Business Development Community News

Orillia business building a more inclusive skateboarding community with help from My Main Street

Original Article By: My Main Street

From the outside, skate culture can feel untouchable; the effortless cool, the stylish blend of style and sport, the allure of the perpetual outsider. For beginners, it can be hard to find a way into the culture.

“I had a lot of girls coming into the shop and buying a board, and then I would go down to the park and I wouldn't see them,” says Grace Schofield, co-owner of Pocket Skate & Vintage, a board sports and vintage clothing shop in Orillia. A month later...

City grants help two local companies 'jump-start' construction

By OrilliaMatters Staff

City awarded almost $30,000 through its second intake of 2022 Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Plan grant program.

The City of Orillia has approved approximately $29,500 for two new projects through the second intake of the 2022 City of Orillia Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Plan (DTCIP) grant program.

“The Downtown Tomorrow CIP grant program continues to attract and support important projects and much-needed improvements throughout downtown Orillia,” said...

'Small but mighty' Bee By the Sea set to make waves in Orillia

By Tyler EvansOrillia Matters

Bee By the Sea will celebrate its grand opening next month after massive renovations to former Rombo's restaurant; 'We are growing steadily,' says official.

A popular natural products brand is coming home to Orillia next month.

Bee By the Sea was started by Orillia native Andrew Wingrove 13 years ago when he and his business partner discovered the sea buckthorn berry in Eastern Europe.

“It has a lot of healing proprieties,” explained Bee By the Sea's sales and...

City Welcomes New Waterfront Dining Experience to the Stephen Leacock Museum

In September 2020, Council was presented with a new Master Plan for the Stephen Leacock Museum (SLM) with a vision to improve operations without compromising the site’s collection or heritage assets. Grounded in research into current industry trends, the unique features of the property, municipal interests and community desires, the Master Plan outlines a series of strategic recommendations related to operations, infrastructure improvements, food service, financial growth, programming, and...

New owner takes the helm at Orillia's Floor Fashion Centre

By Orillia Matters Staff

Dean and Roseanne Beers have retired and sold business to former store manager; CDC provided 'invaluable' help to smooth the transition

Dean and Roseanne Beers are retired and loving it.

The long-time owners of Orillia’s Floor Fashion Centre handed over the keys to the kingdom to former store manager, Nicole Smith, on Jan. 1, 2022. With the help of the Orillia Area CDC, the transition has been seamless and practically painless.

“My wife and I were starting to think, we had...