The latest new business openings and business transformations including new owners, moves and major renovations. More great reasons to shop local!

Heretic Spirits

Ontario’s newest craft distillery has opened on Raglan Street in Collingwood. “Heretic Spirits launched our first gin and vodka in June,” said CEO Scott Morrison, adding, “Our retail store and tasting room has been open for tastings and private events throughout the summer of 2019.”

Explaining the company name, he said, “A heretic is someone who thinks differently from the crowd. They explore. They experience. They create. We celebrate that spirit in all that we do.”

The retail store and tasting room provides bottle sales and cocktails to experience. “Our team produces world-class spirits with the creative heart of a craft producer,” said Morrison. “Our Gin #1 is different than any you’ve tasted, crafted with 14 botanicals sourced from around the world, but distilled right here in Collingwood. It blends the spirit of a new world gin while respecting the juniper flavour of traditional dry gins to create something unexpected (and delicious)!”

Morrison heads up the distilling and marketing team, while Jeremy Hall manages all sales activities, and Chris Morrison is responsible for operations and logistics. In 2020 the plan is to grow into a 40,000-square-foot facility with an event space and expanded tasting room. Heretic will also be creating small batch spirits in limited releases.

Hours: Retail store hours may vary – follow them on social media or check the website for updates.
395 Raglan Street, Unit 1A, Collingwood
1-833-HERETIC
hereticspirits.com

TRANSFORMATIONS

Cathie Hunt CPA Professional Corporation

Cathie Hunt has incorporated her accounting and tax service business and has opened an office in Collingwood to add to her location in Wasaga Beach.

“After many years of working from my home in Wasaga Beach as well as offering mobile and virtual online services to clients, I was finding many of my clients in and around Collingwood were asking for another option to meet with me,” said Hunt. “An opportunity to work in Collingwood came up over the past few months, as I had been looking for a more convenient location to provide the best service possible. I am very happy to have found a wonderful office space in downtown Collingwood to provide another option for my clients to meet with me.”

Hunt, who launched her firm in 2016, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation and Canadian Payroll Association.

“Never underestimate the breadth of knowledge and experience a business owner can utilize from a Chartered Professional Accountant to help them achieve their goals,” said Hunt. “There are so many aspects to operating a successful business – you need professionals in your corner advising you of the pitfalls and the opportunities you may not see yourself.”

Hours: By appointment only
243 Hurontario Street, 2nd Floor, Collingwood
705-828-0891
cathiehunt.com

The Collingwood Squash and Fitness Centre

Owning and operating a full-service fitness and squash club was not what Larry and Barb Hall had in mind for their retirement years. However, when TAG Fitness announced its intention to close in late 2017, they “couldn’t bear to see the only combined squash and fitness club in the area close.” So they purchased the club and have spent the past 18 months developing new programs, improving the facility, and adding innovative wellness services and preventative medical pilot projects.

“The key strategy has been to fully engage the staff and members in the process – to enlist their support as well as to implement their creative ideas regarding what it will take to transform the club,” said Larry of the renamed Collingwood Squash and Fitness Centre, also known simply as The Centre. “The result has been a staff and membership team that is fully invested in this rebuild.”

The Centre offers singles and doubles squash courts, personal and small group training options, a range of group fitness classes, and a comprehensive fitness facility featuring free weights, resistance machines, a lifting platform, cables, and a cardio room.

“We always wanted The Centre to be more of a community where people stop and talk and enjoy the process of getting and staying healthy,” said Barb. “Of course, being fully licensed and able to have a beer after a great game or workout doesn’t hurt the spirit of camaraderie.”

With the Halls’ focus on community and wellness, they are launching “Living Better with Parkinson’s” in September at The Centre, becoming the first recreational fitness facility to implement the PD SAFEx Program.

Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.;
Fri. 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
90 High Street, Collingwood
705-444-7824
collingwoodsquashandfitness.ca

Georgian Triangle Lifelong Learning Institute

The Georgian Triangle Lifelong Learning Institute (GTLLI) has announced that its annual offering of lectures is being expanded to a much wider audience. In response to demand, the not-for-profit GTLLI will live stream its Friday morning lecture series to the Simcoe Street Theatre in Collingwood, Station on The Green in Creemore, and The Rec Plex in Wasaga Beach. “Video recordings will also be available for those who cannot make a Friday morning lecture,” said GTLLI chair David Green, adding tickets to attend the lectures are sold out at 400-plus tickets per lecture.

The upcoming lecture series, titled “Fascinating Aspects of the Brain,” runs from October 18 to November 22. Topics include the interplay between genes and environment, brain plasticity, and the evolving use of cannabis in Canada.

“The lectures are intended to promote learning and expand awareness of the larger world,” explained Green. “They are at a university level and delivered by academics and experts in their fields on a wide range of topics.” Past lecture series have included timely discussions of arts, culture, entertainment, technology, religion, global affairs, world economies, science, and healthcare.

The 120-minute livestreamed lectures will be professionally recorded, and ticket charges are intended only to recover the cost of recording, hosting and production, added Green.

Visit the website for more information and to register.
gtlli.ca

Sotheby’s International Realty Canada

Sotheby’s has recently moved its Southern Georgian Bay Creemore office. “We welcome clients locally and from around the world,” said managing broker Dianne Usher. “We have agents specialized in assisting international real estate clients, whether they are moving to Canada or investing from abroad, and can offer their services in dozens of languages.”

The company was founded in 2005, with a powerful marketing and referral program for luxury listings, said Usher. “Combining a prestigious and internationally recognized real estate brand with local market knowledge and specialized marketing expertise, Sotheby’s International Realty Canada is the leading real estate sales and marketing company for Canada’s most exceptional properties.

“Our commitment is simple: we deliver marketing and service of exemplary quality, regardless of your home’s price range.”

2 Francis Street East, Creemore
705-520-5000
sothebysrealty.ca

Turning Point Counselling

This Collingwood therapy and counselling centre is moving to a larger and more accessible building just down the road on Ontario Street.

“The need for mental health services has grown considerably in the Southern Georgian Bay area,” said Geoff Ayton, Clinical Social Worker and owner. “This move to 88 Ontario Street will give us more capacity to respond to our clients, old and new, with skill and sensitivity.” He added the expansion will also allow the collective to offer group work, extended family sessions and parenting/couples workshops.

Turning Point is a collective of six clinical social workers/therapists with decades of experience in all facets of therapy and counselling, including work with children and youth, adults and aging populations, with the goal of aligning each new client with a therapist who is a good fit for them, said Ayton. Most of the therapists are graduate-level social workers and bring individual areas of expertise and interest to the collective, including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, relationships, separation and divorce, parenting, children’s mental health, aging, sexuality, identity, trauma and substance use.

“We are now the largest private counselling practice in the Southern Georgian Bay area,” said Ayton. “Our practice, and our professional reputation, has grown because we are committed to supporting our clients with skilled and qualified therapists.”

Hours: Mon. – Fri., 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
88 Ontario St., Collingwood (after Oct. 1)
705-443-8535
turningpt.ca