Collaboration and improv key to Ottawa’s only hip hop jam sessions
The booming sound of live music fills Red Bird on Bank Street where Ottawa’s only hip-hop jam session takes place.
Ottawa’s first Brazilian bakery seeks to be a cultural hub
Ottawa has just gained its first Brazilian bakery. "That's Bananas" seeks to be a cultural hub serving authentic Brazilian food for Ottawa's Brazilian community.
Local food businesses build community and profits with the help of social media
The Great Canadian Poutinerie sits in the heart of a kilometre-long commercial stretch of Bank Street in Ottawa’s Centretown. Mustard-yellow crossing signs along its bustling sidewalks match the restaurant’s retro storefront. A small black sign outside the entrance frames a cartoon of Patrick Morin, who recently went viral online for his General Tso -flavoured poutine — a testament to the...
Ottawa entrepreneurs test demand for New York-style bagels with pop-ups
Small business Baci's Bagels is bringing New-York inspired bagels into the capital city. The couple behind it talks about their plans and popular bagel pop-ups.
Ottawa secondhand bookstore starts a second chapter
Ray and Trish Tropiano have opened a second location of Re-Read Used Books in Riverside South.
Indigenous group aims to help small businesses thrive in the digital economy
Ashley-Rose Machendagoos, an Ojibway woman who owns a business selling beaded earrings and beaded kits, says she struggles with all the technology required to have an online store.
ByWard Market William Street pedestrian project delayed over fears of impacts on businesses
The plan to transform William Street into a permanent pedestrian-only street is on hold and Ottawa city councillors are questioning why that decision was made without council’s approval.
Eating local: Restaurants seek the perfect mix of social media presence and influencer content
Food businesses and influencers are using social media platforms to reach new customers.
Meeting the public where they are, a fifth-generation Ottawa butcher shop thrives on social media
The Butchery in Ottawa gaining social media traction is a "big deal" says expert.
Social media and personalization drive nail art trends in Ottawa
Across Ottawa, nail art is more than beauty, it’s identity. And one student nail artist is helping define the look.
As coffee prices climb, cafés and consumers have a decision to make
Coffee prices are rising because several factors leaving Canadian consumers juggling choices.
As Lansdowne 2.0 becomes the new reality, Beandigen Café and other affected shops left without answers
Small businesses in Lansdowne are unsure how they will cope with new construction plans and relocation.
The ink is drying: Ottawa’s downtown tattoo shops are fading
Oversaturation of the market and issues with operating downtown have forced some longtime tattoo businesses in Ottawa to close.
Holiday shopping lists shorter, more practical, say local market-goers
Ottawa shoppers say worry over rising costs is pushing them toward smaller holiday budgets. A BMO survey confirms that.
BookTok turns a page in Ottawa’s literary scene
What began as a niche online community for book lovers has evolved in just a few years into one of the most influential forces in publishing, and Ottawa’s bookstores are feeling the effects.
With half of reported thefts in Somerset Ward on Bank Street, small businesses are calling for police support
Capital Current has found that 44 per cent of thefts in Somerset Ward occur on a stretch of Bank Street running from MacLaren to McLeod streets.
Improving Centretown accessibility frustrated by ‘ignorance, attitude’ and available funds for small businesses, advocates say
As the 2025 AODA deadline passes, Ottawa advocates and small businesses call for stronger support.
ByWard Market thefts down but businesses aren’t feeling the relief
Crimes in the ByWard Market are down but some wonder if residents are no longer reporting incidents to police out of frustration.
‘Special’ Nepean bookstore closing after 50 years
After 50 years of business, The Book Market Nepean will close it's doors soon.
Jessica Traina curates what Ottawa has to offer
Jessica Traina has turned a way to explore Ottawa into a career as an local content creator, sharing guides and tips with thousands of followers.
‘A big shift’: Centretown business owner hopeful as city proposes façade fund
Historic buildings in Centretown may soon be eligible to receive funding from the city for something that’s often relegated to the bottom of a business owner’s to-do list: Beautification. On Tuesday, Ottawa’s built heritage committee unveiled a $500,000 Centretown Heritage Façade Improvement Pilot Program. If approved by council, it could allow property owners of buildings along Bank and a small...
Trade war tactics: Outdoor markets highlight value of buying local
Ottawa Street Markets founder shares why buying Canadian is important during the U.S.- Canada trade war.
Some Ottawa restaurants say tax holiday made little difference to their business
While data suggests Ontario’s restaurant industry experienced an increase in dining over the recently implemented tax holiday, some Ottawa restaurant workers say they did not really notice any impact.
‘They’re saving money on the bill:’ How Canada’s GST break has taken a bite out of tips
Jeff Rheaume works the Monday night shift on Feb. 3 at his restaurant, The Broadway Bar & Grill Ottawa. [Photo by Mia Parker/Capital Current]
The price drop: Cheaper alcohol boosting family-owned convenience stores
Meet and Yashaswy Patel, two brothers living in Ottawa, have owned a convenience store called Our Neighbourhood Store for the past six months where the Patels know all about fluctuating prices for groceries, snacks and now alcohol. The presence of alcoholic beverages for sale in convenience stores started last fall when the province of Ontario increased the market for selling...
Making ends ‘meat:’ How an Ottawa deli is managing rising costs
For Paolo Di Rienzo, slinging hearty sandwiches and homemade cannolis has been the name of the game for decades now. Di Rienzo’s Deli and Grocery, on the corner of Beech Street and Champagne Avenue in Little Italy, has been a staple for many since 1973. Despite being a fixture of the authentic eats in Ottawa for more than 50 years...
Tax experts question Canada’s expensive and overly broad GST ‘holiday’
As the holiday season approaches, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's GST tax break promises to provide some financial relief to Canadians, but critics argue it’s a short-term solution with political motives.
Vendors welcome a longer-running Christmas Market at Lansdowne Park
The crackle of fire under joyful Christmas music meant one thing for visitors to Lansdowne Park on Nov. 22: the annual Ottawa Christmas Market had begun.
Small businesses struggle with costs, loss of business as Canada Post strike continues
As the Canada Post strike drags on, small businesses are struggling with higher-cost alternatives for shipping while they try to retain their customers.
Pressure to tip more is starting to annoy Canadians
With tipping expectations on the rise, the pressure on service industry members and customers alike is creating tension.
It might be more politics than economics, still one small business owner welcomes sales tax ‘holiday’
The GST ‘holiday’ that is about to kick in might not be solid economic policy and it may be too late for those who do their holiday shopping early, but one local business owner says she welcomes the move, mostly.
GST tax breaks aren’t earning great reviews from some Ottawa businesses and consumers
Small businesses are not sure they will see positive impacts from the federal government's GST/HST cuts during the holiday season.
Local businesses look to the Ottawa Nightlife Council to address challenges in the industry
As Ottawa’s Nightlife Council gathers for its first ever meeting, members of the city’s nightlife economy have some ideas about how to make it easier for people to enjoy evening entertainment. Mike Estabrooks, owner of Irene’s Pub on Bank Street, said one of the key concerns is parking. He says that a lack of spots along with restrictions, many people...
The Papery finds its way back home, two years after a fire drove it out
The Papery, a staple of the Glebe's business community, returns to their original location. Their return comes two years after a fire displaced them.
City Builder: Sheena Brady builds ‘something big’ with Tease Wellness and the Founder’s Fund
Sheena Brady is the Founder and CEO of wellness brand Tease Wellness, along with starting the Founder's Fund to support other entrepreneurs.
After 50 years in business, Mountain Orchards’ co-founder has no regrets
Mountain Orchard celebrates its 50th season this year. Co-owner Shelley Lyall tells Capital Current about the highs and lows of the last 50 years.
Sparks Street BIA set for huge expansion among Centretown businesses
Ottawa's Sparks Street BIA is about to grow far beyond its namesake, following approval from City Council.
One month later, convenience store booze sales are making many customers happy
How has the booze business been affecting convenience stores?
City Builder: Michael Wood advocates for small business and 911 services in Ottawa
Michael Wood, a professor at Algonquin College and business consultant, is widely recognized in Ottawa for his advocacy for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and his efforts to improve emergency services across the city.
City Builder: Jennifer Stewart’s mission is to make an impact in business and her community
Jennifer Stewart, CEO of Syntax Strategic has built several thriving businesses. Despite being an "accidental entrepreneur," today she is a "serial entrepreneur."
In wake of changes to alcohol market, Ottawa brewers urge province to consider dedicated shelves for their beer, incentives and tax cuts
In the wake of the LCBO strike settlement, Ottawa breweries say they welcome Ontario’s plan to allow grocery and convenience stores to sell beer, wine and ready-to-drink cocktails, saying it is an encouraging, but long orverdue move for the local market. But without financial incentives for small breweries, dedicated shelves for local products in sales outlets and a re-evaluation of...
Convenience store owner praises liberalizing alcohol market in Ontario
When Premier Doug Ford announced plans to allow Ontario convenience stores to sell beer, wine and ready-to-drink cocktails, Biruk G. Medhin received the news with enthusiasm and optimism. For 30 years, Medhin has run the A&M Confectionary in Ottawa’s Heron Park neighbourhood. He told Capital Current he had worked closely with community members in the past to sign a petition...
Crumbl Nepean attracts a cookie-loving crowd on opening day
Crumbl Cookies, a dessert franchise that’s gone viral on social media for their unique weekly rotation of cookies, opened a brand-new store in Ottawa on Friday, and locals flocked to its doors for opening day.
Bank Street Wishlist: Wider sidewalks and bike lanes wanted
Wider sidewalks and bike lanes part of the wish list for users for Bank Street.
The 25th Hour: Investing in women’s entrepreneurship
There are more Canadian women entrepreneurs than ever before, yet systemic barriers in funding are still getting in the way of good business. Reporter Nehaa Bimal finds out more about these barriers to success.
Rising theft in Ottawa raises safety concerns for businesses
“He wasn’t our usual clientele,” Ça Va De Soi sales associate Laly Delaoune said. “But I don’t judge people by appearance, so I’m going to give the same service to everybody.” “He was actually polite, and he was apparently looking for a gift for his mother,” she said. Delaoune offered suggestions to her customer for a suitable present. Within seconds,...
Bittersweet: Retailers struggle to keep prices low as chocolate cost soars ahead of Easter
Retailers struggle to contain cost increases as the price of chocolate keeps rising.
Sharing the wealth: The thrill of the find turns thrifters into resellers
Ottawa is seeing a rise of consumers shopping for secondhand and preloved items, on social media and local markets.
PopX ’24 at Lansdowne draws collectors, vendors of all things popular culture
Geeks and vendors crowded into Lansdowne's Horticulture Building recently to celebrate pop culture the PopX festival.
Winter Market offers welcome escape to ‘tropical oasis’ in Navan
A Navan greenhouse opened up its space to bring local vendors together with residents for a tropical interlude in January.