By Jeff Carson
Judith Gustafsson / The BUZZ
Despite a mild February, Winterlude managed to draw a large number of visitors to Ottawa. Yet business on Elgin Street doesn’t appear to spike significantly during a festival like Winterlude.
Elgin Street is one of the few areas in Ottawa without an organized Business Improvement Area (BIA). Without a BIA the area has not been marketed to tourists in the same way as the Byward Market. But the convenient location and variety of restaurants and shops makes it a popular area nonetheless.
“We never see any particular bump in business during Winterlude,” said Jim Sherman, owner of Perfect Books. “I think without a BIA people aren’t getting directed to Elgin. It’s like Winterlude isn’t happening here.”
Discussions have begun among Elgin Street businesses, according to Sherman, about creating a BIA, which will be increasingly important as construction is set to hit the street in 2014.
According to a preliminary study, 695,000 visitors attended Winterlude, making it one of the best attended
in the event’s 34 year history. Of those guests, 38 per cent were not Ottawa residents.
The attendance statistics are impressive considering the Rideau Canal skateway was closed for the last weekend of Winterlude due to mild weather.