Orillia expands patio program for businesses
For business owners in Orillia, weekends are about to get a lot livelier.
Orillia began their "See You On The Patio" program on Friday, which was a welcome sight for residents and business owners.
The initiative allows restaurants and shops to expand outside while downtown streets are closed to vehicle traffic.
"You walk around and patios are open. People are walking. It's busy!" says owner Lisa Particelli. "But it's great. That's what we want."
Businesses along Mississauga street in downtown Orillia are allowed to move their merchandise onto the street after 4 pm on Fridays and Saturdays to earn back revenue lost during the pandemic.
Orillia City Councillor Ted Edmond says the program's goal is to support local businesses after a trying year.
"What we're seeing is our citizens and visitors come out, and they just crave the opportunity to get out," Edmond says.
Mark Watson from Pocket Skate and Vintage says the program is exactly what the city needs.
"There's people down here. They're coming around and checking things out while waiting for their tables," Watson says. "It's fantastic."
In Barrie, Open Air Dunlop was underway for another busy weekend; a similar initiative that closes off a portion of the downtown to vehicle traffic to allow for increased opportunities for shops and restaurants.
Tracey Bazker, ZuZu Fashion Boutique owner, hopes the program continues after the pandemic ends.
"People are really enjoying it they are feeling good to be outside again and feeling safe," Baker says.
Both programs will run all summer long.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.