downtown

Downtown Barrie AGM + Holiday Social

Downtown Barrie AGM + Holiday Social Dec 15th, 2022 at 4:30 till 8pm Due to the current weather situation, all […]

City of Barrie Right-of-Way Notice

Theatre Block Development (55 Dunlop St W) Lane reduction The Barrie Waterfront Development project at 55 Dunlop Street West has […]

Downtown Barrie BIA Membership Meeting

Downtown Barrie BIA Membership Meeting April 6, 2022 at 5pm Attention Downtown Barrie BIA Members: You’re invited to a virtual […]

City of Barrie Wayfinding Strategy: Public Survey

The City of Barrie is working with Cygnus Design Group to improve the city’s wayfinding signage system. What is ‘wayfinding’ […]

City of Barrie Wayfinding Strategy: Business Engagement Survey

Hey BIA members! The City of Barrie is working with the BIA and Tourism Barrie to reach out to businesses […]

Request to City Council to Create Small Business Subclass for Commercial Tax Relief

On January 15, 2022, the Downtown Barrie BIA Board of Management submitted a request to Barrie City Council to create […]

Financial Supports for Businesses

Financial Supports for Businesses Financial Supports Update (February 9, 2022): Small businesses that are subject to closure under the modified […]

Hot Cocoa Trail Social Media Kit

Hot Cocoa Trail Social Media Kit The Hot Cocoa Trail is back in Downtown Barrie! This event will run every […]

☀️ 🍂  Autumn in the City  🍂 ☀️ Fall in love with downtown Barrie. It’s Autumn in the City and […]

Annual General Meeting: November 1st, 2021   Attention Downtown Barrie BIA Members! You’re invited to the virtual Annual General Meeting […]

Open Air Dunlop Continuing to Support Downtown Businesses

For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 28, 2021 (Barrie, Ontario) Open Air Dunlop Continuing to Support Downtown Businesses The interest and […]

Message from the Executive Director (July 9, 2021)

July 9th, 2021 Good afternoon, BIA Members, What a summer we’re having so far! Open Air Dunlop seems to be […]

UPDATE: Open Air Dunlop Begins Saturday, June 12 in Downtown Barrie

For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 10, 2021 (Barrie, Ontario) Open Air Dunlop Begins Saturday, June 12 in Downtown Barrie With […]

Downtown Barrie to kick off summer with Open Air Dunlop on Saturday, June 19

For Immediate Release: Monday, May 31, 2021 (Barrie, Ontario) Downtown Barrie to kick off summer with Open Air Dunlop on […]

BIA Board Support for Proposed SCS Location

Downtown Barrie BIA Board of Directors Support Proposed SCS Location On Thursday, April 15, 2021, the Downtown Barrie Business Association […]

Bright Spots in Downtown Barrie

Bright Spots in Downtown Barrie 💚 The Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA) has partnered with the Barrie Police Service, the […]

Downtown Barrie BIA partners with community leaders on Bright Spot project

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 (Barrie, Ontario) Downtown Barrie BIA partners with community leaders on Bright Spot project […]

Barrielicious returns for its longest-ever event beginning April 9th

Barrielicious returns for its longest-ever event beginning April 9th For Immediate Release Monday, March 17, 2021 (Barrie, Ontario) Barrie’s premiere […]

Downtown Barrie BIA Responds to Decision to Place Simcoe-Muskoka in Grey/Lockdown Zone

Downtown Barrie BIA Responds to Decision to Place Simcoe-Muskoka in Grey/Lockdown Zone For Immediate Release Monday, March 1, 2021 (Barrie, […]

BIA working collaboratively to facilitate safe consumption site – Simcoe.com

BIA working collaboratively to facilitate safe consumption site, director says Barrie Advance Thursday, February 18, 2021 Simcoe Muskoka’s opioid crisis […]

A Voice for Downtown Barrie BIA Members on the Proposed SCS Locations

A Voice for Downtown Barrie BIA Members A decision will be made in the coming weeks on the location of […]

#WinterInTheCity Mystery Options with Lifeline E-Gift Card Program

#WinterInTheCity Mystery Options with the Lifeline E-Gift Card Program It’s #WinterInTheCity and all we’re asking you to do is #StayHome, […]

☀️ Open Air Dunlop ☀️ Open Air Dunlop is back for 2021! As part of the economic recovery plan for […]

Press Release: Noella Festival Tree Lot Raises $3000 for Hospice Simcoe

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, December 21st, 2020 (Barrie, Ontario) Noella Festival Tree Lot Raises $3000 for Hospice Simcoe Supporting local […]

2020 Noella Festival Social Media Kit

Date November 16th – December 31st, 2020 Description This year’s Noella Festival begins on Monday, November 16th and we want […]

Lifeline E-Gift Card

Click here to access a link to the Lifeline E-Gift Card page to purchase your e-gift cards and support local […]

Press Release: Words and Images: Public Art in Downtown Barrie

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, November 6th, 2020 Words and Images: Public Art in Downtown Barrie Supports Community Public art installations […]

Heritage Ornaments Vendors Wanted

Let us know if you would like to be featured as a participating vendor location!!! Downtown Barrie’s Heritage Ornament collection […]

Press Release: Open Air Dunlop a Safe Way to Explore Beautiful Downtown Barrie

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, October 7th, 2020 Open Air Dunlop: A Safe Way to Explore Beautiful Downtown Barrie After two […]

SMDHU Survey for Supervised Consumption Site within Downtown Barrie BIA

Attention BIA Members: Your Input on an SCS within Downtown Barrie BIA is Needed The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) […]

Thanksgiving Holiday Waste Collection Notice

     

Press Release: Barrie’s Santa Claus Parade and Tree Lighting Celebration Cancelled for 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, October 2, 2020 Barrie’s Santa Claus Parade and Tree Lighting Celebration Cancelled for 2020 The Barrie […]

☀️ 🍂  OCTOBER TASTING TRAIL – SOCIAL MEDIA KIT 🍂 ☀️ We are gearing up for a month long tasting event […]

☀️ 🍂  Autumn in the City  🍂 ☀️ Fall in love with your new downtown. It’s Autumn in the City […]

☀️ 🍂  OCTOBER TASTING TRAIL 🍂 ☀️ The October Tasting Trail is a celebration of our downtown coffee shops, cafes, […]

Open Air Dunlop: What You Need To Know

Attention BIA Members! 🍂  🍁  Pedestrianization of Dunlop Street East is coming with OPEN AIR DUNLOP!  🍁  🍂 In June […]

Resources for Keeping Our Downtown Clean & Safe

Resources for Keeping Our Downtown Clean & Safe Attention BIA members! As we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, […]

Press Release: Open Air Dunlop Coming to Downtown Barrie

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, September 15th, 2020 Open Air Dunlop Coming to Downtown Barrie The Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA) […]

🎉 50th Anniversary of BIAs! 🎉 In 1967, challenges were facing retailers as a proliferation of shopping malls were springing […]

Summer In the City Social Media Kit

Description While we continue to navigate through these unprecedented times, one thing remains constant – Downtown Barrie is the place […]

Press Release: Donation of 600 Shield-U Face Shields to BIA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, June 17, 2020 (Barrie, Ontario) Donation of 600 Shield-U Face Shields from Molded Precision Components to […]

Press Release: The BIA’s Downtown Heroes Campaign is Feeling the Love

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, June 4, 2020 (Barrie, Ontario) The BIA’s Downtown Heroes Campaign is Feeling the Love Support for […]

Press Release: Downtown Heroes Campaign Continues to Receive Support

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, June 1, 2020 (Barrie, Ontario) Downtown Heroes Campaign Continues to Receive Support The Downtown Heroes capes […]

City of Barrie Staff Report: Pedestrianizing Dunlop St E

Description The Legislative and Court Services Department is advising you that Staff Report ECD008-20 concerning the PEDESTRIANIZING DUNLOP STREET BETWEEN […]

Return-To-Work PPE Kits for BIA Members

The Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA) is facilitating the organization of 50 Return-To-Work Personal Protection Equipment kits for its membership […]

Safe Service Training Recap

Description In partnership with Tourism Barrie and the Small Business Centre, the Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA) offered FREE safe […]

Press Release: Downtown Barrie BIA Launches Downtown Heroes Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, May 19, 2020 (Barrie, Ontario) Downtown Barrie BIA Launches Downtown Heroes Campaign The Downtown Barrie Business […]

Pedestrianizing Dunlop St E: We Want Your Input

Description You are a member of the Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA) and your opinion is valued. The City of […]

Dunlop Street Becomes Loading Only Zones for Curbside Pickup

Description On Tuesday, May 12, the City of Barrie designated all on-street parking spaces along Dunlop Street from Poyntz Street […]

COVID-19 Recovery Process Consultations

Deadline Tuesday, May 19th Description The City of Barrie will be consulting with the Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA) on […]

Downtown Barrie’s Curbside Pickup Contest

    To show just how easy it is to order for curbside pick up, check out the video below […]

OBIAA Impact of COVID-19 on BIAs

OBIAA Impact of COVID-19 on BIAs Survey Results Our BIAs are part of the framework of the Ontario community and […]

Save The Date: Food Safety & Safe Service Training

Date Tuesday, May 19th Times 10am: Safe Service Training&1pm: Food Safety Training Description In partnership with Tourism Barrie and the […]

Xcelerate Challenge 2020

Deadline May 18th, 2020 at 11:59pm EST Description Unprecedented times call for community solutions. We are looking for a virtual […]

Mother’s Day Specials

The Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA) is inviting all their BIA member businesses to share their Mother’s Day specials with […]

Lifeline Cheque Presentation with ZuZu Fashion Boutique

We were so happy to present Tracey Baker, owner of ZuZu Fashion Boutique with her first cheque from all the […]

Lifeline Cheque Presentation with Lazy Tulip Cafe

We were so happy to present Michelle Huggins, owner of the Lazy Tulip Cafe with her first cheque from all […]

Zoom Meetings with BIA Members

The Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA) will be hosting Zoom meetings with all sectors of their membership to discuss best […]

Downtown Delivery for Retailers & Food Services

We are pleased to announce our collaboration with Georgian College Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre to launch the dry delivery service NEAR.SHOP! to our […]

Mother’s Day Contest with Barrie Today

The Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA) is teaming up with Barrie Today to run a Mother’s Day contest in conjunction […]

Lifeline E-Gift Card Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 1, 2020 (Barrie, Ontario) Downtown Barrie BIA Launches Lifeline E-Gift Card Program in Support of Downtown […]

Downtown Heroes Campaign

BE A DOWNTOWN HERO! 🦸🏼‍♀️ 🦸🏽‍♂️ The Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA) has officially launched its Downtown Heroes campaign! Initiated […]

Support During COVID-19

Small Business Support During COVID-19 As COVID-19 continues to spread, our thoughts go out to anyone who has been infected […]

OBIAA Letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau & Premier Doug Ford

March 23, 2020 OBIAA LETTER TO: PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU AND PREMIER FORD Thank you for your leadership during this […]

COVID-19 Downtown Barrie Business Impact Survey

COVID-19 DOWNTOWN BARRIE BUSINESS IMPACT SURVEY In an effort to monitor the effects of COVID-19 on our Downtown, the BIA […]

Food Service Safety Resources During COVID-19

The Downtown Barrie (BIA) team is working hard to share with the public which restaurants and food shops are still […]

Ladies’ Day + Date Night in Downtown Barrie

Date 3rd Thursday of the month from April until August, 2020 Location Various locations throughout Downtown Barrie Description There’s now […]

1st Ladies’ Day + Date Night – Postponed

We have decided to be responsible, cautious and prudent.  The first Ladies’ Days event will be hosted on April 16 […]

Songwriter Series Returns!

Dates Monday, March 16th Time Doors open at 6:30am Location Donaleighs Irish Public House – Temple Lounge28 Dunlop St E […]

Dragons’ Den Season 15 Auditions!

Date Thursday, March 26th, 2020 Time 10:00am – 5:00pm Location Georgian College, N Building, Room N2011 Georgian Drive(Parking code through […]

Ladies’ Day + Date Night in Downtown Barrie

Date 3rd Thursday of the month from April until August, 2020 Location Various locations throughout Downtown Barrie Description There’s now […]

Meet the BIA’s New Executive Director!

Date Monday, March 9th, 2020 Time 11:30am – 2:00pm Location Sandbox Centre24 Maple Avenue Description On Monday, March 9th, join […]

Open Mic @ Lazy Tulip!

Date Friday, February 28th Time 6:30pm Location Lazy Tulip Cafe29 Maple Avenue Description Fierté Simcoe Pride will be hosting a […]

Barrie’s Poet Laureate at Homestead Artisan Bakery!

Date Friday, February 28th Time 7:00pm Location Homestead Artisan Bakery80 Dunlop Street East Description On Friday, February 28th at 7pm, […]

Barrie Film Fest’s Reel Stories 2020

Dates Thursday, February 20th & Sunday, February 23rd Location Uptown Theatre55 Dunlop Street West Description The Barrie Film Festival’s Reel […]

Heritage Ornament Collection Preserves our History

As time seems to be moving forward faster and faster, we can easily lose track of the vast history and […]

Final Stretch of Construction for Phase 1A! Streetscape Pt. 3

Wow! Has the time flown by! Phase 1A of the Dunlop Streetscape Project is now on the final stretch. With […]

Downtown is Dirty & Loving It! Streetscape Pt. 2

The Dunlop Streetscape Project has been underway for a month now and it’s slated to transform the look of our […]

Supporting Local Despite the Dirt

Supporting our local businesses supports our local community. Downtown Barrie is full of hundreds of local businesses owned by our […]

Downtown Barrie and its Waterfront

Here we are about halfway through our summer and the temperature of Kempenfelt Bay is nearing perfection for enjoying the […]

Summer Saison in Downtown Barrie

Ahh! The summer saison is the season that brings the warmth. In the brewing world, a saison is a seasonal beer with summery, fruity […]

Patio Season in Downtown Barrie

An afternoon beverage with an old friend. A delicious meal with family while the sun sets on a weekday evening. […]

Embracing the Grit of Spring

Ahh, the season of grit. Somewhere in between the relief that comes with the end of winter and the energetic […]

Downtown Barrie’s Creative Corridor

Downtowns are full of creativity. They are hubs of the creative class which include the arts, businesses and professions. Downtown […]

Hot Cocoa Trail – 2019 Event Report

Description Downtown Barrie was the place to warm up hearts and souls this past February. The Hot Cocoa Trail was […]

Who is Downtown Barrie?

Let’s look at Downtown Barrie from a different perspective. If I was asked who is Downtown Barrie, my best answer would be […]

Winter Market @ Five Points Theatre

Date Friday, February 8th & Saturday, February 9th Time Friday, February 8th – 4:00pm to 9:00pmSaturday, February 9th – 10:00am […]

Battle of the Bands

Date Friday, February 22nd, 2019 Time Doors open at 7:00pm Location The Ranch56 Bayfield Street Description Head to The Ranch […]

Artist Entrepreneur Bootcamp

Date Apply before Sunday, February 10th, 2019 Description The City of Barrie is teaming up with Canada’s Music Incubator to […]

Attention Local Musicians: City of Barrie’s Customer Service Hold Music

Date & Time Deadline: Friday, February 15th, 2019 at 4:30pm Description The City of Barrie would like to feature local […]

Downtown Barrie is Winter’s Wonderland

Some might call this time of year “the dead of winter,” but it always amazes me how well we embrace […]

A Taste of the First Ever Curb Appeal DIY

Curb Appeal DIY: Wrap-Up A Taste of the First Evening in this Intimate & Interactive Foodie Series The first evening […]

February Blues Fest 2019

Date Thursday, January 31st to Sunday, February 3rd Description The February Blues Festival begins on Thursday, January 31st with over […]

Late Night Transit Service on Fridays & Saturdays

Dates Fridays & Saturdays Location Transit from downtown Barrie Description The City of Barrie has introduced a late night transit […]

Barrie Film Fest’s Reel Stories

Dates Thursday, February 21st & Sunday, February 24th Location Uptown Theatre55 Dunlop Street West Description The Barrie Film Festival’s Reel […]

Winterfest 2019

Date Saturday, February 2nd & Sunday, February 3rd Location Various locations throughout the downtown Barrie. Description Winterfest will be taking […]

The Hot Cocoa Trail is Back!

Your toes are like ice. Your fingers are tingling. Frostbite threatens the tip of your nose and snowflakes rest on […]

A Hall of Unflattering Portraits @ MacLaren Art Centre

Date Now until March 10th, 2019 Location Janice Laking GalleryMacLaren Art Centre37 Mulcaster Street Description A Hall of Unflattering Portraits highlights […]

Jazz & Blues @ City Hall Rotunda

Date Friday, February 1st & Saturday, February 2nd Time Friday, February 1st – 7:30pmSaturday, February 2nd – 8:00pm Location Barrie […]

Zuzu Fashion Boutique’s 3-Day Weekend Sale

Date Friday, January 25th – Sunday, January 27th Time Friday: 10am – 8pmSaturday: 10am – 8pmSunday: 10am – 5pm Location […]

Noella Festival – 2018 Event Report

Description 2018 was a year of firsts for all Downtown Barrie (BIA) events. The Noëlla Festival was no stranger to […]

Curb Appeal DIY – 2018 Event Report

Description The first evening of the Curb Appeal DIY series took place on Wednesday, November 21st from 7pm to 9pm […]

October Tasting Trail – 2018 Event Report

Description Throughout the month of October, visitors followed the #OctoberTastingTrail after purchasing their $10 passports at participating eateries and tasted […]

Welcome Mary Street Psychotherapy Centre

Date Monday, January 21st, 2019 Time 2:30pm – 4:30pm Location Mary Street Psychotherapy Centre 63 Mary Street Description The official opening […]

BFF Featuring “Falls Around Her”

Date Thursday, January 17th, 2019 Time 4pm & 7pm Location Uptown Theatre55 Dunlop Street West Description The Barrie Film Fest will […]

Skating @ Heritage Park

Location Heritage Park Pond in front of the gazebo! Description Grab your skates and head to Heritage Park! The pond […]

Noella Festival Wrap Up

It’s a new year. We’re planning, scheduling and jumping into routine. Our gaze is forward, but for a brief moment, […]

Art for Lunch with Exhibiting Artist Jill Price

Date Friday, January 11th, 2019 Time 12:15pm – 1:00pm Location Rotary Education Centre MacLaren Art Centre 37 Mulcaster Street Description Join […]

A Brief Summary of Barrie’s Long History

Downtown Barrie is an anchor district that has historic roots and heritage dating back well over 200 years as a […]