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Small Business Spotlight
Growing Businesses Join Forces to Provide Unique Shopping Experience
What started out as a passion-fueled kitchen experiment for friends and family grew into Red Lantern Coffee Co., a small batch artisanal coffee roaster located in Kingsville, Ont.
Red Lantern Coffee Co. provides a unique experience roasting the fresh beans on site, while providing brewed coffee by the cup and other retail accessories for purchase.
Owner Craig Marentette always knew he was going to be an entrepreneur one day. “I had been working for an environmental consulting firm but had always hoped and planned to get into the food industry … I started to get into coffee and the idea of roasting my own,” stated Marentette, adding, “I think I always knew I was going to start a business of some sort, I just didn’t know what it would be until the coffee roasting idea developed.”
Red Lantern Coffee Co. started as just a wholesale coffee roaster with retail pop-ups at local markets and festivals. In March 2019, Red Lantern expanded into a permanent space, allowing for coffee roasting and a retail shop. “We now have the ability to produce and retail our coffee in the same location and better connect with our customers,” said Marentette. Read More
Each month, the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre highlights clients and entrepreneurs that have recently opened their business. Want to to be included? Email SBC for more information.
The Frosty Pineapple is Windsor-Essex's only gourmet popsicle stand! They use fresh, locally-sourced ingredients with no refined sugars or artificial additives. Ice pops are served in a variety of flavours to satisfy all palettes and dietary restrictions.
Starter Company Plus Recipients Wendy Nantais and Claudia Sylvestre
The Dandelion is a home decor boutique located on a quaint corner in Tecumseh, Ontario. As a trained stockist of Chalk Paint™ by Annie Sloan, they offer rustic painted furniture and a wide assortment of elegant home accessories.
Starter Company Plus Recipient Dawn Mackinnon
D’s Fabulous Finds is a new boutique gift shop co-located inside the 1859 historic home in the heart of Kingsville. All the local treasures found in the shop were hand selected and include jewelry, accessories, clothing, home decor, books, beauty products and much more.
Client News
Photo Credit: Dan Janisse
Jarvis: The transformative effect of street art
Anne Jarvis | Windsor Star
Before, it was a cinder block wall.
Now, it’s art, the statuesque figures of a man and woman, inspired by Michelangelo’s David and Greek gods and goddesses, painted in chic black, white and gray and a swath of elegant gold across the massive 20-by-90-foot space. Read More
Current Programs
Digital Main Street (DMS) is a program and service that helps main street businesses achieve digital transformation.
The program is built around an online learning platform, structured training programs, and our Digital Service Squad, a team of highly trained recent graduates who help main street businesses grow and manage their business through the adoption of digital tools and technology.The Ontario Digital Main Street Initiative provides:
Digital Transformation Training and Grants Program: grants of up to $2,500
Digital Service Squad Program: one-on-one assistance and digital assessments by highly trained teams
Access to Support: access to basic digital services
Digital Training (online): free digital skills webinars and workshops
