Biz X magazine October 2021

YOUR ONLY INTERNATIONAL BORDER CITY PUBLICATION

October 2021

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Recognizing “Small Business Week” October 16 To 23, 2021 Candyce Mollard Makes Her Way In The Podcast World The Hiatus House “Shine The Light™” Campaign’s November Fundraising Events For “Woman Abuse Prevention Month” THE PARENTING BIZ Spooky Ideas For A “Fang-tastic” Halloween PLUS Tecumseh’s Green Nest & The Beauty Refinery; VIN Winery In Essex; Dowler-Karn Windsor; Nimble Brain Education Inc., And Kiddie Kobbler Devonshire Mall

“Say Cheese” and shredded pepperoni please!

Under the mask there is a huge smile as Joe Ciaravino, Owner of Antonino’s Original Pizza, overlooks site plans by Rosati Construction Inc. for his new franchises in Leamington and Riverside. But that’s not all that’s cooking up at local pizzerias! Many others in the region also have their own “slice” of good news to share with you too. — PAGE 18 B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

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FOR BUSINESSES & PEOPLE IN WINDSOR, ESSEX COUNTY & METRO DETROIT SINCE 1998

WHAT WE DO DESIGN-BUILD  GENERAL CONTRACTING CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT  LAND DEVELOPMENT BUTLER BUILDING SYSTEMS  MACHINE FOUNDATIONS  LEASING

ROSATI ADVANTAGE

6555 Malden Rd, Windsor On N9H 1T5 519.734.6511 ROSATIGROUP.COM

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table of contents OCTOBER 2021 volume 24 • issue 9

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26 H ave A Cup Of Joe With Joe: New “Hello, Hello World” Podcast Showcases Local Small Businesses 28 Portfolio Corner: The Importance Of Immigration 30 Ask The Experts: The Benefits To Propane As A Fuel Source 32 Event Profile: Hiatus House Fundraisers For “Woman Abuse Prevention Month” 33 XX Files: Tanya Thomas Of The Beauty Refinery 34 The Parenting Biz: Get Into The Spirit Of The Season With the pandemic

potentially putting trick or treating in limbo this year, parents may be scrambling to find Halloween activities for the kids. To put your family in high spirits, we feature several businesses that provide plenty of fun, SPOOKtacular things to do this October.

40 New In Biz: The Grand Opening Of Kiddie Kobbler Owner Lausanne Younes (on right in photo by Dave Hall), and manager, Farah Ezzeddine, have combined forces to bring Kiddie Kobbler back to Windsor with the opening of the new store at Devonshire Mall. The footwear company strives to provide a unique retail experience with expert and friendly service second to none, a perfect fit for growing feet, a wide selection of brands and uncompromised quality to fit every budget.

41 From The Bookshelf : “Tony’s New Friend” By Karen De Santis 42 Biz Of The Month: Maximizing A Child’s Potential With Nimble Brain Education Inc.

© Can Stock Photo/evgenyatamanenko

4 Funny Stuff 5 From The Publisher: Small Businesses Essential To Local Economy 6 Just Sayin’: Pride Before The Fall? The Catholic Church’s Response To The Residential Schools’ Crisis 8 Front Lines VIN Winery is the 10th winery to open its doors in the Town of Essex. This newest addition to the Lake Erie North Shore wine growing region includes a retail store, event space with a capacity for 200 guests, overnight accommodations, private wooded trails and a five acre vineyard. We introduce you to the four hospitality vets responsible for the new winery, who also operate a few other businesses too! (Sign photo by Julianna Bonnett) 11 Heard On The Street 12 Newsflash 14 The Way It Was: Rural Battalions In The Fields, On The Home Front 15 Tech Bytes: Helping Start-up Founders Along Their Entrepreneurial Journey 16 Food For Thought: Green Nest, Tecumseh Eat what makes you happy! With an emphasis on healthy eating, the Green Nest isn’t short on salads. On the way towards new “build your own” bowl selections, this is an opportunity to get as fresh as possible. The Strawberry Fields Salad pictured (in photo courtesy of Tartil Shaheen) is loaded with fruit, pecans, feta, quinoa, cucumber and spinach, with a balsamic dressing to top it off. Simply put — it has it all!

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ON THE COVER — “Say Cheese” and shredded pepperoni please! — 18

Pizza seems to be just about everyone’s favourite casual food and as we all know, Windsor pizza is the best there is! Pizzerias across the region have been surviving and thriving, even during the darkest days of the world-wide pandemic. For example Antonino’s Original Pizza, launched in 1999 by owner Joe Ciaravino (pictured) and his mother Vita, will soon have five locations in the area after two new franchises open. The hospitality sector, and in particular food services, seem to be slowly bouncing back with employment levels climbing back towards pre-pandemic levels. There’s still some way to go, but there appears to be good news on the horizon . . . and with “Small Business Week” taking place in October, now is the ideal time to investigate the “ingredients” used by these business owners in their recipe for success.

COVER LOCATION: Joe Ciaravino, President of Antonino’s Original Pizza, 4350 Howard Avenue in Windsor, looks over the site plans supplied by Rosati Construction Inc. for his two new locations in Riverside and Leamington, while his staff is busy preparing pizzas for the lunch rush.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Rod Denis (RodneyLDenisPhotographer.com)

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FUNNY STUFF! BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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PRESIDENT

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Toby’s costume courtesy of The Party Warehouse.

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WRITERS / PHOTOJOURNALISTS

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from the publisher

Think Small . . .

Business That Is

By Deborah Jones

Traditionally, my October article, published around Thanksgiving, is about “Small Business Month”.

Whereas there may not be many events centred around a special month this year, just like in the past, the importance of small businesses in the economy never changes. And for that we must give thanks.

Be thankful for the products/services they provide. Thankful for the jobs they create and appreciate how they make our region unique.

Small business is the lifeblood of any city or town. As we know, the pandemic has affected us all, both in loss of life and mental health issues, but also the loss of business.

Of course health is most important always, as without it there can be no business.

Since we are a business magazine, my focus is on mentioning as much as

possible what can be done to keep the economy thriving.

It is important that everyone realizes small businesses were there for us when we needed them most in the darkest days of the pandemic.

Maybe it was online sales or home delivery, or just a meal from a favourite restaurant so life felt like it used to be.

Now, as we slowly emerge to “getting back on our feet,” as the phrase goes, it is vital WE are there for small business.

They need us now more than ever.

There are so many challenges out there.

I hear and read about them daily from other business owners who are not able to find suitable employees to fill needed positions, to those who cannot bring back their workforce as sales are low, to those fearing their business will be discriminated against because they follow the rules and implement the vaccine passport.

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Then there are the business owners who still have most of their employees working remotely for the past 19 months, who worry about keeping them safe when they make the move to open the office fully again.

Everyone is just trying to survive and pay the bills. Everyone has a family to feed. Everyone wants to keep doing what they do best. Everyone just wants to do their job and do it well.

We all just want life back to normal and to remain healthy. It’s one day at a time though.

It’s all we can do . . . yet there is always more.

I am sure you have seen all the social media posts on how supporting local is so important. Whenever you need a certain item or service, never forget a local small business is ready to help.

So, don’t just shop local during “Small Business Week” October 16 to 21, 2021.

Do it every day of the year. Pandemic or no pandemic.

Restaurants, retail shops, tourism attractions/events, gyms and many more are counting on you.

Together, let’s help each other take care of business!

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JUST SAYIN'

What Would Jesus Do? Op-Ed By Steven Bezaire

(Full disclosure: I was baptized, raised, and confirmed Catholic, having attended a Catholic grade school here in Windsor, during which time I was an altar boy, and then graduated from Assumption High School. I no longer belong to any religion or believe in any deity.)

Why, in the name of all things holy, will the head of the Catholic Church not just apologize already for its role in the Residential Schools tragedy in Canada?

A papal apology was one of the recommendations contained in the Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s final report. Everybody else has: the United, Presbyterian, and Anglican churches — even though, collectively, they administered less than 30% of the schools (the balance were run by the Catholic Church); the provincial governments of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario have; as has the Government of Canada, which has already paid more than $3 billion in compensation to survivors. Even the RCMP apologized for its role.

This summer, Canadians were rocked by the news that the remains of over 1,150 unidentified indigenous children who attended residential schools in BC and Saskatchewan were found in unmarked graves or buried on the grounds of the schools (215 were found at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School; 182 at St. Eugene’s Mission School; and 751 at the former Marieval Indian Reservation School).

Canada Day was a muted celebration in July after the news broke in late May and throughout June. Flags flew at half mast.

Countless Catholic school and church properties were vandalized or burned to the ground on reserve lands and elsewhere.

Colonial and religious statues were toppled.

In response to considerable pressure for the Pope, as head of the Catholic Church, to finally make that formal apology, Cardinal Thomas Collins, the Archbishop of Toronto, responded to CBC in June, by saying: “I don’t know whether seeking always some big and dramatic thing is really the way forward . . .

I think the much more important thing is the day-to-day work, quietly, gently.”

Huh? Setting aside why, as a man of religious principle, he would characterize a simple apology as “some big and dramatic thing,” I recall from my studies, and hearing countless sermons, that Jesus was nothing if not a

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contemplative and profound communicator (often sitting and scribbling in the dirt with a stick or choosing words carefully while the audience waited). I never heard Jesus say anything as self-serving, calculated, disingenuous and diversionary as that said

by Cardinal Collins. But, let’s examine the “day-to-day work” the Catholic Church has been undertaking “quietly, gently” since, for instance, it signed its acceptance to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, in 2007.

In that Agreement the Catholic Church agreed to three things.

First it would fundraise, on a “best efforts” basis, to raise $25 million for survivors. In a 2015 court case to enforce payment, however, the Church pleaded that it had, apparently, only been able to raise $3.9 million towards this promise in the ensuing eight years. Over that same time period, however, the Church raised funds totalling $300 million for the construction of new church buildings (including $28.5 million for a cathedral in Saskatoon alone, completed in 2012).

Second, it agreed to provide $25 million of “in-kind” services to survivors, although it has refused to supply a comprehensive list of those services supplied, or any valuation of same. In the 2015 court case, the Church’s own accountant conceded, under oath, that “he has not audited these records and accounts, has no basis on which to value the services, and relies only on minutes of meetings” supplied by Catholic officials.

The Church’s third promise was to provide $29 million in cash payments to programs for survivors. CBC broke the story, at the end of July, that $2.7 million of this fund was misapplied to legal fees for lawyers on unrelated work; $2.3 million was consumed in “administration” of the funds; $1.8 million was spent on unapproved loans to the fundraising campaign, and $8.4 million was deducted for previous lawsuits (i.e., which had been settled before the Agreement was even signed).

Lest it be said that the Church has been strapped of late, The Globe and Mail reported in August the Canadian Catholic Church had net assets, as of 2019, of $4.1 billion, but also collects hundreds of millions in charitable donations — enough charitable revenue to make it the largest charity in the country.

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If you have a comment on this column and want Steven to see it, please visit the “Biz Blog” section on: BizXmagazine.com where you can have YOUR SAY on the topic too!

It should be noted that the United, Presbyterian and Anglican churches have all paid the funds to which they agreed in the Settlement, already — without any deductions for their legal fees.

If not paying compensation as agreed, what else constitutes the “day-to-day” work the Church has been endeavouring to do “quietly, gently”?

One such thing is refusing to produce records for the Residential Schools to aid in the ongoing investigations into historical abuse. The Vatican has refused to provide records — and, as a sovereign state, is immune to compulsion to do so by Canadian courts — and so the Catholic Church in Canada is defending actions in multiple Canadian jurisdictions to force the release of those documents.

Cardinal Collins, when asked about this resistance, advised reassuringly that: “No one that I know of is trying to hide records.

If anyone is, they shouldn’t be.” (Although this statement is disputed by the former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Phil Fontaine, who met with Pope Benedict in Rome in 2009 and led negotiations on the Indigenous Schools’ Settlement Agreement and by Carolyn Bennett, Canada’s Minister of CrownIndigenous relations).

And still, the Pope has not apologized.

And no, it is not more complicated than that.

Any first-year law student (or anyone with a laptop) could tell you in under an hour that all Canadian provinces and territories, except Quebec and the Yukon, have apology statutes that make apologies inadmissible in court as any admission of liability — not that the Catholic Church appears particularly afraid of purely legal obligations anyway.

I wonder what Jesus would do if in charge of the Catholic Church?

Steven Bezaire is a local lawyer, humourist, former infant, an accomplished napper, and loves all puppy dogs and babies in the world.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and may or may not represent the views or opinions of those associated with Biz X magazine. For more information on apologies visit: TheGlobeAndMail.com/canada/articlecanadian-catholic-bishops-apologize-for-graveabuses-at-residential

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FRONTLINES

Cheers To The 10th Winery To Open In The Town Of Essex W hile the pandemic has been increasingly tough on the local hospitality industry, the owners of VIN Winery have been busy planting, fermenting and renovating!

Officially opened on August 20, 2021, the winery employs six to 12 staff members.

It has brought several million dollars of investment and future revenues to the region.

Operated and owned by brothers Jordan and Joshua Goure, Master Brewer Bronson Goodfellow and Winemaker Nolan Bernard, the winery includes a retail store, event space with a capacity for 200 guests, overnight rentals, a one acre pond, a five acre vineyard and private wooded trails.

“We have been making wine since 2016, but just launched the winery in 2021,” explains Jordan. “Our product research has shown us that new age wine regions are some of the most popular wines currently at retail, and ultimately, people are passionate about supporting their local growing regions.”

Located at 1241 South Malden Road in Essex, the new business is the brainchild of the four hospitality vets who also operate BREW Microbrewery (BrewWindsor.com) and Wedding in the Woods (WeddingInTheWoods.ca).

“With the average age in the partnership being in the early 30s, the plan is to create new styles of wines and wine cocktails that speak to new wine drinkers as well as

VIN Winery is operated and owned by (from left, with each holding up one of their popular wine flavours): Jordan Goure (Sauvignon Blanc); Bronson Goodfellow (Sparkling Rose); Nolan Bernard (Cabernet Sauvignon) and Joshua Goure (Pinot Grigio). Photo by Julianna Bonnett.

connoisseurs,” says Jordan. “Joshua and I have been entrepreneurs since our first restaurant opened in 2008, later launching several other ventures in Windsor Essex.

Nolan is an engineer and Bronson has been part of the BREW team since 2016.”

The wines are unique, balanced and distinctly local, using all Colchester growing region grapes.

The end product, as Bernard describes is a “well balanced Cabernet Sauvignon; slightly sweet, yet crushable, Pinot Grigio; a crisp, citrusy and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc and lastly, a Sparkling Rose that is as

This newest addition to the Lake Erie North Shore wine growing region, includes an onsite retail store, patio, event space with a capacity for 200 guests, overnight accommodations, private wooded trails, and a five acre vineyard.

Photo courtesy of The Town of Essex.

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beautiful in the glass as it is on the palate.”

As well, the interior of the shop is just as beautiful as Joshua points out: “Our wine retail store is very urban and trendy, catering to the new age wine drinker with custom artwork done by Windsor’s very own Derkz.”

And the team has worked very hard to make many of their products available online during the pandemic.

“Having this set up (an e-commerce platform) for the winery right away, has led to much success as consumers’ purchasing habits have shifted due to the lockdowns,” states Goodfellow. “In addition, our most popular retail product, Maple Beer (from BREW Microbrewery) is available in LCBO locations, and we plan on following suit with some wine products in the near future.”

According to Jordan: “With long growing seasons, and a location in a premier wine region, it was a no brainer for us to invest in the Town of Essex. The entire team from the planning department to the economic development side, have been nothing short of amazing, and willing to work with us every step of the way. They truly make you feel like your investment matters in their municipality, and they are here to help you see your project to fruition.”

Goodfellow agrees and adds: “The local support shown by our community both pre-pandemic and also during the pandemic would make anyone proud to run a business in this area.”

To learn more check out their website: VinWinery.ca.

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C O R P O R A T E

P R O F I L E

Willis Business Law

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A Firm Focused On Business

By Dave Hall

Robert Millson, of Counsel

William Willis, Founding Partner

Doug Lawson, Of Counsel

Launched five short years ago, Willis Business Law has quickly established itself as a leader in business law across Windsor and Essex County.

The firm was established by Founding Partner William Willis in 2016, originally with five lawyers. Since day 1, the firm has focused solely on representing corporate, business, and non-profit clients, as well as public entities.

“I had a vision of creating a boutique law firm focusing solely on business law needs,” explains Willis. “The reality today is that more and more clients are demanding specialty representation because the law is complex and we are able to deliver on that vision based on our level of experience and expertise.”

There are now 11 lawyers on staff including Willis, Partner J. P. Karam, veterans Robert Millson, Doug Lawson and Dana Young and Senior Associate Sandra Fischer along with Associates Lyndsey Magliaro, Becca Pillon, Victoria Sorge and Erin Li. Willis, Karam, Young, Lawson and Magliaro were all part of the original group.

Veteran lawyer Al Gatti also practices in association with the firm to round out the complement of experienced lawyers.

“Our lawyers have extensive experience in all facets of business law,” says Karam. “Doug, for instance, has more than 54 years of experience, Robert has been practicing for over 45 years and Dana is just shy of 30 years.”

As Karam explains: “We are not a general practice law firm. All we do is business law and we are the region’s only firm strictly dedicated to representing not-for-profits, privately-held companies and public entities.”

Included under the firm’s umbrella are mergers and acquisitions, corporate partnerships, finance, real estate development, commercial and residential real estate transactions, corporate governance, privacy law and management, labour and employment law.

Karam says the biggest reasons for the firm’s success are its team members and its ability to respond quickly to client requests.

“Our clients don’t have the time to wait for

advice,” says Karam. “Opportunities for our clients come along all the time and decisions have to be made quickly. We are lucky and proud to work alongside exceptional lawyers, clerks and staff who work together to meet our clients’ needs.”

Lawson, who was called to the bar in 1967, also joined the firm at the very beginning because, despite practicing for more than 54 years, he recognized a fresh challenge when he saw it.

“It was new and innovative and there’s still nothing like it in the city,” explains Lawson. “There are general practice firms and others specializing in criminal defence and litigation, but there’s nobody practicing strictly business law.”

Lawson, who has been recognized with numerous awards over his lengthy career and was named Queen’s Council in 1982, says the firm’s growth over the past five years has surprised everyone including himself and it’s largely because Windsor has a large active business community.

“I think the firm is a tremendous success story because we’ve been able to focus on business law and provide our clients with the kind of respect and attention they deserve,” adds Lawson.

With Willis at the helm, the firm has also been able to provide a home for colleagues with a similar vision, which determines how Willis Business Law treats its clients.

Millson, meanwhile, was looking to ease back on his workload while at the same time continuing to service clients built up over a long career.

“I wanted to find a solid landing place for my clients and I’ve found it,” adds Millson. “My colleagues are all great people to work for and they are all very experienced and highly competent.”

In addition to offering quality legal services, the firm has also invested heavily in technology to help meet clients’ needs.

“We’ve created a virtually paperless office and established a code of conduct, which we all follow in our dealings with our clients,” says Willis.

With five years already behind it, expect Willis Business Law to continue growing and expanding its client pool across Essex County.

Find out more about their services at: www.WillisBusinessLaw.com

J.P. Karam, Partner

@willisbusinesslaw

Photos by Rod Denis

(519) 945-5470 | 1 Riverside Drive West, Suite 503, Windsor | info@willislawfirm.ca B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

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HEARD ON THE STREET The Healthy Mama, a vegan restaurant and retail shoppe, situated at 152 Lesperance Road in Tecumseh, has changed hands with new owner Nicole Hanson taking over from Tatjana Roksandic, in September.

“I’d been a customer of Tatjana’s since she had a stall at the market about eight years ago,” explains Hanson. “I was selling my own plant-based products as well and when Tatjana heard I was looking for my own space, we started talking and here we are.”

Hanson recently retired after 24 years as a paramedic and has jumped into retail with both feet. “I’ve been shadowing Tatjana for a few weeks learning payroll, who the suppliers are, staff scheduling, recipes, you name it,” she says. “I’ve been working 15 to 16 hour days, but I think I’m going to enjoy it.” Hanson plans to merge her company Chlorophyll Vegan Eats with Healthy Mama, “when I come up for air!” She also had to recruit, train and hire new staff members and now has a full complement of 17. The all-vegan menu features bowls, salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches, paninis, a variety of mac and cheese dishes, smoothies, smoothie bowls, side dishes and desserts. For more information online go to: HealthyMamaShop.square.site or: ChlorophyllVegan.com.

After almost nine years of operating in the heart of downtown Windsor, Nick Puim has sold the Dugout Sports Lounge, at 300 Ouellette Avenue, to an undisclosed Windsor business owner. The new owner prefers to remain anonymous and says he plans no changes in the bar’s operation. “It’s a sports bar and it will stay that way,” assures the new owner. “I’m a local business guy and I’ve always thought that businesses were

more important than who owns them.” Puim opened the Dugout in 2013 with business partner Derek Farrugia, who left the business five years ago. “I’ve been operating it on my own for five years and it was time for a change of scenery,” says Puim. However, it is not a change of vocation since Puim hopes to be in Antigua by the end of the year operating a bar. “My brother-in-law lives there and I’ve been a few times so it seems like a great opportunity,” he adds. Puim says his business took a small step backwards when COVID-19 restrictions went into place, but it has bounced back and is busier than ever. To view a menu and the hours of operation, visit: TheDugoutWindsor.ca.

Ottawa Street continues to be one of the busiest and most active commercial areas in the entire city. Ettore Bonato, owner of Salon Ettore Salon & Aesthetics and President of the Uptown Ottawa Street Business Improvement Association, says that since the beginning of the pandemic, the street has lost 12 businesses, but eight new ones have opened. “We’re encouraged by the confidence of these new entrepreneurs who have stepped up and filled in many of the vacancies,” says Bonato. Among the new businesses along the street are a pair of cannabis shops, two cafés, two restaurants, an antique store, and a vintage clothing store. In addition, Bonato says operators of Assante Wealth Management and Biblioasis Press at 1686 Ottawa Street, are in the middle of refurbishing their space at the corner of Ottawa and Windermere Road.

“We knew when we bought the building, it would need some work and it’s taken longer than anticipated, but we are definitely staying here,” says Dan Wells, owner of

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Biblioasis, which also has a bookshop location at 1520 Wyandotte Street East. For a complete list of members in the association refer to: UptownOttawaStreet.com.

Jenna Gelinas is in the process of turning her doughnut-making hobby into a business.

After spending the past few months making doughnuts at home, she’s currently scouting out a location on Dougall Avenue in preparation for opening her own store. “It’s a hobby turning into a full time job, hopefully,” says Gelinas who has a math degree and attended teacher’s college. She’s currently working in the manufacturing sector, but finds herself laid off intermittently because of the worldwide shortage of microchips.

Her business is called Torus Doughnuts because torus is the mathematical term for the shape of a doughnut. “I’ve been making them for friends and family so far, but looking forward to expanding my customer base once I’m able to open my own place,” she adds. “It’s definitely a work in progress, but I’m excited, and anxious to get started.”

For further information, search “Torus Doughnuts” on Facebook.

Developers of a new $3.4 million boutiquestyle accommodation facility, The Grove Motel, in Colchester, hope to begin construction in 2022. “We have all the approvals in place and we’re in discussions with our construction company about a winter or spring start,” explains developer Jim Flynn who, along with Kim Lewis, owns The Grove Hotel in Kingsville. “And right now, I would say it’s going to be a spring start.” Lester Construction has been hired to build the new two-storey 28 unit motel to be located on County Road 50 West, just a short walk from Colchester Beach. It is expected to attract birdwatchers, winery visitors and local residents enjoying a staycation, as well as people visiting the area on business. “It’s been a slow process with some stops and starts but we are happy we can now proceed with development and final design plans,” adds Flynn. The partners also operate The Grove Bike Co. and The Grove Brew House.

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY

NEWSFLASH THE RUNDOWN After conducting a needs assessment asking caregivers of adults with mental illness how they can be supported, partners Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH), The University of Windsor, and WE SPARK Health Institute host the inaugural “Caring for the Caregiver Conference” in response to the findings. Taking place on October 16 and October 23, the half day event is held virtually from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at no cost to attendees.

Participants can hear from experts on topics such as: Navigating the Healthcare System and Compassion Fatigue, as well as Consent and the Mental Health Act. Each day also includes connection and support from peer groups and an opportunity to engage with fellow caregivers.

“From the more than 75 individuals who took part in the initial study, came very insightful, often times emotional, information,” says lead researcher Dr. Edward Cruz from the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Windsor.

“Caregivers shared how deeply impacted they are by their experiences, how their health and well-being is so closely related to that of their loved-one’s current state, and how hard it can be at times navigating the mental health and addictions healthcare system.” The conference agenda was carefully curated based on these key findings, and features experts versed in the specific topics raised. Since study participants largely reported feeling a great deal of stress and burnout as a result of caring for their loved ones, conference organizers have also ensured that portions of the two half-day sessions are dedicated to education and activities on how to deal with these two areas of importance — focusing on the caregiver’s own physical and mental health.“The Caring for the Caregiver Study, and now conference, was an idea that originated through our Mental Health and Addictions Patient and Family Advisory Council,” explains Patrick Kolowicz,

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Director of Mental Health and Addictions with HDGH and Chair of the Council. “The group of more than 10 individuals, some caregivers themselves, noticed a need and acted on this. Caregivers, who often go unnoticed, are individuals that help our mental health and addictions system function.

Supporting them is critical.” Registration for both days, or either day, is now open and can be completed by visiting the webpage: WeSparkHealth.com/caregiver-conference.

Nominations are now open for the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 “Business Excellence Awards” (BEA) with 12 categories: “ATHENA Leadership Award”, “Believe WindsorEssex Award”, “Entrepreneur of the Year”, “Green Innovation”, “Large Company of the Year”, “Mid-Size Company of the Year”, “New Business of the Year”, “Pillars of our Community”, “Professional of the Year”, “Small Business of the Year”, “Tourism & Hospitality” and “Young Professional of the Year”. View the eligibility criteria for each Award category and the nomination forms on: WindsorEssexChamber.org/2022-businessexcellence-awards. The nomination deadline is Sunday October 24, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.

The Town of Tecumseh is accepting nominations for the following awards: “Dr. Henri Breault Community Excellence”; “Donald ‘Donny’ Massender Memorial Volunteer”; “Senior of the Year” and the “Youth of the Year”. “Our volunteers, both on our committees and within the community, do a great service for the people of our town,” says Mayor Gary McNamara. “We celebrate their outstanding work through our awards program, but also acknowledge their contributions throughout the year. I encourage members of our community to consider volunteering on

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one of our committees and nominate someone they feel is deserving of recognition in our awards program.” Nominees for these awards must be residents of the Town of Tecumseh and no person shall receive an award posthumously. Additionally, applications are being received from residents interested in serving on the following committees: Heritage, Tecumseh Accessibility Advisory, and the Tecumseh Business Improvement Area (BIA). Award nominations and committee applications are to be completed and submitted online, via the Town’s website, no later than Sunday, October 31, 2021. To learn more about the nomination and selection process for the awards, visit: Tecumseh.ca/awards.

Further committee details can be found at: Tecumseh.ca/committees.

Stigma Enigma Windsor is a local group of 18 outstanding local citizens and former basketball players who have a goal to raise awareness and reduce the stigma that inhibits most people with mental health issues from seeking help. Stigma Enigma provides funding to Windsor’s Maryvale Mental Health Centre (Maryvale.ca), ultimately helping young people and families in the Windsor Essex area suffering from mental health issues, as well as seeking to increase awareness and the need for community involvement in dealing with mental illness. Adolescent mental health treatment centres such as Maryvale have suffered from years of underfunding. Unfortunately, their annual fundraising banquet has been cancelled again this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, but the fundraising must go on! Just like they did in 2020, the group’s unique idea — “Meals For Mental Health” — takes place this year from November 6 to 13. Throughout this week a long list of local restaurants donate $5 per meal to help assist the adolescents at Maryvale.

A few of the participating restaurants include: Tabouli By Eddy’s, Pomegranate Restaurant, Franco’s, Caboto Club, K.O.M.A. Restaurant, Elite, Vito’s, Kildare House, Factory House and Ortona 1864 Café & Panino Shop. Get the latest information on how to order your meals and help Maryvale, by viewing: StigmaEnigma.ca.

Throughout the weekend of November 19 to 21, The Windsor Centre for Film, Digital Media and the Creative Arts (a local nonprofit dedicated to creating jobs and growing talent in film and all media arts in Southwestern Ontario), hosts an online skills development conference called “The Master Shot Summit”.

The event is for filmmakers, content creators, digital designers, writers, interactive media developers and all media artists, to learn and network. Topics covered include: business management, copyright and entertainment law, film and media unions, agencies, financing projects, and more. A strong focus is on networking opportunities with other creators and with industry professionals. For more information, visit: WindsorFilmMaking.com.

The Incubator Art Lab, part of the School of Creative Arts with the University of Windsor, has opened a storefront facility at 37 University Avenue East, across the street from the Capitol Theatre. The studio is a hybrid space combining a fine arts workshop with a biology laboratory. It will be

used for research and creation, as well as a place to hold special events, artist talks, and workshops for community or school groups.

It also serves as an exhibition space for student and faculty artworks. This unique facility will benefit the local community while winning national and international recognition in the art and science worlds. Find out more details on: IncubatorArtLab.com.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO . . .

Happy 25th anniversary to Game Gear Attire, a division of Dimensional Embroidery!

Game Gear Attire is one of Windsor and Essex County’s largest embroidery and silk screening businesses, which is locally owned and operated

by Diana Giorgi in Amherstburg. Well known for branding work and leisure attire, Game Gear also provides sales of corporate work wear, uniforms, safety wear, sporting apparel and swag promo items. Giorgi’s shop has kept up with the latest technology by purchasing state-of-the-art machinery, which allows her to provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee, competitive pricing and quick turnaround times. As a single mother 25 years ago, Giorgi started her embroidery business in her home.

The business has now expanded, and she is proud to have seven loyal employees who all live near her location. For more information visit their website at: GameGearAttire.com.

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HALL OF FAME

The Leamington District Chamber of Commerce held its 27th Annual “Business Excellence Awards” on September 8, 2021 under the stars at a drive-in style presentation, at the Leamington Roma Club. The complete list of winners is as follows . . .

“Young Entrepreneur/Professional” — Nicole Anderson, Ricci Enns Rollier & Setterington LLP; “Youth Excellence” — Isabel Unger; “Small Business Excellence” (under nine employees) — Speedprint Ltd.; “Small Business Excellence” (10 to 50 employees) — Seacliff Manor; “Excellence in Food Services” — Rays Ribhouse; “Customer First” — Libro Credit Union; “Industrial/Manufacturing Excellence” — Fort Dearborn Company; “Innovation”— Nature Fresh Farms; “Invest in a World Class Workforce” — Erie Shores Healthcare; “Welcoming Accessibility” — South Essex Community Council; “Warm Welcome” — Kingsville BIA; “Positive Professional” — Nat Milana, Milana’s Menswear; “Grow South Essex” — John O’s Foods; “Libro Director’s Choice” — The Bank Theatre and the “Alf Bennie” Award — Penelope Gil. Find out more about the chamber, their events and see a business directory on: LeamingtonChamber.com.

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THE WAY IT WAS

Rural Battalions On The Home Front Filled The Ranks . . . In The Fields

By Andrea Grimes

T

he Second World War is remembered as the turning point in Canada’s history where “stand at the ready” was the order of the day.

When Hitler’s Jackboots marched into Poland on September 1, 1939, cities, towns and villages throughout Europe (still recovering from the devastation of the Great War) were once again awash with every horrific measure of destruction and death.

Those black and white days of WWII unequivocally signalled the start of one of the most profound transformations of Canada’s agriculture industry.

Many of our Essex County farmers (producers in crops/livestock) played a central role in supporting the war effort through their patriotic commitment. As such, many developed “survival readiness” strategies with ingenuity, perseverance, and resourcefulness, which drove their survival in a new direction to become “rural battalions”.

Their “uniforms” could have been those distinctive overalls from Peabody Leather Label Overall Company (that families kept from the Great War) and stored in the wardrobe … just in case. No epaulets, brass buttons, collar dogs or chevrons (stripes) to distinguish ranks, but nonetheless, many farmers made prodigious wartime contributions “on all fronts,” which marked another chapter of a farming family’s history.

Although there were many men and women from Essex County (recognized as the next generation of farmers) on hand to plant the fields, harvest the crops and tend to the livestock, many also wanted to do the right thing and “rallied to the colours”.

Their departures created a shortage of experienced farm labour and the continuum of food production throughout Essex County was in serious jeopardy.

“In taking up the cause,” women stepped in to run the farms by developing resources to keep the family business viable and production quotas met.

Many enterprising students chose to work as farmhands over the summer as a means of gaining course credits, perhaps with a notion of developing careers in farm management. This practice was not

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only responsible for cultivating a positive work ethic; it also engrained democratic values in our Canadian youth, especially at a time when most of the world was in ruins.

With the end of WWII, came the realization that the agriculture industry throughout Essex County needed to establish a membership-driven co-op to address farmers’ problems as a collective voice to government. The establishment of the Essex County Federation of Agriculture (ECFA.ca) was the result of that collaboration.

According to the Federation’s handbook, “Honouring Our Farmers’ Commitment: The Story of the Essex County Federation of Agriculture” (2013) written by Evelyn Couch: “Since its inception in 1949, the Federation has been the voice of the agri-food industry, which serves to improve the understanding of urban populations about the farm industry.”

Federation archives also note: “Essex County continues to have a greater diversity of agricultural products than anywhere else in Ontario. Some platforms that farmers face in managing the farm environment include, government legislation, farm labour employment and climate change; insurance, safety and technology; financial aid, reforms and health care benefits; marketing, policy development and consumer awareness (farm tours); ag-education (schools), research and networking.”

The data findings of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (See: OMAFRA.gov.on.ca/english) Census of Agriculture (last published in 2016) reports “Of the 1,630 farms in Essex County, 1,582 are family run.”

“Food during war time was as valuable as bullets,” says Harold Wagner, owner of Wagner Orchards and Estate Winery (WagnerOrchards.com). “‘Napoleon once said: ‘an army marches on its stomach.’ The value of agriculture cannot be understated — everyone had to do their part. On the farm, it meant hard work became harder because so many young men left.”

When many of our lads from Essex County “joined the ranks” they did so by giving up a piece of individuality to become a part of something larger than themselves.

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From left: Ashley Martin, Ray Trimble, Steve Trimble and Ernest Faucher bale hay at a Malden farm in the 1940s. Photo courtesy of the Marsh Collection Society.

Understandably, many families cried the same tears as they waved “good bye” to many young farm lads who were leaving home (some for the first time in their lives), and more so as they boarded the trains yelling above the din of the crowds, “Mom, I’ll be home in time for the second harvest” and crying all over again when some did not!

As a civilian Veterans Advocate, Andrea Grimes was presented with the “Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal” and the “Governor General’s Medal” for her volunteer service to Veterans. She volunteers for various military family service-support organizations including: the North Wall Riders Association, Windsor Veterans Memorial Service Committee, Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment Association, Military Institute of Windsor, the Royal Canadian Naval Association, the Korean War Veterans Association and the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association.

TECH BY TES

Five Tips For Start-up Founders

By Adam Frye

F

rom financing your idea, building your team, finding your customers or navigating the regulatory environment, founding a start-up can be hard.

Here at WEtech Alliance, we work with hundreds of Founders every year to help them along their entrepreneurial journey.

So, now that I have your attention, be sure to mark the following on your calendar. Founders Week Beta is coming to Windsor Essex November 8 to 13, 2021 in celebration of “Global Entrepreneurship Week.”

Getting back to the topic for this issue, we’ve pulled together five tips to keep in mind while building your start-up, to set yourself up on a positive path for growth.

1 Build. Measure. Learn.

Make this your new mantra. Learn the ins and outs of building quickly, gaining customer feedback, and adjusting the product.

Don’t hold off on shipping your Minimum Viable Product (MVP), you need those initial customer feedback loops in order to know whether your product can sell or not.

Early customers will be your biggest champions (moms and friends don’t count as customers).

2 Involve Customers Early and Often.

Early in the process this should be interview based.

Listen 80% of the time and talk 20% of the time. If those ratios get out of whack, odds are good you’re simply preaching and not listening.

You need to understand what the real problem is that you are solving for your end user, how they want your product to work, and what it should look like.

Ask them to walk you through a day in their life. Ask them about what gains you would be unlocking if this problem were solved, and most importantly, ask them to test the product throughout the development cycle. There’s nothing more powerful than that.

3 Learn How To Sell.

Too many Founders believe they don’t have to sell in the early days.

There are two reasons you need to learn to sell.

The first is that without sales you have no revenue, which in turn means you have nothing. You need that fuel.

The second is more nuanced. It’s very difficult to build a company without understanding the pains you are helping your customer solve, and it’s also challenging to hire a sales team without having lived the sales cycle yourself, it becomes very difficult to incentivize them appropriately.

Go out and sell, like right now!

4 Get The Fundamentals Right.

This may not be your only start-up, this may not be your last start-up, but there is no substitute like learning by doing.

Write down your assumptions. Write down why you are doing what you are doing, and reflect on those assumptions and what actually happened.

The goal is to understand how to systematically build a company, the fundamentals work regardless of the start-up.

Find Other Founders.

5Being an entrepreneur is lonely, scary,

and insanely hard. The tough part is that there are very few who can empathize with your experience (even fewer if you don’t live in a big city).

Take some time to go out looking for other growth-minded founders like yourself and lean on one another for support. This is the highest value tip I can offer.

I will leave you with a bonus tip!

Leverage the ecosystem.

There are folks like WEtech Alliance all across our region, looking to support people like yourself. Reach out, get support, and leverage the heck out of it!

“Tech Bytes” is powered by WEtech Alliance (WEtech-Alliance.com). Adam Frye is their Director of Operations and Partnership. Prior to joining the entrepreneurial support space, he worked extensively in the start-up space in Waterloo and Toronto, both as an early employee in a high growth social enterprise, as well as a start-up coach and mentor for young entrepreneurs.

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT THIS ISSUE FEATURES…

Green Nest 9 Amy Croft Drive, Unit 2, Tecumseh

By David Clark

S

urviving successfully through the COVID-19 pandemic, the Green Nest in Tecumseh has an exciting and complete menu stressing healthy eating with an emphasis on superior customer service.

According to Kayla Adam, Manager of the Green Nest, “COVID-19 has been challenging, but we are now doing well and allowing people to come by and try our menu at the restaurant.”

She adds that “Sometimes in the background, running the eatery too, owner Amer Shaheen has help from many staff, including myself.”

After a busy summer, the Green Nest team has incorporated many new menu items into the mix and they are welcoming new hires, since word of their success is getting out there.

“When we opened in June of 2019, we only had a few months to build up our customer base before the pandemic,” says Adam.

“Building a business after, with COVID-19 going on has been difficult, but we are doing well here and rolling out the food now.”

Some of the fresh fare coming out of Green Nest these days includes salads, bowls, wraps, smoothies, juices and desserts.

“To us ‘Green’ means fresh,” explains Adam.

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Photos courtesy of Tartil Shaheen “We believe that eating healthy shouldn’t be difficult or expensive and our goal is to bring convenient, affordable and wholesome meals to Windsor Essex. We are most recognized for our green plant wall that has a neon sign in the middle, displaying the words, ‘Simply Fresh’. As for the word ‘Nest’, it is a symbol of home, warmth and commitment.”

The healthiest meals would probably be the Crispy Green Salad, Strawberry Fields Salad, and the Chicken Shawarma Bowl.

However, all main entrées have a good balance of fresh vegetables, healthy carbs and good fats with the option to add quality proteins.

You will definitely be in salad heaven at the Green Nest with the bright Strawberry Fields, giving you a touch of fruit. A salad version of Rainbow Thai plus another exotic dish called Fattoush, are also available.

The most popular bowls are the festive Mexi Bowl, the celebrated Chicken Shawarma and “swim” with the Sushi Bowl!

If you’re with the “in crowd”, some of the packed wraps include the wrap version of the Mexi Bowl, the Rainbow Thai Wrap and a cultured Baked Falafel Wrap.

Other Green Nest delights include the seasonal quesadillas and veggie burgers too.

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Shift Manager, Allison C. displays the Strawberry Fields Salad and a mouth-watering dose of the Berry Blast Smoothie. You can’t get any healthier than that!

Regarding favoured smoothies/juices and desserts; satisfy your sweet tooth with the Berry Blast and Strawberry Banana smoothies.

A Green Boost juice power drink is another favourite and also good for you!

A snack at the end of the meal could be the Quinoa Puff and/or Energy Bites that are sure to do the trick.

The Green Nest also makes sure to source the freshest produce for their customers.

The highest quality products include of course, the produce, meat and the other food items passed on to the customers.

To get all of this to you, the Green Nest offers online ordering through their website: TheGreenNest.ca and a mobile app. Their focus is on orders for takeout, pickup and dine-in, but delivery is available through the following service companies: Jubzi, SkipTheDishes, Uber Eats and DoorDash.

The Green Nest is especially enthusiastic about partnering with Jubzi because they are locally owned and designed to help end hunger in Windsor.

For a seafood explosion, fish through the menu and you can hook a Sushi Bowl for a complete dining experience.

In fact, each order is subject to a 5% commission donated to a homeless shelter. It is a simple yet significant way to support local and give back to the community.

As for catering?

“Many of our plans, such as catering and making a “build your own bowl” customized menu had been postponed when the pandemic started back,” Adam mentions. “Since we opened again, we have enjoyed fulfilling many larger lunch orders

For a cultural dish you can never go wrong with the exotic Baked Falafel Snack Wrap.

When it’s dessert time, the Quinoa Puff has the fibre you need and something for those with a sweet tooth too!

for offices and businesses, which is giving us the itch to offer more catering options in the future. We are excited to move forward with these ideas and offer even more options for our customers.”

At the Green Nest, the restaurant is striving to keep growing and changing.

They are constantly adding new menu items upon learning what customers like most.

“We can’t thank our customers enough for

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having supported us since we’ve opened our doors,” Adam comments. “We appreciate their feedback too. We want to serve the highest quality food with the highest quality customer service and, in order for us to keep improving, we are looking to hear from everyone. Stop by, give us a call or message us on social media . . . we’ll open the door for you!”

To view their hours of operation and the menu, check out the restaurant’s website: TheGreenNest.ca or their social media page: Facebook.com/GreenNestRestaurant.

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For The Love Of Windsor Pizza . . .

Area small business entrepreneurs go for a bigger slice of the pizza pie with new locations, products and promotional ideas

COVER STORY By Dave Hall

W

hile Windsor and Essex County area hospitality-related small businesses, absorbed the brunt of the impact from rolling closures mandated by the Province of Ontario in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are signs the sector is bouncing back.

According to a survey released in September by Workforce WindsorEssex (WorkForceWindsorEssex.com), the number of people employed in the accommodations and food services sector had reached 10,800, which represents a considerable jump from a low of 5,500 in January 2021 when pandemic-related closures were at their most devastating.

“There does appear to be some bounce back from the sector, but I imagine it will be a slow and steady recovery, which could take a couple of years,” says Justin Falconer, Chief Executive Officer of Workforce WindsorEssex. “Hospitality was one of the first sectors hit by the pandemic and will probably be the last to come out of it.”

The employment numbers are still well off the 15,300 employed in the sector in September 2019, but there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel for the beleaguered hospitality sector.

The sector is represented by more than 800 businesses with 770 of those operating with staffing levels between one and 49.

The pizzeria sector within the overall food services sector is growing again as well.

Online and published postings for jobs at local pizzerias are also bouncing back from a low of 170 during 2019, to 217 so far this year. And the amount of time postings are listed before being filled or taken down, a sign of improving health in the sector, has decreased from an average of 26 days last year to 18 days this year.

“One of the problems for this sector is finding people to fill the jobs because many have transitioned to other employment opportunities,” adds Falconer. “It’s a different world and people have adapted.”

The Windsor Pizza Club

In October 2020, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI) launched The Windsor Pizza Club encouraging Windsor

An employee for Antonino’s Original Pizza loads a large order into customer Theresa Burke’s SUV during a curbside pickup at the Howard Avenue location. No matter what the size of the order may be, the pies are always placed in the back of the vehicle as per the COVID-19 safety protocols that the pizzeria strictly abides by. Photo by Rod Denis.

area pizza aficionados to visit participating restaurants where they could have a passport stamped and qualify for gifts such as TWEPI hats and t-shirts.

“It was a great way to bring our partners together and showcase Windsor-style pizza,” believes TWEPI Chief Executive Officer Gordon Orr. “When you look at the number of pizzerias in our area, there’s no doubt there’s a hunger for it and as long as the operators keep putting out a premium product, the demand will remain strong.”

He adds: “The fact there’s enough customers for everyone to be profitable and expand their businesses proves how popular pizza is across the region.”

According to Lynette Bain, TWEPI Vice President Destination Development, 5,000 membership cards were printed for distribution at partner locations and select events; 993 cards have been registered online with over 100 redeeming their completed cards for their free t-shirt.

In addition, a video series was completed for promotional support of the campaign and was released at the launch event. The videos have been viewed over 56,000 times with approximately 4,500 impressions and over 350 hours watched.

Pizza heart graphic: © Can Stock Photo/TopVectors

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An influencer campaign was also executed on the program announcement date, encouraging local influencers with a large following, to create their own Windsor-style pizza with a kit provided by Antonino’s Original Pizza, 4350 Howard Avenue. This campaign promoted a contest to wine free pizza for a year, which garnered over 4,000 entries and 15,000 views!

The dedicated landing page (WindsorPizzaClub.ca) has welcomed over 11,000 unique visitors and 35,000 page views.

In addition to Antonino’s, the other participating pizzerias include: Arcata Pizzeria, 3021 Dougall Avenue; Armando’s Pizza, 326 Cabana Road East; Giovanni Caboto Club, 2175 Parent Avenue; Capri Pizzeria, 3020 Dougall Avenue; Franco’s Restaurant, 1449 Tecumseh Road East; Oven 360, 3873 Walker Road; and Sam’s Pizzeria & Cantina, 2214 Wyandotte Street West.

Orr also praised local pizza restaurant owners for being good community partners and participating in many fundraising events.

“The fact that pizza travels well and reheats well makes it a popular food to

be served at fundraisers,” indicates Orr. “Overall, pizza is a massive success story across our region and we’re happy to help celebrate it.”

“Small Business Week” October 16 To 23, 2021

Yet, there have been struggles for small businesses over the past 18 months, because of many closures caused by COVID-19 restrictions and more may follow in the year ahead. And it has had a major impact on the Canadian economy.

According to a report released on September 2, 2021 by Statistics Canada (Statscan.gc.ca), small businesses made up 98% of all employer businesses across Canada in 2020, employing 9.7 million individuals, which is approximately 64% of the total labour force.

They include: “Web Presence 101” on October 5 at 10 a.m.; “Basics of Starting a Small Business” on October 12 at 10 a.m.; “Social Media for Your Business” on October 19 at 10 a.m.; “Basics of Writing a Business Plan” on October 21 at 2 p.m. and “Emerging Technologies in Automation” on October 26 at 8:30 a.m.

For registration information, visit: WeBusinessCentre.com Despite the many daunting challenges and concerns, there are still dozens of small businesses across Windsor and Essex County, including pizzerias, not only thriving, but also expanding.

What follows is a small snapshot of those hardy pizzeria owners overcoming the odds.

Antonino’s Original Pizza . . .

Planning For Two New Locations

The history of Antonino’s Original Pizza dates back to 1959 when Antonino (“Tony”) and Vita Ciaravino opened their first pizzeria.

They sold the business in the late 1960s before re-opening in the mid-1970s and later closing it down again.

“They were old-school and if they couldn’t make the pizzas themselves, they didn’t want to own the business,”

Justin Falconer is Chief Executive Officer of Workforce WindsorEssex, a workforce and employment planning agency designed to match employers with employees.

Photo courtesy of Mychailo Photography.

By comparison, medium-sized businesses employed 21.2% of the labour force followed by large employers at 14.8%.

In the same survey, small business owners expected more significant impacts, such as a decrease in profitability and sales. They also felt they would be less likely to take on additional debt, have the liquid assets to continue operating and face the prospect of more of their employees working from home.

In recognition of the contributions made by such businesses to the Canadian economy, October 16 to 23, 2021 has been designated as “Small Business Week.”

Locally, the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre, a division of Invest WindsorEssex, hosts a number of events throughout October to assist small business owners.

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Joe Ciaravino, owner of Antonino’s Original Pizza, started working in the family pizzeria when he was very young. “My mom put my playpen next to the pizza table when I was a baby,” he recounts. “You could say I started learning the pizza business before I learned to walk!”

And now, years later, his family business will soon grow to five locations in the region. Photo by Rod Denis.

recounts current owner Joe Ciaravino who re-launched Antonino’s with his mother in 1999 in honour of his father who passed away in 1980.

Originally located at Howard Avenue

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and North Talbot Road, Ciaravino moved the business into a brand new, larger location on an adjacent lot a little over two years ago. The new building was built by Rosati Construction (RosatiGroup.com).

“We simply ran out of space,” he explains.

Antonino’s has never offered delivery services except on larger orders above $85 and Ciaravino says that isn’t going to change.

“When you put a hot pizza into one of those hot boxes for delivery, the heat turns to steam and it makes the pizza soggy,” he says. “You’re much better off picking it up yourself.”

All of the restaurants have various levels of eat-in capacity, but at the time of writing (late September) none have re-opened since Ciaravino shut them down at the onset of COVID-19 restrictions.

Ciaravino believes his restaurant’s secret to success lies in its consistency and use of fresh ingredients, such as Galati Cheese Company’s Uniondale-brand whole-milk mozzarella cheese, a cornmeal crust, dough which is homemade and slowly fermented in a cooler, as well as fresh or canned mushrooms and shredded pepperoni.

“All that and love!” laughs Ciaravino.

Ciaravino admits that consistency is hard to achieve given that multiple people

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at multiple locations are making multiple pizzas seven days a week.

“We don’t always get it right, but we get it right the vast majority of the time,” he says.

“There are a lot of moving parts in making a pizza.”

When COVID-19 restrictions impacted the restaurant sector, Ciaravino stepped up his pay-in-advance and curbside pickup system by adding debit and credit card terminals at every phone station and hiring additional staff to run pizzas out to customer’s vehicles.

“We have about 60 employees who are all an integral part of our business,” adds Ciaravino.

There are three Antonino’s locations (which operate as franchises with the owners of each in brackets) — 4350 Howard Avenue (corporate), 6535 Malden Road in LaSalle (Paolo Scalia) and 1695 Manning Road in Tecumseh (Janet Hurmoz and Jay Matti).

There are plans to open new locations in Riverside (Linda and Amir Kakous) and Leamington (Andrew Krautner) in the near future. Both buildings will again be built by Rosati Construction.

“We’ve thought about expanding outside Essex County, but it doesn’t make sense to go somewhere where nobody knows who

Paul Perciballi and his sister Adriana Luciani are co-owners of Nonna’s Pizza A Pezzi, 11624 Tecumseh Road East in Windsor. Adriana holds a tray of Rustici. Then, from clockwise on the counter, are a vegetarian pizza, zucchini pizza, potato pizza, cherry tomato pizza and finally, Paul displays a tray of Boscaiola. In the background, the nonnas (grandmothers) can be seen making Wedding Soup. Photo by Rod Denis.

you are when we have high brand recognition and loyalty here at home,” states Ciaravino about his multi-award winning pizzeria.

Using this “home advantage,” in May 2021 Antonino’s began selling their Stone-Baked Frozen Pizzas exclusively at Mancini’s Italia Bakery, 571 Erie Street East under the slogan: “Real pizzeria quality and taste, because we make ‘em in a real pizzeria.” Prices start at $11.99 and available choices are: Cheese, Pepperoni, Original Super and Angry Hawaiian.

As well, soon after the pandemic started in March 2020, Antonino’s began to offer kid friendly take-home pizza and cannoli kits for customers that include everything you need to make four 6” pepperoni pizzas or six Sicilian cannoli.

For further information on all they offer view: OriginalPizza.ca where you can also learn about how the Ciaravino family and their pizza legacy has become a Windsor institution.

Nonna’s Pizza A Pezzi Take-Out Location Opens

Paul Perciballi launched the business five years ago in Lakeshore, with the help of sister and co-owner Adriana Luciani, along with niece Diana Luciani. But when COVID-19 exploded and forced restaurants to curtail their hours, he decided to move it to a space next to Perciballi Pools, near the Windsor/Tecumseh border.

Nonna is an Italian term of endearment for grandmother and with some of Perciballi’s

staff falling into that category, travelling out to Lakeshore became difficult.

“Those were the main reasons we moved and now it’s much more convenient for our staff and customers as well,” says Perciballi.

“We’ve been busy since we moved.”

He explains: “We’re not a traditional pizza restaurant. In addition to the food we offer, we also rent or sell wood-burning pizza ovens because we noticed during the pandemic that people were interested in making their own pizzas and hosting pizza parties when it was safe to do so.”

Perciballi also offers lessons to help people make their own pizzas in the Rossofuoco traditional wood-burning pizza ovens.

“It’s not that hard to do and it’s becoming more popular,” he indicates.

In addition to 10 varieties of pizzas, Nonna’s serves Ciociaro Ciambelle, which is similar in texture to a bagel or baked soft pretzel; panninis, Arancini (rice balls), pasta dishes and Rustici, which can include sausage, vegetables and cheese wrapped in pizza dough and baked in the oven.

In order to serve pizzas that are as close to the authentic Italian variety as possible, Perciballi imports flour and salami from Italy and uses traditional San Marzano tomatoes.

Perciballi says his staff includes a handful of nonnas, all but one over the age of 70, who work “their traditional Italian-cooking magic especially on Saturdays when they make dozens of Ciambelles, which sell out very quickly.”

Open since August of 2021, this B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

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take-out business offers pickup services only and customers can either order online or drop in and make their selections in person.

Nonna’s is located at 11624 Tecumseh Road East and you can see photos of all they offer on: Facebook.com/NonnasPizzaAPezzi.

Oven 360 Pizza, Panni & Gelato . . .

Franchise Fever & Frozen Pizzas

When long-time Caboto Club pizza maker Remo Tortola saw some of his customers craning their necks to view the ingredients he was using on their Italian-style pies, he hit on a new idea, which has since become Oven 360.

“I realized right then that people were interested in participating in what they were eating,” notes Tortola. “A few years ago, I was at a pizza-making exposition in Las Vegas and saw something very similar and I knew it would work in Windsor.”

He was joined in the Oven 360 venture by partners Lucio Franceshelli, Huy Nguyn and Matt Duronio.

“We make a good team because Matt and I have some business experience while Remo and Lucio are experts on the food side,” says Nguyn who, like Duronio, is a dentist.

They opened their first Oven 360 on Grand Marais Road West in 2018, providing an opportunity for customers to identify their own ingredients displayed along

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Two of the Oven 360 partners, Lucio Franceschelli and Remo Tortola, team up to make a personal sized pizza at the latest franchise location to open at 12000 Tecumseh Road East in Tecumseh, owned by Laura and J.J. Carcelen. And while you might not find this combination of prosciutto, rucola, bocconcini cheese and cherry tomatoes, coming out of a hot, wood-fired 360-degree pizza oven, on the menu, you can always custom create any pizza you desire. Photo by Rod Denis.

a counter, which were then baked into their pies in a hot, wood-fired, 360-degree pizza oven.

When Tortola arrived in Windsor in 2001 from Isernia, Italy, a small town between Rome and Naples, he brought

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with him traditional Italian pizza recipes.

“It took a while for them to catch on because we used thin crusts and not everyone was used to that,” he comments.

“But eventually, they became very popular.”

Tortola believes Oven 360 has become

a hit because people can participate in selecting their own ingredients.

He only uses fresh ingredients at all the Oven 360 locations, has a committed ownership roster, loyal customers and a strong reputation for exceptional customer service, after just three years.

“There’s a large demographic of customers who are looking for something healthy and quick without the need for sit-down dining options,” explains Nguyn. “They can create their own options right in front of them, or on days when they want to cheat, they have that option as well.”

While there were some initial hiccups at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Oven 360 locations survived because they were designed largely for pickup with just a few dine-in tables (which are currently open).

However, Tortola remains concerned about the impact vaccination passports and the ongoing pandemic will have on all businesses.

And with more than 200 employees across all locations, there’s a lot at stake going forward. But, he and his partners continue to grow their business as much as possible in new locations and markets.

For example, Oven 360 frozen pizzas are also now being sold in six Sobeys locations between Windsor and London with plans to take this province-wide eventually.

Tortola informs Biz X he’s taking his concept on the road with plans to open an Oven 360 in Burlington, bringing the full complement to nine.

The partners hope Burlington will be a jumping off point for the rest of Ontario.

“We’re also considering Michigan in the near future,” adds Tortola. “We had a deal in place before COVID and had to shelve it for the time being, but we’re looking at it again.”

Locally, Oven 360’s locations include: 1349 Grand Marais West, Unit #107 (corporate ownership); 3873 Walker Road, Unit 106 (Sam Tortola); 6505 Malden Road in LaSalle (corporate); 1226 County Road 22 in Emeryville (Mario Vasilescu); 12000 Tecumseh Road East, Unit #5 in Tecumseh (Laura and J.J. Carcelen), 24 Seacliff Drive East in Leamington (Rob Caracciolo); 346 St. Clair Street in Chatham (Frank Mastromattei) and 505 Christina Street North in Sarnia (Costa Tsaprailis).

For more information and to order online, refer to: Oven360.com.

Capri Pizzeria . . .

Serving Windsor Essex For Over 50 Years

Capri Pizzeria was established in 1970 by Bob and Dorothy Kalaydjian and is now run by their son Kevin Kalaydjian and business partner Jim Koumoutsidis.

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“We’ve been blessed with loyal customers and great employees,” expresses Kalaydjian.

“It’s been a great run and we’re very grateful for all of it.”

In fact, business was growing so fast six years ago that the partners made the difficult decision to close their dining room on Dougall Avenue and focus entirely on pickup, delivery and catering to office and house parties.

“We had two choices — expand the building to accommodate a larger kitchen or close the dining room,” explains Kalaydjian. “From a business sense, it was the only decision we could make because it made production so much easier.”

However he adds: “It was difficult to lose the personal contact with our dine-in customers.”

Capri Pizzeria is one of a number of participants in the Windsor Pizza Club, an initiative launched last year by Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island to encourage area residents to support their local pizzerias, while

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Welcome To Pizza Paradise

And if the foregoing isn’t enough to make you crave a slice after reading this article, there’s now a documentary entitled: “The Pizza City You’ve Never Heard Of,” extolling the virtues of Windsor-style pizza.

Featuring Galati Cheese, shredded pepperoni, canned mushrooms and a cornmeal bottom crust, Windsor pizzas are unique among their brethren in other cities.

Produced by former Windsorite George Kalivas and friend Tristan Laughton of Toronto, the hour-long film includes clips about local pizza places such as Arcata Pizzeria, Capri Pizzeria, Antonino’s Original Pizza, Spago, Armando’s Pizza and Amloze.

It is billed as an “insightful, mouthwatering examination of how Windsor pizza evolved, how its current proprietors maintain the tradition and how the new ones keep it alive,” according to a press kit at: PizzaDocumentary.com (Be sure to watch the trailer for the movie here too!).

The documentary has been picked up by a number of festivals and Kalivas expects a general release in 2022. © Can Stock Photo/lidante

Co-owner Kevin Kalaydjian of the Capri Pizzeria 3020 Dougall Avenue location, proudly shows one of their signature pizzas — the “Super” with mozzarella, shredded pepperoni, bacon, mushrooms and green peppers. Photo by Rod Denis.

at the same time having their loyalty passports stamped after each visit. (For more details see the intro to this story).

“It came along at the beginning of COVID and it was encouraging to see the tourism board get behind our industry,” he says.

“Windsor pizza is known far and wide and to have that level of regional support was very gratifying.”

Asked what makes Capri Pizzeria stand out, Kalaydjian responds: “It’s our unique spice blend and our crust, plus our fresh ingredients and because there are so many great pizzerias in Windsor, you have to stay on top of your game at all times.”

The pizzas are also made with locally produced mozzarella from the Galati Cheese Company.

Expansion plans began in 1996 and there are now 10 locations across Windsor and Essex County. There is also a kiosk at the main campus of St. Clair College.

Kalaydjian says that now restrictions are being eased and employees are slowly returning to their workplaces, there are more catering opportunities for house and office parties.

“It’s slowly coming back and we are encouraged for the future,” he adds.

There are 10 Capri Pizzeria locations, all of which are franchises (the owners are named in brackets after each) working from locations at 3020 Dougall Avenue (Kevin Kalaydjian and Jim Koumoutsidis); 618 Goyeau Street (Laith Kassab); 9931 Tecumseh Road East (Laith and George Saleem); 25 Amy Croft Drive in Tecumseh (Nuran Darcan); 1468 Front Road in LaSalle (Laith and George Saleem); 568 Notre Dame Street in Belle River (Ramy and Majd Albana); 95 Talbot Street South in Essex (Kaz Nazli); 25 Main Street West in Kingsville (Chris Aziz); 503 Sandwich Street South in Amherstburg (Luay Saleem) and 266 Erie Street South in Leamington (Asma Abdalmajid).

Log on to: CapriPizza.ca for a pizza menu and to read more about their success story!

“When The Moon Hits Your Eye Like A Big Pizza Pie, That’s Amore!”

Pizzerias across the region represent a resilient sector and while many restaurants across the industry have struggled for most of the past 19 months, pizzerias seem to be surviving and thriving.

So, as always, support local businesses every chance you can and remember, even if you can’t buy happiness, you can buy a Windsor pizza — and that’s pretty much the same thing!

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HAVE A CUP OF JOE WITH JOE

“Hello, Hello World” . . .

An Inspiring Windsor Podcast

By Joe McParland

I

n case you missed it, just prior to the publication date of the October issue of Biz X, the world recognized September 30 as “International Podcast Day”.

So I figured there’s no better time than the present to recognize what’s been going on in the local podcast scene!

In simplest terms, a podcast is an audio (video) program just like talk radio, accessed through your Internet connected devices that you can listen to whenever you like.

Since podcasts emerged globally in 2004 by two English gentlemen (Adam Curry and Dave Winer), podcasts have been extremely popular in Canada.

According to TPX (Refer to: ThePodcastExchange.ca), a collaborative creation of industry leaders in Canadian broadcasting, digital media, and advertising sales — 36% of Canadians over 18 years of age have listened to at least one podcast in 2020 and more than 8 million listened monthly.

TPX identifies the target listener of podcasts as “18 to 34 year old men, among Canadians with a higher education; households with more than $100K income.”

Windsor has quite a few popular free and subscription podcasts featured on a variety of different platforms such as YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Google, TuneIn, Audible, Stitcher, etc.

Here is a sample of the just a few of the podcasts out there . . .

In November 2018, I wrote a Biz X article on Andy Sullivan’s popular local podcast entitled “Straight Outta Windsor: Proof Positive of The Good in The Region” (see the article online at BizXmagazine.com/straight-outta-windsor-2).

On July 7, 2020, Sullivan ended his weekly run of 124 podcasts to devote more time to his family and fulltime career. His past podcasts can still be accessed at: StraightOuttaWindsor.podbean.com.

Rose City Politics (Spreaker.com/show/rose-city-politics) is a weekly, hour-long podcast that focuses on the movers and shakers affecting the political scene of Windsor and Essex County.

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Candyce Mollard is pictured during a recent podcast interview with Zule Ankamah (owner) and Celesta (Zule’s daughter) about their business Zuleeats in Tecumseh, which specializes in traditional Ghanaian meat pies and also offers sausage rolls, butter tarts and more! Photo courtesy of Timed Right Photography.

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Current panelists Pat Papadeas, Jon Liedtke, Don Merrifield Jr., and Doug Sartori dissect, debate, educate and inform on political happenings in our region.

The panelists also write a regular opinion column in Biz X as of February 2021.

Greg Gnyp (former DJ for 93.9 “The River”) and Chris Uszynski (Race Director/Founder of RunningFlat) — who have been friends for over 30 years — have teamed up on their podcast, “GNYP GNOP” (Podomatic.com/podcasts/gnypgnop).

Started in March 2021, it is an audio and video podcast where they discuss current events and have fun with friends from all over.

Gnyp invites all to join them “live each Friday at noon for lunch and bring a drink — it will always be entertaining.”

“Hello, Hello World” (Podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/hellohello-world/id1556510502) also debuted in March 2021and is the creation of Candyce Mollard who directs and hosts her podcast.

A native of Windsor, Mollard is a married, stay at home mom who attended the University of Windsor.

She tells us: “My goal is to showcase all of the creative and inspiring folks that we have in our community.”

After a few podcasts she expanded her goal to also showcase local small businesses.

“I invite them on for a 15 to 20 minute chat where I ask them all types of questions about their business — giving my listeners a guide to some of the best spots in our city,” she explains. “I’m so proud of the businesses I’ve chatted with and the ones that I am scheduled to chat with in the future.”

Her shows dealing with small businesses are appropriately designated as “Local Business Love.”

Mollard has presented 40 podcasts so far involving such notable residents as Jeff Denomme, Philippa Von Ziegenweidt, Tracey Rogers, Sean Ireland, Jen Brignall-Strong, and many others, covering an eclectic array of businesses and services in the Windsor Essex area.

While many podcasts are produced with expensive audio equipment, Mollard’s chats with her guests on her personal iPad. She was directed by another local podcaster to an Internet app, Anchor by Spotify (Anchor.fm) that provided her with all the tools she required to get her podcast up and running.

As Mollard adds: “The Windsor podcast community is awesome and provided me help with the basics.”

After listening to several of her podcasts, I am convinced that Mollard’s passion for this community, her in-depth research into the topics and her guests, and her easy-going interview style, are the perfect mix for a long and successful podcast career.

And when it comes to getting some media attention of her own from Biz X, Mollard states: “It is an honour for me to be a part of a magazine that reflects everything I love about our city!”

The feeling is mutual Candyce.

We know your listeners will learn a lot about our community from your podcasts as well!

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portfolio corner

Immigration And Economic Prosperity

By Steven Mayo

Fortunately, we live in a “young” country, relatively speaking, on the world stage.

For the last 50 years or so our politicians, from all parties, are of the belief that to grow our economy we had to grow our population through immigration, as birth rates would not be enough. This continues to be the case.

Not all countries have adapted such policies.

For example, China and Japan have a rapidly aging population and not enough young people to replace them, and immigration is only now being encouraged in Japan.

It was reported earlier this year in the Financial Times that China has delayed the release of its 2020 census because the data reveal the population has fallen from a peak of more than 1.4 billion in 2019 to less than that now. Apparently, this is about 10 years earlier than a UN population projection.

Clearly the “one child policy” did not help and was amended in 2016 to allow for two

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children per family, and has since been changed again to allow for three children. China is now scrambling to boost their population.

The same problem is happening in countries in Europe.

Take Italy for example, which had a population growth problem before the pandemic and it has since worsened, and is now declining. Only the big cities in Italy are keeping their population base, and the countryside is not.

Italy had to reinvent itself to attract young people and this difficult task has just begun.

A similar story is playing out in older countries, but North America is in the driver’s seat.

Thankfully, we encourage immigration.

The labour markets are already tight enough in the skilled trades, and businesses increasingly are competing for workers across regions and sectors. Immigration is now a constant necessity to avoid labour shortages.

In recent years Canada has been able to

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outshine the U.S. and Australia as the number one location for skilled foreign workers. A recent survey by the Boston Consulting Group of 200,000 people in 190 countries, highlighted Canada’s recent jump to a preferred location.

The report credits “Canada’s rise from third place in the 2018 survey — to its COVID-19 pandemic performance, to a lack of nationalistic extremism and social turmoil, better social systems and a more open culture.”

The current Federal Government plans on welcoming 400,000 immigrants in 2021.

For now, one of Canada’s best long-term economic policy weapons to increase the tax base, remains immigration. Let’s keep it that way.

From an investment perspective this is one of many reasons I remain primarily North American focused. I like our home-field advantage.

In closing, consider the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd US President: “Remember, remember always that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists.”

Steven Mayo is a Vice President, Director, and Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities Inc. (Member — Canadian Investor Protection Fund). This article is not intended as nor does it constitute investment advice. Readers should consult a qualified professional before taking any action based on information in this article.

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY

ask the experts

The Benefits Of Propane As A Fuel Source

By Dave Halliday

Y

ou love the rural setting you have chosen for your new home.

You’re away from the noise of the highway, set back behind a rich and healthy tree lot.

Everything is exactly as you want it to be.

However, you are facing some challenges when it comes to providing services to your new castle.

One of the major hurdles to clear is to ensure you have ready access to a reliable fuel source for your home and appliances.

You don’t really know much about it all, but you’ve been told by your soon to be neighbours that propane is the way to go.

They seem like great folks, but it’s probably better you contact an expert on the topic to get the facts right.

Fortunately for you, we at Biz X magazine were able to sit and discuss the various options and benefits to propane as a fuel source with Dowler-Karn Windsor Branch Manager, Ken Lloyd.

Dowler-Karn Limited is a benchmark industry leader, distributing energy products such as propane, ESSO fuels and MOBIL lubricants to many communities within southwestern Ontario.

Seven branch offices and eight fuel centres make up their service network, taking care of 18,000+ residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial customers, every day. They have been providing propane fuel-related services to their loyal customers for the past 78 years!

(Learn more at: DowlerKarn.com).

Lloyd answers all our questions from their Windsor branch, located at 5475 Dicocco Court in Oldcastle.

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Are there environmental benefits to propane as a fuel source for one’s home or business? “There are,” replies Lloyd. “Although unlikely, if spilled, propane is harmless to air, land and water.”

He continues by stating: “Home propane is a cleaner energy solution for Canada’s low-carbon future when considered as a home heating option, as switching to propane from heating oil reduces greenhouse gases by 38%.”

Are there other benefits?

“For instance, if switching from electricity to propane, they can save money and reduce greenhouse gases,” indicates Lloyd. “Canadians need affordability in housing, food and energy, and low emission propane is an affordable energy solution for communities from coast to coast to coast.”

Is propane often an option in rural settings? “Yes, in rural areas and markets that are underserved by natural gas, propane is the cleaner, more affordable choice,” he states. “When combined with high-efficiency appliances, propane allows homeowners to enjoy lower energy bills, while reducing emissions and supporting local distribution businesses.”

Are there other potential cost savings that can be realized? “In some cases, converting from oil to propane can reduce insurance premiums because propane does not pose a risk to the environment or property in the rare event of a release,” he informs us. “Propane furnaces require substantially less maintenance annually than an oil furnace, because there is no accumulation of soot or carbon inside.”

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What are some of the less obvious advantages to switching the components of our homes and lives from conventional electric options to propane? “Unlike electricity, your propane costs stay consistent no matter what time of day,” notes Lloyd. “Propane furnaces provide warmth with air consistently heated to 120°F where electric heat pumps dispense air at 95°F and as a result the air feels cool, not warm.”

How about some rapid-fire benefits to other applications? “OK!” says Lloyd listing: “Propane water heaters costs less per month to operate than a comparable electric unit and heat more than twice as much water in an hour. Propane fireplaces cost between 30% and 60% less per hour of operation than wood-burning fireplaces and propane fireplaces can be turned off easily with a switch, eliminating concern about remaining embers.”

Any others? “Absolutely!” he expresses.

“Propane cooking stoves and ovens offer instant heat and absolute temperature control and are a chef’s choice as 97% of professional chefs prefer cooking with a flame.”

Let’s talk clothes dryers! “Let’s do that!” replies Lloyd. “Propane clothes dryers can complete drying tasks in approximately 75% of the time it takes an electric unit and some models save up to 65% in costs over electric dryers.”

How about in your yard? “In addition to adding practical appliances for the home there are a myriad of backyard appliances that can add to the warmth and ambiance of an outside space,” he mentions.

“There are endless possibilities in this category from fire tables, torches, fireplaces, and braziers, just to name a few.”

Would using propane as a fuel source require an external propane storage tank and how would one go about filling it? “Adding propane appliances to your home will require a storage tank and the size of the tank will be dependent on the number of appliances and the total BTU load of said appliances,” he answers. Lloyd wraps up by assuring us that “Your Dowler-Karn customer account representative will meet with you at your home and calculate the required size and placement of your tank, with your input.

The tank then will be filled by a locally dispatched propane truck.”

Well, the propane option certainly sounds like a logical one for the location of your new homestead.

You are also relieved to have learned there isn’t really much for you to be concerned about. In fact, it may even be the best option, all things considered.

The only thing you have left to determine is whether you’re going to heat the pool you plan on putting in.

One thing is certain . . . if you do put it in, you’re going to heat it with propane!

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EVENT PROFILE

Hiatus House Events In November 2021

November is “Woman Abuse Prevention Month” throughout Ontario. Hiatus House once again hosts the “Shine

the Light™” on “Woman Abuse” and “Wrapped in Courage” campaigns in Windsor Essex, in collaboration with the Violence Against Women Coordinating Commitee Windsor Essex, to raise awareness about the issue of woman abuse and its impact on all of us.

“The campaign has grown substantially since its inception in 2010 and we are looking forward to our biggest year yet with the inclusion of our partners across Windsor and Essex County,” says Maggie Durocher, Fundraising and Development Coordinator for Hiatus House.

The goal of the “Shine the Light™” on “Woman Abuse” campaign is to show women who are experiencing abuse that the community supports them and believes that everyone has a right to a life free from violence.

The colour purple has been chosen as it is a symbol of courage, survival and honour. Purple symbolizes the struggle to end woman abuse and also the courage to stand up against domestic violence.

As Durocher mentions: “We want to turn our communities in Windsor and Essex County purple during the month of November and are inviting all sectors of the region to join us and decorate in purple, light up in purple, attend the Tree Lighting November 1 at Charles Clark Square, donate to the campaign, or purchase some of our purple merchandise.”

There are also two other events you can participate in to show your support as well.

On November 8 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Lanspeary Park, “Shine the Light™ Bark in the Park” takes place which highlights the relationship between domestic violence and pet abuse.

This free event includes a virtual pet parade, with pets wearing their purple “Shine the Light™” bandanas, performances by the Border City Barkers, vendors, and more. It is your chance to purchase other “Shine the Light™” purple items and learn more about the program and how you can make a difference.

Next up, this year “Wear Purple Day” is on Monday, November 15, 2021.

“We are encouraging everyone in Windsor Essex to wear purple to show your support for abused women and children,” says Durocher. “We need your help to spread awareness about the issue of men’s violence against women. Take a photo or short video clip of how you are going purple and share with us on social media using the hashtag #WEShinetheLight and don’t forget to tag us!”

For the latest information on the campaign visit the website: HiatusHouse.com or their social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

This article is sponsored by the community-minded businesses and organizations below who support Hiatus House and its mission to bring attention to the issue of men’s violence against women.

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Story And Photo By Julianna Bonnett

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

PROFILING LOCAL WOMEN AT WORK

Tanya Thomas Redefining Beauty

S

ince August 2020, Owners of The Beauty Refinery, Tanya Thomas, and Francesco Oliverio have made it their mission to ensure that all their clients are beyond satisfied with their services and overall experience.

Offering a wide range of hairstyling services, permanent makeup services, men’s barbering services, teeth whitening services and an extension selection for hair, The Beauty Refinery has you covered from head to toe for all your beauty needs!

Located in Tecumseh at 13126 Tecumseh Road East, Unit 4, before opening her business, Thomas graduated from the Dental Assisting program at St. Clair College and then earned a B.A, in psychology at the University of Windsor. From there on, she worked at Green Shield Canada at a young age and had the opportunity to meet and work with some incredible people.

“I worked there for 11 years and had to quit when doing permanent makeup made more sense financially,” she explains. “I took me about eight months to build up my client list while I still worked full-time and when I became busier, I left that job in order to pursue my dreams. Fast forward six years and now I have my own salon and staff. I have two great parents Imad and Murielle, a brother, Chad and a sister-in-law, Brittney, with two beautiful nieces Avery and Kate.”

Before moving back to Windsor, co-owner Oliverio lived in Toronto for eight years working as a licensed hairstylist and just moved home last year.

“Francesco was trained in Toronto by a celebrity hairstylist, and he has done trainings at the L’Oreal Academy and Glassbox in Toronto and will be attending trainings at

The Beauty Refinery co-owner Tanya Thomas is a Permanent Makeup Artist who has trained all over, from New York City and Los Angeles to Las Vegas. She only uses the highest standards of safety products for her clients, including the use of the most modern, innovative and effective equipment, topical anesthetics, disposable instruments and quality pigments.

Vidal Sassoon there this fall,” she indicates.

“When summer of 2020 came around and he was still here we realized it made more sense for us to open something up locally, rather than him going back to rent a chair in Toronto. So, we joined forces and created The Beauty Refinery together.”

Thomas shares that even though the beauty scene in Windsor can be competitive, she believes her team is a “cut” above the rest.

“We collaborate with each other, seek to improve always, and we are constantly growing and getting better, both professionally and personally,” she states.

“Personally, I am one in a small handful of Permanent Makeup Artists in our city. I have found my niche and will only use the best machine and pigments on the market, so my client retention is very high.”

With a large amount of different hair and makeup salons in the Windsor Essex area, besides her amazing team, Thomas also believes her business stands out due to their attention to detail with clientele.

“What makes The Beauty Refinery special is our unwavering desire to ensure

all our clients are beyond satisfied with their services and overall experience with us,” comments Thomas. “A referral is the best compliment you can make. We strive to make sure everyone’s time here is enjoyed and they leave with exactly what they want. Our dedication to perfection is what separates us from the rest.”

While being booked up for the next few months, Thomas explains that joining forces with an extremely talented and educated Toronto trained hairstylist definitely makes her business unique.

“All my clients jump to him,” she says in reference to Oliverio. “We also have two very talented and sought-after hairstylists who have private suites within our salon.

The salon is very large, socially distanced, and everything is brand new. Salon suites are a new concept to Windsor, though are very common in Toronto. Modern and welcoming energy is the vibe we have going at the salon.

All are welcome.”

For more information or to book your first appointment, check out the website: TheBeautyRefinery.ca.

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THE PARENTING BIZ

Let The Ghoul Times Roll Ways your family can celebrate Halloween throughout October Feature Story By Jim Murphy

On Halloween you can be anyone you want to be! The DiGiovanni children from left: Nicolas (“Aquaman”); Alessandro (“Shazam”); Isabella (“Harley Quinn”) and Gabriel (“The Flash”) strike a pose in their choice of costume at The Party Warehouse’s Halloween Headquarters popup store, 4326 Walker Road in Windsor. Photo courtesy of James Gervais.

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rick-or-treating is always a favourite fall activity for kids. However, with more potential lockdowns always looming due to COVID-19, it’s unclear whether kids will be allowed to go out this year or if their parents even feel it is safe for them to do so.

In case the plug is pulled on trick-ortreating, Biz X has put together some fun things to do for Halloween in lieu of going house to house.

Plus, we’ll fill you in on some activities and events going on throughout the entire month of October and offer suggestions for things to do at home on your own time.

No matter what the situation turns out to be, or what your kids are in to, we’re sure

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you’ll find something here for your children and the entire family to keep everyone’s spirits high this Halloween!

Be The Master Of Disguise Whether or not trick-or-treating is allowed this year, children always love to play dress up!

And since they have all been used to wearing masks for COVID-19 protocols at school and when out in the community, now is the perfect time to make mask wearing fun.

For all your costume and decoration props check out The Party Warehouse’s

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seasonal Halloween pop-up store, Halloween Headquarters, located this year at 4326 Walker Road in Windsor (right next to HomeSense).

“We have everything you might need for Halloween,” indicates Tina Merrifield, Manager of The Party Warehouse and Halloween Headquarters. “To start, we have hundreds of different costumes for everyone including infants, toddlers, kids, teens and adults, from popular movies and all kinds of different themes.”

Merrifield also tells Biz X that the Marvel and DC Comics superhero costumes have been especially popular, along with costumes from the “Descendants” movies.

THE PARENTING BIZ “Then there’s always your classic favourite horror movie costumes like Pennywise, Jason, Michael Myers and more,” says Merrifield. “We also have lots of family-friendly and family-themed costume sets where kids and adults can all dress up together like different characters from movies, like ‘Toy Story’, ‘Star Wars’, etcetera.”

Halloween Headquarters (which has popped up around Windsor every Halloween for the past 15 years) also carry lots of decorations for your home inside and out as well as Halloween-themed party supplies like cups, plates and serving dishes.

“What’s been really popular the last couple of years are the animated props,” Merrifield explains. “Some of them are quite big, over six feet tall, featuring scary clowns, grim reapers and skeletons that move and talk when they detect motion.

We have a lot of cool videos on our Facebook page of these animated props because they really are something unique!”

(Refer to: Facebook.com/partywarehouse1).

The Party Warehouse and their staff of 10 managed to stay open during much of the pandemic with curbside pickup and online ordering.

“We are following the guidelines set out by the province and the City of

Windsor to help keep our customers and staff safe,” Merrifield states. “Staff check their temperature every day when they arrive, along with wearing masks and sanitizing their hands regularly. We have installed barriers at our checkouts and offer sanitizer to our customers at the door, along with contactless shopping through our online store.”

The hours of operation for Halloween Headquarters are Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To browse their costume selection and decorations view: ThePartyWarehouse.ca.

Home Sweet Haunted Home In case you can’t go out for Halloween, here are some great activities to do with the kids at home.

Even if no trick-or-treaters visit, decorate the house anyway! And if you can’t go door-to-door, dress-up regardless and show off your costumes (hopefully from The Party Warehouse as mentioned in the section above) on Zoom. Why not host a virtual costume contest with your child’s friends and out of town family members?

You can bake with your children and whip up some spooky sweets at home like

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chocolate cinnamon skeleton cookies, Rice Krispies mummy squares, ghost brownies, red velvet vampire cupcakes and more. Just Google “Fun, Halloween-inspired recipes” for a ton of suggestions.

Don’t forget there are plenty of local bakeries where you can order sweet treats to bring home for all to enjoy any night of the week. It will be love at first bite once you sink your teeth in these eerie edibles!

As well, you can have a scary movie night with the kids and make your own homemade Halloween popcorn (add cheddar cheese seasoning to make it orange) and build a fort out of your living room furniture.

Another idea — if it’s not too cold outside — is to build a bonfire (if permitted in your area), roast marshmallows and tell scary, ghost stories.

We move now to a business that sells art supplies so your child(ren) can express themselves and turn his/her imagination into something productive!

Let The Little Monsters Get Crafty For kids who are artistically inclined, Katrina Rutter, Owner of Beatnik Art Supplies — located at 224 Erie Street West in Windsor — has all sorts of Halloween craft ideas.

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THE PARENTING BIZ “I’m a ‘if it sits still — it can be painted’ kinda gal,” Rutter comments. “You can paint a Halloween image on almost anything — buckets, canvas, pillows, pillowcases, shoes, masks, clothing, notebooks, glasses, mugs, door mats — the only real limit is your imagination; and if that’s a problem, there is always Pinterest.”

Rutter also says a simple witch hat can be made fabulous with posca paint pens (available at Beatnik Art Supplies), which allow you to paint spider webs, flowers, eyes, charms or anything you want right onto the hat — it’s as easy as writing with a pen!

“A wooden toolbox can be transformed into a Halloween cutlery caddy by painting pumpkins and candy corn on it, red handprints in acrylic paint on your storm door can help scare trick or treaters, while it scrapes off easily with a razor,” explains Rutter. “You can add polymer clay to chopsticks for cool Harry Potter-like wands. You can even simply cut out bats from black paper and tape them to your window for a really cool look at night.”

Operating since 2018, Beatnik Art Supplies specializes in fun polymer clay pins, which can make for a great Halloween craft project.

“Polymer clay is easy to mould with

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Although they don’t sell the jewellery components, they are available next door at Culture Shock Bead Co. Rutter opened Beatnik Art Supplies because she and her son Julian Pawlaczyk (and only employee) are both artists and noticed there was no other art supply store in town. They offer a wide variety of products including paints, pencils, charcoal, inks, calligraphy supplies, markers, paint markers, pens, brushes, art paper, canvases gold leaf, printmaking supplies, epoxy and resin moulds, paint by numbers, art themed puzzles and more!

For further details, stop by the storefront, or on Facebook search “Beatnik Art Supplies” to access their social media page.

It’s A “Boo-tiful” Night For A Movie Katrina Rutter, Owner of Beatnik Art Supplies, shows off some Halloween-themed polymer clay pins inside her shop located at 224 Erie Street West in Windsor.

Photo courtesy of Bruce Rutter.

simple tools like your fingers and toothpicks and can be baked to harden in a home oven,” says Rutter. “We sell the polymer in lots of pretty colours and we are happy to give our customers tips and advice and even have some project sheets available.”

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Pack the kids into the car and take a ride to The Boonies Drive In Theatre, located at 4625 Richardson Side Road in Tilbury.

Open since 2016, it’s the best spot to catch some family-friendly Halloween movies like “The Addams Family 2.”

“Other than playing the tradition Halloween movies, we are also playing all the new movies coming up,” mentions Richard Schiefer, Owner of The Boonies

THE PARENTING BIZ to keep our staff and customers safe.”

The Boonies Drive In Theatre is open Thursday to Sunday with the gate and concession stand currently opening at 6 p.m. (operating hours will change with the sunset time). Log on to: TheBooniesDriveIn.com to see the coming attractions and the food and drink menu.

Carve Out A Great Family Memory

Richard Schiefer, Owner of The Boonies Drive In Theatre, snaps a selfie on site at their Tilbury location.

Drive In Theatre. “We are also in the process of setting up a live music event for October 30, if possible.”

Other attractions on the premises include a children’s playground, arcade and concession stand.

“My staff of two full-time managers and seven students took all the necessary precautions including spacing out cars, signs, and sanitary stations,” Schiefer points out. “We also increased cleaning protocols and adapted other changes

‘Tis the season for autumn leaves and pumpkins! And PéPé’s Pumpkin Patch, 2651 Front Road in LaSalle, sells pumpkins in all shapes and sizes.

There are lots of fun things to do with pumpkins! They make great festive table décor, you can make all sorts of delicious treats with them and they even make festive flowerpots for mums, which are also available at PéPé’s Pumpkin Patch.

They are very decorative in general, since you can paint them, carve them or just place them around your house and yard.

So what are you waiting for? It’s the perfect time for a trip to the pumpkin patch for a great family outing.

Besides pumpkins and mums, PéPé’s Pumpkin Patch (opened in 2008) also sells straw, corn, stalks, gourds, ice cream, hot dogs and other snacks.

Greg Rocheleau, Co-Owner of PéPé’s Pumpkin Patch is the pumpkin king! Photo courtesy of James Rocheleau.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 has prevented them from opening their haunted corn maze attraction, but the maze is still open, as are the hayrides, train rides and face painting.

“Along with my staff of five employees, we follow all guidelines required to keep everyone safe,” says Greg Rocheleau, Co-Owner of PéPé’s Pumpkin Patch.

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THE PARENTING BIZ He adds: “Masks are required on hayrides and any indoor facilities, as well as where we cannot social distance.”

They are open every day 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. until November 1 so get down there soon to pick out your perfect pumpkin! For more information check: Facebook.com/pepespumpkinpatch.

“Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid!”

After a one year hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions, the “Windsor Zombie Walk” returns with a vengeance!

The whole family can dress up as undead ghouls or grizzled apocalypse survivors and join the fun on October 15. The walk starts at 5:30 p.m. when zombies and survivors gather at Scarehouse Windsor, located at 1441 McDougall Avenue.

“Starting at the Scarehouse, participants dressed as survivors will lead the way with the hoard following behind all the way to and through Jackson Park and then back,” says Shawn Lippert, Owner of Scarehouse Windsor and member of the “Windsor Zombie Walk” Organizing Committee.

“Upon returning to Scarehouse, we will then hand out prizes for best costumes!”

All it costs is the donation of one canned good per person, with all proceeds going

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Zombies of all ages haunt the streets of Windsor during the “Windsor Zombie Walk” in 2019. This year the walk takes place October 15 at 5:30 p.m. when zombies and survivors gather at Scarehouse Windsor for a whole lot of frightful fun! Photo courtesy of Eric Bonnici.

to the Downtown Mission and Windsor Youth Centre.

While it may not be suitable for children, if parents are feeling brave, they should check out Scarehouse Windsor, southwestern

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Ontario’s largest haunted attraction, on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

(Days and times will change throughout the month so view: ScarehouseWindsor.com for the latest updates).

THE PARENTING BIZ It doesn’t get any better than fresh fruit right from the farm!

On site Thiessen Orchards sells their apples in bins ready to take home like the Ambrosia and Empire varieties pictured. They also sell McIntosh, Royal Gala, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Mutsu, and Red Delicious apples depending on the time you visit. As well for some good old fashioned family fun you can pick your own apples in their orchard. Photos courtesy of Thiessen Orchards.

Howl About Them Apples?

Looking for some fun Halloween things to do in the county? Want to bring home a bushel of delicious apples to make candy apples, pies, healthy snacks and more? Then visit Thiessen Orchards, located at 400 Talbot Road East in Leamington since 1975.

“We offer apple picking, wagon rides, a sunflower field, combine slide, basketball wagon, an activity area with swings, farm equipment, tricycles, goofy golf, jump pad, awesome food, birthday tent area and live music on weekends,” lists Andrew Thiessen, Owner of Thiessen Orchards.

“For Halloween we do the ‘Scaredy Cat

Haunted Barn’ and Haunted Corn Maze walk through on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, all season during the day, as well as trick or treating on the farm.”

This fall season, their staff has ballooned to 50, as extra employees have been hired to sanitize high-touch points.

“We have also implemented face covering policy in many areas where social distancing is not possible,” says Thiessen.

“We have spent a large amount of money on hand sanitizer stations, extra sinks and extra employees.”

Thiessen Orchards is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. until October 31, 2021.

Refer to: ThiessenOrchards.com to read about all they have going on!

Sweater weather is always better together. Spend quality time with your child and have your own arts and crafts party this October!

Creepin’ It Real This Halloween

A visit to Thiessen Orchards can give your family “pumpkin” to talk about for years to come!

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Whether you’re stuck at home or not, this Halloween season, there are still plenty of enjoyable activities to do.

The most important thing to remember is you are spending quality time together!

No matter what you do, where you may go, or which costume you have on, remember before you head out, to check the WindsorEssex County Health Unit website: WECHU.org for the latest COVID-19 statuses and protocols.

In closing, we “witch” you all a safe and happy Halloween!

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THE PARENTING BIZ NEW IN BIZ

Take A Step In The Right Direction To Kiddie Kobbler Story And Photo By Dave Hall

Windsor West MP Brian Masse was on hand to help open the new Kiddie Kobbler store on August 27, 2021 in Devonshire Mall, along with owner Lausanne Younes (right), manager Farah Ezzeddine, left, and her children Natalia and Ali.

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t’s a homecoming of sorts for store owner Lausanne Younes and manager Farah Ezzeddine who have joined forces to bring Kiddie Kobbler, a leading provider of footwear for children, back to Windsor.

Both are from Windsor and while Younes now lives in the Toronto area, Ezzeddine recently moved back to Windsor to manage the new store at Devonshire Mall, 3100 Howard Avenue, which opened in late August.

“As a parent myself, I know the struggles many parents have finding quality shoe wear for children, and Windsor seemed like the perfect place to open a new store,” comments Younes, who also owns a Kiddie Kobbler in Oakville. “It’s a very supportive community with a lot of children and I believe it has the potential to be successful.”

Kiddie Kobbler is a franchise operation, says Younes, with each store having a separate owner.

“The company has been in business since 1951 and our older stores are now seeing grandparents (who had shoes from our stores when they were kids themselves) coming in to buy shoes for their grandkids,” Younes notes. “We offer a great many quality products from Europe as well as top U.S. and Canadian brands.”

Ezzeddine, who has known Younes for a number of years, is excited to be back in Windsor and start a new venture.

“We’re friends and we go way back,” she says. “So when she asked me to help

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run the new store, I jumped at the chance because I think there’s a real need for it in Windsor.”

With 20 years of retail experience, the new position suits Ezzeddine’s background perfectly as she has previously worked for Jacobs and Le Chateau, among others.

According to Kiddie Kobbler, the company’s owner-in-store concept enables each store to adjust to the needs of the community because the individual owners are attuned to those needs.

Kiddie Kobbler sells shoes, clothing, accessories and will soon add a line of children’s toys from leading North American and European brands, including: Adidas, New Balance, Skechers, Hunter, Geox, Florsheim, Heelys, Native, Columbia, Birkenstock, Moose Knuckles, Stride Rite, Cougar, Hush Puppies, Sorel, Mini Melissa, Mayoral, Under Armor, Timberland and Kamik.

“Our goal is to create a one-stop shop for Windsor-area parents when it comes to buying shoes and clothing for their children,” adds Ezzeddine. “It’s a new and exciting venture for all of us.”

Currently, the store has five employees including Ezzeddine.

Windsor’s previous Kiddie Kobbler store was located on Ottawa Street and closed a number of years ago.

For more information, visit the website: KiddieKobbler.ca or their social media page: Instagram.com/kiddiekobblerwindsor.

THE PARENTING BIZ FROM THE BOOKSHELF

“Tony’s New Friend”

A children’s book to promote connections between generations

“Elderly residents of long-term care facilities and retirement homes can be lonely and everyone needs companionship,” states Karen Anne De Santis.

De Santis is now retired and was an elementary school teacher for 32 years for the Greater Essex County District School Board and a Sessional Advisor to students at the Faculty of Education.

Her published book — “Tony’s New Friend” with illustrations by Amanda Barkley — aims to strike up conversations with our children about intergenerational connections.

“For 15 years, the students in my care were involved in a Grandpal Program,” De Santis explains. “We wrote letters to

This is a story about empathy, compassion and helping our older generation. It’s a feel good message that makes others aware of the power we all have to make a difference in someone’s life.

the elderly at a long-term care facility and then visited them on a monthly basis.

Friendships were made, bonds were formed, and everyone benefited from this unique experience. The students learned all about their Grandpals and the residents saw life again through the eyes of a young child.”

These experiences inspired her to write “Tony’s New Friend,” which tells the story of a young boy who becomes friends with an elderly resident at a retirement home.

De Santis hopes her book will find a place in schools, daycares, churches, with parents and grandparents, and anyone who cares about the older segment of our population.

It’s a book that teaches our children about empathy, compassion and how easy it is to make a difference in someone’s life.

“There are so many elderly people in this world that need more friendships,” points out De Santis. “It doesn’t matter how old the participants are. We need more people to get involved so there’s a little less loneliness in our world: one visit, card, letter, artwork or Zoom call at a time.”

To purchase “Tony’s New Friend” in electronic, paperback, or hardcover editions, visit the publisher’s website at: Books.friesenpress.com/store and search under “Karen De Santis”.

Locally you can pick up a copy at: Three Lambs Registry & Baby Boutique, 13444 Tecumseh Road East in the St. Clair Beach Plaza and in Windsor by visiting

Parenting can be hard - this past year has made it even harder.

Author Karen De Santis lives in Tecumseh with her husband Ciro and a miniature Schnauzer named Luigi. The couple has two grown children, James and Anthony who are characters in her stories.

Photo courtesy of Christine Inverarity.

Biblioasis Bookstore, 1520 Wyandotte Street East; From the Heart, Card, Gift and Wig Boutique, 1356 Ottawa Street; Storytellers Bookstore, 1473 Ottawa Street, and Chapters/Indigo.

You can also purchase the book on Amazon.ca and at Barnes & Noble in the United States, and many other bookstores worldwide.

“We can ALL learn from the important message found in ‘Tony’s New Friend’,” expresses De Santis. “Let’s all make a difference in our community!”

Ask us about our parenting study.

We have solutions that can help you.

519-250-1850 info@children-first.ca children-first.ca

B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

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THE PARENTING BIZ

You Can Always Count On Nimble Brain Education Inc. OF THE MONTH

By Jim Murphy

Amit Modi, Owner of Nimble Brain Education Inc. goes back to basics with an abacus used in the UCMAS Mental Math program designed to teach children math concepts through countable beads. Modi is pictured with students, eight year old Shivam Patel (left) in his final level and 10 year old graduate Jeff Alhusseini, at the Dougall Avenue location. Photo by Rod Denis.

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hen it comes to school work, all kids are different. Some may struggle and need a little extra help, some may just want to get ahead, while others love to learn and develop skills. All children learn differently and have different interests when it comes to extra-curricular education.

That’s why Nimble Brain Education Inc., located at 3020 Dougall Avenue, Unit 11 in Windsor, has provided personalized diverse educational programs to children in the Windsor and Essex County region for the past nine years.

“In general, we specialize in skill building education for young children aged three to 16,” says Amit Modi, Owner of Nimble Brain Education Inc. “Through a structured and engaging curriculum designed to build skills, my team of 10 employees are committed to academic success by providing rich academic content through engaging and challenging activities and lessons.”

Nimble Brain Education Inc. holds the master franchise licence in southwestern Ontario for i-Maths, O’botz Multidisciplinary Robotics Program, UCMAS Mental Math Program, and the Dynamic English Enrichment Program.

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UCMAS (Universal Concept Mental Arithmetic System) began in Malaysia in 1993 with the goal of providing quality abacus and mental math to children aged five to 13 years old. The program develops key cognitive functions such as memory, attention, perception, symbolic learning and reasoning.

“UCMAS is based on the ancient, but simple and powerful abacus tool that provides countable beads for children to visualize numbers,” Modi explains. “Children learn to manipulate those beads to perform complex arithmetic calculations. The crucial concept of visualization of thinking in pictures, leverages the right brain and leads to higher levels of speed, efficiency and accuracy.”

O’Botz is a multi-disciplinary robotics program with a specially designed curriculum to teach young children about robotics. It uses S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) learning as the building blocks of the program, allowing children aged eight to 16 to think scientifically and evolve technically.

“O’Botz develops interest in machine learning through demonstration, handson learning and a practical approach,” states Modi. “It helps children develop B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

critical thinking, enhance creativity and confidence, improve perseverance, inspire innovation and improve problem solving skills.” i-Maths is a unique early learning program for children aged three to seven that inspires critical and creative thinking.

This program fosters enthusiasm in children towards math and makes learning math fun!

According to Modi: “i-Maths follows the tri-lateral method of introducing concepts: concrete, semi-abstract and abstract. The program also helps children improve their motor skills, develop number sense, understand math language, improve problem solving skills, enhance observation and critical thinking.”

The Dynamic English Enrichment Program (DEEP) is a personalized literacy course designed to complement the English language instruction of the regular school day by building foundational language skills and by providing high interest academic content in an engaging and supportive environment.

“DEEP focuses on concepts of the Ontario educational curriculum — reading, writing and oral communication,” Modi tells Biz X. “This is usually followed by guided and independent reading, vocabulary and grammar concepts and comprehension and writing skills. Small class sizes ensure that each child gets the attention they need.”

During the pandemic when in-person classes were unavailable, Nimble Brain Education Inc. was able to offer classes via Zoom and Google Meet without any of the key concepts being lost.

Even the hands-on robotics program was able to continue using take-home kits so students were able to work from home in conjunction with video conferencing.

Since being allowed back in the classroom, Nimble Brain Education Inc. implemented the following rules and guidelines: restricting entrances, mandatory masks, daily temperature checks for children and teachers, disinfecting surfaces, covering desks with two feet of sneeze guards, maintaining safe distances between desks, and reducing the capacity of the class to 50 percent.

Along with their main facility, Nimble Brain Education Inc. has two other locations: UCMAS Windsor East, 3335 Banwell Road, Unit 300 and UCMAS Tecumseh, 13310 Lanoue Street, Unit 2B. Their hours of operation are Monday to Friday 4 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Find more information on the website: NimbleBrainEducation.com.

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