Biz buzz: Get vaccinated at James Street pharmacy and other local business news
Vaccination designation a surprise
When pharmacist Kathleen Leach learned her business, Sutherland Pharmacy (180 James St. S.), was chosen to distribute COVID-19 vaccines, it was from a CHCH TV reporter, not the province. It came as a surprise," she told The Spectator on Friday, the day after her first doses arrived. I had applied and was looking forward to it but I had not been formally notified, or even informally notified."
Leach says 200 doses arrived Thursday, and as of Friday, she had only received the supplies to administer 100 doses. She was working to get more, but said she had heard from other pharmacies experiencing the same problem.
She hired six people to help administer vaccines, mostly health-care workers who are retired or want to help on their days off. Everyone wants this to be over." Leach expects the program to be revenue neutral, adding, certainly ending the pandemic will be good for business."
People aged 40 and older can make appointments through the pharmacy's booking website only - sutherlandpharmacy.medmeapp.ca/schedule/. Once the spots are full, people can register for a waiting list at the same website.
It's so exciting," Leach says. It's a public service and it's why we are pharmacists."
Party without Aunt Cheryl meeting weird friend Kevin"
Hub of the Hammer, which facilitates office trivia, comedy shows and restaurant-based events, found itself in a bad spot when COVID-19 shut down most socializing. Now, the company is marking one-year of no in-person events by reinventing itself and its approach to fun group events," according to a release issued last month.
It has created an online platform for trivia, tea parties and even virtual stag-and-does in an effort to keep people connected during the pandemic, while also expanding its reach geographically. Growing from a past largely focused on the hospitality industry, Hub of the Hammer is now offering team-building activities for businesses, fundraising events for community organizations and trivia and games nights for private groups - all online. Services can be purchased as one-offs or as a subscription.
We can even set up Zoom breakout rooms so Aunt Cheryl doesn't have to meet your weird friend Kevin," states the company's website, hubofthehammer.com.
Help your wine make its point
A new Hamilton business wants to turn wine and liquor bottles into keepsakes with custom engraving and calligraphy. Think personalized gifts for any occasion," says owner Rizza Arcas, who launched First We Flourish Engraving (firstweflourish.com) in January. It's a trend popular with watch and perfume stores in Toronto, she explained. I thought (it would) be a perfect opportunity to promote our local wineries since they're so close to Hamilton."
Prices range from $25 for gold or silver writing on bottles of sparkling wine to $35 for engraving on spirits or wine. Arcas says it's been a tough time to start a business focused on special occasions since people can't get together, but she's hopeful for the future. What has been pleasantly surprising is the support I've received from other local small businesses ... There's a real sense of community and strength in knowing we are all experiencing the same challenges."
Dispensing real estate advice
The Woolcott Team of Re/Max Escarpment Realty has taken up shop at 303 James St. N. in a glass-fronted building that used to be an illegal cannabis dispensary. But long before that, it was the Bank of Hamilton, and later a Bank of Montreal.
303 James St. N. served as a branch for the Bank of Hamilton as early as 1894," states a release from the Woolcott Team, which opened the office March 1. In 1969, it underwent an extensive renovation under the helm of famed Hamilton architect Trevor Garwood-Jones and went on to house a Bank of Montreal branch ... The redesigned space is modern and open concept with a mid-century feel."
The team has another location on Dundas Street East in Waterdown.
Our goal, post-COVID, is to have this office space become a destination for Hamiltonians to drop in and learn about real estate in an unintimidating, casual environment," says broker Drew Woolcott.
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