Tiny house, big benefits: Living with less can make you happier, research shows
Living tiny is proving to have big benefits. People are choosing the tiny house lifestyle to downsize the space they live in, simplify their life, and live efficiently with less - and it's having a big impact on homeowner happiness.
Time to support struggling local businesses
The holiday season is upon us and now more than ever is the time to support local businesses, which, as it happens, is safe and easy, despite the pandemic.
Ottawa food stores balance low-waste mission with customer safety during COVID-19
Low waste grocery stores change protocols to try to produce less waste through single use plastic while containers are banned from some stores due to COVID-19.
Online LGBTQ-friendly business directory helps shoppers feel safe
Dapper and Daring is an online LGBTQ-friendly business directory for the Ottawa area, poised to help shoppers feel safe from discrimination.
COVID is reshaping holiday traditions, shopping
Like many things in 2020, the holiday season will look a little bit different this year as COVID-19 cases continue to hit record highs all across the country.
Businesses, customers lament as pandemic scuttles Ottawa Christmas Market
The Ottawa Christmas Market is cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cancellation of this event may impact more than just he holiday spirit in Ottawa, including small business owners who rely on Christmas Markets to sell their products.
Lessons from the lockdown: Independent bookshops say they’re ready for holiday shoppers
Two local bookstores say they are better prepared to manage the impact of the pandemic because of the support of the community.
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...