> NewsNow’s Best In The West winning businesses saluted / Pgs 9-40 > WLMH rebuild takes important step Pg 4 > Region passes mandatory mask bylaw Pg 41 > Goddard/Brown duo earn first Juno Pg 42 Thursday, July 30, 2020 Vol. 9 Issue 14
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Expansion, promotion inject life back into downtown Grimsby By Mike Williscraft NewsNow The first weekend with a temporary reconfiguration of Grimsby’s Main Street core is in the books with positive comments and a strong response the prevailing themes Last Thursday morning cement barriers were installed to create a pedestrian walkway on the north side of Main, allowing restaurants to expand patios and retailers to make
use of the sidewalk for promotional purposes. “There was definitely an upbeat buzz from all of the merchants. There was generally a good air of relief and approval,” said Coun. Reg Freake, who is also a liaison on Grimsby Downtown Improvement Area’s board of directors. “The patios of all restaurants were busy: a pleasant thing to see.” Part of the formula bringing people down-
town was a promotion the DIA opted into called “The Big Spend” - a nation-wide promotion simply asking residents to frequent their local shops and make a purchase. Lisa Deleen, owner of Wicked Things Baskets And Gifts, said the day was a big success. “It went really well. I even had people calling in to buy something. There were people from out of town See BUSY, Page 3
Regional transportation to connect all of Niagara By Mike Williscraft NewsNow Niagara Region’s highly anticipated on-demand transit system is set to roll out Aug. 17. Robert Salewytsch, Niagara’s program manager, transit services, presented an overview of timelines and processes at the Region’s public works committee July 14. At Grimsby council’s July 20 meeting, Coun. Dorothy Bothwell noted information available on the venture is still incomplete, however. Bothwell noted some major revisions have been made to the initial outline council opted into earier this year.
Changing from Mercedes to Toyota vans, from seven passengers to 2-3 (due to COVID-19 safety measures) and phone app questions all require more information, Bothwell noted. “How will this roll out in three weeks? There is a lot we have not seen,” said Bothwell. According to Salewytsch’s report, “robust communications efforts” will begin Aug. 3 with community engagement being initiated Aug. 10. “We are very excited about the on demand inter municipal transit service. It will be a door to door service that is economical and convenient. See CONNECT, Page 5
Cool fundraiser on hot day!
Amber Pozojevic of Grimsby was one of many visitors to downtown Grimsby on Saturday - making a stop at Mrs. Greenway’s to peruse goods on a sidewalk display - while daughter Alicia headed for a shady spot to sit down. Retailers had a busy weekend and the new sidewalk patios had a steady stream of clientele, too. Williscraft - Photo