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May 2012 Muskoka's Business Newspaper Since 1997

Moose FM changes hands

By Chris Occhiuzzi Once approval from the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission is received, Muskoka's local radio stations will officially be sold by Haliburton Broadcasting Group Inc. to Alberta's Vista Radio Ltd. Haliburton currently owns 24 radio stations in Ontario, including Moose FM in Bracebridge and Muskoka's Lite Favourites in Huntsville. An agreement has now been reached with Vista Radio for the purchase of the radio stations. Also announced by Vista Radio is an agreement with Westerkirk Capital Inc., which would see Westerkirk purchase all of the shares not owned by Vista Radio's parent company, Vista Broadcast Group Inc. The agreement with Westerkirk led to the agreement to purchase Haliburton, according to a press release. Both agreements are subject to CRTC approval. Haliburton's majority owner and president Christopher Grossman, who founded the company in 1997, commented through a press release. "I could not have picked a better successor to continue the legacy we started at Haliburton," said Grossman. "Vista cares in the same way as Haliburton about its employees, listeners and advertisers. Vista will take our radio business to the next level and that will create tremendous opportunities MOOSE FM - p. 7 www.northgraniteridge.com 705.385.0808

Always on the ball

NEW NOVELTY: Linda and Frank Mann of Noveltymann show off the printing capabilites of their new UV printer with a custom designed golf ball. See page 12.

Pharmacy to move and rebuild

By Matt Driscoll Gravenhurst has seen more than its fair share of hardship in recent years but there are signs of a revival in the downtown core. The most recent is the announcement that the owners of Gravenhurst IDA Pharmacy plan to reopen just a few doors away from where their previous location burned down last summer. The pharmacy's new home will be at the former location of the Giant Tiger at 180 Brock St. They also plan to rebuild their former two-storey location on Muskoka Road. The location will be 4,000 sq. ft. of retail space available as either one or two rental units. "We truly see Gravenhurst as an amazing town and believe it will have a resurgence with the appropriate care and development," says Katie Keates, co-owner of Gravenhurst IDA Pharmacy. "Our decision to go back into the centre of town is predicated on our pride in our town, our desire to see it restored and on our desire to remain as central as possible to our customers." The store suffered a fire in August 2011 and was forced to relocate to the Fabricare Plaza. Just a few months prior, several other businesses on the same block were also destroyed during another fire. Keates says they have received overwhelming support since the pharmacy moved to its temporary PHARMACY - p. 7

Muskoka Guide to Roofing - see p. 8

Ryder Cup Style Tournament to benefit OSPCA Muskoka - visit our website Corporate Memberships Weddings Private Events | NEW CLUBHOUSE & RESTAURANT

northcountrybusinessnews.com

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY

TO WEATHER TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES Now more than ever, sound financial advice is critical. I can help. *Mutual funds offered by Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2012. Alan Paton* CFP®, B.Eng. 705-789-5246 alan.paton@sunlife.com 38 Glenwood Drive Huntsville, ON P1H 1B6

Grand opening

Battlefield welcomes public to open house

See p. 11

Slicing stones

Two established businesses partner in Gravenhurst

See p. 5

Dependable service of office equipment by certified technicians

705-787-0517

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