A new business is coming to uptown Leamington this summer after a local competition hosted by the municipality.
Christine's Bake Shop is the winner of the 2019-2020 Reinvent This Space competition.
As part of the competition, participants received mentorship from local business leaders to develop their business plan. Then, four entrepreneurs presented their business plans to a panel of local judges.
"She's already built a client base so to have a storefront was a natural segue," said Mayor Hilda Macdonald who acted as one of the judges in the competition.
The bakery is a family-run shop that makes cookies, muffins, scones, cakes, and more. Many residents are already familiar with the company because it has been a part of the local farmer's market for the past five years.
For winning the competition Christine's Bake Shop will receive a Community Improvement Plan grant of up to $15,000 to cover rent.
Macdonald said she is looking forward to running this competition again in the future to help support local entrepreneurs and encourage economic growth in uptown Leamington.
"I still see it as a viable way to encourage entrepreneurs and I think that's a good thing. I think that is good for the community as a whole," said Macdonald.
Macdonald said the program is part of the 2020 budget but the budget has not been approved by council.