Parkdale Night Market has become a welcome ‘lifeline’ for local distilleries and breweries
The line for craft beers and seltzers at Dominion City Brewing Company just kept getting longer as the sun set on the Parkdale Night Market Wednesday. The market has been a staple in Hintonburg since 1924. But the market’s first night market opened last week, giving vendors more opportunities to reach customers. Parkdale now also hosts a variety of local...
Thrifting entrepreneurs find Instagram a good fit for finding customers
A surge in vintage and thrift shopping builds a business plan for those with an eye of pre-loved clothes.
COVID consequences: No barks, all financial bites for pet boarding businesses in Ottawa Valley
Pet boarding services in the Ottawa Valley have fewer pets and more difficult decisions to make during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sweet success: Next chapter begins in Syrian family’s chocolate business
Peace by Chocolate, a successful Nova Scotian business — built by a Syrian refugee family — is officially expanding this week.
Party time: Event planners adapting to the changes caused by COVID-19
With a pandemic, physical distancing restrictions, and most of life moving online, event planning and entertainment businesses have made some big changes this year.
Already hurting, Byward Market businesses gird for more COVID-19 restrictions
Businesses in Byward Market have been suffering from the lack of foot traffic due to the pandemic.
Some light in dark times: Photographer’s body-shaped candles promote positivity
Charlie Baze is a boudoir photographer from Kitchener Waterloo, Ont., recently launched an online business selling body-shaped candles to compensate for the lost income caused by the pandemic lockdown.
Pandemic at the market: Positivity keeps vendors going during uncertain times
Life during the pandemic has been difficult for everyone, including small business owners trying to stay open amidst the ever-changing rules.
Small business adjusting while building community
Small businesses have had to adjust because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A local Ottawa business called Oat Couture had to adapt in many different ways because of lockdown measures. This photo essay was produced in the fall of 2020 and gives an in-depth look at the changes that the business had to make.
COVID consequences: Placed in the orange zone, Timmins hopes to go green soon
As 27 public health units transition out of lockdown measures into the Orange Zone, the northern community of Timmins hopes to return to Green Zone they achieved prior to lockdown.
Market on the cusp of a makeover with council vote Wednesday
City council to vote on $129 million ByWard Market new public realm plan Wednesday with beautification and and pedestrian priority at the forefront.
OK Created: channelling quarantine creativity into a small business
Unable to find a job this past summer due to COVID-19, Carleton student Olivia Kabelin turned her quarantine hobby into a small art business. Here’s a look into that journey.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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,...
Shopify shuts trend-setting workspace and Ottawa’s downtown real estate market is rattled to core
Shopify leads the retreat from Ottawa's office real estate market. How many will follow their lead?
‘Virtual craft market’ highlights how artisans have adapted to COVID times
Through online shopping and the "Buy Local" city campaign, local Ottawa artisans stay on top despite COVID-19 barriers.
Smaller fields, more biodiversity, research by Carleton professor shows
Lenore Fahrig, a biology professor at Carleton University, has found that dividing large fields into smaller ones helps provide habitat for native wildlife.
Part of Bank Street closes to vehicles to boost business, ensure social distancing
A section of Bank Street will join the growing list of Ottawa streets opting to close to motor vehicles to ensure safer social distancing this summer.
A Capital Current Explainer: Benefits for Canadians struggling during the pandemic
The federal government several benefits to assist those who are struggling financial as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Let's break each benefit down from the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit to the Canadian Emergency Business Account!
Trim time: Ottawa residents finally get their lockdown hair fixed up
Many have already been able to enjoy the satisfaction of a fresh hair cut as salons and barbershops begin to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 puts pressure on small businesses in Ottawa
Small business owners are scrambling to adjust to the new normal of the COVID-19 lockdown.
Ottawa craft brewery adapts to the COVID-19 pandemic
Stray Dog Brewing company is one of few businesses to prosper during the COVID-19 pandemic. His beer delivery has become a popular service throughout the capital.
Local Ottawa businesses adapt to COVID-19 closures
Some local business owners say they are facing some very tough choices in the current lockdown in Ontario. Businesses deemed essential by the province include grocery stores, pharmacies, liquor stores, and cannabis retailers among others. This has forced some non-essential business owners to rework their plans to survive during the closures. “I made the decision to cut all nine of my...
Open or shut? COVID crisis forces tough choices for Ottawa restaurants
Ottawa restaurants deal with COVID-19 and pressures to close due to pandemic.
Planking the COVID-19 curve with online yoga classes
Innergy Corporate Yoga is using the online conferencing platform Zoom to stream live classes to clients.
COVID-19 pandemic hits new Ottawa restaurants at worst possible time
New restaurants and restaurants slated to open in the Spring are encountering unique problems amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Little Italy’s food desert may soon end with grocery store in new development
Parking lot in Little Italy is to be turned into large development including 500 rental apartments and grocery store.
Ottawa’s used book stores find ways to survive in digital market
The age of huge online retailers has not been kind to independent booksellers. Capital Current visited three independent, used bookstores to find out how booksellers are plying their trade in the 21st century.
Ottawa fashion industry celebrates busiest season of the year
February to March hosts some of Ottawa's biggest fashion shows. Many are held in support of local charities and are the biggest fundraisers of the year.
Local Ottawa entrepreneur thrives with new fast fashion company
Angela Dargham's local fast fashion company from Ottawa, Rosaii, continues to rise in success after only one year of being in the business.
Ottawa farmers are finding solutions to long-lasting problems and local consumers can help
Ontario farmers are helping each other through coops and start-up programs to combat long-lasting downwards trends.
Putting a ring on a life’s story
The Ottawa jeweller George Barbu started his career in Romania. His life's work has taken him to the Byward Market in Ottawa.
Twelve year old creates a bubbling bath bomb business called ‘Izzy’s Fizzies’
At just 12 years old, Ottawa resident Isabella Bakie is learning what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur through her bath bomb company.
A crafter’s life: As winter sets in, Amanda Carrigan picks up her knitting needles
In a world mostly concerned with getting product to market quickly, there are some who still take the time to create something by hand. Spinners, knitters and textile crafters continue to create beautiful and unique mittens, scarves and sweaters for sale. Most crafters begin as a hobbyist before developing it into a business. Amanda Carrigan, a spinner, knitter and dyer...
Farmers’ Market faces uncertainty as winter season begins
With winter officially here, the Ottawa Farmers’ Market has made the move into Aberdeen Pavilion for the season. However, there may be other changes in the air for vendors.
‘Democratizing’ zero waste: Can waste-free living be for everyone?
From Vancouver to Ottawa, stores like NU Grocery are dispensing a variety of food and cleaning products free of plastic packaging in an effort to cut waste. But some are saying that a zero-waste lifestyle is a privilege not everyone in Ottawa can afford.
‘End in sight’ for businesses as main phase of Elgin Street construction winds down
With the Elgin St. construction coming to a close, business owners are surprisingly optimistic after a long battle with reduced road access.
Planned downtown bridge replacements may put local businesses at risk
Four bridges on Highway 417 need to replaced, putting the future of several local businesses in doubt.
Neighbours help neighbours at the HighJinx antique store
A small brick antique shop located on Kent St. seems to be a magnet for artifacts and oddities from across the city and around the world. It has also attracted something else...