MBA Business Beat
July 2010
Manitouwadge Business Association
Business Beat
by Maggie Schut
Welcome to Business Beat…where each month Manitouwadge business happenings are announced, plus a member showcased. Non-members will be showcased in the future.
Input is welcomed…please contact Maggie Schut at 826-4626 or hawberryfields@shaw.ca. Suggestions and constructive criticism are encouraged.
The MBA Executive meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7pm in the Township of Manitouwadge Council Chambers.
Top of the list this month is the return of the Manitouwadge Trade Show, scheduled for September 17th and 18th in the Manitouwadge Recreation Centre Arena. Local and Regional businesses have been registering and requesting information, remember the deadline for this is August 6th. Exhibitor Packages are available from Karen Robinson at the Township Office 826-3227 ext.240 or karen@manitouwadge.ca. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your products & services to the residents of Manitouwadge and the Northshore!
The MBA’s Downtown Market made its debut July 17th. Good things do come in small packages! Several businesses set up tables and met with a steady flow of visitors throughout the day. Exposure is so very important, and this friendly outdoor atmosphere is an excellent venue for telling folks who you are and what services or products your business provides. Helping our residents put a face to a name and knowing what’s available right here in our town may make all the difference in keeping hard earned dollars right here in Manitouwadge. The next Downtown Market will take place August 14 from 9am-1pm. Book your space with Dave Raymond at edo@manitouwadge.ca or 826-3227. Plans are to run this event next year in May-June-July-August, and expand to include vendor ballots for free prizes and draw donations.
The MBA Executive was elected Tuesday, July 20th. Here are the folks affectionately known as “the Group of Seven” who will remain in office until our Annual General Meeting (AGM):
CHAIR: Dave Raymond
VICE-CHAIR: Jim Moffat
TREASURER: Sue Partridge
SECRETARY: Maggie Schut
DIRECTORS : Linda Baril, Karina Hunter, Kristy Wells
At the AGM which is open to all members, we will set the new executive and stagger terms to rotate experienced board members. At the August Executive Meeting we hope to establish bylaws, a purpose statement, our year-end and AGM dates as well as member fees, prepare to file for a certificate of incorporation, and open the bank account to manage the Trade Show and other association activities.
The September agenda will include setting committees and developing fund raising activities. All of these steps to starting a non profit organization will be completed prior to our first AGM. Progress!
There is finally activity in the commercial space beside the Rendezvous Restaurant; Lisa Schut is preparing to launch ‘Just Kids’ a new and gently used children’s store August 9th, we wish her luck in this new venture!
We bid a fond farewell to the staff and management of the Fields Store. Thank You.
SHOWCASE: FULL BELLY DELI
Mary hard at work during her grand opening. Photo by Vickie Rusard.
This is the story of Mary Belmore, a gal raised in Windsor, Ontario. Under her apron are 30+ years of food service experience ranging from the hospital kitchen to managing the popular A&W on Tecumseh Rd., to running her own place with help from her three daughters. Mary also devoted 10 years to working with challenged adults in all types of environs. This is also the story of Mary’s husband Dave, who as with so many other hard working men in Windsor, found himself unemployed from the automotive industry.
One common ingredient in their life story was the fact that so many of Mary and Dave’s friends in the Windsor area kept talking about, or retiring/semi-retiring and moving to … Manitouwadge! Hence, they arrived in 2009, and with their own restaurant in mind (and start-up funds from NOHFC) the two of them have bought into the community they are happy to call home.
There’s an old saying that when one door closes another one opens, and this rings true with the end unit of Hallmarket Square; as Manitouwadge said farewell to Lynn and her restaurant, we say a hearty hello to Mary and her deli! She has done a marvellous job setting up the place to her own specs, and has expanded the variety of menu items available to townsfolk. Although acceptance of her efforts has been slower than anticipated, Mary is confident this will change as more and more “regulars” appear, and the already active catering business increases. Mascot “Reuben” is a true Wadgiean!
Special Occasions and Date Nights are in the plans for the Full Belly Deli’s future. Mary admits that catering is her forte, and she looks forward to becoming the go-to caterer for family and corporate functions. All the while, husband Dave does the deliveries, and continues to hand cut the fries….so much easier than building a Chevy truck!
Place your order from Full Belly Deli online by CLICKING HERE.
