Cathy Dobson When a long established second-hand children’s clothing store closed at Northgate plaza, Charlene Kelvin recognized a good business opportunity. “As a mother, I really missed the gently-used clothing store we used to have and I know others did too,” she said. “It was really sad when it closed. “I knew Sarnia needed a… Read more »
Cathy Dobson Sarnia’s Sarah Wighton hopes the local boating community gets onboard with her new business venture. Wighton launched The Boatkeeper this month, just as area marinas and yacht clubs began filling up for the season. “I love boating, I love working outside and I like cleaning,” said Wighton, 31. “I don’t cut any corners… Read more »
Cathy Dobson Ten LCBO stores in London, Strathroy, Toronto and Sarnia now offer craft beer from the Refined Fool Brewing Company here on Davis Street. LCBO sales are a coup for the 10 originators of Sarnia’s only craft brewery who began production of their unique suds just one year ago. “Demand has just taken off,”… Read more »
Cathy Dobson The Lochiel Street Coffee Culture Café & Eatery is the first in the franchise to hit $1 million in sales, says owner Eric Parsons. He’s reluctant to blow his own horn but agrees it will help explain why he’s opened a second Coffee Culture franchise in Sarnia. Parsons says he bought the downtown… Read more »
Cathy Dobson Heather Fields looks at her booking schedule and can’t believe how full the calendar is already. Weeks after starting Assista Property Services with her husband Jeff, Fields says she is booking up fast. Early spring was a good time to start a cleaning and maintenance business in Sarnia, says Jeff. The couple knows… Read more »
Cathy Dobson Kanwarjit Walia was in his early 20s when he decided to leave his native India and travel the world. “I wanted to go abroad andchange my financial conditions,” says Walia, now 35. He arrived in Ontario and worked in Oakville for a while before heading west. “But I missed Ontario,” he said. “I wanted… Read more »
Cathy Dobson It’s pick up time at the new Fox and Hound Canine Retreat doggy daycare and the playground is full of wagging tails. “I’m sorry it’s so noisy,” laughs owner Katie Chapman as she talks above the barking. “We’ve had a busy day.” Chapman opened The Fox and Hound last August with husband Jake… Read more »
Cathy Dobson The reopening of a large portion of Centennial Park is one of the primary reasons Brian and Karen Levesque see the potential of 410 Front St. That’s where their new café, Parkside Perk, opened in March, specializing in sandwiches, homemade baked goods, fair trade coffee and a beautiful view of Sarnia Bay. “When… Read more »
Cathy Dobson Sarnia’s Rod Weed and Nancy Crawford say a frustrating experience buying a jet ski on Kijiji planted the seed for a new business venture. “I read the description of a jet ski online and I called about it,” said Weed. “They said it was in good condition and it looked fine in the… Read more »
Cathy Dobson A female patient with just a few extra inches around the waist lies in a treatment room at Dr. Khalid Al-Saadon’s new anti-aging clinic on Christina Street. A wide bar attached to a machine called Vanquish is fixed about an inch above her midriff. It transmits a radio frequency that Al-Saadon explains is… Read more »
