This past week, Pier Five hosted its very first Mental Health Mixer, a fresh kind of event created to blend wellness, creativity, and meaningful connection into one intentional gathering. This wasn’t your typical networking party. Instead, it was a space designed to slow down, check in with yourself, and engage in real conversations with others navigating the ups and downs of life. The event welcomed 50 passionate creatives, entrepreneurs, and community members who showed up ready to be present and open. From the moment the mixer began, there was a genuine energy of warmth and vulnerability that set the tone for the afternoon. To kick things off, guests were guided through a calming breathwork session, helping everyone center themselves and settle into the space. This mindful start paved the way for a powerful panel discussion featuring two incredible voices in mental health: Yanal Dhallieh, founder of Peace Collective , and therapist and podcast host Makena Arntsen from Don’t Worry It’s Confidential . Their candid conversation touched on personal journeys, mental health strategies, and the unique challenges creatives and entrepreneurs face when it comes to self-care. More content to come from that panel on the Pier Five Instagram . Between the thoughtful dialogue, attendees explored wellness activations from local brands PleaseNotes and Health Hut , discovering tools like affirmation journals and curated self-care essentials that support ongoing mental wellbeing. Light refreshments complemented the experience, with sparkling drinks from Barbet , fresh coffee from Itso Coffee , and delicious charcuterie beautifully prepared by MiBowl . These thoughtful touches, provided by local sponsors, made the event feel like a true community celebration. Before leaving, guests received special gifts from Peace Collective and HOKA , small reminders of the day’s intention to care for oneself and each other. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive and many shared how much they appreciated the chance to slow down, connect deeply, and reflect in a safe, welcoming environment. Pier Five’s Mental Health Mixer was more than an event; it was a reminder of the importance of holding space for mental wellness in our busy, creative lives. We are grateful to our partners and sponsors who helped make this possible and look forward to hosting many more gatherings that bring community, creativity, and care together. Stay tuned to the Pier Five Instagram and mailing list for updated on future events!

Introducing Stimmie, the runner up recipient of the Pier Five & Intak Printing Activation Grant! Founder: Steph Nightingale Location: Toronto, ON Discover Stimmie online: Website  // Instagram About Stimmie Stimmie is an oral care disruptor on a mission to end single-use toothpicks and improve gum health sustainably. With deep clinical roots and strong design sensibilities, Stimmie has proven that it is solving a real need. In just one year since launch, the brand has seen traction with features in CNN, Porter Airlines, and multiple sell-throughs at "better for you" retailers across major cities such as New York and Toronto. What is your vision with the grant funds and support from Pier Five & Intak Printing? Our vision is to create a culture-forward pop-up experience in Toronto that brings the world of Stimmie to life. The grant will enable us to push the boundaries of our design and experiential assets, introducing larger-scale formats, innovative materials, and hands-on product sampling that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. This activation will drive real-time consumer testing, social media buzz, and deeper brand engagement as we continue building momentum in the market. How will this grant help you realize your long term goals? Drawing our current community to this unique pop-up experience will build brand loyalty and connect with our customers. These types of activations typically capture the attention of NEW customers which is always both a short and long term business goal. We'll be able to build our database, provide more customers with samples which we've seen as a great way to convert people into long-term customers and give them experiences that will excite them to develop social media content and drive organic awareness for our brand. Photos supplied by Stimmie Learn more about the Pier Five & Intak Printing Activation Grant and discover the other recipients here .

Introducing Yueh Tung Restaurant, the runner up recipient of the Pier Five & Intak Printing Activation Grant! Owners: Jeanette & Joanna Liu Location: Toronto, ON Discover Yueh Tung online: Website  // Instagram About Yueh Tung Restaurant Yueh Tung is Canada’s oldest Hakka Chinese restaurant, serving Toronto since 1986 from the heart of Old Chinatown. Recently, Jeanette & Joanna's parents officially handed the business over to them and they've stepped in during one of the most difficult economic climates to try to carry forward everything their parents built. They introduced Toronto city to delicacies like Chili Chicken and Manchurian Chicken and worked tirelessly for decades. Now, as second-generation owners, Jeanette & Joanna are working to preserve this legacy, reintroduce Yueh Tung to the public, and sharing the untold story of their family and culture through food, design, and storytelling. What is your vision with the grant funds and support from Pier Five & Intak Printing? Our vision with the grant funds and support from Pier Five & Intak Printing is to host a special dinner experience that brings together local customers, media, and municipal leaders to celebrate the history and heritage of Toronto’s Old Chinatown. This event will help spark renewed awareness and pride in the neighborhood we’ve been part of for decades. In addition, the grant will support a refresh of Yueh-Tung’s branding, from menus to signage, to better reflect our family story and the vibrant Chinatown community we represent. It’s an opportunity to honour our roots while inviting a new generation to connect with the culture, food, and history that define who we are. How will this grant help you realize your long term goals? This activation is a key step in our long-term vision to preserve and grow Yueh Tung, not just as a restaurant, but as a cultural landmark. We want to create a cohesive brand experience that clearly communicates who we are, where we come from, and why this place matters. The grant will allow us to reintroduce Yueh Tung to a new generation while reconnecting with longtime customers who may not know we're still here. It will help stabilize our business, strengthen community recognition, and lay the foundation for a sustainable future so we can continue sharing Hakka food, honour our parents’ legacy, and ensure this story lives on in our city. Photos supplied by Yueh Tung Restaurant, BlogTo & TorontoLife Learn more about the Pier Five & Intak Printing Activation Grant and discover the other recipients here .

Meet Grays - Our Small Business Activation Grant Recipient! PIER FIVE COMMUNITY DINNERS LEARN MORE Latest Posts Catch up with our latest conversations and events. Small Business Activation Grant Runner Up: Yueh Tung Restaurant 22 hours ago Small Business Activation Grant Runner Up: Stimmie 22 hours ago Pier Five’s Mental Health Mixer: A Space to Reset, Reflect, and Connect Jun 5 Mental Movement Day with Pier Five and Puma Brings Toronto’s Creative Community Together for Yoga, Wellness, and Open Conversation Jun 3 A Spring Clean-Up Day to Remember Apr 30 5 Essential Tax Strategies for Small Business Owners to Save Money Mar 7 Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Mastercard x Pier Five's 2024/25 Priceless Experience Mar 2 Pier Five’s 2024 End-of-Year Celebration Dec 17, 2024 Celebrating Creativity and Community at the OOAK Show '24 Dec 5, 2024 5-Tips On Brand Building From Kuwalla Tee's Founder Yaniv Abecassis Nov 26, 2024 Toronto Community Court Day Recap: A Slam Dunk Success Oct 21, 2024 Pier Five Community Canvas For Kuwalla Tee Sep 25, 2024 Explore All Posts

Small Business Activation Grant Pier Five and Intak Printing are teaming up to give small business owners the chance to bring their next activation to life—completely free . Through this grant, selected recipients will receive high-quality printed assets from Intak Printing and marketing, operational, and community support from Pier Five to help execute their event or brand activation. Whether it’s a pop-up shop, product launch, community event, or creative installation, this program is designed to empower small businesses with the resources they need to make an impact. Grand Prize Grays Runner Up Stimmie Runner Up Yueh Tung Restaurant Grand Prize $10,000 CAD of Custom Printed Materials - Provided by Intak Printing. This could include signage, posters, menus, packaging, wall decals or other essential assets. Operational & Marketing Support – Pier Five will help with: Connecting recipients to local vendors and suppliers Pre-activation content support (storytelling, interviews, social media features) On-site and post-event coverage for social & web content Bringing in community brand partners for in-kind product support Runner Up Prizing Two Runner-Up Prizes: $2,000 CAD credit to Intak Printing and a dedicated social content feature with Pier Five. To be eligible for the Pier Five x Intak Printing Small Business Activation Grant, applicants must meet the following criteria: Business Location: Must be a registered business operating within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Business Registration: Must be a legally registered business in Canada (sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation). Proof of registration may be required. Business Age: Must have been in operation for at least one (1) year as of the application date. Revenue Cap: Must have an annual gross revenue of under $2 million CAD. Activation Alignment: The proposed activation (e.g., pop-up shop, community event, product launch, or creative installation) must: Be feasible to execute before December 31, 2025. Align with the small business’s brand, product, or service offerings. Be open to the public or targeted toward community engagement (private corporate events do not qualify). Commitment to Execution: Recipients must actively participate in the grant program, including: Providing updates on activation progress. Engaging in pre- and post-activation content (e.g., interviews, social features). Allowing Pier Five and Intak Printing to document and share their activation journey. Exclusions: Franchises, multi-level marketing businesses, and passive investment businesses are not eligible. Businesses engaged in illegal or unethical activities will not be considered. Previous winners of a Pier Five grant within the past 12 months are ineligible. Marketing: Recipients must be following @pier.five and @intakprintingcanada on Instagram For full grant terms and conditions, click here.

Mastercard and Pier Five are working together to empower small businesses. Mastercard and Pier Five are working together to empower small businesses. Since 2022, Pier Five and Mastercard have worked together to empower small business owners across Canada. Together, they’ve launched the annual Small Business Fund. Now in its 3rd year, Mastercard is providing $100,000 CAD in funding to women-owned small businesses. Through this initiative, along with networking events and educational content, both brands remain committed to supporting and uplifting small business owners across all industries. Mastercard x Pier Five Small Business Fund Mastercard and Pier Five launched the Mastercard x Pier Five Small Business Fund to help close the gender funding gap in Canada. Women owned small businesses in Canada receive 150% less funding than male owned small businesses and through the fund, Mastercard & Pier Five have worked to identify high-potential recipients, with Mastercard distributing $10,000 CAD in funding to each recipient. In addition to funding, recipients are given access to resources and a Priceless experience with mentors and business experts! Small businesses like yours are the foundation of our local communities, and we’re here to help you do more. At Pier Five, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and leveraging the power of our people, resources and network to be a force for good in the communities that we serve. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Discover Past Recipients 2024 2023 2022 Fund Recipients 2024 Fund Recipients 2023 Fund Recipients 2022 Priceless Experiences Mastercard and Pier Five offer in-person programming for small business owners to help them connect and learn from one another, as well as small business mentors and experts. From founders dinners to roundtable discussions, our goal is to build long lasting relationships and empower a community of energetic and ambitious entrepreneurs. Read about the 2024 Priceless Experience here. To learn more about how to get involved in Pier Five & Mastercard small business programming, join our mailing list and follow us on Instagram at @pier.five and @mastercardca .