• Four finalist teams pitched their business plans at the Stouffville Village Small Business Challenge finale on April 30.
  • The awarded business will receive up to $50,000 in startup and rent support for a new Main Street storefront, plus local mentorship.
  • Francis and Meyer Co. proposed a retail and event space for their candle business.
  • Saint’s on Main would merge Saints Island Pies and the Main Street Bakehouse into a new fusion restaurant.
  • Hunter Books would focus on used book sales and offer workshops, events, and a subscription book box service.
  • Juicy Empanadas plans a Latin-style café space and eatery with a commercial kitchen to support production and enable shared use.
  • The winner will be announced during the Greater Stouffville Chamber’s June Dinner with Mayor Lovatt.

 

Four teams of aspiring entrepreneurs pitched their vision for a new downtown storefront at the Stouffville Village Small Business Challenge finale at 19 on the Park. They are competing for a prize worth up to $50,000 and the chance to bring their business to Main Street.

The competition, a joint initiative from the Office of the Mayor and the Greater Stouffville Chamber of Commerce, invited proposals for new businesses to open in Stouffville’s historic downtown. Twenty applications were submitted following an open call last fall, with five selected as finalists. One later withdrew for personal reasons.

The business plans were presented to a judging panel that included Mayor Iain Lovatt, Chamber director and Elite Class CEO David Elie, Royal Interior Design founder Catherine-Lucie Horber, seasoned executive and local coach Greg Smith, and Triple Group of Companies managing partner Steve Apostolopoulos.

Modeled after the television show Dragon’s Den, the event gave the entrepreneurs five minutes to present their pitch, followed by questions from the judges.

“This challenge is designed to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit, support local businesses, and revitalize our Stouffville Village,” the Town’s website states. “The Stouffville Village Small Business Challenge is more than just a competition; it’s an opportunity to become an integral part of our vibrant community.”

Lovatt, who spearheaded the program, said the idea was inspired by a similar initiative in Pensacola, Florida, which he learned about in Forbes.

“A landowner had invested in renovating some space and the local BIA ran the program. Only one of the eight finalists won, but all eight wound up establishing their businesses there,” Lovatt said in comments to Bullet Point News. “They saw the pitches from everyone and said, ‘If these people are going in, we’re going to as well.’ That’s what I’m hoping for here.”

Each pitch emphasized not only the activation of Main Street, but also a strong commitment to community engagement, the creation of inclusive gathering spaces, and contributing to the social and cultural vibrancy of downtown Stouffville.

Francis and Meyer Co. founders Amanda and Danielle Black proposed a hybrid retail and community space for their candle business, which they currently operate from a home studio. The open-concept shop would offer non-toxic scented candles, jewellery, a rotating pop-up space for other small vendors, and host workshops and events. In addition to increased storage, the grant would fund equipment upgrades to expand their wholesale production.

Saint’s on Main—pitched by Chuck Ortiz and Elbert Chu, co-owners of Saints Island Pies—would merge their Filipino fusion pizzeria with the Main Street Bakehouse, which they are in the process of acquiring. Their concept includes a combined bakery, restaurant, and café, featuring live music, guest chef collaborations, patio events, and culinary classes. The funding would primarily support renovations.

Lisa Byrne’s Hunter Books, the only finalist without an existing business, would offer both new and used book sales. Her proposal also includes writing and publishing workshops, tutoring opportunities, kids’ parties, and poetry readings. Byrne plans to run a subscription book box service and hopes to eventually launch an independent press to support emerging writers.

Juicy Empanadas owners Fernando Soliz and Anne-Gaelle Laplanche pitched a Latin-style café and eatery, anchored by a commercial kitchen to support their growing catering and wholesale operations. In addition to cooking classes, the space would be available for rent by other small food businesses. Funding would help them purchase equipment to automate much of their current handmade process.

Judges pressed each team on the financial viability of their business plans, marketing strategies, growth potential, and resilience in an increasingly competitive and challenging economy. Concerns were frequently raised about the cost of Main Street rents, which can exceed $3,000 per month, and its impact on future profitability.

The prize includes up to $50,000 in startup and rent support, along with mentorship from established local business leaders. It is funded by the Whitchurch-Stouffville Legacy Fund, the Greater Stouffville Chamber, and private sponsors.

The team of judges gathered in private following the event to deliberate and select a winner. The chosen business will be announced at the Greater Stouffville Chamber’s Annual Dinner with the Mayor in early June.

“You all made incredible pitches for us,” Lovatt told the finalists at the event’s conclusion. “We’re so grateful for this process. It has been a great experience for us as judges.”

“One of our business development directors is here, and I’m sure he’s going to come and talk to all of you…to see how we can support you,” he added. “If you’re not successful and if you still want to come and be a part of our local community, we would be very open to that.”