Plains Road is evolving, growing and changing!

The Aldershot Village BIA Business Improvement Area (ABIA) identifies Aldershot as a distinct community for shopping, dining and for doing business. In addition the BIA has contributed to a variety of initiatives including the completion of a full interchange at Waterdown Road and revitalization and development along the Plains Road corridor. The Aldershot Village BIA, established in December 2004, has partnered with other Aldershot groups – the Aldershot Community Honour Roll, Plains Road Village Vision Group, Partnering Aldershot, and others to build support for approximately 250 retailers and service professionals. Fostering community engagement can strengthen and build community interest, spirit, pride and networks well beyond the boundaries of a BIA. Our Board consists of hardworking business owners who volunteer their time to make our business community a better place!

Executive Board

Sonia PagliusoChair
Mr. Sub Plains Road / Stillwater Float Centre

Sonia and her husband were both working dead end jobs and looking for something more in their lives, so they chose to try their hand at the restaurant business by opening up a booth in a flea market, which was an astounding success. Feeling that they had reached their maximum potential at the flea market, they set their sights on higher goals, closed their booth, sold their house in Toronto, and used the money they received to buy a Mr. Sub franchise in Aldershot, Burlington. Immediately falling in love with the area and people, they soon made many friends and regular customers, who they enjoy the company of to this day and hope to for some time to come.
When Sonia is not spending her time working at the shop she enjoys sky diving, bike riding and spending time with her family.

Miriam MulkewichVice Chair
Fit for Life Physiotherapy

Miriam Mulkewich grew up in Aldershot , continues to have a family connection here and has established a business in Aldershot. She has been offering physiotherapy services in the Aldershot community for 18 years. She is the co-owner of Fit for Life Physiotherapy, which has been serving the community since 2009. Fit for Life Physiotherapy offers one on one physiotherapy services to all ages and to clients with musculoskeletal injuries as well as concussion management, stroke recovery, osteoporosis management and pelvic health. The clinic also offers Pilates and Yoga classes.

Allen TeskaSecretary
Financial Planning Services CFP, CIM, FCSI

Allen focuses on working with clients to create long term, personalized investment plans that make your goals achievable while reducing financial anxiety.

He is a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Investment Manager in the Aldershot Community with Financial Planning Services, also having a large portion of his 20 year career working in various senior roles in Canada’s financial services industry. His passions combine; his investment management expertise and his deep seated desire to help people in his personal and business community. He is passionate about the role and importance of financial literacy / knowledge and accountability guiding clients future success.

When he is not working, he enjoys time with his wife Lara, Children; Charlie and Gabriel, Miniature Poodle Elvis; hanging around Burlington’s various; rinks, splash pads, conservation areas & parks.

Board Members

Councillor Kelvin Galbraith
City of Burlington

Kelvin was sworn in to Burlington City Council and Halton Regional Council in December 2018. He currently serves as Ward/Regional Councillor of Ward 1, comprised of the Aldershot, Tyandaga and Maple Communities.

Kelvin was born and raised in the Aldershot community and currently lives and works within the boundaries of the Aldershot mobility hub. Kelvin’s roots are deep in Ward 1, having attended Fairfield and Maplehurst Public Schools. Following his graduation from Aldershot High School in 1992, he furthered his education by graduating from Brock University with an Honours Bachelors of Business Administration. Applying his business training, hard work and a passion for serving people, Kelvin has successfully owned and managed several businesses in Aldershot including a property holding company and The Fitness Firm Inc. for the past 20 years. In addition to his work, he has volunteered and served as Chairman of the Aldershot Village Business Improvement Association for the past 11 years and was a founding member. Currently, 24 of Kelvin’s immediate and extended family, including his six children, reside in Ward 1. When Kelvin is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family. He assists in coaching several of his children’s hockey teams and is a committed player on several teams throughout the year. The family cottage is his favourite getaway, providing his family with a playground of activities and quality time together.

Dr. Kiara Galbreath - Interim Treasurer
Integrative Touch – Natural Health Services

Integrative Touch was incorporated in 1995 to serve as a company which will look into new ways of approaching the management of chronic pain.
Kiara Galbreath was a very hard working doctor in a Montreal hospital. She was an avid cyclist and cycled over 80 km every day. One day she had an unfortunate accident and had to be taken to hospital where she had a broken spine and facial bones and was in a coma for weeks. When she awoke, her life was changed forever.
She had to relearn how to function and she had to learn how to manage her own chronic pain. She started Integrative Touch and went to the USA to study many alternative methods of pain management. She has very successfully incorporated several different ways of managing chronic pain and offers her knowledge to people who are determined to conquer their disability.

Lorna Hainsworth - PopperSun Life Financial Planning
Prior to Sunlife, I worked as a Financial Planner for Scotiabank, CIBC, RBC and Canada Life and I have been well-respected for my skill, authenticity, and exceptional client care. I carry the Personal Financial Planner (PFP) designation – one of Canada’s highest financial certifications, as well as my Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) and Canadian Investment Funds designations, which more than equips me to provide the best of the best products and a full-service platform for my clients.

After twenty years in the biz, I am just as passionate about the importance of good financial planning as when I started. The joy I get from helping people clarify what is most important to them, sometimes including cherished but buried dreams, and then putting a plan and dollars to work to realize their dreams is deeply rewarding.

I have been married for 19 years, have four children, a dog, and a cat. I love running and aerobics, singing in a choir, being a member of Cedar Springs Ski Club, Hamilton Bay Yacht Club and still maintain a close relationship with my Little Sister from the Big Brother/Big sisters organization where I spent ten years as a Mentor/Big Sister.

Dr. Karen Lee
Eye Focus Optometry & Optical Services

Burlington Native, Dr. Karen Lee returns to her hometown to open Eye Focus Optometry & Optical. Dr. Lee, has participated in numerous global eye care missions serving underprivileged communities in Ecuador, India, Thailand, Mexico, China, Peru and Nicaragua. She practiced in Chicago providing eye health and vision exams for the Chicago Public School system, and later transitioned to Vancouver practicing full scope optometry and surgical co-management for eye disease and vision correction. Her interests lie in primary care for children of all ages with a social focus on diagnosis and treatment of visually related learning problems.

Dr. Lee is passionate about eye care with the focus to redefine the eyecare and eyewear experience offering customized solutions for eye health and vision care to patients. Having practiced in numerous practice modalities locally and internationally, Dr. Lee has built Eye Focus to exceed the ordinary with the ‘patient first’ mission in mind. She believes collaboration results in the best patient care and is actively involved with various community and optometric associations.

Leslie BullockRE/MAX
Leslie was born and raised in Aldershot, into a multi generational Aldershot farming family. The Bullock farm was located on the north and south side of Plains Road East, near Dovercourt Ave. The farm has long since been sold and the land redeveloped. With her family roots so deep she is passionate about Aldershot and its history.

Leslie is in her 25th year of selling real estate in Aldershot, Burlington and beyond. She is dedicated to providing a high level of service, knowledge and advice to her clients, during the real estate transaction. She’s been involved in numerous organizations and fundraisers, over the years. Including The Carpenter Hospice Gala, Burlington Art Centre Board of directors, Royal Botanical Gardens Board of directors, Ward 1 (Aldershot) Alderman from 1994 to 1997, Co-chair of the Plains Road Village Vision & several fundraisers for this group, Aldershot Community Council executive committee, Smoking by-law review committee, and several other organizations and fundraisers. You may also remember the HUGE yard sales at her former home at 241 Plains Road East – Yard Sale for the Cure. Leslie was Burlington’s Citizen of the Year in 2006 as well as being an inductee in Aldershot’s Community Honour Roll, 2019.

When she’s not working, Leslie enjoys her home life with her husband, Mike. As well as with their 2 dogs, 2 cats and 1 horse (note that the horse does not live at home). She loves to garden and grows a lot of their own food in the backyard veggie garden. From her time at RBG, she has learned to be passionate about natural and native plants, to create habitat for insects and animals around their home. You can often find Leslie and her husband, with their vintage trucks, at the local car shows. Or cruising around the countryside of Southern Ontario.

Heidi MonizDirector of Aldershot Foot Clinic & Mobile Services
Heidi was born and raised in Burlington, and she currently resides in Aldershot. She has been a practicing foot care nurse for over 20 years. Her experience ranges from diabetic health educator, health program development and providing foot care training within class and clinic settings. Heidi and her team continue to provide foot care at long term care facilities as well as local community and at her clinic.
Jimmy BediShoppers Drug Mart - Associate Owner
Jimmy Bedi is the Associate Owner of Shoppers Drug Mart on Plains Road in Aldershot. He took ownership of the store in 2022 and is excited to be working in a thriving and growing community.
Passionate about serving the community, Jimmy has been working in community pharmacy for the past 14 years and became a licensed pharmacist in 2013. He has continued to provide face-to-face care for patients to impact their lives in a positive way. He focuses on helping people understand their medications so they can better manage their health through increased knowledge and confidence.
Jaqcui CroninThe Platter Company - Owner
I was born a foodie! My love and passion for this industry and learning about different cultures is undeniable. I’ve travelled all over the world and lived in the UK as well as Luxembourg. When I was in Luxembourg I worked for the Canadian Consulate to assist ex-pats find their feet in their new surroundings. I also was the President of the Canadian Club event planning for those missing home (me included).
My family and I moved back to Canada in 2004 and hung our hat in Burlington! Originally from Toronto, I fell in love with my new home and surroundings. So, it only made sense to take what I knew and hang my shingle The Platter Company – Gourmet Market and start a new business here in Aldershot, my home.
The pandemic showed me what true community spirit is all about. The people of Aldershot came out to support my business and now, it’s my turn. Being apart of the BIA is my way of giving back, learning, listening and making Aldershot a destination.

Staff

Andrea DoddExecutive Director

Andrea enjoys leading the BIA and working to communicate with our business community, partners and membership online and in person, ensuring they have all the opportunities offered to them and promoting Plains Road as a place to shop, dine and do business .
Contact Andrea at andrea@aldershotbia.com

Krista BrescacinMembership Engagement
Krista has spent much of the last 20 years in Aldershot; She knows firsthand the many ways Aldershot is unique, from the distinctive enterprises & small businesses comprising the local community to its parks and waterfront. Krista is excited about spreading awareness of our BIA events, online marketing services and local businesses while keeping our membership engaged with all we have to offer.
Contact Krista at membership@aldershotbia.com

Mailing Address

Aldershot Village BIA
195 Plains Road E, Unit 1
Burlington, ON L7T 2C4