The latest new business openings and business transformations including new owners, moves and major renovations. More great reasons to shop local!
Craig Gallery
Meaford has a new art gallery, featuring the work of local artists and artisans as well as established Ontario artists. The family-run gallery opened in August in a large, naturally lit space in the downtown core.
“We offer art in a variety of mediums at all different price points,” said Bridget Light, who owns the gallery along with Jonathan Craig. “We are the only commercial art gallery in Meaford and feature several artists whose work is not available anywhere else in the larger area, including some local artists and some very established Canadian painters.”
The Craig carries paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramic, photographs, jewelry, furniture and artisanal items. The gallery also hosts events and there are plans to run workshops and classes in the coming months.
Light is a painter who graduated from Concordia University in Fine Arts and also works professionally in digital media. Craig is a camera operator for television, a special FX makeup artist in TV and film, and a sculptor. The two have also been guest artists at the Walters Falls Group of Artists show for the past two years, and the gallery features several of the artists who participate in that show.
“The idea behind our gallery is to have a space that supports local artists, while also bringing different Ontario artists (who are not available anywhere else in the Grey/Bruce/Simcoe area) to collectors. We offer art at many different price points as we want to appeal to both high-end collectors as well as art lovers whose budgets aren’t as large.”
Hours: Wed. – Sun. 11 – 5
4 N. Sykes Street, Unit 1, Meaford
416-629-2535
craiggallery.ca
Driverseat Collingwood
Need a ride? There’s a new service in Southern Georgian Bay to get you where you need to go. “We are a micro transit business specializing in a care-based approach to transportation,” said Mike McCabe, who owns Driverseat with his wife, Trish Duncan. “Our chauffeurs are vetted and ready to out-care the competition.”
Driverseat offers pre-booked private shuttle services in their vehicles or chauffeurs to take you in your own vehicle. Examples include airport runs, weddings, wine tours, employee transport, nights on the town, Christmas parties, assisted and medical transport, executive transport and après ski. “We can get you from A to B and back,” said McCabe. “We want to make sure you get home safe.”
The company currently has 12 chauffeurs and growing, and Driverseat’s distinctive orange vans are easy to spot. “Our goal is to create a responsible and fun work environment for our chauffeurs, as well as providing a professional and fun service that is so needed in our area.”
There’s also an app that shows the location of Driverseat vehicles, offering convenience and a sense of security. “Parents love that feature when they have booked us for their children, for instance,” said McCabe.
Driverseat offers its services throughout the Meaford-to-Wasaga Beach corridor and outlying towns, with hourly rates as well as corporate accounts. “We are proud to contribute to the safety of our roads, as well as offer assistance to the many organizations and businesses who depend on attendance to their events,” said McCabe. “In addition, we are excited to assist our aging residents along with the chance to help bring workers in from outside communities to employers who desperately need them with our customized employee transport programs.”
Hours: Services available 24/7
B839 19-59 King St. E., Thornbury
249-501-5200
driverseatinc.com
Jill Maxwell Design
Designer Jill Maxwell is relocating her business from Toronto to Creemore, offering interior design, renovations, new build construction, project management, staging and event planning. Trained at the International Academy of Design, she founded her design firm in 2003. Her portfolio includes residential and commercial projects in Toronto, Mississauga, Kleinberg, Creemore, Collingwood and Port Severn.
“I am completely hands-on and can take a project from start to finish,” said Maxwell. “I embrace each new project as a blank canvas, creating exceptional, timeless and purely unique interiors that are an extension of each client.”
Maxwell focuses on forming collaborations between architects and builders, employing skilled talent and sourcing sustainable and local materials to create extraordinary effects and frame lasting lifestyles for her clients. She is looking to collaborate with local trades, artisans, builders and architects in Southern Georgian Bay.
Her range of interior design services include space planning, conceptual renderings, cabinetry and millwork design, RCP and electrical plans, colour palette codes, material specifications, soft furnishings selection and CAD drawings. “No project is too small, whether you are in need of a finely tuned renovation or ready to build your dream house. We have a team of architects, builders and craftsmen waiting to create your vision!”
Maxwell also offers the 10,000-square-foot bank barn on her 100-acre farm in the Lavender Hills near Creemore as a venue for corporate events, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. “A double-sized airplane hangar and century farmhouse can also be available to rent should you wish to extend the festivities,” said Maxwell, adding, “full event planning can be provided.”
Hours: By appointment
705-351-3680
