Portage la Prairie Mall site sold to local ownership group

The Portage la Prairie Mall has new owners after three entrepreneurs purchased the site.

Joel McPhail and Josh McPhail, who own the Rona store that operates within the mall, and Dan Trotter, owner of a new Wendy’s location near the store, announced the acquisition earlier this month. When asked about the terms of the deal, Josh McPhail declined to comment.

There are no finalized redevelopment plans. The ownership group is exploring opportunities to revitalize the west Portage site and “position it as a renewed commercial hub that serves the needs of the community,” according to a prepared statement.

The mall opened on Saskatchewan Avenue West in 1979, and once bustled with activity. After declining in popularity for more than a decade, the shopping centre closed on Dec. 31, 2024.

“As business owners operating on the site, the group saw value in taking ownership of the property,” the statement said. “Beyond that, as residents of the community, they share a strong interest in contributing to the long-term vitality of Portage la Prairie.”

Envol 91 FM reaches deal with CBC/Radio-Canada

After more than a year of negotiating, Winnipeg-based French-language radio station Envol 91 FM has signed an agreement with CBC for the rental of its Starbuck-based transmission tower.

“This agreement gives us the necessary breathing room to continue growing, invest in our content and better serve our community,” Denis-Michel Thibeault, general manager at Envol (CKXL-FM, 91.1), said in a news release.

Envol has been losing advertising revenue since 2014, and has laid off staff, cut back on spending and postponed equipment investments as a result.

After staff, the biggest expense is renting CBC’s tower for broadcasting. The annual cost was just under $35,000, and Envol was seeking a rent reduction from the public broadcaster.

Thibeault threatened legal action, arguing CBC isn’t fulfilling its legal mandate to promote the development of francophone communities in minority situations.

The terms of the new agreement were not disclosed, but Envol said in the release that its “renewed partnership” with CBC is “a winning step” for the station and it highlights that community media are essential.

Founded in 1991, Envol is the only major francophone radio source in Manitoba that isn’t the CBC. The station’s annual revenue is between $500,000 and $600,000, Thibeault said.

It clocked more than 120,000 listeners last year.

RampUp Weekend sets attendance record

Nearly 200 people participated in North Forge’s annual RampUp Weekend April 10-12, marking the highest attendance in the event’s 16-year history.

The registered participants formed into 10 teams, with each group spending around 50 hours turning a concept into a minimum viable product. The aspiring entrepreneurs spent the weekend working alongside mentors to build and validate their ideas before pitching to judges.

LinkedAI took home the $10,000 grand prize with its franchise-based AI automation model for small businesses, according to a news release.

The “company” develops proven automation solutions and deploys them through trained technical talent, operating as local franchise partners.

The event featured the youngest participant in RampUp Weekend history: 10-year-old Pascale Galaugher Pelka created Pascale’s Horse Magic, a venture that focuses on horse treats designed to support calming and gut health during high-stress moments.

“RampUp Weekend is about giving people the opportunity to turn an idea into something real,” said Joelle Foster, president and CEO of North Forge.

“This year’s record participation shows the strength of Manitoba’s innovation ecosystem.”

At least three ideas pitched at RampUp — Permission Click, Go Oil and Taiv — have gone on to become successful businesses.

— Free Press staff