Posted on by Deborah Jones

BIZ X MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2026 VOLUME 29 ISSUE 2

BIZ X MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2026

ON THE COVER — SAY CHEESE (CAKE) — Page 18. February brings 28 days of love and cheesecake is a great gift to treat the people who make your world sweeter. In this edition, Biz X takes a road trip across Windsor, Amherstburg, Harrow, Leamington, Dresden, and Chatham in search of the region’s most irresistible cheesecake and dessert creations (with candy and cookie crushes along the way). We point you in the right direction toward a few local small businesses that truly know how to satisfy the sweet tooth in all of us.

COVER IMAGE: Pictured is a standout Whiskingbabe specialty — a Persian-inspired, individual heart-shaped pomegranate cheesecake. Locally made by Founder and Baker Ghazal Zorriasatein, it is prepared with high-quality ingredients and no added preservatives. Every bite is whisked up with heart, heritage, and intention. The pomegranate cheesecake also happens to be one of Ghazal’s personal favourites! Whiskingbabe also offers catering for weddings, showers, birthdays, corporate events, and dessert-focused gatherings. (Facebook.com/Whiskingbabe) PHOTOGRAPHER: Asal Zorriasatein (Instagram.com/_artisticodesign_)

CONTENTS BIZ X MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2026

4 Funny Stuff
5 From The Publisher: Windsor Essex Chamber Of Commerce Reveals The 2026 Business Excellence Award Finalists
8 Front Lines
10 Have A Cup Of Joe With Joe: Windsor’s Funniest Influencer. Our Cup of Joe columnist Joe McParland introduces Mel Lucier, a 57-year-old Windsor resident and community influencer who positively impacts the lives of many people. And just to keep things interesting, she is also a stand-up comedian! Learn about Lucier’s background and life experiences, and how they have inspired her to make a difference in the lives of others.
10 Motivational Quotes With Danny
12 Newsflash
14 Belle Vivante: Spago, A Favourite Fork-Twirl Spot
15 Biz X Was There: A Toast To Winery Weddings

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16 Food For Thought: What’s Pouring/Cooking On Banwell Road? With a full lineup of spirits, wines, and craft beer, the Wildwood Grill has something for everyone — and Manager Mira Brija (pictured above) is ready to jump behind the bar when the need arises. Anchored between Windsor and Tecumseh on Banwell Road, the area is expecting significant growth as new construction and the NextStar EV battery plant bring thousands more to the east end. Staff are gearing up for a wave of fresh faces, but one thing remains unchanged: there’s always something cooking at the Wildwood Grill that keeps the regulars coming back and it’s bound to draw in new diners too! (Photo courtesy of Jordan Nieuwhof)

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24 XX Files: Two Besties Build A Skincare Biz. Aaliyah Silvaggi (left in photo above) and Madison Shepley are both full-time nurses who also own and run their aesthetics clinic, SKNN Med Spa. They are incredibly grateful for each other, and being able to grow, learn, and chase their business dream together is something for which they are forever thankful. Turn to our women-at-work column for an inside look at how this shared strength elevates their skincare venture. (Photo courtesy of Sunday Sessions — Photography & Social Media Management).
25 Event Profile: Fix It, Build It, Love It! Your Renovation Ideas. Start This March At The Chatham Home & Garden Show
26 Ask The Experts: The Power Of Composting With Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority’s Green Bin Program

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28 The Parenting Biz: A Month Of Reflection, A Lifetime. Of Impact, Celebrating Black Brilliance Across Generations February’s Black History Month is a powerful time to honour the legacy protected by Essex County and Chatham Kent’s Black history organizations. These guardians of heritage preserve stories of freedom, resilience, and community that have shaped the region and the entire country. Landmarks like the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum continue to connect generations, inspiring today’s visionaries through education, culture, and celebration. In the accompanying photo, a father and daughter at the Buxton museum use a stereopticon, an early slide projector that blends two images to create a three‑dimensional effect. (Photo courtesy of Dudek Photography).
33 Health Matters: Success Starts With Showing Up For School
34 Parenting With Purpose: Family Day Connection
36 Hot Shots: Annual WECAR Luncheon Honours Leadership, Long-Time Members, And Charitable Donations
38 Biz Of The Month: Earnest Immigration And Citizenship Services Marks Five Years Of Trusted Immigration Support

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Deborah Jones

Deborah Jones – Publisher of Biz X Magazine Deborah Jones graduated from the University of Windsor with an Honours Degree in Communication Studies and was employed at two other local magazines shortly after for a few years learning all she could about writing, advertising, public relations and more. She made the jump in 1998 to go out on her own to publish Biz X magazine and has worked in the publishing industry since 1990. In 2007, she earned the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award from the Windsor & District Chamber of Commerce. To date, she is the ONLY woman so far to receive this award. In 2013, she received one of the first “Windsor Women of the Year” awards from the Ladies Exclusive Alliance. Her most recent achievement is the 2023 Media Award from the Windsor Essex Chapter of the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Deborah is proud to live in Windsor and truly cares about each and every business and strives to make Windsor Essex the best place to live, work and play.