Business Start-ups

East Side Mario's owned and operated by John Epstein, boasts over 15 years of successful operation in Orillia.
Entrepreneurs like John Epstein who choose to enter the restaurant industry can face many hurdles, particularly when it comes to financing. That’s where the Orillia Area CDC made a critical difference.  
When John decided to purchase the existing Orillia franchise in 1994, the CDC, in partnership with the bank, was able to provide John the capital he needed as well as support and encouragement. Depending on the season, the popular local restaurant employs on average 45 to 65 people.
John is positive about the future thanks to a winning combination: the great patronage of the Orillia community plus his commitment to customer service and the great strength of the East Side Mario's brand.

In 1999 Lynn Johnston was working at Orillia Eyewear in Downtown Orillia when opportunity knocked.  The owner started talking about pursuing other interests and selling the store.
Lynn was ready to take the leap. But, as a single mom to three young boys, she couldn’t clinch adequate bank financing. Then her bank manager suggested the Orillia Area CDC.  Her purchase financing was approved based on the merit of the business that she was purchasing, her experience and her extraordinary entrepreneurial drive to make it work.
In 2006, after five years in business, Lynn relocated the downtown business to the West Ridge mall.  The CDC was there again, supporting her through all aspects of the planning. At the new site, Lynn's sales surpassed her expectations, tripling what they were at the former site.
"If it wasn't for the CDC, I wouldn't be where I am today," says Lynn.  
In 2010, after almost 12 years in business, Orillia Eyewear now has two full-time staff and a part-time optometrist onsite.
Lynn prides herself on the quality of service that her independently-owned business provides.

"In our business, meeting customer needs and providing personal service has helped us achieve success," she says.
Her one-stop-shop provides full service from eye exams to final fittings, and a wide variety of frames and sunglasses including Prada, Gucci and Versache.


Orillia Laser Tag is a win-win for the community. It provides a fun activity centre for youth and families, and a supportive workplace to help vulnerable youth aged 16-29 to overcome employment barriers and develop an individual career plan and work plan to transition into other jobs in the community.
The laser-tag facility was launched by the Orillia Youth Social Enterprise Corporation, formed by the Orillia Area CDC with start-up assistance from an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant. The CDC recruited Jodie Bala, a skilled youth and corrections worker, to manage the business and teamed with her to get it operational.
“All our employees have different needs. Some are homeless, some are in high school, some are on welfare, some in the Adult Learning Centre. They tell us what they need help on, whether it’s returning to school, upgrading their skills, or going to trade school,” says Jodie.
Together with an assistant manager, she works with employees daily through a year-long work term, which helps them develop workplace skills and get job-specific training, for example, in first aid, WHMIS and food safety.
The seven current youth employees were among many volunteers who helped get the building ready. Since opening in March 2010, they’ve earned great reviews from customers for hosting birthday and corporate parties—80% of the facility’s business. They’re also giving back to the community by volunteering their tips to help send a child to camp in summer, and to sponsor a family at Christmas.
“This is about the community, which is why it works so well with the CDC,” says Jodie.