Open Air Dunlop: What You Need To Know

Open Air Dunlop: What You Need To Know

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Attention BIA Members!

🍂  🍁  Pedestrianization of Dunlop Street East is coming with OPEN AIR DUNLOP!  🍁  🍂

In June of 2020, we surveyed our membership on whether we should lead a pilot project to close Dunlop Street East to vehicle traffic. We discovered that the majority of responses were in favour of this pilot project. Further discussion with our membership pushed us to wait until we were able to program the space and collaborate with partners to create a pilot project that's safe and responsible but also memorable, exciting and one that drives business downtown.

In response to our membership, the Open Air Dunlop pilot project will be taking place on the below dates:

  • - Saturday, September 26th
  • - Saturday, October 3rd
  • - Saturday, October 10th
  • - Saturday, October 17th

We are so excited to be collaborating with the City of Barrie's Culture Days planning as well as our well-known and loved October Tasting Trail!

For all of our BIA members, we have prepared a SOCIAL MEDIA KIT that we'd love for you to use and help spread the word of all that's happening in Downtown Barrie this fall.

ATTENTION PATIOS: During the above Saturday dates, you are welcome to extend your patio to the curb of Dunlop Street East! Patios MUST be returned to their regular size by 12:00am (midnight) the following Sunday morning. Also! The final day of the patio season has been extended to October 19th to accommodate our last Saturday of the Open Air Dunlop pilot project!

ATTENTION WEST END BUSINESSES: If you would like to activate a space within the Open Air Dunlop area, please let us know! We'd be happy to work with you and get you set up in front of a vacant building or at Meridian Place!

 

BIA Members: Here's How You Can Get Involved:

  • 1. STOREFRONT ACTIVATION

Activate the space in front of your storefronts with merchandise, chairs, plants, signage, anything! We want to create a sense of a unified community for visitors. We’re in this together!

 

  • 2. UNEXPECTED INTERSECTIONS WITH ARTISTS IN BUSINESSES

Collaborate with the BIA and the City of Barrie on bringing artists to your businesses. The artist can be inside or outside your storefront. The City of Barrie will be launching this publicly in the next week. Watch their website for further information barrie.ca/culturedays

 

  • 3. USE THE SOCIAL KIT

A social media kit will be prepared for the BIA membership and will include details about the road closure, passive programming, what not to miss, where to park and more! Help us spread the word that downtown is the place to be!

 

  • 4. PROMOTE THE WE DIG DOWNTOWN CONTEST

The BIA is running a contest where each purchase allows a customer to enter a ballot to win a Lifeline E-Gift Card. Each month until the end of construction, one lucky winner will win $250 to the business or businesses of their choice. Share the details with your customers!

 

  • 5. CREATE CUSTOMER INCENTIVES

Draw the public into your business with a fun and exciting incentive like…
- Bring your receipt from last weekend to increase your chances of winning the #WeDigDowntown contest
- Bring a friend with you to save the tax on both your and your friend’s purchases
Let us know what incentives you come up with so we can share the details too!

 

  • 6. HOST A POP UP FASHION SHOW

Fashion retailers, jewellers, any kind of retailer can participate in a fun pop up catwalk outside their business. Find someone to strut your stuff out front of your business or anywhere along Dunlop Street East and the BIA will capture it on social media.

 

  • 7. CHAT WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS

Engage with your customers and collect data for us! Is this their first time visiting or are they a regular downtowner? Are they visiting your business for a particular item or did they pop in because they were down checking out Open Air Dunlop? Where did they park and did they find navigating the downtown to be easy? What other businesses are they heading into today? The BIA would love to have this feedback!

 

  • 8. GIVE US FEEDBACK

The BIA will be engaging with businesses following each Saturday. Let us know how the weekend was! We are ready to pivot and adjust this pilot project as needed.

 

  • 9. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BUSINESS IN THE PARK

Work with the BIA to schedule a class, recital or practice at Meridian Place. Activate the space and promote your business! Full details available with an easy application process on City of Barrie website barrie.ca/culturedays

 

Let us know of your incentives, ideas, promotions and specials so we can help promote it on social media during Open Air Dunlop! Any concerns or inquires, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at the BIA office! 705-734-1414 or [email protected]