New businesses welcomed, another expands
by Sylene Argent
Staff members and Council reps with the Town of Essex took a moment to welcome two new businesses into the downtown corridor of Essex Centre on Friday, March 22.
Kabobgy, a family-owned restaurant serving Syrian food, and Rock-A-Bye Baby Boutique, which offers clothing, nursery décor, strollers, and baby accessories, are now open and ready to welcome new customers.
Mayor Larry Snively welcomed each of the new businesses and highlighted what the new additions mean to the municipality before hosting an official ribbon cutting ceremony at each location.
“It is so nice to see a new business,” Snively said when welcoming Rock-A-Bye Baby Boutique and its owner, Kaitlyn Nussio. “We all appreciate you choosing Essex. We’d like to see more and more of it.”
When welcoming Kabobgy, which Wadi Hadad owns, Snively added Essex is always open to having new businesses set their roots here. This is Kabobgy’s fourth location within the region. It will employ 7-8 full and part-time employees.
Snively congratulated both businesses on their successful launches, and wished them success in their future endeavours.
Certificates ofrecognition were also provided to the business owners on behalf of MP Tracey Ramsey and MPP Taras Natyshak.
“The Town has [had] a number of new businesses open this year, and this back-to-back [ribbon cutting] event shows we are a place to invest in. Independently-owned businesses are crucial to building strong urban cores and we are excited to welcome these entrepreneurs as they invest in our community,” Nelson Silveira said, who is the Town of Essex’s Economic Development Officer.
• In addition to the two ribbon cutting ceremonies in Essex Centre, an existing business, Kniaziew Optometry, recently announced it would open its fifth location on April 1, 2019, in Blenheim, Ontario at 101 Ellen Street.
The new location will include an on-location lab.
“This expansion allows us to meet the incredible patient demand in the Blenheim and southern Chatham-Kent region,” Dr. Richard Kniaziew said, who is the Founder and President of Kniaziew Optometry. “It ensures that all of our Chatham-Kent patients can receive our top-level eye health care treatment that we are known for over the last four decades. We have been overwhelmed with the support for our team of doctors.”
• Recently, Fertilizer Canada announced AGRIS Co-operative’s Cottam branch is one of only two agriculture nutrient service providers to achieve certified status in Ontario and Canada.
The voluntary program certifies nutrient service providers in the Western Lake Erie Basin and across Ontario that apply or make recommendations on fertilizers in accordance with 4R Nutrient Stewardship principles – which refers to using the Right Source of nutrients at the Right Rate, at the Right Time and in the Right Place.
Program participants must go through an independent, third-party audit of 37 standards to demonstrate they not only understand 4R principles, but also follow them.
“We are committed as a co-operative to the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program and very honoured to be only one of two retailers in Canada to achieve certified status,” John Nooyen said, who is AGRIS Co-operative Board President. “Our Board of Directors unanimously adopted and supports the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Program and we proudly display our own AGRIS 4R Nutrient Stewardship Pledge at each of our locations. Now that Cottam has achieved certified status, we are planning to have the rest of our locations certified, too.”
• In February, Beeline Automotive set up shop at 438 Talbot Street North. This family owned automotive shop is under the supervision of Licensed Automotive Technician, Nelson Fraiser, who brings with him over 25 years of experience. The shop is currently opened Monday through Friday 9-5, as well as Saturday and Sunday 10-2. Engine light on? Stop by to say hello and receive an, always free, diagnostic and/or inspection.