Charmaine Williams, provincial Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity and local MPP Steve Pinsonneault met with Karen Moran, the owner of Glasses and Grapes, recently.
Williams was in town meeting with Moran to talk about the strengths and challenges of women owning and operating their own businesses.
The discussion focused on many topics, including upskilling and reskilling women to be in the work force, issues of operating a small business, grants and funding available for small business, impact of the recent tariffs, support for women who are like-minded and networking.
Moran started her small bottle-your-own-wine business 20 years ago after she left the newspaper publishing world.
Over the years her business has had to be flexible, pivot, and adapt to the ever-changing environment. It now offers high-end extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars, savory snacks, and giftware.
The majority of the products in her store are Canadian made.
Swiss Chalet to return to Chatham
Absent for several years from the Chatham restaurant landscape, Swiss Chalet is set to make a tasty return.
Recipe Unlimited, Swiss Chalet’s parent company, is looking for the right location and the right franchisee.
“For the right owner, this isn’t just a business opportunity. It’s a chance to bring an iconic piece of Canadian dining history to a community ready and waiting to welcome it back again,” according to a company press release.
To learn more, contact Clinton Czapla at [email protected].
Art and Heirloom
The Chatham Art and Heirloom Shoppe is hosting an open house Sept. 27.
From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the public can meander through the gallery, perusing the works of more than 60 artists that are on display at the 137 King St. W. location.
There’s a free draw for a gallery gift certificate as well.
CKCL gives BaCK
The Chatham Kent Labour Council (CKCL) has donated $2,000 to United Way’s BaCK to School program.
This program provides assistance with school supplies for families in need to ensure kids start the school year off right.
“For many years the Chatham Kent Labour Council has been a supporter of not only labour members within the unionized environment, but organizations that strive to make a positive impact on people’s daily lives,” said CKLC’s Eric Ricciotti in a media release. “The CKLC is proud to be able to provide much-needed assistance to the United Way of Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent for their upcoming Back to School Program.”
Ks turn into cash
Enyo celebrated the strikeouts this season by Chatham-Kent Barnstormers’ pitchers.
For every strikeout registered by Barnstormer hurlers during home games this year, the pest control firm pledged to donate $3 to Chatham-Kent Special Olympics.
The Intercounty Baseball Season may be over for the Barnstormers, but their pitchers helped toss $558 to Special Olympics, via Enyo.
However, that number bugged Enyo, so the company rounded things up to $1,000.
The team and Enyo will join forces again in 2026, with the benefitting charity to be chosen at a later date.
Home Sweet Home
The RONA Foundation has set its sights on supporting Habitat for Humanity Chatham-Kent.
The local branch of the charitable organization was one of four groups in southwestern Ontario chosen by the Foundation to be supported by the Home Sweet Home campaign.
The third rendition of the campaign will see RONA stores collect donations in support of the non-profits from now until Oct. 12. RONA Chatham and Wallaceburg will both be donating to Habitat for Humanity C-K.
“Our goal is to make a difference in the lives of the communities around us, and that’s what drives our daily activities at the RONA Foundation,” said .Josée Lafitte, director of the RONA Foundation, in a media release. “What I love most about our Home Sweet Home campaign is that its impact is significant at a local level; indeed, the selected organizations we help are located in the same regions as our stores and distribution centres.”
The Voice recognized
The Chatham Voice, despite not registering for a thing, was named a triple winner in CommunityVotes Chatham-Kent.
The newspaper, which has been serving readers and advertisers since 2013, picked up a gold award in the Organization Services category, a bronze in Advertising, and was named a top pick in Social Media Marketing.
- Business Voice is a bi-monthly column in The Chatham Voice that highlights some of the achievements made and efforts underway in Chatham-Kent’s business community. Send your information to [email protected].
