The faces and voices of 'SoJo, Oshawa' - Cannabuzz Inc.: photos by Mikki
“I am just a local guy from Oshawa, with my fiancé Megan.
Canna Buzz Inc is a locally owned and operated Mom n Pop Cannabis shop in downtown Oshawa. Megan and myself decided to take a chance and open up a business during one of the most difficult times to do so.. we applied for our AGCO Cannabis licensing in the month of March on my Birthday March 30th. It's definitely been a long road to opening. The pandemic didn't help any of course, and we had extra expenses, licensing, background checks, and funding to worry about! We decided to go for the lowest rent possible after checking the market for quite a while we leased 142 Simcoe St South and got to work. It took us about a year to get everything finished, our final license needed to open was obtained in June 2021. Our shop was 100% designed by my Fiance Megan, and all the renovations were done by myself and very helpful family members & friends. In October 2020 Megan found out she was expecting baby Maddox our son who was born May 25th 2021. We opened June 15th 2021 & We absolutely love our shop, it's a funky little store that has that old school head-shop vibe from our products to our design & decorations. We aim to keep our prices fair, our staff knowledgeable, & super friendly. We're a safe space and invite anybody from any walk of life in without judgement, all you need is a valid government issued photo ID and be 19+ as per the law. We carry a large range of Cannabis products from the OCS and a wide variety of accessories from as many Canadian companies as possible. We really try to support local and national companies, especially after the years we've all had to endure.”
- Sean, CannaBuzz, 142 Simcoe St. S.
The faces and voices of 'SoJo, Oshawa' is a photo essay focusing on the people who are investing in the area known as ‘SoJo’, a strip of businesses located south of John, along Simcoe Street South.
For more information about ‘SoJo’ read this article published on the Downtowns of Durham blog, supported by Invest Durham and Region of Durham's Economic Development and Tourism Department.
The faces and voices of 'SoJo, Oshawa' - Paraphernalia Books 'N' Stuff: photos by Mikki
”I have had the business in various forms since first starting out in a flea market back in 1998. Then I was just selling used books and a little bit of second hand 'bits & bobs' of china and glass. In 2002 I had a chance of renting a store at 13 King St down the walkway at the corner of King & Simcoe. After a year in one spot I expanded into the spot next door as well and added more 'stuff'.
I was there until 2015 when I finally outgrew that spot and decided to try my luck further afield. I set up shop in Newcastle, Ontario for a couple of years, which gave me time to hone the business into more of a distinctive specialty shop concentrating on pop culture nostalgia with a 'British Twist'. Continue to sell used books of all kinds but our new items are a blend of the cool, fun & funky. We carry all brand new designed 60-80's British pop & rock, Doctor Who, Harry Potter, Coronation Street and Guinness memorabilia.
After 2 years in Newcastle, brought the shop back to its present location on Simcoe St.
Whether its cushion covers, metal signs, magnets, bags, mugs, UK imported food, and of course used books there is something for everyone!”
- Susan, Paraphernalia Books 'N' Stuff, 154A Simcoe St. South in Oshawa.
The faces and voices of 'SoJo, Oshawa' is a photo essay focusing on the people who are investing in the area known as ‘SoJo’, a strip of businesses located south of John, along Simcoe Street South.
For more information about ‘SoJo’ read this article published on the Downtowns of Durham blog, supported by Invest Durham and Region of Durham's Economic Development and Tourism Department.
And we are back. . . Songwriters Circle at Biltmore Theatre, photos by Mikki H
By Will McGuirk
Its been a while since a live show, a while since a photog has been at one working, but we are back. . . our resident rover Mikki was at the Biltmore Theatre, located in downtown Oshawa for their songwriters circle event, although technically with three, Rory Taillon, Jake Henley, and Matthew Louis, its a songwriter triangle. Just saying.
Rory Taillon
Jake Henley
Matthew Louis