(Dundas St at Ridout St. Pictures: Roger Farias)
Downtown offers a mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment, all within walking distance or easily accessible by public transit. However, challenges persist, including high rental costs for small businesses, high vacancy rates in Canada at over 31 percent, and low attendance at certain events—impacted by the rising cost of living both in the city and across the country.
Claire Watson, who moved to from Kingston four months ago, reflects on her experience living and working in the downtown area. “One of the things that I liked about downtown London is that there are a lot of funky shops that you can’t find outside,” she said. “One of the challenges is that a lot of places have very specific hours that don’t necessarily align with people’s work time.”
Although Watson appreciates downtown attractions, she feels there’s a need for more diverse spaces so she doesn’t have to commute far. “It’s beautiful to walk around and see the murals, but sometimes I can’t do much when I’m here. I’d like to spend more money in downtown, but it’s not always easy to access the resources.”
The City of London, through Dundas Place, aims to ensure that those who invest and shop downtown continue to do so while encouraging others to choose this area more frequently for their shopping needs. One of the latest initiatives to achieve this is a new store, set to open by the end of October at 140 Dundas Street in the iconic Grand and Gibbons building, constructed in 1912.
There aren’t many retail locations downtown right now that are that size. Retail has had some ups and downs over the past few years and it’s exciting to see a very large store taking this location. Retail and shopping are one of the things that we’re in a lot of heat of,” said Ryan Craven, Manager of Core Area Programs at the City of London. “The new owner is totally renovated the space and has intentions of being there for a long time.”
Efforts are underway to transform the area into a neighborhood where residents can meet their needs. “Dundas Street has always featured a range of businesses, including both high-end stores and more affordable options,” Craven added.
Meanwhile, Bere Tekle has been living in London for over 30 years and has witnessed significant changes in downtown since his university days. “The landmark of downtown London used to be big and famous brands. Unfortunately, due to COVID, some stores closed, but I see that London is working towards revitalization, which is great for the community.”
Dundas Place expects new ideas and developments to significantly contribute to that goal. “We need more people coming downtown to spend their time and money while enjoying themselves. We need property owners to invest in creating opportunities for retail, restaurants, and creative spaces,” Ryan Craven concluded.
