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.
Ottawa’s sporadic winter skating season has some pondering change in business focus
In response to the fluctuating winter conditions in Ottawa, part-time staff adapt to the challenges of working at ice rinks, while businesses, including Capital Skates and Quick Cranks, reconsider their operational approaches.
Inflation has restaurants struggling to pay the bills as costs rise and consumers watch their wallets
The restaurant industry is struggling with rising costs, narrow profit margins and cost-conscious customers.
Cannabis prices are low, even though inflation is high
Unlike just about every product, the price of recreational cannabis is actually falling. Experts say it's because of lower demand than expected and too many stores.
Lights, cameras, people: Independent cinemas being creative to get audiences back
Statistics Canada shows motion picture cinemas returning to profitability in 2022 as the COVID-19 pandemic ended. However, they still face challenges.
The horror, the horror: Deadly Grounds Café and Curiosities offers a scarily warm welcome for fans of the genre
The Deadly Grounds Café and Curiosities is offering fans of the horror genre of films a chance to experience their passion with a warm cup of coffee.
Focused on community: Maker House gives back this season and more
Meet Maker House, a locally owned and run shop that houses small business products from all over Canada that is focused on giving back to the community. On November 24, Maker House raised $1,260 for the Parkdale Food Centre.
Many Canadians forced to make cuts to holiday gift budget
Although inflation has eased, many Ottawans are tightening their belts as they do their Christmas shopping this year.
Shrinking supply of farmland may be deterring potential farmers
Rising farmland prices is posing a threat to new and young farmers.
Local businesses express hope for strong Christmas season to boost fortunes
While it may only be November, shoppers are already filling up their bags with Christmas presents for family and friends.
City builder: Sueling Ching is a voice for local Ottawa businesses
Sueling Ching advocates for the needs of local Ottawa businesses in her capacity as president and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade.
The 25th Hour: Mapping a Life
Brad Green and Petra Thoms have successfully ran World of Maps for nearly 30 years despite the pandemic, because of their decision to take their business online years ago.
City builder: Devinder Chaudhary uses business success to give back to Ottawa
Ottawa businessman Devinder Chaudhary, owner of Aiana Restaurant Collective, partners with local charities to help the community.
Ottawa’s queer-owned, queer-friendly businesses spread kindness one sale at a time
Queer owned and queer friendly businesses across Ottawa are working to provide a safe space for all members of the community by promoting inclusivity and diversity.
Minimum wage increase takes toll on small businesses in Ottawa
Some small businesses are struggling to adjust to the minimum wage increase amid inflation and lasting COVID-19 impacts.
Byward Market restaurateurs struggling because of inflation, safety fears and fewer customers
Byword Market restaurateurs are battling inflation, seeing fewer customers and dealing with safety concerns.
City builder: Karla Briones is teaching immigrants the dance of Canadian entrepreneurship
After seeing how her father struggled to open his own business when he immigrated to Canada, Karla Briones has been helping immigrants become successful entrepreneurs through mentorship and consulting.
City builder: Artist, entrepreneur Fiona Khaemba boasts diverse representation in fashion
Fiona Khaemba is an artist, entrepreneur and founder of Ayana Arts, an arts and apparel brand that highlights the work of Black artists.
City builder: Robert Hiltz is keeping citizens up to date with Ottawa Lookout
Robert Hiltz a local journalist and the co-founder of Ottawa Lookout.
Single-use plastics ban gets mixed reception among Ottawa’s small businesses
With the single-use plastics ban coming into effect in two months, Ottawa's business owners have different perspectives on its effectiveness.
City builder: ‘Chef Joe’ blazing a culinary trail in Ottawa
Chef Joe Thottungal is a culinary trailblazer who has treated Ottawa to a range of Indian food experiences.
Ottawa business coalition urges extension on COVID loans payback
Small businesses in Ottawa are hoping for an extension on the deadline for repayment of pandemic loans to the federal government.
TikTok rocks: Social posts help retro record store reap rewards of vinyl resurgence
TikTok rocks the sales for Ottawa based record store.
A sweet double-double: Orleans café shares niche with a gallery and both benefit
Art of Bean, a popular café in Ottawa since its opening in 2021, also shares floor-space with a local art gallery.
The 23rd Ottawa Indigenous Children and Youth Pow Wow welcomes everyone back to celebrate First Nations culture
The annual Ottawa Indigenous Children and Youth Pow Wow is back after a three-year hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Event organizers stress the importance of fostering community between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
Cutting consumption? Ottawa microbreweries have you covered with non-alcoholic options
An in-depth look at how microbreweries in Ottawa are adapting to changing trends, new health recommendations and tax hikes.
Women entrepreneurs: Carleton Street Market showcases local success stories
The Female Founders Market was hosted by the Innovation Hub and CUSA's Women's Centre that showcased local women entrepreneurs.
The Spaniel’s Tale joins the ‘library’ of Ottawa’s independent bookstores
The owners of Hintonburg's The Spaniel's Tale have no regrets about joining the dedicated legion of independent booksellers.
New for you: Conservators bring passion, know-how to preserving history’s treasures
Two local Ottawa business are making what's old, new again and preserving history and memories, one piece at a time.
In Focus: A ground-breaking Eastern Ontario brewery has solar beer on tap
Welcome to Arbru, where beer is made using the power of the sun.
The 25th Hour: The Torta Boyz: A Pandemic Success Story
Unlike so many others, the Torta Boyz food truck flourished during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The code that broke the internet: The aftermath of the Rogers outage may force online companies to rethink how they do business
The Rogers internet outage has shaken the confidence of users.
Welcome to Adaawewigamig: New store in Byward Market offers a cultural touchstone for Indigenous youth
The Assembly of Seven Generations hosted celebrations in Byward Market for National Indigenous Peoples Day and their new store front.
Planned redevelopment of Byward Market parkade a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’ for the city
The City of Ottawa is inviting possible partners to submit proposals for redevelopment for the largest parking parkade in Byward Market
Young people helping to fashion a more sustainable market for secondhand clothing
The secondhand clothing market is booming led by younger people who care about sustainability, affordability, and an independent or unique style.
Supports for downtown Ottawa businesses follow convoy nightmare
Local businesses affected by convoy occupation closures are getting some support from the government and the community.
As pandemic took hold, some Ottawa craft artists turned hobbies into income
Ottawa locals have turned their craft hobbies into e-commerce businesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Staying afloat: The trials and tribulations of opening a family business during the pandemic
Capital Current's Leah Matthews describes what it was like when her family opened a business on the eve of the pandemic.
Growing business: Ottawa-area farms experienced surge in demand for Christmas trees this year
Christmas trees were in high demand this holiday season, farm owners say
Ottawa Christmas Market returns some holiday cheer to Lansdowne Park
The Ottawa Christmas Market at Lansdowne Park brought warmth and Christmas spirit after a year off because of the pandemic.
The COVID-19 puzzle: Job seekers flock to some positions while others remain unfilled
While a local retail store booms with employee applications, other sectors are experiencing a candidate shortage.
‘Pride, Not Prejudice’ provides safe space for feminist vendors, progressive advocacy groups
Local Ottawa Business creates craft show for marginalized creators to showcase their work.
In focus: Small business owners return to Christmas market after two years
The Christmas market brought all these vendors together, but their stories and experiences during the pandemic are unique.
Witches, lovers of occult set to gather on Halloween for Ottawa’s first Mystic Market
The first mystic market, selling oddities and mystical objects, is happening in Ottawa on Halloween.
Lansdowne offers pop-up space to Indigenous-owned, mother-daughter café and art shop
An Indigenous mother-daughter team will soon open a cafe and art shop in a pop-up space at Lansdowne Park. Capital Current talked to the owners of Beandigen Café.
Pandemic passion: Freedom Boat Club sees spike in memberships as Ottawans look local this summer
A boat club company is seeing increased interest and new members because of COVID-19 restrictions on travel for its two operations in Ottawa.
With a smile? Step 3 of reopening in Ontario is angst ridden for servers
As Ontario enters Step 3 of reopening, servers in restaurants will be facing customers indoors for the first time in months. It's a bit scary.
Food trucks count on customer loyalty as patios and the province reopen
Food trucks have actually survived the pandemic and public health restrictions quite well. Now they face a the reopening and are counting on customer loyalty to continue to thrive.
Restaurant owners cautiously optimistic about summer as patios open to customers
Restaurant owners in Ontario are expressing cautious optimism the province reopens after a difficult third wave of the pandemic.