The Mumpsimus Blog site -> The empty downtown

Subscribe to The Mumpsimus Blog

The empty downtown

10 July 2010

5 Comments

Tags: downtown, patios, Collingwood's Municipal Madness, BIA

Posted by ianadmin

I was accused of taking my last pictures of an empty downtown on a weekday, when, of course, it would be quiet. So here are two photos taken Saturday, July 10, a few mintues after noon (just as the farmers' market was starting to wind down). Note the lack of patios and the lack of pedestrians - which means the lack of customers. The restaurants I looked into at this end were nearly empty. The stores, too.

Posted Image

And another photo from the same location taken a few minutes later. Not exactly a crowd on our main street on one of the nicest weekends this year. The sort of weekend you'd expect to see a lot more people out and about. Looks to me like the lack of patios has de-animated the downtown and made it less attractive to those who want to enjoy a chance to sit outside, enjoy a meal or beverage. I was told that the Village at Blue was very busy. Of course, they have patios there, beside the buildings where they belong.
Posted Image

I think it's indicative of a slowdown in business when you can easily find several parking spaces on every downtown block. And today, there were many such spaces.

Categories: Pointless legislation, Election 2010, downtown-BIA, Collingwood's municipal m..., Collingwood life

Share This Entry:

Back to The Mumpsimus Blog →

5 Comments On This Entry

Page 1 of 1

Allan

11 July 2010 - 07:37 AM

When we first came to Toronto, several years ago now, we drove down Hurontario on our way to "The Mountain". We saw the lovely outdoor patios with people enjoying the sun. On an impulse, we parked the car, had lunch, wandered around, and spent several hundred dollars (as I recall) in the downtown shops before heading off to our destination.
The patios were the 'jewels' that gave the street life and made it appealing.

The BIA, and the 5 arrogant councillors (with their fingers in their ears), should understand that a vibrant downtown (not just a pretty one), including patios, increases business for everyone downtown.

The BIA has shot themselves in the foot.

The voters will decide what to do with the 5 councillors. I have.

thejudge

11 July 2010 - 08:28 AM

Allan, on 11 July 2010 - 07:37 AM, said:

thejudge

11 July 2010 - 08:30 AM

I have too.

Henry

12 July 2010 - 10:19 AM

This is summer in a tourist town. Our downtown should be busy every day. I occasionally check out Duncan's block on the town's web cam and since the patios have disappeared it has been very quiet. The patios benefit not only the restaurants but also the surrounding businesses.
It seems Jeffery and her four followers believe that we, the people, should dance to their tune, that they are in charge, what they say say goes. Well folks, that's not democracy. Watch democracy in action in October when what the people say goes with no reconsideration, no repeal of the decision.

Allan

12 July 2010 - 02:16 PM

The 5 councillors demonstrated appalling management 'skills'. They decided to move the patios BEFORE they had gathered all of the correct information. (liquor regulations, fire department input, insurance liability).When complete information came to light, that made their decision look ridiculous, the 5 councillors stubbornly and arrogantly pressed ahead. Do you want this type of LEADERSHIP??

Page 1 of 1