Marketing Initiatives and Resources to Support Our Local Businesses
**listed in alphabetical order**
Join in for Canada Takeout Day every Wednesday! Encouraging Canadians across the country to order takeout en-masse in a show of support for their favourite local restaurants. They are doing their part by staying open for takeout. Now it's your turn to take an active part in the support of an industry that employs millions of people in this country. Individual restaurants can register for FREE through Canada Takeout.
Digital Mainstreet connects main street businesses to the most innovative digital providers. Our team has selected trusted digital product and service providers for you to work with, who are offering the best deals exclusively when you sign up. All Ossington BIA Member businesses are able to access these services for FREE!
Amazing new! As of April 16th, the City of Toronto has nearly tripled the budget of this program!
Distantly.ca is an online platform that has been created in collaboration with TABIA (Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas). It allows individuals to make financial donations to their favourite local businesses. There is a 0% platform fee, secure payment method and instant delivery. Businesses can register for FREE on this platform.
GIFTforward is a social-good organization partnering with restaurants and small businesses to offer gift cards that you buy on their platform to be used once they are allowed to re-open. This allows businesses to get the cash they need, and you have something to look forward to post-pandemic. Gift cards are sold at a discount. Businesses can sign up for FREE!
Add a gift card feature to your Instagram account. Any business or creator accounts can apply the Gift Card button once a gift card partner has been selected. Follow the specific steps outlined on Instagram's Help Page here. This is a FREE feature.
Neighbourism was created by Downtown Toronto residents to encourage members in and around the community to come together to help local businesses in these difficult times. When you purchase a gift card, you are providing these businesses with vital cash flows to overcome the challenges posed by Covid-19. The cost to add a business to the website is FREE. All transactions are handled by the businesses. Neighbourism is here to simply facilitate and encourage the community to rally behind their local businesses.
We want to bring some fun and positivity to the community and so we are pleased to host the inaugural Ossington Business Awards - recognizing the "best-of" in various categories found within our BIA.
Ossington BIA is home to over 100 shops, services and restaurants that call home in commercial space between Dundas St W and Queen St W along Ossington Ave.
Please take a moment until May 3rd to vote on your favourite businesses in the categories noted below. It's a fun and great way to show your appreciation and gratitude towards them.
We will accept one round of votes per email address and if you do not want to vote in certain categories, then you don't have to list a business in that category.
Awards will be given out in early-mid May.
The Neighbourgood is a social good initiative helping small businesses during a time of uncertainty as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. These local restaurants, cafes, shops, and services have been severely impacted by social distancing measures - many having to close their doors - to keep their staff and community safe. The objective of The Neighbourgood: buy gift cards now, for later. Support your fave local businesses today with gift cards you can redeem later, when we can all be together again. Small businesses can join for FREE!
The Stay Home Toronto initiative was established to reinforce the message for residents in the City of Toronto to stay home, and encourage us all to consider and support small businesses in our communities while we are all at home. Many small business owners are adapting to support social distancing and stay home - the challenge is it can be difficult to find out who is doing what in a neighbourhood - so some residents and community members built a website! And it's FREE to have your business listed!