Huddle’s Top 10 Stories From New Brunswick In 2022

This year, our readers were eager to learn more about the businesses, both international and hyper-local, opening in their communities.

Whether it was a new venture from an upstart trio of local entrepreneurs or a big-name franchise arriving in the region, readers were eager to learn more.

But more than being interested in faceless “businesses” opening in their community, our readers consistently flocked to stories that reveal more about the people behind the businesses, from collaboration in the restaurant industry to a brewery founded by friends in a basement.

And, of course, there was also room in our readers’ media diets for a few stories touching on the moves of big businesses, and how they affect both their communities and the small business owners trying to compete.

Here’s a list of our ten most-read Nova Scotia stories from 2021, as well as a few “honourable mentions” our team particularly loved.

‘The Squeeze’ Ready To Open Next Week in Fredericton

Image: Huddle

Fredericton locals Erica Whitman, Sonya Solven, and Jessa Allison wanted one place where they could go to get a salad, smoothie, or juice.

Nothing like it existed in the city, so the trio decided to open their own, bringing together their business sense and experience in the fitness and hospitality industries.

N.B. Brewer Rebrands Beers After Copyright Complaint From Patagonia

Image: Contributed

Graystone Brewing owner Wes Ward was forced to change the names of his two most popular beers at the insistence of clothing company Patagonia.

The international giant threatened Ward and his small business with court action, and Ward eventually agreed to the changes after years of “behind-closed-doors collaboration.”

Farmer Cheated By Tomavo Takes Over Former Tomavo Location

Image: Huddle

By 2022, the spectacular collapse of Local grocer Tomavo had mostly run its course.

However, readers were still eager to learn more–and perhaps bask a little in the ironic justice–when a farmer who was chated by the company opened his own grocery store in one of the locations Tomavo abandoned as a result of its bankruptcy.

Grassroots Moncton Brewery Will Get Permanent Home

Image: Nate Blackmun

A collaboration between four Moncton business stalwarts helped secure a permanent home open for local brewery O’Creek Brewing Company.

The $2-million effort will see the brewery open in its new location early in 2023.

Popeyes Chicken Franchise Will Open In Moncton Too

Image: Contributed

Popeyes Lousiana Chicken’s arrival in Moncton didn’t make quite as big a splash as its launch in Halifax earlier in the year.

However, fans of the American franchise were still eager to learn more about its impending opening in the city. This story came out just before Popeyes opened its doors.

For Award-Winning Moncton Restaurant, Collaboration Is Key

Image: Inda Intiar/Huddle

Euston Park Social’s co-founder Gene Cormier says collaboration with the rest of New Brunswick’s hospitality industry and local producers are at the core of its strength and success.

Cormier and his partner are well-known entrepreneurs who own several local businesses. Readers were eager to learn more of their insights on the restaurant industry, as well as glean news from some of their many ventures.

Moncton Retailer Confirms Plans For Former Hilfiger Haunt

Image: Georgio Paulin

After Tommy Hilfiger left its Mapleton Centre home in late November, it wasn’t long before Georgio Paulin, of Sounds Fantastic, decided to move his business into the space.

Paulin told Huddle his plan to move the 43-year-old business from its downtown home because of a shift in the kind of businesses he’s seeing becoming more prevalent in the area.

Moncton Wing’n It Days Away From Opening

Image: Huddle

As supply chain and labour shortages plagued businesses in 2022, Charlene Michelin was forced to become her own general contractor to keep things moving in a bid to bring premium wings to the Hub City.

Data Leak Reveals Sizable Convoy Donation From New Brunswick Business

Image: Sarah McCarthy/Acadia Broadcasting

The so-called “Freedom Convoy” protest that disrupted the nation’s capital earlier this year may have seemed somewhat removed from life in Atlantic Canada, but they still sparked lots of discussion here.

The issue was brought closer to home for many when hacked website data revealed that New Brunswick’s Brad Howland, the owner and CEO of Easy-Kleen Pressure Systems Ltd., was connected to one of the largest donations to the protests.

Ontario Company Buys Shuttered N.B. Cannabis Facility

Image: Canopy Growth

A shuttered cannabis production facility in Fredericton got new life this year when Ontario-based cannabis cultivation company Purplefarm Genetics bought the facility from Canopy Growth.