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When COVID-19 forced most non-essential retailers and service providers to close their doors last spring, business owners in Kingston – a city where many merchants rely heavily on tourist traffic – held their collective breath.

The City of Kingston Civic Awards recognize residents who have made significant contributions to our community through volunteerism in the areas of culture, heritage, recreation, sports, health, education, health care, environment, safety, volunteering or business. On Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021, the city released this year’s award recipients.

In part 1, GNM speaks with Dr. Aba Mortley and Roland Billings about their volunteerism and the commitment to give back.

WHEN Dr Aba Mortley opened her first Cher-Mère Day Spa in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, she was continuing her family's beauty business legacy from Trinidad. And last month she continued to make that legacy proud when she won her category in the Rise Up Pitch Competition, an online black Canadian business competition, and secured a covid19 innovation grant.

Launch Lab is a regional innovation centre that kickstarts new businesses and helps established ones grow and scale.

Dr. Aba Mortley, of Cher-Mère day spas won $10,000 in a competition for black women entrepreneurs. Her business pitch was influenced by four generation of women in her family, and she says that the money won will go towards building her online presence.

KINGSTON, ON -- One Kingston nail salon is thinking outside the box in an effort to drum up business and keep clients safe. Cher-Mère Day Spa has set up manicure stations outside of their downtown store.

It’s been nearly a month since Binh’s Nail and Spa was forced to temporarily close because of an outbreak that led to at least 30 COVID-19 cases. But as of today, KFL&A public health says Binh’s — along with several other nail salons in Kingston — are allowed to reopen.

I met Aba years ago at a local event and we’ve been connected ever since. I admire Aba for all of the work she does for our community (she does a lot of volunteer work and is on many, many committees!) while running two spas (and raising four children!)!

A group of local businesses have come together to make a ‘YGK box’ containing specialty items from each store.