What Ottawa’s Mainstreets are watching for in 2026
Ottawa's municipal election is on October 26, and the decisions made by the next City Council will directly shape the future of our mainstreets. Ottawa's 18 Business Improvement Areas represent thousands of businesses across urban, suburban, and rural neighbourhoods....
OCOBIA Chair Nathalie Carrier Receives Ottawa 200th Anniversary Medal
Credit: Vanier BIA OCOBIA Chair and Vanier BIA Executive Director Nathalie Carrier has been presented with the Ottawa 200th Anniversary Medal by Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. Commissioned to mark the City of Ottawa's bicentennial, this limited-edition medal recognizes...
Vanier BIA’s Partage Beechwood Raises $80,000 for Vanier Community Service Centre
Credit: Ottawa Citizen The Vanier BIA's annual Partage Beechwood fundraising dinner raised $80,000 this year in support of the Partage Vanier Food Bank — the most-visited food bank in Ontario. Held under the stars at Beechwood National Cemetery, the sold-out event...
Wellington West BIA Enlists Waldo to Drive Foot Traffic and Community Connection
Credit: Capital Current The Wellington West BIA's Where's Waldo? campaign returned for its fourth edition this summer, with 23 local businesses participating from July 6–26. Launched in 2023 in partnership with The Spaniel's Tale Bookstore, the campaign invites...
15-minute neighbourhoods – where people can live and work means affordable housing for staff
The best neighbourhoods are the ones you rarely need to leave. In a 15-minute neighbourhood, home, work, groceries, and gathering places sit within a short walk. Life feels a little less rushed, and a lot more connected. Mainstreets stay busy through the day, not just...
Chinatown BIA Unveils Street Seats Installation on Somerset West
Credit: Kitchissippi Times Ottawa's Chinatown BIA has launched Chinatown Street Seats, a seasonal outdoor gathering space in the heart of Somerset Street West. The site features an outdoor performance stage, shaded seating, and vibrant public art — including opera...
Mainstreets: Where Small Businesses Start and Grow
Ottawa's mainstreets are where many small businesses take their first steps and where they grow into lasting parts of our communities. From local cafés and shops to creative studios, professional services, and family-owned restaurants, mainstreets provide the...