Port Hope Visitor Guide 2019

port hope feature
Port Hope
and District
Chamber of Commerce
58 Queen St.,
porthopechamber.com
Brenda Whitehead, CEO
Port Hope businesses are a close-knit and thriving
part of the community, bringing people to town, and
making the most of the proud heritage feel, unique
local offerings and all-out friendliness the community
is known for.
That’s thanks, in part, to the dedicated work of people
like Brenda Whitehead, CEO of the Port Hope and
District of Chamber of Commerce. She’s the driving
force for the Chamber’s board of directors and
heading toward 200 members. The organization
is one of the oldest chambers, marking its 145th
anniversary this July. It has a long history of advocacy
for businesses, and a strong partnership with both
the Municipality and the Heritage Business
Improvement Area.
“People feel valued here, they’re not just a number,”
Brenda says of the willingness to participate and
pitch-in. “People are really engaged in the community.”
And it’s a community she’s very proud to serve. “I love
Port Hope. We have the ‘grow local, eat local, buy
local’ all right here at our doorstep. It’s like a hidden
alcove with unique shops and high-level customer
service.” You can enjoy a beautiful afternoon tea at
Summerhill Manor downtown and then walk right
across the street to Thrill of the Find for vintage couture,
including Chanel collector pieces.
“We have businesses like Primitive Designs and
Haute Goat that work hard to bring visitors to our
community,” she says. “The Capitol Theatre, the most
well-preserved main street, agricultural heritage and
businesses throughout create an environment that
spins into business success.”
Chamber members run the Taste of Port Hope dining
event to raise funds for the Northumberland United
“I love Port Hope. We have the ‘grow local,
eat local, buy local’ all right here at our
doorstep. It’s like a hidden alcove with unique
shops and high-level customer service.”
- Brenda Whitehead, CEO
Way. They have networking breakfasts dedicated
to women in business and social events for the
growing number of professional entrepreneurs
under 40.
Located across from the Town Hall on Queen Street,
the Chamber is also highly visible to tourists. It runs
the Service Ontario office, so visitors can easily pick
up a fishing licence or renew their driver’s licence.
“We like to say, if you want to fish in the Ganaraska,
just walk across the river to our office to get your
licence,” Brenda says. “We want to be accessible
to people, whether you want to know where to find
a certain business, a good place for lunch, or the
best doughnuts in town.” (Hint: you’ll have to come
in and ask where to get them!)
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