Downtown Port Hope welcomes innovative female entrepreneurs

By Cecilia Nasmith

If the area around 90 to 94 Walton St, in Port Hope seemed especially jubilant Saturday, it was because the two businesses at those addresses were celebrating their grand opening in a big way.

Dane and Jute (94 Walton St.) had an afternoon of refreshments and giveaways to mark the opening of the fine-flooring company, while Nick's (90 Walton St.) rocked into the evening to show off their new tattoo parlour with cash bar, music from DJ Madcat and live performances by Cale Crow and Jeff Biggar.

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From left, Port Hope Deputy Mayor Les Andrews, Dane & Jute owner Jasmine Dickson, Heritage Business Improvement Area manager Jamie Byers, MPP representative Paige Wiggins and Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce representative Maria Papaidannoy-Duk cut the ribbon at the business's grand opening

The festivities followed Friday ribbon cuttings at both locations.

Jute and Dane is run by Jasmine Dickson - daughter of Cindy and Russell Dickson who have been part of a local family-run flooring business for decades, Among those dignitaries congratulating the younger Dickson was Port Hope Deputy Mayor Les Andrews, a long-time loyal Dickson customer.

Dickson explained the unusual name of her new store, starting with Dane. This is in honour of the Great Dane she had for five years who accompanied her everywhere. She recently had to put him down, but intends to get into the fostering of Great Danes.

As for the other half of the name, she said, “Jute is a natural carpet fibre, and I am specializing in wools and sisals.”

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From left, Port Hope Deputy Mayor Les Andrews, MPP representative Paige Wiggins, Nick's staffer Gerry Barnes and owner Nickola Pandelides, HBIA manager Jamie Byers and Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce representative Maria Papaidannoy-Duk cut the ribbon at Nick's grand opening Friday

Nick's name had obvious origins, since it is owned by Nickola Pandelides – who has already had a number of unofficial greeters offering words of welcome and even flowers to the downtown newcomer.

“I have lived in Vancouver, Toronto, Europe, and never had such a warm welcoming,” she declared.

“It's always exciting to have young professionals, younger people who want to put down roots in this awesome community,” Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce chief administrative officer Brenda Whitehead said.

Chamber board representative Maria Papaidannoy-Duk – a fellow downtown merchant – agreed it's always a delight to see a woman open a business downtown.

“It's so amazing,” she said.

“We need more of that. We need more inspiration in our lives, and you are an inspiration.”

Paige Wiggins represented Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini in offering congratulations to both entrepreneurs – and neighbourly greetings, since the constituency office is only as far away as Peter Street.

Heritage Business Improvement Area manager Jamie Byers told both women they had chosen an awesome place to be, giving each an invitation to join the HBIA, as well as a helpful members' handbook.

She also encouraged both to take part in the big Oct. 25 downtown trick-or-treat celebration. Between 5 and 7 p.m., 18 downtown businesses (at last count) will be welcoming young trick-or-treaters into their premises.

Then, at 7 p.m., Pharmasave will hold a costume parade with prizes.

“Just keeping our littlest community members involved in our downtown,” Byers said.