Success Stories in Rural Oportunities

Linden Mackey’s grandfather had a vision of a way to not only improve and expand his business horizons, but be on the forefront of life celebrations for his friends and neighbours in Lindsay, Ontario. The founder of Mackey Funeral Home Inc. in 1916, James Mackey believed there needed to be more options for celebrating the life of a deceased person – and even to celebrate life and family in more general terms. – in a comfortable setting that mixed the traditional needs of a family during a time of grieving, with changing desires for how those occasions should be marked.

A visit to Chuckles Jack is an exploration of the senses – centrally located in downtown Smiths Falls, Chuckles Jack entices diners with delectable culinary creations focused on authentic Indian and Canadian cuisine, all served in a spacious and tastefully decorated interior complete with top of the line fixtures and stylish décor. Looking around Chuckles Jack’s well-furnished interior, it’s hard to believe this community centrepiece spent months with its doors closed to the public, struggling through a difficult and challenging move and renovation. It was Chuckles Jack co-owner and chef, Ram Mogandas,’ passion for food and commitment to offering his guests a one-of-a-kind dining experience that prompted the restaurant’s move from its former Centre Street location, to the new Russell Street building, formerly Manhattan Bar & Grill.

Growing up in a small community in northern New Brunswick, Jennifer Bergeron enjoyed the benefits of the friendly, co-operative atmosphere and more relaxed pace of life.  After moving to Ontario and living in Kingston for several years, when it came time to open her own pharmacy she wanted it to be in place where she could feel a similar vibe. A few months after moving to Yarker, Bergeron opened Newburgh Pharmacy, a full-service pharmacy and retail outlet in the picturesque Stone Mills Township community.

For a little more than a quarter of a century, Lindsay-based Mariposa Electric has provided excellent, responsive service and quality work for residents of the Kawartha Lakes region and beyond, based on fundamentals of superior workmanship, treating customers well, and ensuring that the business and staff supports the community. It’s a recipe for success that began when two formerly independent electricians chose to partner up, proving the adage that the whole really is greater than the sum of its parts.

Under the able stewardship of Tanya Meszaros since 2007, the Lakeview Tavern has become a hub of activity in Stone Mills Township. Always a popular ‘watering hole’ for many generations, the Lakeview has been more of a meeting place and restaurant than ‘tavern’ these days, catering to families, couples and community groups. Located ideally along County Road 41 in Erinsville, the Lakeview is a full-service establishment that has cultivated a truly down-home, welcoming atmosphere.

Ryan Reynolds, who is from Napanee, and his business partner Eric Grypa, of Saskatoon, are unlikely entrepreneurs. They met because they were both working as water fowl guides, and not surprisingly they share a similar story. They were both introduced to waterfowling as very young children, and grew up loving everything about the sport, “the setting, the camaraderie, the challenge, the high success opportunities, just everything ...” said Ryan Reynolds in a phone interview...

When Lauren Gamble returned to her home and native land of Canada after working in Australia for a number of years, she brought back a wealth of wonderful friendships and life-affirming experiences – and a deep and abiding appreciation for the café culture that was embedded in everyday life for most Aussies. Blessed with an prodigious work ethic and an entrepreneurial mind, Gamble decided she wanted to open and run her own coffee shop somewhere in L&A County – a place with a unique style and tone. It would be a welcoming place, with great coffee, home-made eats and a true gathering spot for the community.

Marlene Sweet had dutifully worked for Mayhew Jewellers for nearly 30 years when owner John Mayhew decided it was time to retire. She had worked hard in every aspect of the business, developing a loyal customer base along the way. For a short period of time she worried that for the first time in ages, she may have to dust of her resume and hit the job-search trail. But knowing how valuable she was to the success of the business, Mayhew chose instead to make Sweet an offer he knew she would jump at.

McCormick’s Country Store’s ability to adapt is key to its continued success in L&A County. Lindsay Noyes and her brother Justin Martin have spent a significant portion of their lives within the inviting and homey confines of McCormick’s Country Store in Camden East. As teenagers they worked in the store, which has been both an important business and social hub of that part of Stone Mills Township and Lennox & Addington County for decades. After managing the store for a couple of years under its previous owners, Mike and Amy Martin, Noyes and her brother bought the venerable entrepreneurial institution in 2003 and have been operating it ever since.

Hart N Hart continues to be a community business fixture. Ryan Moore humbly admits that the biggest challenge he faced when purchasing the long-established Hart N Hart Signs and Promotions company eight years ago was “to not mess it up.”