With the recent departure of Les Gagné from the Sparks Street Business Improvement Area, retailers agree they’re sorry to see him go, but are divided about the success he brought to the pedestrian mall.
When Gagné was let go from the BIA earlier this month, the news surprised many. Gagné brought crowds of Ottawa residents to Sparks Street by holding festivals and events such as Poutine Fest, Latin Sparks and a street party on New Year’s Eve. His ideas for Sparks Street even included adding a zip line to the street in the future.
After infusing the downtown space with life and promoting it through events, some storeowners are confused as to why the BIA chose to let him go, as both the BIA board and Gagné are keeping quiet.
Reza Ghafari, owner of the Sparks Street gift shop Canada’s Four Corners, says he was pleased with how the events added profile to Sparks Street.
“I can’t speak for everybody on Sparks Street, because I do realize there’s a lot of restaurants, but for me it was good,” says Ghafari. “Those festivals brought more locals than I have ever seen come to Sparks Street in 27 years.”
A common question both shoppers and storeowners are raising is whether or not Gagné’s efforts to increase traffic on the street actually brought more customers into the stores.
Festivals and events on Sparks Street need to be geared toward the success of the businesses – not just the street itself, says Ian Wright, co-owner of The Snow Goose, an Inuit and Native Canadian art store.
“These festivals are great for the street, but we have to remember that the goal is to help the businesses survive the economy and the construction on the street,” says Wright.
Wright adds he did not think Gagné was used to the political aspects of working downtown, such as dealing with different partners such as the city and Public Works Canada.
“He had a lot of passion and a lot of drive, so we’re a little sad to see him go, but I think what we need is a more balanced approach,” says Wright.
“There’s always issues between partners on a street like this, but we still have to try and work together and work with those partners and help everyone come to an agreement on certain things. You still have to follow the protocols.”
Gagné would have also worked with independent contractors, such as Najwa Farhat, who organized the New Year’s Eve party on Sparks Street for the last two years. She says she enjoyed working with Gagné and the Sparks Street BIA.
“They gave me a lot of free range, a lot of creative control too – especially on the second year that I was there,” says Farhat. “It was a nice work environment.”
Farhat says it was refreshing to see somebody with a different vision for Sparks Street.
“I can only hope that the person who actually takes that spot over has the same mentality where they see the possibility in the difference a small street can make in a whole city.”