Economic Development eNews | February 2, 2016

Business Profile

Top feature photo: Kim and Chris Hall have expanded their inventory to meet buyer trends.

Focus continues to be on local and regionally grown products. Above, Chris showcasing their popular Hall's Apple Cider.

Kim works toward creating a unique shopping experience.

Hall's Apple Market continues to evolve

into unique shopping destination

Popular Hall's Apple Market is evolving into a unique, open-concept showroom shopping destination in eastern Ontario.

If you haven't been by lately to pick up their apples, famous sparkling ciders or baked pies and crumbles, your next visit will be a pleasant surprise. Owners Kim and Chris Hall have recently completed an extensive renovation of their 3,500-square-foot retail store and bakery at 2930 2nd Concession Road just outside Brockville in Elizabethtown-Kitley Township.

It's bigger and brighter. You'll be amazed at the abundance of locally-grown food selections, like Kricklewood Farm sunflower oil, Brockberry salad dressing and local maple syrup and honey. "We continue to have many local products and enjoy working with the people around us," says Chris. New are hormone and antibiotic free frozen meats from the region, a line of Village Kitchen meals to go and gluten-free baked products. They now have a fudge maker to make their own sweet treats and have introduced a line of six gourmet crab apple jellies.

The couple say their clientele is diversifying since the renovation. The open-concept showroom offers more artwork, unique jewellry, children's knitted hats and sweaters, women's fashions and scarves, purses and footwear product lines.

"A lot of people have told me it's like we have a mini Merrickville all under one roof," says Kim, referring to the unique downtown shopping mix in the Village of Merrickville.

"We try to carry products they don't have in the big-box stores," says Chris of their expanded showcase. Having an array of specialty items means they can also create attractive gift baskets for purchase.

Hall's dates back to 1947 when Chris's father and grandfather purchased the property. It started as a seasonal outlet for their produce and grew to be mainly wholesale in the 70s and 80s. It's evolved today to be divided equally between retail, wholesale and market sales. "We've recognized we can't have all of our apples in one basket, so this has prompted us to expand the retail business and our presence at 13 farmers' markets within a 100-kilometre radius," says Chris.

While new things have been added, the old favourites remain including picking your own apples from their 80-acre orchard. Hall's is open every day all year long from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with the exception of Sundays from January to March. Learn more about Hall's by visiting their website.

Workshops and Seminars

Entrepreneur Event in honour of International Women`s Day

Refresh Your Passion: Inspiration for Your Body, Mind, Spirit and Business. This event for women entrepreneurs is being held on Thursday, March 3, at the North Grenville Municipal Centre in Kemptville.

The workshop featuring four guest speakers is from 1-5 p.m. Keynote speaker Kathie Donovan, an author and broadcaster, will lead a workshop called "Refresh Your Passion." She will be joined by broadcaster and storyteller Joel Haslam, business strategist Natalia Popowych and nutrition expert Bruce Bonner.

After 5, it is an evening to celebrate women entrepreneurs, including the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award at 7:30 p.m. Dinner is from 6-7 p.m.

The event is presented by the Leeds Grenville Small Business Enterprise Centre (LGSBEC). The deadline to register is February 26.

To register or to learn more about this event, visit our

Workshops and Seminars webpage.

Kathie Donovan is well known for her 35 years on radio and television sharing inspiring stories of people in the

Ottawa Valley region.

BR + E Alliance Workshops

Free Employer Training

Learn how your business can benefit from hiring foreign employees using the Express Entry visa program, and to effectively attract, hire and integrate skilled newcomers in the workplace.

February 17, 2016

6 - 8:30 pm

Cost: Free

Location: Grenville Mutual Insurance Company, 380 Colonnade Drive, Kemptville

View our Workshops and Seminars page

for more details.

Pricing Strategies -

Improve Your Cash Flow

Part of the All About Marketing:

2015-2016 Seminar Series

March 23, 2016

6 - 8:30 pm

Cost: Free

Location: Grenville Mutual Insurance Company, 380 Colonnade Drive, Kemptville

www.northgrenvillebusiness.com

Funding Opportunities

Applications now open for online business improvements

The .CA Community Investment Program (CIP) provides funding for projects that help build a better online Canada. Currently in its third year, the program has awarded more than two million dollars to over 50 diverse projects in four key areas: infrastructure, online services, research and digital literacy. This funding opportunity is open to registered charities, not-for-profit organizations and academic institutions.

Deadline for applications is 2 p.m. on March 4, 2016.

The typical grant is approximately $25,000 - $50,000, to a maximum of $100,000. The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) will be investing $1,000,000 back into the community this calendar year on projects that help to build a better Internet for Canadians.

Learn more by visiting the CIRA website.

Summer Company Program now Accepting Applicants

Through a young entrepreneur's initiative, youth aged 15 to 29 who are in school and returning to school in the fall of 2016, have the opportunity to be their own boss this summer.

Participating students receive $1,500.00 in start-up cash to help get their business running; receive hands on business training, as well as coaching from successful business mentors in the community. Participants are expected to complete a business plan, work in their business full-time, and attend meetings and training sessions. Upon successful completion of the program participants will receive an additional $1,500.00 to return to school.

A great opportunity to learn what it's like to run your own business, Summer Company is a highly competitive program with a limited number of applicants being accepted across

Leeds Grenville. The application deadline is May 6, 2016.

Students can also speak to their co-op teachers about a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program where they are able to earn up to two co-op education credits.

Interested participants can learn more about the program on our website.