Page 8 - Biz X Magazine - July/August, 2014 Issue

FRONTLINES Local BIA Celebrates End of Construction With Street Party A new and revitalized Ottawa Street was Walkerville, South Walkerville and the celebrated by hundreds last month. Parent Avenue corridor,” adds Bonato. Te area was under construction for “We’re walking distance from it all. It’s a street improvements for more than six booming area.” months last year, so the Ottawa Street Joan Charette, Ottawa Street BIA Business Improvement Association Liaison to the City of Windsor, says Ottawa decided to celebrate an end to all the road Street is one of the frst BIAs founded in closures with a grand reopening festival Windsor. She says despite the months of held over the weekend of May 30 to June 1. road closures due to heavy construction, “We had a sof opening early December the area is bouncing back and there 2013, but the Ottawa Street BIA wanted to are several new businesses in the area, invite everyone back during great weather including Te Sunfower Café, Aunt Lori’s and afer the trees and fowers were taken Gluten Free Deli, Asian Trade Fuzion and care of,” says Ettore Bonato, Vice President Windsor City Councillor Alan Halberstadt, left, Arnie a new sushi restaurant slated to open soon Blaine (Ottawa Street BIA President and Co-Owner of of the Ottawa Street BIA and Owner of Karen 4or Kids), Jackie McCreary (Co-Owner of From called Dragonfy. Ettore Salon & Aesthetics, which is located The Heart) and Ettore Bonato kick things of at the A fve-block stretch of Ottawa Street was on Ottawa Street. Ottawa Street Grand Re-Opening Celebration ribbon- closed for the celebration weekend, which Te construction project included much- cutting ceremony. Photo by Rebecca Wright. included extended patios on the newly needed infrastructure improvements to the paved sidewalks and road, street vendors, road and sidewalks, which were heavily where you can fnd anything you may be entertainment including Sky Society and worn and damaged. Initially, the project looking for, and while the construction Buskers plus a doggy parade and costume was meant to just replace aging water temporarily halted business for some, it contest. mains, but it developed into a long-term was necessary. “Everything was well attended and we beatifcation of the area, including new “We’re also located in a great are planning to do this type of event every asphalt sidewalks and new streetlights. neighbourhood community and we wanted year, especially next year, 2015, to celebrate Bonato says the 13-block strip is one of to emphasize that because there are many Ottawa Street’s 100th anniversary,” the longest open shopping areas in Canada new families moving into the area in Olde says Bonato. 8 8 BIZ X MAGAZINE • JULY/AUG 2014 BIZ X MAGAZINE • JULY/AUG 2014 BizX2014JulyAug52.indd 8 2014-07-01 7:53 PM