Biz X magazine September 2023, Volume 26 Issue 8
ON THE COVER — Breaking For The Win — Page 18
The Northern National Collectors’ Convention is coming to Caesars Windsor from September 29 to October 1, 2023, in tandem with the Windsor Fan Experience. It will have all the accents of a traditional card expo, but more importantly enable the Trading Card Game (TCG) community (inclusive of brands ranging from Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Digimon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Disney Lorcana, and Dragon Ball Z) to have a national presence in Canada. It’s a hybrid convention with all the trimmings of a pop culture event with celebrities, athletes, shopping at local vendors and more. So, let’s lay all the cards on the table now and give you the details about these exciting events!
INDIVIDUALS/BUSINESS PICTURED: Sean Mangin (left), Owner of Brimstone Games poses with Jeremy Renaud, President of the Northern National Collectors’ Convention. Brimstone Games is a presenting sponsor of the event in tandem with the Windsor Fan Experience. In our cover photo Renaud holds a box of Upper Deck Goodwin Champions containing collectible cards ranging from Tiger Woods to President Joe Biden, to legendary ship relics. He is hoping to “break” (open) the card box and hopefully “win” a unique, rare or priceless card.
LOCATION: Brimstone Games, 1421 Tecumseh Road East in Windsor. As you can see by the stocked shelves the store offers plenty of products ranging from TCGs and collectibles to modelling supplies, Funko Pop figures, board games, and sports cards. They also have a free play space for tournaments and leagues.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Tina Huynh.
CONTENTS Biz X magazine September 2023
4 Funny Stuff
5 From The Publisher: Biz X Award Nominations Close, Voting Set To Begin September 18
8 Front Lines
10 Biz Bits: Essex Construction For A Better Future
11 Event Profile: The October YQGgreen Expo
13 Newsflash
15 NEW COLUMN – Belle Vivante: A Supper Club For Foodies. The treasures beyond the stately doors of Gentry Manor (photo above by Tracey Harding) in Chatham are plentiful. Glittering fashions, an elegant hair salon, greeting cards in the gift shop that make you laugh out loud, and the joyous food at the Small Plates Restaurant & Supper Club are all great experiences to enhance your beautiful life.
16 Food For Thought: Gladstone Commons
17 Motivational Quotes With Danny
22 Just Sayin’: The Windsor Essex Ambulance Crisis
23 Tech Bytes: Writing A Resume For Robots
24 Have A Cup Of Joe With Joe: Supporting Crime Stoppers
26 Ask The Experts: Habitat For Humanity Windsor-Essex’s Kitchen Removal Service
28 Arms In The Neighbourhood: Projects & Baths By Design
30 Road Trip: Where To Stay, What To Do & Eat In Toronto
34 The Parenting Biz: Inspiring Stories Of Amazing Kids. Do you think the youth of today spend all their time on their phones? If so, then you will be pleasantly surprised and quickly see that’s not always the case, when you read The Parenting Biz this issue. We have found some incredible girls and boys who are making a difference in Windsor and Essex County by starting businesses and volunteering in their spare time . . . they are definitely going to impress you!
40 Hot Shots: Windsor Parade Corporation’s Fireworks Party
43 XX Files: Nicole Haslam, Ivory Cole Designs. Ivory Cole Designs is a flower preservation company in Windsor run by Nicole Haslam, the founder and owner (see photo top right courtesy of Vicki Bartel). She takes bridal, memorial and/or special occasion flowers and encompasses them in epoxy resin for forever keepsakes such as display blocks, clocks, jewellery boxes, bookends and more. Read up on her business and how you can get these stunning pieces of art for yourself so you can cherish your flowers for years to come.
44 From The Bookshelf: The Detroit Shoemaker By Barbara Reaume Sandre
45 The Way It Was: Windsor’s St. Clair Beach, Lot 110 Emboldens. The Reaume Family Legacy
46 Biz Of The Month: Vision In Numbers Inc.