In This Issue:
OPEN ON SUNDAYs?
YES! To date we have created and posted several reels of your businesses OPEN ON SUNDAY! And production continues! Our man Don is reaching out to your businesses to get your reel contribution scheduled. If you haven’t heard from him yet, reach out to him mccormick@downtownduncan.ca. We have also published your names and locations on our website AND distributed a beautiful colourful paper list just the right size for you to give to your Sunday shoppers when they ask “what else is open downtown”?
Future events now in progress – it’s LOOKING BRIGHT!
· Mother’s Day SPECIAL issue Downtown Dollars Event – months of April and May. A fundraiser for Cowichan Women Against Violence Society.
· BIA Member Social April 27.
· Duncan Day and Panago Parade July 15.
· BIA Member Social July 27.
· Cowichan Valley Arts Council co-sponsored event downtown July 29.
· BIA Member Social October 12.
· Spooktacular kids daytime program and evening Zombie Crawl October 28.
· Christmas Kick-Off November 24.
A Day for Earth
Love your earth in downtown Duncan on April 22nd Join us to make downtown come alive! Our ask of all our businesses is to come out any play with our planet in mind. Please decorate your windows and get some sidewalk action going – green style! Our streets will be closed around Station Street Common Park – Craig from Kenneth to Station – and then Station from Canada to Craig. There will be not for profit vendors along Craig, an education and music stage set up in Station Street Common Park, a large Women’s Clothing Swap Tent on Station and 10 smaller kids activity area tents also along Station. We are working with our downtown restaurants as well to see how we can collaboratively feed all the potential attendees that day – by locating also on Station Street (under one large food tent perhaps). We do know that many of our restaurants are not as busy as they could be on these big event days – so we want to find a way of keeping our visitors fed and watered and giving our downtown restaurateurs the opportunity to make those sales!
Chairs for Sale!
We have nine of the pictured chairs available for sale for $5 each. All are in decent condition but occasionally require bolt tightening. First come, first served! Available for pick-up at the DDBIA office between 9 am - 4:00 pm Monday - Friday.
JUNE 25 Pride Day Window Decorating Contest
The DDIBA is co-sponsoring Pride Day in downtown Duncan this year on June 25th. There will be a parade. There will be singing. And dancing. And drag. And celebrations and speakers. Show your support by
· STAYING OPEN on Sunday and get your sidewalk selling for you!
· Decorating your window with Pride Day visuals and participate in the Window Contest! We’ll give you a QR code for your window so your shoppers can “vote” for the most creative, best, and celebratory Pride Window ever!
· And of course, register your “float” with the Pride Day Committee – application process coming to you soon!
Calling for Volunteers.
Our downtown is going to be a lively place again this year – with several new events and programs and projects on the go. And we need YOU to volunteer for us. We have big jobs and small jobs and odd jobs and fun jobs and grinders. Please email us here ddbia@downtownduncan.ca and let us know if you’re up for some downtown action – we’ll find you several roles that will likely float your boat and then you pick and decide! And thanks in advance for keeping our downtown the BEST!
Façade Improvement Program
Need a repair to the outside of your building? New signage? We’ve got you covered! The Façade Improvement Program provides a grant of up to $5,000 for your new signage and outside improvements to your business. Email us and request the application or find it here on our website.
NOMINATE your BUSINESS for a DDBIA Business AWARD
Big changes happening with the DDBIA business awards. We are moving from appointing winners to you nominating your business and our membership reviewing your application and deciding on the winners! ONE VOTE PER BUSINESS. Our TWO new awards replace the past awards and way of doing things. Yup – innovation at the DDBIA – woot!
Outstanding New Business
Excellence and Innovation
· The nomination process kicks off March 13 (will take about 30 minutes of your time to nominate your business) – more information to follow shortly.
· Voting begins March 27 and closes April 7
· ALL Nominees must attend the Annual General Meeting on April 11th.
The 2023 Christmas Window Theme is “The Twelve Days of Christmas”.
We know its way to early to hear about Christmas already – but for those of you planners who start planning your window theme now – here’s your chance. Imagine – six geese a layin’ not to mention those five golden rings!
DONATE TO THE DDBIA TEAM for our HURT, HUNGRY and HOMELESS.
Let’s team up to fundraise for a great cause! Join us this February 25th for the Coldest Night of the Year, to help raise money for local charities in support of community members who may be experiencing hurt, hunger and homelessness. The CMHA Cowichan Valley is hosting this winterrific family-friendly walk and we’re still looking for more people to join our team! You can sign up to walk and raise money or if you prefer, you can donate directly to the cause through this link: here.
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