Downtown Happenings

AUGUST 2021| ISSUE NO. 2

DOWNTOWN HAPPENINGS

Love Where You Shop - Downtown St Thomas

Downtown St Thomas Implements CCTV Cameras In 2019, in cooperation with the St Thomas Police Services, The City of St Thomas and The St Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Development Board began the process of implementing a CCTV Camera Strategy.

Many other cities like London, Orillia, Woodstock and Sudbury have successfully implemented a CCTV Camera system and thanks to their guidance our Downtown now has 8 cameras located at the major Downtown intersections. 2 cameras were installed in 2020 and the final 6 were implemented this summer. The cameras do not invade any private domain areas and are governed by rules established by the Privacy Act. Any footage recorded is monitored by the St Thomas Police Services personnel only. And these cameras are proving very effective already at monitoring things such as vehicle accidents and matters that are important to ensuring public safety. The cameras are identified by informative signage, so next time you are Downtown, watch for them and understand that they are there to help make our Downtown an inviting and safe place.

7TH ANNUAL NOSTALGIA NIGHTS CAR SHOW Saturday September 18th, 2021 4:00pm - 9:00 pm Nostalgia Nights is a unique classic car show held on Talbot Street in Downtown St Thomas. Great for ALL ages! Bring your camera and get a few shots of about 1000 classic cars that have been lovingly cared for by their owners.

What Can You Do? Stay Open and promote your business * Set up a sidewalk sale * Advertise an in-store special * Offer coupons and welcome visitors back to your store * Put out a sign or balloons to show you are open * Setup a booth * Display a Nostalgia Nights Poster in your window * Advertising opportunity - sponsor a train ride and add your name, logo and coupon to 1 of the 6 train ride ticket series - contact the DDB today

For more information visit www.NostalgiaNights.ca

Dining Out - Literally!

During the COVID-19 restrictions, the ability to visit a Downtown restaurant and enjoy a dining experience inside was eliminated. But, the ability to "Dine Out" became a possibility, so once again and with the help of funding through Andrew Gunn Associates, our Downtown patios were able to return to Talbot Street. And other restaurants and coffee shops joined in. So, before summer is over, get out and enjoy a meal, a snack, a beverage or coffee on one of these cozy Downtown patios.

Checkout these Downtown Patios Lotus Thai - 295 Talbot Street Why Not Cookies - 373 Talbot Street Bella Jacks - 437 Talbot Street Back Alley Grill - 18 Princess Avenue Legends Tavern - 600 Talbot Street Caps Off Brewery - 168 Curtis Street From The Vine - 168 Curtis Street Chef Bondi - 640 Talbot Street Shelby's Shwarma - 737 Talbot Street Streamliners Espresso Bar - 767 Talbot Street The Roadhouse - 837 Talbot Street Boston Pizza - 860 Talbot Street Chuck's Roadhouse - 877 Talbot Street Taco Bell - 950 Talbot Street

Thinking of installing a Security Camera at your business?

The DDB has arranged an amazing deal on a complete security camera system. CTP Computers at 707 Talbot Street will help you select the right system for your business at cost - that's right - at cost.

Contact CTP Computers at 519-637-8071 today

Do you accept Downtown Dollars?

Through 2021, the DDB will be accepting all Downtown Dollars, even if they have expired. However, we will not be able to accept the DDB Dollars printed on the August 2020 VIBE newsletter which expired December 31st, 2020. Please welcome and accept these Downtown Dollars as "CASH". To redeem, please contact the St. Thomas Downtown Development Board at 519-633-5248 or email us at ddb@stthomas.ca and we will stop by with a cheque.

ShopHERE creates online stores for independent small businesses and artists at no cost WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM DO? creates and configures your online store trains you on how to manage it provides support to get your online store live helps with marketing the store WHO IS ELIGIBLE? under 10 full time employees (25 if a restaurant) registered business in Ontario can be a business or artist home based or commercial business WHAT ARE THE PROGRAM BENEFITS? free 1:1 support with building and launching an online store advertising credits for Facebook free .CA domain registration and many more benefits WAIT, WHY IS THIS FREE? ShopHERE is funded by the federal government, province of Ontario and key corporate sponsors to help Ontario businesses and artists get selling online The ShopHERE program helps small businesses and artists get online to reach local and global audiences.

Participants get online in as little as a matter of days Participants receive 1:1 support from an e-Commerce Coordinator Support includes training in digital marketing, shipping and inventory management Gain free access to benefits and tools from partners Sign up for ShopHERE to get online today Visit http:/programs/digitalmainstreet.ca/shophere-signup

Recycle Your Batteries Do you have old batteries lying around the house, the office or clogging up your desk drawer and wondering what to do with them?

Don't throw them out - they are corrosive and toxic to the environment.

Instead, drop by the front lobby of City Hall and pop them in the Battery Recycling Centre box. Or deliver them to the Community Recycling Centre at 330 South Edgeware on Saturdays

We want to feature your business... in The Downtown VIBE? Contact the DDB today and we'll set you up a date and time for an interview and photo. Also, can you help us in distributing the Downtown VIBE to your customers?. Please contact the DDB today and we'll deliver a package to your door.

Visit http://www.issuu.com/stthomasddb

What is the Downtown Development Board?

MISSION To cultivate a community of all downtown property and business owners and residents, while advocating, beautifying and actively promoting our businesses and authentic heritage in Downtown St Thomas.

VISION To engage, inspire and welcome our community and visitors to experience Downtown St Thomas as a unique destination.

The St Thomas Downtown Development Board is a volunteer based Committee of Council tasked to oversee the improvement, beautification and maintenance of municipally-owned land, buildings and structures in the area beyond that provided at the expense of the municipality generally; and to promote the area as a business or shopping area.

2021 Board of Directors Earl Taylor – Chair – Coldwell Banker at Success Realty + Member of Special Events Committee Dave Thomson – Vice Chair – MYFM Sarah Van Pelt – Treasurer – Van Pelts Print Plus Grayden Laing – Beautification Chair – Laing Studio Susan Boldt – Promotions Chair – Limitless Tattoos + Member of CIP Selection Committee Russell Schnurr – Fanshawe College + Member of CIP Selection Committee – Representing Your Fish and Chips Reza Alavie – Yurek Pharmacy Home Healthcare Ian Gillespie – Oh My Fur and Whiskers Duane Orth – Entegrus – Representing Fan of The Sport Advisors Sean Dyke – St Thomas EDC Megan Pickersgill – Railway City Tourism Tara McCaulley – Small Business Enterprise Centre Adrienne Jefferson – St Thomas Parks and Recreation Paul Jenkins – St Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce Mayor Joe Preston – Council Representative

Join us All Downtown property and business owners are invited to join our monthly meetings held online on the 1st Wednesday of each month, currently via Zoom Contact the DDB for more information

Contact your DDB 545 Talbot Street St Thomas ON N5P 3V7 www.DowntownStThomas.ca DDB@stthoms.ca facebook.com/downtownstthomas 519-633-5248