Pop Star #3 – Erika Cuccaro

Erika Cuccaro created an excellent blog in 2013 that focused on the stories of individuals and businesses in Kemptville and District. “52 weeks in North Grenville” (52weeksng) ended in 2014 for a variety of reasons but I still hold it out as the model for local tourism writing.

Now four years later, she’s a Haven Maven and we’d be smart to keep her and her partners in town. Recently we’ve woken up to the economic possibilities that tourism brings and we’re suddenly looking at the South Branch of the Rideau River as an asset.

(R to L: Shelley Mitchell, 2017 Pop-Up Shop Steering Committee and Erika Cuccaro, 2017 Pop-Up Shop Sponsor secure 209 Sanders as a Pop-Up Shop loaction)

This past year Erika’s company “James Street Writing Company” was the third 2017 Kemptville Pop-Up Shop Program sponsor. The other two were Rob Noseworthy’s Westerra Homes and Neil Pringle’s Pringle Brothers Construction . There’s a strong creative business sector in Kemptville – which is to be expected being so close to a large market like Ottawa. Erika’s company is just one of many creative businesses that exist here by choice and who are community-minded by nature.

As Kemptville grows and our recreational infrastructure improves, look to people like Erika to play a large role in building tourist interest in Kemptville and the surrounding hamlets. North Grenville’s reputation as a generous community is confirmed by the number of businesses sponsoring important programs, local events and fundraisers. Businesses like James Street Writing Company.

A full 2017 Kemptville Pop-Up Shop Evaluation Report is available for download

Pop Star #2 – Rob Noseworthy

Kemptville Pop-Up Shop Graduate wins New Business of the Year Award at the 2018 North Grenville Breakfast Banquet.

Rob was there at the very beginning. (Apr. 22, 2016)

May 18, 2018 – Presentation of the 2018 New Business of the Year by Robert Noseworthy of Westerra Homes to Shulamit Bar Levtov of Compassionate Support for Stressful Times.

April 6, 2018 Compassionate Support for Stressful Times – Grand Opening and Open House

September 15, 2017 – Robert Noseworthy of Westerra Homes (L) presents his sponsorship cheque to Deb Wilson (BIA Chair) and John Barclay (BIA Executive Director) outside the first Pop-Up Shop Location (9 Clothier St. E)

April 22, 2016 – Presentation of the Pop-Up Shop Program to North Grenville’s Economic Development Advisory Committee with a request totalling $2,500 – Rob Noseworthy of Westerra Homes commits $500 as a corporate sponsor of the Program through Westerra Homes. Staff is directed to find money within the existing Eco Dev budget.


A full 2017 Kemptville Pop-Up Shop Evaluation Report is available for download