Lisa Anderson has been the coordinator of the Dundas B.I.A. for 9 years; previously she was the manager of the Dundas Farmers’ Market. She attended school in Dundas and Hamilton and graduated from Mohawk College.
The Downtown Dundas B.I.A. covers the businesses on King St. between Cross and John St. (north side) and Albert St. (South side).Created in 1978, the purpose of all B.I.A.’s is the revitalization of businesses on the main street. There are 310 B.I.A.’s in Ontario. Each B.I.A. is run by a Board of Management elected from the businesses and includes the local Councillor. The businesses are assessed a levy; public buildings, residential buildings, churches and not for profits are not assessed this levy. The goal of every B.I.A. is to “make business better”.
There are ongoing beautification projects directed by the Dundas Downtown B.I.A.: in spring and summer 40 hanging baskets and 18 sidewalk planter; in fall cornstalks are erected; and in winter 57 wreaths and garlands are placed.
There is also a series of event based marketing: the “Easter Eggstravaganza”; the” Dundas International Buskerfest”; “Scarecrow Saturday and Pumpkin Walk”; and finally the “Dickens of a Christmas”.
Covid has been extremely challenging for small, local businesses. At the start of the lockdown, curbside service was not allowed (unlike Box stores). The Dundas B.I.A. worked through social media to actively promote local businesses. Several of these campaigns include “Doors are Open”, Dickens of a Giveaway”, “Love Downtown Dundas” (Valentine’s Day). They also created a separate page for local restaurants.
This Saturday Nov. 20 is the first “Hamilton Day” (since 1931). The aim is to promote local shopping with some give away vouchers. Support your community, shop local! There have been changes to local businesses since 2019. Some owners couldn’t make it; some retired. But, new merchants have come—Pin Bones fish market and Burnt Tongue restaurant.
Lisa can be reached at http://info@downtowndundas.ca and she welcomes inquiries and ideas.