Betting on a bustling Bank Street

Heather Garrod, the new chairwoman of the Bank Street BIA says one of her goals is to make the area a “reflection of the population.”

Garrod says she wants to “bring people back to Bank Street to see that there are interesting shops to support local business. That keeps the money local as well so it benefits everybody.” 

In early January, the BIA announced it would be partnering with members of Ottawa’s LGBT community to put on the Capital Pride festival in August. 

She is also the owner of Planet Botanix, at the corner of Bank and Somerset Street. The store will soon celebrate its tenth anniversary later this year.    

Here, Garrod discusses her role as chairperson, how the partnership to put on the Pride Festival came about, and some of her future plans for the Bank Street BIA.