2020 EXPLORE AURORA GUIDE Where to SHOP EAT AND PLAY Online version:Online: aurorachamber.on.ca/exploreauroraaurora.ca | aurorachamber.on.ca/exploreaurora | aurora.ca/exploreaurora glow MEDI SPA REDEFINE your beauty Cosmetic Injections Dermal Fillers Ultrasound Lifting Treatment Laser Fat Reduction Laser and Light Therapies Women’s Intimate Health Radiofrequency Tightening Canadian spa & wellness awards2017 OUR presented by WINNER AWARDS T M-S Winner of the 2018 Business of the Year Winner of the Top Medi Spa in Award! Canada 2017 and 2018 Awards AURORA 905.726.9333 glowmedispawww.glowmedispa.ca.ca 15435 YONGE STREET YORKVILLE 416.920.9998 | MARKHAM 905.470.8522 2020 EXPLORE AURORA 2020 EXPLORE AURORA Healthy Planet 2020 EXPLORE AURORA www.healthyplanetcanada.com2020 EXPLORE AURORA 1 TOWN OF AURORA Message from the Mayor Aurora is a friendly, diverse community situated just 30 minutes north of Toronto. Our unique and quaint Town is filled with a strong sense of community spirit and pride. In 2019, Maclean’s magazine’s highly-anticipated annual Best Communities in Canada list, named Aurora as the 11th best community in Canada overall and the 9th best community in Canada for families. While you visit Aurora, I hope that you have the chance to discover the many wonderful places within our community. Aurora has a variety of first-class, multi-use sporting and cultural facilities. We are also undergoing a revitalization of our library square in the downtown core. The redesign will include the addition of two key spaces, a vibrant outdoor square and a new community facility with a selection of multi-purpose spaces to serve as a social hub for Aurora. Shop the specialty stores in our historic downtown core and grab a bite to eat at one of the many local restaurants. Attend a cooking class at the newly renovated Canadian Food and Wine Institute Armoury location. Visit the Aurora Cultural Centre and Aurora Museum to learn more about Aurora’s history and browse through some historic artifacts. Due to upcoming renovations, the facility will be open till June. Visit aurora.ca for relocated programming locations. If you’re looking for outdoor activities, take a stroll through our intricate trail system that spans approximately 57 kilometers or explore the 62 parks in Aurora that encompass more than 800 acres. Also, don’t miss our many exciting and popular Town events such as Ribfest, Haunted Forest, Santa Claus Parade, the Christmas Market and more. I look forward to seeing you in Aurora! Sincerely, Mayor Tom Mrakas 2 2020 EXPLORE AURORA 2020 EXPLORE AURORA AURORA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Welcome to the 2020 Explore Aurora Guide, a refreshed and redesigned Buyer’s Guide with expanded content. This year the Aurora Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be partnering with the Town of Aurora to broaden the scope of the publication to include articles of interest, features on local businesses and highlights of things to do in Aurora. This partnership increases circulation of the guide and provides a valuable resource for Aurora residents and visitors. The vision of the Aurora Chamber of Table of Contents Commerce is to build Message from the Mayor ��������������������������������� 2 a vibrant, engaged and prosperous business ecosystem that Board of Directors ���������������������������������������������� 4 connects businesses and amplifies community prosperity through advocacy, engagement and Chamber Sponsors ���������������������������������������������5 leadership. If you are looking to open a business Experience Aurora �����������������������������������������������7 in Aurora, or already own a business and need support, the Chamber is here to help. We Spotlight on Innovation �������������������������������������8 support businesses in a variety of ways, including professional development, advocacy with all Explore Aurora �������������������������������������������������� 10 levels of government, networking and mentorship Future of Aurora’s Downtown �����������������������17 opportunities, and exclusive member savings on essential services for your business. Active in Aurora ������������������������������������������������ 18 I hope that you enjoy reading about your Chamber in the Community ������������������������� 20 community, and that you will support our local businesses when deciding where to shop, eat Aurora Supports Business �������������������������������22 and play. I would like to thank our members, Aurora Services ��������������������������������������������������22 sponsors, Board of Directors, and the many volunteers who support the Aurora Chamber of Membership Maximizers ���������������������������������23 Commerce. Their contributions have played a key role in establishing a strong and vibrant business Business Directory �������������������������������������������� 24 community. Category Index ���������������������������������������������������62 Alphabetical Index ������������������������������������������ 63 Sandra Ferri, President & CEO Advertisers’ Index ������������������������������������������� 68 Aurora Chamber of Commerce Aurora Chamber of Commerce Staff Mailing Address 6-14845 Yonge Street, Suite 321 Aurora, Ontario, L4G 6H8 Tel: 905-727-7262 Fax: 905-841-6217 Email: [email protected] Office Address 14483 Yonge Street Aurora, Ontario, L4G 0P3 Website: www.aurorachamber.on.ca Sandra Watson Seanna Murray Crystal Walsh Nancy Lehmkuhl Social: @AuroraChamberON Events Manager Member Relations Ambassador Communications & Marketing Bookkeeper Specialist 2020 Explore Aurora Guide Produced & Published by: Aurora Chamber of Commerce | Project Manager & Advertising Sales: Seanna Murray Designed and Printed by: Canmark Communications | Art Director: Vaughn Dragland 2020 EXPLORE AURORA 2020 EXPLORE AURORA 3 Aurora Town Council Mayor Tom Mrakas Councillor Harold Kim Councillor Wendy Gaertner Councillor Sandra Humfryes Councillor Michael Thompson Councillor Rachel Gilliland Councillor John Gallo Aurora Chamber of Commerce 2019/2020 Board of Directors Debra Wilson, Chair Al Wilson, Vice-Chair Harry Asbreuk, Sec�/Treas� Sean McCloskey, Past-Chair Brendan Black, Director Joe Cornacchia, Director Katie Duncan, Director Maryam Golabgir, Director Nahla Khouri, Director Marcos Paulino, Director Azie Pouragha, Director Eleisha Stevens, Director 4 2020 EXPLORE AURORA 2020 EXPLORE AURORA 2020 Corporate Sponsors Thank you to our valued corporate sponsors for their generous support. Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsors 150 Aurora’s Community Newspaper Bronze Sponsors 2020 EXPLORE AURORA 2020 EXPLORE AURORA 5 Town of Aurora 20220200 EExpxplorelore t thehe a advdvanantatagegess ofof do doiningg b businusineessss in in Au Aurorarora TheThe Town Town of ofAurora Aurora is ais growinga growing community community in inthe the heart heart of of Canada’sCanada’s economic economic core, core, the the Greater Greater Toronto Toronto Area Area (GTA). (GTA). OfferingOffering urban urban amenities amenities and and a smalla small town town feel feel, Aurora, Aurora has has a a diversediverse economy, economy, a well-educateda well-educated and and skilled skilled workforce workforce and and excellentexcellent transportation transportation connections. connections. AuroraAurora is homeis home to toover over 1,700 1,700 businesses businesses including including corporate corporate headhead offi offi ces, ces, large large multi-national multi-national corporations corporations and and a growinga growing numbernumber of ofsmall small and and medium-sized medium-sized enterprises. enterprises. Our Our location location at at thethe edge edge of ofthe the environmentally-signi environmentally-signififi cant cant Oak Oak Ridges Ridges Moraine Moraine andand extensive extensive parks parks and and trails trails system system adds adds scenic scenic beauty beauty to toour our diversediverse community. community. ToTo explore explore what what Aurora Aurora can can do do for for your your business, business, please please contact contact ourour Economic Economic Development Development division division at at905-726-4742 905-726-4742 or orvisit visit us us onlineonline at atinvestinaurora.ca investinaurora.cawww.investinaurora.ca VisitVisit us us today today at at investinaurora.cawww.investinaurora.ca investinaurora.ca 6 2020 EXPLORE AURORA 2020 EXPLORE AURORA Experience Aurora As the festive As home to multiple season comes to Top 100 Festival a close, the Town ranked events in offers a family- friendly New Ontario, the Town of Year’s Eve event Aurora has events and featuring free festivals to celebrate activities, games and crafts. Other just about every seasonal events occasion. include the popular Easter In 2019, Festivals and Events Egg Hunt which Ontario named Aurora’s is sold out every Haunted Forest and Tree year so be sure to Concerts in the Park Lighting Ceremonies as two of get your tickets months. Canada Day is another the best events in Ontario. The early. huge day of celebration and Haunted Forest is an event that Aurora is well-known for its offers creepy forest walks at Winter isn’t the only time for incredible day of live music, kid- Halloween for kids (and adults) special events in Aurora. The friendly activities and popular of all ages and scare-level. summer season kicks off with fireworks display at Lambert the Aurora Wilson Park. Chamber of Commerce And don’t forget to check out the Street Festival Aurora Chamber of Commerce which has taken Home and Living Show at the place every Stronach Aurora Recreation year on the first Centre from April 17-19.