Celebrating three new Front Street businesses in Sioux Lookout

Tim Brody - Editor

Friday, July 24 marked the Grand Opening of the PACE Incubator Program and the launch of its business partners: Sioux Physiotherapy, led by Sandhya Aiyer and Sunil Sharma; Rock Front Family Farm, led by Tyler and Jackie Bernier; and LAMA Self Care Centre, led by Lauren Allan. 
The trio of businesses are operating out of The Mayfair Building at 58 Front Street.
During the grand opening, well-wishers were able to tour the space, meet the entrepreneurs, and learn more about their businesses.
PACE shared about the businesses:
LAMA Self Care Centre, owned by Lauren Allan, provides medical aesthetics and wellness services in Sioux Lookout, including skincare treatments, laser hair removal, cosmetic injectables, and holistic care. The clinic supports healthy, confident skin while expanding access to self-care in a welcoming, client-focused environment.
Sioux Physiotherapy, owned by Sandhya Aiyer and Sunil Sharma, provides patient-centred physiotherapy in Sioux Lookout focused on pain management, injury recovery, and improving mobility. The clinic enhances access to essential rehabilitation care, supporting independence, wellness, and quality of life.
Rock Front Family Farm, operated by Tyler Bernier and Jackie, specializes in year-round
microgreens, shoots, and beneficial grasses. The farm offers seasonal produce, eggs, gluten-free baked goods, and local artisanal foods, while also providing organic waste management services that support sustainability and access to fresh, local food.”
Lauren Allan, a Registered Practical Nurse, is the owner of LAMA Self Care Centre in Dryden. The opportunity provided by the PACE Incubator Program allowed her to expand her business to Sioux Lookout.
Allan said she is excited and grateful for the opportunity to expand her business to Sioux Lookout to serve existing customers and welcome new ones.
“We’ve been super lucky in Dryden, already we have a huge customer base from Sioux Lookout, approximately 30 percent of our customers already were from Sioux and have been very loyal customers for years, so it was just an exciting opportunity to give back to them.”
She added, “Everyone’s been really passionate about revitalizing downtown.”
Allan shared, “This location, really hoping to focus on laser hair removal, those kinds of things. We’d love for this space to be utilized by other practitioners that are interested in self-care services. That’s kind of how we work in Dryden, where it’s a hub for multiple different practitioners, so if there is anyone local who is interested in offering different services, I’d love for them to reach out and connect.”
People can contact Lama Self Care Centre at 807-216-8972 or book online at lamedicalaesthetics.janeapp.com. 
Free consultations are provided.
Registered physiotherapists Sandhya Aiyer and husband Sunil Sharma, owners of Sioux Physiotherapy, said they heard about the opportunity provided by the PACE Incubator Program through the Municipality of Sioux Lookout.
“Even before we heard about this opportunity, we had been looking for the ability to start something like this in Sioux Lookout,” Aiyer shared.
 Aiyer and Sharma have been working in healthcare for over a decade.
“This was a dream to be able to open something accessible, people can get in when they want to. There is no wait list. There’s evidence based care, ethical care, and we’ll tell you if we can help you or we can’t help you, and we want to help you the best we can. We want the prices to be affordable,” Aiyer said.
“You do not need anybody’s referral. If you’re struggling with any kind of pain, weakness, anything, you can just come directly or contact us,” Sharma said.
“We are very grateful to PACE and to Eric (Bortlis) of course for giving us this wonderful opportunity to serve the people of Sioux Lookout, and I think that’s just our way of giving back to the community,” Aiyer added.
Sioux Physiotherapy offers online bookings at siouxphysiotherapy.janeapp.com. People can also call them at 437-432-8994.
Tyler Bernier owns and operates Rock Front Family Farms with his wife Jackie Bernier.
Bernier said of learning about the PACE Incubator Program, “We were basically connected from the Economic Development Officer, Jen Esposito. At the time she connected us with Eric (Bortlis) and told us the space was going to be coming available, and the opportunity was going to be there for our business to grow.”
He continued, “We transitioned our farm from in town now and we’re more rural, so this just helps us keep connected now to the community rather than them having to travel out to our farm, so it’s great.”
Bernier said, “Just having this space, it keeps our produce more conditioned and more fresh for the customer.”
Commenting further on the growth of the business, he shared, “We started out as a small vegetable farm but being a farmer, you know you have to diversify and we’re always looking to source healthier products.” 
People can reach the business at 807-737-6638, email them at [email protected], or visit them at 58 Front Street.
Eric Bortlis, owner of the space being utilized by the trio of businesses, shared, “I was notified that this business incubator program was potentially in the works in the very early stages of renovating this space. When I first walked Shannon (Wogenstahl) through from PACE, there was no drywall on the walls or even insulation in the cavities, so for her to walk through that and to see my visions for the place and to share it was incredible. It was something that I wanted to see happen from before the place was even ready to go. Entrepreneurship, for me, is critical and to see these three businesses start to thrive is essential for this town’s regrowth down on Front Street.”
Shannon Wogenstahl is the Executive Director for Patricia Area Community Endeavours (PACE). She shared, “Today is much more than the opening of a building or a program. It is the beginning of new opportunities, new partnerships, and new possibilities for entrepreneurs who have chosen to invest in themselves and in the future of Sioux Lookout.”
She continued, “Starting a business takes courage. It means believing in an idea before anyone else does, accepting risk, overcoming obstacles, and remaining committed even when the path is not always easy. Every successful business began with someone who was willing to take that first step.
“At PACE, we believe entrepreneurs deserve more than just access to financing. They deserve encouragement, mentorship, practical business support, and a community that believes in their success. That is exactly what our Business Incubator Program is designed to provide.
“We are proud to walk alongside these entrepreneurs during one of the most important stages of their business journey. By providing affordable commercial space, business counselling, mentorship, and networking opportunities, we hope to give them the foundation they need to build successful, sustainable businesses that will continue to grow, create employment, and strengthen the economy of Sioux Lookout for years to come.”
Wogenstahl explained that PACE previously operated a successful Business Incubator Program in Dryden, where they had the privilege of supporting five new businesses. 
“Building on that success, we applied to FedNor to bring this opportunity to Sioux Lookout, and thanks to their investment and confidence in our vision, we are standing here today celebrating its official opening.
“Our Business Incubator Program provides entrepreneurs with reduced rental rates, one-on-one business counselling, mentorship, networking opportunities, and ongoing business support over an 18-month period. Our goal is to help remove some of the challenges that new businesses often face during their early years.
“The vision is simple: by the end of the program, these businesses will have established a strong and sustainable foundation, allowing them to continue operating independently, remain in these spaces, create employment opportunities, strengthen the local economy, and contribute to the long-term vitality of Sioux Lookout.”
She added, “At PACE, we believe that when entrepreneurs succeed, communities succeed. Every new business represents opportunity, innovation, investment, and confidence in our region’s future. We are incredibly proud to work alongside these entrepreneurs and to support them through every stage of their growth.”
She concluded, “Years from now, I hope we can look back on today as the moment when these businesses began a journey that inspired many more entrepreneurs to follow. That is the true measure of success—not just the businesses we support today, but the opportunities they create for tomorrow.
“Today we are not simply cutting a ribbon—we are opening doors. Doors to new businesses, new opportunities, new jobs, stronger local investment, and a brighter future for Sioux Lookout.”