range of personal and corporate concierge services, from grocery shopping, errands and travel planning to researching prices and quotes for the products and services you need, holiday preparations and event planning. On Pointe also offers pet and house sitting, downsizing services, open house preparation, personal shopping services and more.
“We are not a property management firm; we focus on the individuals, families and business owners who have specific needs to help them achieve life/work balance,” said Furniss. “Both Nancy and I are from service-related backgrounds, including event planning, hospitality, marketing and sales. We also know with our other current endeavours how hard it is in our own lives to achieve the balance without help!”
All services are fully customizable. “We must personally meet and establish a relationship with our clients,” said Furniss, adding, “Nancy and I are extremely excited about the prospect of growth for this business. We both enjoy meeting new people and hopefully can help as many as possible.”
Hours: Weekdays 8 to 6 or by appointment
705-441-2179 • 647-522-8214
onpointeconcierge.ca
TRANSFORMATIONS
BlueRock Wealth Management Inc.
BlueRock is now certified by the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX), only the third financial advisory firm in Canada to earn certification from this independent organization.
“The entire team at BlueRock Wealth are excited about achieving our CEFEX Certification,” said Neal Owen, president. “We have always worked extremely hard to ensure that we follow best practices and always put the needs and goals of our client first and foremost. This certification process definitely challenged us to look deep into our processes and improve as a firm.”
The CEFEX certification ensures that the advisor has prudent fiduciary practices in place and a culture of excellence, supported by documented and structured processes. Applicants undergo annual fiduciary assessments conducted by independent expert analysts.
Clients benefit from increased transparency, enhanced oversight and a higher probability of enhanced portfolio outcomes, according to CEFEX. In describing why BlueRock sought the CEFEX certification, Owen said, “We wanted to further safeguard our clients’ experience with our firm,” adding, “all of our firm’s processes were put in front of the board for approval.”
BlueRock has been certified for wealth management advisory services provided to high net worth individuals and businesses. The firm is registered at cefex.org, where its CEFEX certificate can also be viewed.
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30 to 4:30
115 Hurontario St Suite 201, Collingwood
705-443-5599
bluerockwealth.ca
Fig & Feta
This popular Greek eatery has moved to a larger downtown Collingwood location at 65 Hurontario Street. “We have been very successful at our current location despite our small size,” said owner Bessie Lewis. “We’ve relocated to a much-needed bigger space to accommodate our growing clientele.”
Fig & Feta opened in November 2017 as a healthy Greek eatery, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. “Some options include breakfast pitas, Greek salads, gyros pitas and chicken souvlaki dinners,” said Lewis. “We also offer Greek imported sodas and desserts. We are open all year long and offer sit-down seating, take-out orders, a patio in the summer and catering for all occasions.”
Lewis has lived in Collingwood for 40 years, since her immigrant parents moved to the area from Greece to raise their family. “I grew up in the restaurant business with my parents … I always wanted to follow in their footsteps of creating something Greek to offer our town,” she said. “It’s in my DNA to cook. I am grateful it became a passion to create unique dishes stemming from the traditional Greek foundation and adding a unique twist. Now I am finally able to share my passion with my clients who become my friends in this wonderful community.”
Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 9 to 9; Fri. & Sat. 9 to 10
65 Hurontario St., Collingwood
705-446-9966
figandfeta.ca
Lawrence Glass & Mirror Ltd.
John Mealey, former owner of Cedarport Window and Door Centre and current owner of The Flooring Place, is bringing 30 years of experience in glass supply and installation to his role as the new owner of Lawrence Glass & Mirror.
In explaining why he saw the acquisition as a good fit, Mealey said Lawrence is “complimentary to my existing business, The Flooring Place Inc., where glass is often installed right after our tile, providing clients with a more comprehensive service.”
The company offers residential sealed window replacement, shower doors, custom glass railings, mirrors and architectural glass, as well as commercial glazing of storefronts and interior specialty glazing.
Mealey said the newly acquired business will offer the “same high level of installation and support, with an invigorated approach to business management” and a “focus on builder partners that share our vision of the customer experience.” He said there are no staff changes anticipated, adding he’ll be implementing custom software tools for faster turnaround of quotes.
“The business has a very stable foundation of expertise and the outlook is very strong given the area’s expected growth,” he said. “By taking a strategic approach to managing growth, the business is well positioned.”
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30 to 5, weekends by appointment
14 Balsam Street, Unit 1, Collingwood
705-445-5292
theglassplace.ca
Marlin Travel
This TICO-licensed travel agency is celebrating 32 years in Collingwood with a new look! “Our office is completely renovated and updated,” said owner and manager Brenda Chapman, adding, “I welcome everyone to stop in and see the many services we provide for the travelling public, including something as small as purchasing out-of-country medical for a one-day trip to a yearly worldwide policy.”
Marlin Collingwood is a full-service agency providing air, hotel, car, cruise, rail and custom packages. The firm is also a “groups specialist,” from weddings and family gatherings to sports groups and a ladies’ annual weekend getaway.
“The staff in our office is all very experienced and we continue our training with monthly webinars, and specialize in many areas,” said Chapman. Some examples of the firm’s expertise include Australia & New Zealand, river and ocean cruises, Rocky Mountaineer, long stay holidays, European coach tours, Hawaii & Tahiti, Disney resorts and African Safaris. Marlin also specializes in Sandals resort holidays as well as ski, golf, biking, walking and diving trips.
With many changes in the travel industry over Chapman’s 37 years in the business, she said clients still enjoy the benefits of a personal relationship with a licensed travel agent. “Our customers save time and frustration searching for best options,” she said. “We offer choice and recommendations, provide complete travel arrangements from start to end including advising on insurance coverage, adding stop over hotels with parking, and most important, documentation and shots needed to enter certain countries.”
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9 to 5:30, Sat. 9 to 3
153 Hurontario Street, Collingwood
705-444-1161
marlintravel.ca/1207
Pebbles Family Restaurant
This family-owned Durham restaurant gets rave reviews online, and now there’s even more to rave about.
“We just finished a complete redo of the restaurant,” said general manager Cameron Gerber, who is a co-owner with his wife Rachel and parents Dan and Seleda. “Before the expansion Pebbles seated 120 guests, was small and crowded, and ran long wait lines. It now seats 280 guests with room for groups of up to 112, the buffet area has more than tripled in size and includes ‘The Grill,’ with meat selections grilled to order. The building has also done a complete update with cathedral ceiling dining rooms with large windows, expanded gift and baking area, and new beautiful washrooms. The parking has expanded as well, with a large parking area behind the restaurant for buses, RVs and trailers.”
The restaurant offers a complete homestyle food buffet, featuring Pebbles’ popular “broasted” chicken, gourmet burgers, homestyle soups, salad bar and seasonal specialties. “Our Mennonite heritage gives us many traditional favourites that are hearty and delicious,” said Cameron, adding, “Pebbles prepares almost everything in house, including our own baking and desserts.”
There is also a menu for those who prefer à la carte, and Pebbles offers takeout options, even letting you fill your own takeout container with your choices.
Pebbles opened in 2014 and switched to buffet style in 2015. “Our guests loved the buffet and within weeks we were running wait lines,” explained Cameron of the need for the expansion. “Large families and business dinner requests streamed in and the dining area was simply too small to properly accommodate the requests. In late 2017 we sold our other family business and decided to create the experience guests were asking for. While we still have wait lines occasionally, we now have many more tables and seating options which makes the line move much faster. The dining rooms are spacious, atmosphere is comfortable, and food is better than ever.”
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 11 to 8. Buffet switches from lunch to dinner at 4:00
313010 Hwy. 6, RR3 Durham
519-369-9982
pebblesrestaurant.ca
