News & Updates
Welcome to the Downtown Kitchener BIA News & Updates page. Here you will find all sorts of cool things we are working on, important member events and information.
Publications
October 18, 2022
The Collective: a beautiful publication showcasing all the fantastic businesses in DTK.
20,000 copies of The Collective were printed, with 18,000 directly delivered to postal codes in and surrounding DTK. With guides arranged to be available at 30 community centers in Kitchener, and in cultural hubs such as the Kitchener Market, KWAG, KPL and Centre in the Square.
We have a limited number of copies available to our businesses; if you would like to share a few with your customers, please contact Breanna Crossman.
View the online version here.
May 25, 2022
We have officially launched the fourth phase of the DTK Art Walk.
Take advantage of this captivated audience by targeting your social media post and encouraging walk-in traffic for those exploring DTK.
Click here to view the fourth phase of the DTK Art Walk Field Guide.
If you have any questions regarding the DTK Art Walk, please contact Stefanie Golling.
Support the local business community!
Looking for our Downtown shopping & dining guide? Click here.
Check out our new patio map! Click here.
Downtown Live
Downtown Live
Experience live music throughout Downtown Kitchener! We're excited to announce our partnership with Good Co. Productions, bringing you live music every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in DTK. From jazz to rock, funk to folk - experience incredible performances at various venues.
Stay tuned for updates on artists and locations by visiting our Instagram page.
- Wednesday's DTK Live: Happy Hour - DJs in Vogelsang Green 4 pm - 6 pm
- Thursday's DTK Live Pop-Up Concerts in various outdoor locations 7:30 pm - 10 pm
- Friday's Sunset Sessions in Vogelsang Green 7 pm - 10 pm
- Saturday's Sunny Sounds East-End Pop-Ups 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Calling all food and beverage businesses: join our Wednesday night music series in DTK!
We are excited to invite food and beverage-based businesses to participate in our Wednesday Night Music Series. The series aims to keep people downtown after work, creating a vibrant atmosphere for locals to enjoy while indulging in delicious offerings during happy hour.
By joining our Wednesday Night Music Series, you'll benefit from increased visibility and promotion among a diverse audience of music enthusiasts and food lovers. We will actively promote your establishment and your Wednesday night food or drink special to attract customers and encourage them to experience the lively atmosphere of DTK.
To participate, simply let us know the details of your Wednesday night food or drink special. Whether a discounted appetizer or a signature cocktail, we will ensure it receives prominent exposure during the music series.
We look forward to working with you to create an unforgettable experience for the community. Please share your Wednesday night food or drink special by May 26th to allow ample time to include it in our promotional materials. Submit your special to Breanna Crossman.
Online/Social Media Opportunities
May 18, 2023
Downtown Kitchener's Summer Event Calendar: your ultimate guide to seasonal festivals and activities
As we approach the summer season, we are excited to announce that we will be creating a comprehensive event calendar that will include all the recurring events and larger festivals taking place in downtown Kitchener. This calendar will be an invaluable resource for your business, as it will help with staff scheduling and ensure that your team is prepared for the increased foot traffic that these events bring.
We encourage you to hang up a copy of the event calendar in your staff room so that your team knows what's happening in the community and can plan accordingly. This will not only help with staffing but also ensure that your business is well-positioned to take advantage of the increased foot traffic that these events bring.
We are committed to supporting our Downtown Kitchener businesses, and we believe that this event calendar will be a valuable tool in helping you succeed this summer season. Stay tuned for more information on the event calendar and how to access it.
Google & Website Optimization
Our community can help support your business online by leaving reviews and providing a star rating. Keeping up with these reviews and relevant information on your accounts is important.
Follow the link attached to learn a few tips on how to keep your online presence relevant.
DTK Social Media Guide
Looking for a few more ways to engage with your audience? Click the link attached to view our social media guide.
Keeping Downtown Clean
Downtown Clean Team 2
The Downtown Kitchener BIA has contracted the Working Centre to collect curbside waste from King Street on weekdays after 4:00 pm and Saturdays.
Should you require additional support, please reference the attached Who to Call Card.
Streetscape Improvements
March 13, 2023
Tree & Paver Replacement Project
The City of Kitchener is undertaking work along King Street to replace trees and improve the paved surface between the sidewalk and roadway. There are many benefits to this work, including:
Replaced aging electrical equipment and damaged or uneven pavers Improved performance of the planters and tree wells Easier management and better health of trees along King Street Improved installation and maintenance of horticulture displays in planters.
The first part of this project is already complete. It took place fall 2022 between Water Street and Ontario Street. The final part takes place spring 2023 between College Street to Young Street.
This work will take place from March 17 to the end of May, as follows:
- King Street, the south side opposite Carl Zehr Square, College to Young (Area 3)
- King Street, north side Young to Ontario (Area 5)
- King Street, south side at 125 King St. W. (Area 2)
The work in Area 3 involves concrete work and may be subject to some weather delays if we have a particularly cold end to winter.
How you might be affected
- There will be no full street closures. We will sometimes need to close a lane for a short time to allow for the delivery of construction materials.
- We will close lanes intermittently as needed for short periods of time. As described in the image above, traffic control personnel will be present to direct traffic flow during those times.
- Parking may be affected during construction. Businesses along this part of King Street should tell delivery services about this work and the effect on parking and lane closures.
- Public access to businesses and residences will be maintained at all times. But temporary adjustments to the pedestrian routes will occur as the work progresses.
- Your garbage collection may be affected. In this case, take your garbage either across the street where work is not happening or to the nearest side street for collection.
- Patio installations for 2023 in the areas above will take place following the completion of construction.
- The current design of King Street will not change because of this work.
Business Training Resources
May 30, 2023
Preparing Ontario Workplaces: St. John Ambulance's OWNT program offers vital naloxone training and resources
St. John Ambulance’s Ontario Workplace Naloxone Training (OWNT) Program can provide businesses with information about their resources available to Ontario workplaces as the new Ontario legislation implementation date approaches.
As of June 1, 2023, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) will require that naloxone be available in some workplaces in case a worker has an opioid poisoning. Not all employers have to comply with the OHSA requirements to provide naloxone in the workplace. Employers must provide a naloxone kit when an employer becomes aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, of the following scenarios:
There is a risk of a worker opioid overdose. There is a risk that the worker overdoses while in a workplace where they perform work for the employer. The risk is posed by a worker who performs work for the employer.
If all of these scenarios are present, the employer must comply with the OHSA requirements to provide naloxone in the workplace. If any one of these scenarios are not present, an employer does not need to comply with the OHSA requirements to provide naloxone in the workplace.
A total of 3,556 apparent opioid poisoning deaths occurred in Canada in 2022 (January – June), and 98% of those deaths were accidental. Most accidental apparent opioid toxicity deaths were among individuals aged 20 to 59 years.
St. John Ambulance is a proud program provider for the Ontario Workplace Naloxone Program. Their role is to support employers that are required under the OHSA to provide a naloxone kit in their workplace by offering free workplace naloxone training for up to two (2) workers and/or one (1) free nasal spray naloxone kit per workplace location. For more information on SJA’s Ontario Workplace Naloxone Program, please visit: Ontario’s Workplace Naloxone Program | St. John Ambulance Canada (sja.ca)
For more information about the Ontario Legislation, please visit: Naloxone in the workplace | ontario.ca.
Safety & Security
Should you require support, please reference the attached Who to Call Card.
Waterloo Region Police Service
Statement from WRPS - April, 2020: The Waterloo Regional Police Service continues to provide essential service in the Kitchener Downtown. Increased presence by our Community Engagement Officers, Central CORE Team, Community Resource Officers and Zone Officers is ongoing and we are responding to concerns throughout the downtown. I would encourage business to include messages about closures to be temporary and check your business regularly. It is important to report any activity, property damage or other issues promptly so we can respond.
Please reach out to us via Slack, email or by phone if you have any questions or comments.
Statement from WRPS - March, 2020:
"The Waterloo Regional Police Service continues to offer essential service to the community.
We understand business owners may be feeling anxious at this time of uncertainty. We want to reassure you that it is business as usual for us and officers will remain on patrol throughout Waterloo Region responding to calls for service.
This is a time when our community needs to come together, to help each other, and to watch out for one another. We remind business owners and residents of this community to report any suspicious activity or individuals to police."
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
As COVID-19 continues to spread globally, watch out for associated scams. Fraudsters want to profit from consumers' fears, uncertainties and misinformation. Fraudsters are exploiting the crisis to facilitate fraud and cyber crime. Here are ways to protect your business.
Regional and Municipal Updates
Process
Should you have any questions regarding the information above, please contact Linda Jutzi.
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