Archives: DCC Success Stories

Company Description – Founded in 1988 in Alfred, Ontario, Restaurant Le Chardo is a well-established family-run business with deep roots in the local community. Located along the corridor between Ottawa and Montreal, the restaurant has served as a trusted dining destination for more than three decades, welcoming both local residents and travellers with its generous portions, bilingual service, and relaxed diner-style atmosphere. In June 2025, the business expanded by relaunching as an inn, becoming a full-service hospitality destination offering dining, lodging, and event spaces for meetings, celebrations, and group gatherings.

Project Description – As Le Chardo expanded into lodging, its operations continued to rely heavily on paper-based processes and fragmented digital tools. Reservations, check-ins, and guest information were managed through physical binders, while restaurant and lodging operations operated separately. These processes were time-consuming, prone to errors, and limited the business’s ability to efficiently manage guest services and use operational data. Through the Retail Modernization Project Grant, Le Chardo implemented a centralized property management system, upgraded its computer hardware, and expanded its security camera infrastructure. The property management system unified reservations, guest check-ins and check-outs, billing, and reporting across the restaurant and inn, replacing manual processes with real-time digital workflows. Additional surveillance cameras were also installed throughout key areas of the property, including entrances, dining spaces, and lodging facilities.

Project Impact and Potential Outcomes – The transition to digital systems has increased productivity by approximately 50%, reduced administrative costs by 50 per cent and saved approximately 20 labour hours per month. Replacing paper-based processes has reduced errors and streamlined daily operations, allowing staff to manage reservations and guest services more efficiently. Since implementation, the business has also reported an average increase of one additional customer per day, contributing to an estimated $10,000 in annual revenue growth.

The expanded surveillance system has strengthened security and operational oversight across the property, providing improved visibility and helping deter theft, vandalism, and unauthorized access. Together, the technology upgrades have provided Le Chardo with a stronger foundation for managing its expanded hospitality operations.

The inn expansion and digital modernization have also strengthened Le Chardo’s contribution to the local economy by attracting overnight visitors, encouraging longer stays, and supporting spending at nearby businesses. By integrating dining, lodging, and event services, the business has created new revenue opportunities while supporting local employment and regional tourism. Overall, the project has modernized Le Chardo’s operations while preserving the personalized service and community connection that have defined the business for more than three decades.

Company Description – Place 19-67 is a family-owned motel and restaurant in Plantagenet, Ontario. The property’s name honours the year the building was constructed, 1967, and was selected through a local school naming contest inspired by the era of Expo 67 in Montréal. Originally built as a purpose-driven motel and restaurant serving travellers and local residents, Place 19-67 continues to offer motel accommodations, on-site dining, and a 60-seat banquet and meeting hall.

Project Description – While the existing point of sale system supported restaurant operations, Place 19-67 lacked a property management system to manage room reservations, guest check-ins and check-outs, and housekeeping coordination. Restaurant and motel operations also relied on separate systems and manual record-keeping, creating inefficiencies, data inconsistencies, and delays. The property also lacked a centralized system for customer information and broader operational reporting, while its existing security infrastructure was outdated. 

Project Impact – Through the Retail Modernization Project Grant, Place 19-67 implemented a new property management system, upgraded essential computer hardware, and installed a modern security camera system throughout the property.

The modernization has improved operational efficiency, reduced reliance on manual processes, and strengthened security across the property. The integrated property management system has provided staff with more efficient tools to manage reservations and guest services, while the upgraded technology has improved the reliability of day-to-day operations.

Overall, the project has resulted in a 50 per cent increase in productivity and 50 per cent cost savings, providing Place 19-67 with a stronger digital foundation to compete in an increasingly technology-driven hospitality market. The improvements have also strengthened local tourism infrastructure by supporting a safer, more efficient accommodation option for visitors and the surrounding community.

“RMPG really helped us go through the modernization of our company. Labour savings and customer experience are the big outcomes of it. Guests can now book online, receive detailed invoices more quickly, and benefit from quicker booking and check-in processes.” — Dominic Lamarche, Owner, Place 19-67

Company Description – Founded in 2013, Vincent is a contemporary women’s clothing boutique in Ottawa known for its thoughtfully curated collections from leading Canadian and international designers, including Frank & Eileen, Rag & Bone, and AG Jeans. Through personalized styling, community events, and a welcoming boutique experience, Vincent has cultivated a loyal customer base by helping women discover timeless, high-quality fashion both in-store and online.

Project Description – As its online business continued to grow, Vincent recognized the need for a more scalable and integrated retail platform. Through the Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG), the boutique transitioned to Shopify to improve operational efficiency, gain better business analytics, and create a seamless shopping experience across its online store and physical boutique. The new system provides greater inventory visibility, streamlined workflows, and the digital capabilities needed to support future growth.

Project Impact – The modernization has already supported the creation of one new full-time position, attracted more than 60 new customers, and generated approximately $10,000 in incremental sales through improved automation, faster checkout, streamlined inventory management, and reduced administrative work. By unifying its retail operations, Vincent is better positioned to deliver the personalized service customers value while strengthening its competitiveness as an independent fashion retailer contributing to Ottawa’s vibrant retail and cultural community. “The Retail Modernization Project Grant gave us the confidence and support to make a significant investment in the future of our business. From the application process through to implementation, we felt fully supported every step of the way, making what could have been an overwhelming transition much more manageable. The funding helped us move to Shopify and adopt a modern retail system that has transformed both our operations and the customer experience. While there was a learning curve, the results have been well worth it. Today, our customers enjoy a seamless shopping experience whether they’re shopping in-store or online, our team has better inventory visibility, faster inventory counts, and access to meaningful analytics that guide our business decisions. Since completing the transition, our sales have increased by 13 per cent, we’ve improved operational efficiency, and we’ve created a new full-time position to support our continued growth.” – Amanda Papalia, Co-Owner

Company Description – Orleans Community Pharmacy is an independent pharmacy that has served the community since 2022. With a team of four, the pharmacy serves approximately 1,100 patients each month and processes about 330 prescriptions per week. Its services include prescription dispensing, medication compounding, travel health consultations, vaccinations, and veterinary medications.

Project Description – As the pharmacy grew, several manual processes began limiting staff capacity. Employees spent significant time counting tablets, preparing liquid medications, managing inventory, and printing prescription labels. Manual inventory tracking was only about 70 per cent accurate and contributed to approximately $5,000 in annual medication waste. These processes also created delays and increased the risk of errors during busy periods.

Through the Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG), Orleans Community Pharmacy introduced four pieces of specialized equipment: an AccuCount automated tablet counter, FillMaster 4000 pharmaceutical-grade water system, Ohaus precision balance, and integrated Tigra label printers. Together, these technologies have streamlined dispensing and compounding while improving accuracy and consistency.

Project Impact – The new equipment has saved approximately 20 hours of staff time each month. Automated tablet counting eliminated 30–50 minutes of manual work each day and reduced dispensing errors by approximately 40–50 per cent. The FillMaster 4000 has made liquid medication preparation faster and more consistent, while the precision balance has reduced the need for manual preparation of stock solutions. Integrated label printers have also improved prescription processing speed and reduced unnecessary movement between work areas.

The time savings have allowed staff to focus more on patient care and expanded services, including travel health and veterinary medications. The pharmacy has achieved a 5–7 per cent increase in productivity, with potential to reach 10 per cent as workflows continue to improve, as well as 2–3 per cent in cost savings through reduced waste, supply costs, and labour inefficiencies.

Overall, the project has given Orleans Community Pharmacy the capacity to serve more patients efficiently, reduce errors and waste, and expand specialized services while creating a more streamlined experience for both staff and patients.

Company Description – Hyde Park Care Pharmacy is a London-based community pharmacy providing prescription services, medication counselling, health education, chronic disease support, and treatment for minor ailments. As a front-line healthcare provider, the pharmacy relies on accurate and efficient prescription processing to deliver timely, patient-centred care.

Project Description – Prior to modernization, prescription data received by fax, email, or electronic image had to be manually entered into the pharmacy management system. Staff were required to transcribe patient information, medications, strengths, and directions, creating administrative bottlenecks during peak periods and increasing the risk of transcription errors. These manual processes also limited the time pharmacists and technicians could dedicate to patient-facing clinical services.

Through the Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG), Hyde Park Care Pharmacy implemented a PHIPA-compliant prescription automation system using optical character recognition (OCR) and robotic process automation (RPA) technology to extract prescription information and populate the pharmacy management system.

Project Impact – Since implementation, the system has reduced manual data entry, improved workflow efficiency, and strengthened prescription accuracy through standardized, rule-based data capture and pharmacist verification. This has allowed staff to redirect time previously spent on repetitive administrative work toward higher-value activities such as medication counselling, patient education, and medication reviews.

The reduced reliance on paper handling and manual transcription has also improved record accessibility and streamlined prescription processing, supporting safer and more timely patient care. As a result, Hyde Park Care Pharmacy is on track to achieve a 65 per cent increase in productivity, 15 per cent in cost savings, and approximately 1,410 labour hours saved annually.

Company Description – Located just 30 minutes west of Kingston in Bath, Ontario, MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Co. is a family-operated craft brewery founded in 2012 by eighth-generation farmers Ivan and Daniel MacKinnon. Built on more than 200 years of family farming heritage dating back to 1784, the brewery transforms hops, barley, and wheat grown on its farm into locally crafted beers that celebrate rural Ontario.

Housed in beautifully restored century-old barns, the destination also features an on-site retail store, taproom, restaurant, and expansive three-acre patio serving handmade pizza, beer tastings, and local hospitality. Consistently ranked among Bath’s top attractions, MacKinnon Brothers draws visitors from across the region while supporting agritourism, local agriculture, and the rural economy.

Project Description – As visitor numbers increased, the brewery’s aging point-of-sale (POS) system limited inventory visibility, sales analytics, and operational decision-making. During busy patio season, a single payment terminal created transaction bottlenecks and longer wait times, while unreliable rural internet connectivity occasionally disrupted card payments and day-to-day operations. Limited access to real-time sales and inventory data also made it more difficult to align brewing schedules, purchasing, and production planning.

Through the Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG), MacKinnon Brothers implemented an upgraded POS system, enhanced back-of-house analytics tools, and a dedicated mobile hotspot to maintain reliable operations during internet interruptions. The investment increased transaction capacity, improved inventory forecasting and sales reporting, and provided a more resilient digital foundation for both retail and hospitality operations.

Project Impact – The modernization has enhanced the customer experience by reducing wait times during peak tourism periods while giving the brewery the real-time insights needed to better manage inventory, production, and purchasing. By improving operational resilience in a rural setting, the project supports local employment, regional suppliers, and MacKinnon Brothers’ continued role as a premier agritourism destination and contributor to Eastern Ontario’s rural economy.

Company Description – County Drugstore is a locally owned retail pharmacy serving Picton and the broader Prince Edward County community since 2013. Beyond prescription dispensing, the pharmacy provides vitamins, over-the-counter medications, and specialized clinical services, including 2SLGBTQ+ health support, opioid agonist therapy, and customized compliance packaging. Through equitable, stigma-free, and personalized care, County Drugstore plays an important role in improving healthcare accessibility for seniors, marginalized populations, and residents managing complex health needs.

Project Description – Prior to modernization, the pharmacy relied on outdated laser printers and paper-based processes that created operational bottlenecks, increased supply costs, and contributed to unnecessary paper and toner waste. Mechanical failures and manual document handling also diverted staff time away from direct patient care and clinical services.

Through the Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG), County Drugstore transitioned to a paperless digital workflow by implementing high-efficiency thermal prescription and receipt printers, along with a high-speed document scanner. The new system enables prescriptions and supporting documents to be digitized and attached directly to electronic patient files, improving record accuracy, reducing administrative workload, and strengthening dispensing safety.

Project Impact – The modernization has significantly improved operational efficiency by eliminating legacy equipment failures, reducing maintenance requirements, and streamlining daily workflows. The pharmacy has achieved a 77 per cent reduction in label costs, eliminated approximately $3,000 in annual printer maintenance expenses, and reclaimed 4–6 staff hours per week previously spent troubleshooting equipment issues. These efficiencies represent approximately 208–312 labour hours saved annually, allowing staff to redirect time toward patient care, compliance packaging, and expanded clinical services.

The transition to a digital-first workflow has also reduced environmental impact by minimizing paper consumption and toner waste while supporting Ontario’s sustainability goals. By improving operational capacity by an estimated 10–15 per cent, County Drugstore is projecting an annual revenue increase of over $21,000 through increased capacity for patient-focused care.

Overall, the project has strengthened County Drugstore’s role as a modern, community-focused healthcare provider, enabling the pharmacy team to spend less time managing outdated systems and more time delivering accessible, personalized care to the Prince Edward County community.

Company Description – Located in Streetsville, Mississauga, Elfatatry Fine Foods Inc. specializes in authentic Egyptian street food, with a signature focus on handmade artisanal feteer, a traditional flaky layered pastry offered in both savoury and sweet varieties. The menu also features Mediterranean grilled meals, Egyptian comfort food, desserts, and specialty dishes that attract local residents, families, and visitors seeking an authentic cultural dining experience.

Project Description – As demand grew, the restaurant’s basic ordering system struggled to support its extensive, highly customizable menu. Staff spent significant time explaining menu options, entering customized orders, and managing peak-period lineups, creating bottlenecks at the front counter.

Through the Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG), Elfatatry implemented an integrated all-in-one point of sale system and a 43-inch self-ordering kiosk supplied by Zoom Software Solutions Inc. The new technology has transformed ordering from a largely staff-assisted process into a streamlined digital experience, allowing customers to browse the menu visually, customize orders independently, and submit them with greater accuracy.

Project Impact – he modernization has improved front-of-house efficiency by reducing order-entry bottlenecks, increasing transaction speed, and providing management with stronger visibility into sales trends and menu performance. Staff can now spend more time on hospitality, coordinating food preparation, and delivering a high-quality customer experience rather than manually processing orders.

The project has also made authentic Egyptian cuisine more accessible by helping customers confidently explore unfamiliar menu items, customize orders, and navigate the menu through an intuitive visual kiosk, while preserving staff assistance for those who need it. The enhanced ordering experience encourages repeat visits, introduces more customers to traditional Egyptian specialties, and reinforces Elfatatry’s role as a unique cultural dining destination in Streetsville. As a result of digital modernization, the business is on track to achieve a 20 per cent increase in productivity, a 12 per cent increase in cost savings, and approximately 32 labour hours saved per month.

Company Description – Established in 1969, Southbrook Golf Club is a full-service golf destination in Binbrook, Ontario, offering an 18-hole golf course, restaurant, pro shop, and event facilities. With more than 30 employees, the club serves as a year-round recreational and hospitality hub for members, guests, and the surrounding community. Beyond golf, Southbrook plays an important role in bringing people together, hosting more than 100 tournaments annually, many of which support local charities, community organizations, and regional initiatives.

Project Description – To continue providing a reliable and welcoming experience for golfers, event guests, and restaurant patrons, Southbrook modernized its IT infrastructure after frequent server outages disrupted point-of-sale transactions and tee-time booking systems. These interruptions affected daily operations, created service delays, and required repeated vendor support to restore functionality.

Through the Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG), Southbrook installed a new server system to improve the reliability and performance of its core digital operations.

Project Impact – The upgraded infrastructure has reduced disruptions, supported smoother service delivery, and created a scalable foundation for future digital improvements such as loyalty programs, mobile integrations, and enhanced hospitality services.

By investing in reliable technology, Southbrook continues to strengthen its role as a community gathering place, supporting local employment, charitable initiatives, and accessible recreation experiences for residents and visitors throughout Binbrook and the surrounding region.

Company Description – Established in 1988, Sprucewood Shores is a family-owned winery and tourism destination located on the shores of Lake Erie. As Canada’s only beachfront winery, it combines estate-grown wine production with on-site retail, hospitality experiences, wine club memberships, private events, and wholesale distribution to restaurants and LCBO locations across Ontario. Recognized as a destination for both local visitors and tourists, Sprucewood Shores plays an important role in supporting the province’s wine, hospitality, and tourism sectors.

As the business expanded, disconnected systems for point-of-sale, inventory, customer records, online sales, and event management created administrative inefficiencies and limited operational visibility. Manual data entry and fragmented workflows reduced staff productivity, complicated inventory management, and limited opportunities to deliver personalized customer service.

Project Description – Through the Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG), Sprucewood Shores implemented the Odoo retail management platform, supported by new tablets and barcode scanners. The new system centralizes POS, inventory, CRM, online sales, and event management, providing real-time inventory visibility, automated reporting, streamlined workflows, and stronger front- and back-of-house coordination.

Project Impact – The new platform has reduced manual administration, improved inventory accuracy, and strengthened data-driven decision-making. Staff now spend less time on routine administrative work and more time supporting customers, optimizing inventory, and enhancing the visitor experience. The modernization also enabled Sprucewood Shores to retain a key Retail Operations Coordinator position, allowing the role to focus on higher-value responsibilities such as customer service, inventory optimization, and business support.

By modernizing its digital infrastructure, Sprucewood Shores is on track to achieve a 30 per cent increase in productivity, approximately $25,000 in annual cost savings, and 1,000 labour hours saved annually, establishing a scalable foundation for continued growth across its retail, hospitality, and wholesale business.