Topics below include: 1) Photo Contest 2) King East Design District Party 3) Dine In Do Over 4) Grant program to support Black, Indigenous and other racialized entrepreneurs
Through our Members Newsletter and website, we aim to provide timely info from appropriate, expert sources. You are encouraged to do further research.
Photo Contest (Encourage your customers to enter or enter yourself by sharing a photo featuring one of your neighbouring businesses.)
NOW UNTIL APRIL 15TH - Take a photo that highlights a business in Old Town Toronto that you love for a chance to win one of NINE GIFT CARDS from your choice of a local Old Town Business (paid for the by the BIA) and have your photo displayed on the TTC bus shelter by St. Lawrence Market.
HOW TO ENTER STEP ONE: Take a pic of a recent trip to (or purchase from) a shop or service in Old TownToronto. Click here to check out our business directory. STEP TWO: Post your pic to Instagram gallery (not stories) STEP THREE: Include the business @ + @OldTownToronto + #OldTownToronto #MyOTT
PRIZES
1st Place $250 gift card
2nd Place $100 gift card
3rd Place $100 gift card
6 x Honourable Mentions @ $50 gift card each
You are invited to join DesignTO for a celebration of design and community across Old Town Toronto's King East Design District!
Taking place Friday April 8th 2022, from 6pm - 10pm this free ticketed event is structured as a roaming neighbourhood party anchored by five Party Hubs.
The King East Design District Party is a must-attend bash, bringing together hundreds of designers and design-lovers in some of Toronto's best showrooms. With featured designers, installations, food, drink and entertainment at each Party Hub, partygoers can explore them all or pick their favourite and stay put.
Party hubs include:
Artopex – 366 Adelaide Street East @ Sherbourne Street
Daltile | Mohawk Group – 160 King Street East @ Jarvis Street
EQ3 – 222 King Street East @ Sherbourne Street
ergoCentric – 37 King Street East @ Victoria Street
Relative Space – 330 King Street East @ Parliament Street
The King East Design District Party is free, but partygoers must RSVP. Proof of vaccination is required for access to Party Hubs.
Guests can check in at any Party Hub to get a bracelet, and then move between venues. Venues have capacity limits.
The King East Design District Party is generously supported by the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA / Old Town Toronto.
Lead Image: 'SLOWMAKING' by Jan Kath, part of the 2019 DesignTO Festival. Photo by Hannah Nguyen.
Dine In Do Over
Restaurants Canada has launched #DineInDoOver, a national social media and communications campaign launched on March 28th to encourage people to come together at local restaurants and enjoy a #DineInDoOver; a 'redo' of the moments missed over the last two years. These include missed birthdays, holidays, milestones, corporate celebrations, and anything else that needs a 'do-over'.
Restaurants Canada encourages restaurants to get involved by spreading the word. Click her now to access the #DineInDoOver toolkit for details on how you can support the campaign and get your own teams and customers #DineInDoOver ready!
Questions or Information: membership@restaurantscanada.org
Grant program to support Black, Indigenous and other racialized entrepreneurs
The Ontario government announced a new program to help Black, Indigenous and other racialized entrepreneurs start or grow their business. The Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE) Grant Program helps to remove economic barriers by providing funding, training, and culturally-relevant services to entrepreneurs. The RAISE Grant will be delivered through Digital Main Street, the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas, and the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association in collaboration with the Parkdale Centre for Innovation. Successful applicants will receive a $10,000 grant to facilitate innovation and growth as well as training and coaching. Find eligibility requirements and apply.
Am I a member? Every business and commercial property owner within the boundaries of The St. Lawrence Market Business Improvement Area (BIA), also known at Old Town Toronto, are automatically members of our not-for-profit organization.
What is a Business Improvement Area? A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is made up of commercial and industrial property owners and their non-residential tenants who join together under a volunteer Board of Management (BIA Board) to carry out improvements and promote economic development within their designated area.
There are currently 83 BIAs in the City of Toronto. They work in partnership with the City to enhance and promote business areas as safe, vibrant places to do business, unique destinations for tourists and focal points for neighbourhood activity...(click learn more to continue reading.)
Looking for something from a past issue? You can find each individual past newsletter by clicking here or much of the same content is shared on our Information & Resources page.
