Ottawa malls adapt to a new kind of holiday shopping
With current COVID-19 restrictions holiday shopping in Canada’s capital is going to look very different this year.
Ottawa Tool Library reluctantly packs up 2,500-item kit after eviction from City Centre
The Ottawa Tool Library is unexpectedly vacating its home base at the City Centre building near Bayview Station after being evicted by its property management company. The OTL is not publicly funded, relying instead on a membership system that gives participants unlimited access to 2,500 tools and devices and the workshop space needed to work on DIY projects. The library...
Seasonal businesses consider a virtual Christmas as COVID scuttles in-person traditions
With the Holidays right around the corner, Christmas small businesses are potentially opting for COVID-safe virtual options to continue to spread Christmas cheer.
Battered by COVID, Ottawa retailers hope for ‘buy local’ bump during holiday season battle with online giants
Small-scale Ottawa retailers, already struggling to survive crippling COVID-19 restrictions, are raising alarms about pre-Christmas competition with online shopping giants and urging consumers to “buy local.” Because of the pandemic, Canada Post is anticipating delays this holiday season as more people skip in-person and shop online. Earlier this year, because of pandemic shopping restrictions, Canada Post had a weeks-long backlog...
City waives 2021 patio fees, allows road closures in business zones to combat COVID-19’s economic impact
As struggling restaurants brace for a winter of pandemic restrictions certain to curtail customer traffic, the City of Ottawa is exploring ways to help keep businesses afloat during the COVID-19 crisis. At a Nov. 2 transportation committee meeting, councillors voted to waive patio fees until next year and to allow restaurants in Business Improvement Areas to apply for road closures...
Rage rooms and other spaces offer physical, emotional relief in COVID times
An overview of select recreational facilities that offer consumers a safe space to engage in a physical activity while blowing off emotional steam.
Ottawa’s hard-hit tourism sector faces an uncertain future amid pandemic
Tourism spending in Canada is down, leaving Ottawa's tourism industry in crisis. The city is positioned to lose $1.4 billion in tourism spending in 2020.
COVID and creativity: New businesses spring up during pandemic
As a way to keep productive during quarantine, some Ottawa locals have started their own businesses, seeing success in the second wave.
Many students losing an economic lifeline as restaurant jobs in Ottawa hit hard by COVID-19
Life is tough for Student employees and students seeking work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spooky attractions across Ontario haunted by pandemic rules
How local businesses are adapting to pandemic guidelines in attempt to provide the haunted Halloween experience this year.
Ottawa housing market continues price gains, despite pandemic
Ottawa's housing market has continued to grow during the pandemic and doesn't appear it will slow down soon.
Bored into beautiful: The pandemic has inspired people to embrace their creative side
Crystal D’Souza was scrolling through Tik Tok to pass the time under COVID-19 restrictions when she was struck with inspiration while watching tutorials on how to frame pressed flowers. She thought it was a cool idea. “I made the first one for my friend Katherine’s birthday and then other friends wanted one and I had a lot of spare time,...