Thunder Bay businesses seek tips at conference

Delegates representing almost 100 Business Improvement Areas throughout the province are meeting in Thunder Bay over the next few days.

It's the first time the Ontario BIA Association is holding its annual conference in northern Ontario.

'[There's] a lot of misconception of what's up here, especially for the southern Ontario folks.' —John Kiru, Ontario Business Improvement Area Association

John Kiru, the association president, said city's dual downtown cores present an excellent opportunity for business development.

"Ultimately I think you can visit two distinct neighbourhoods while you're in Thunder Bay," he said. "You know there's always something to do, something different, so I think it's a strength.  If it's played properly, both areas could benefit."

Later on Monday, Kiru was expected to talk to conference delegates about the survival of Main Street businesses in the face of big box stores and online shopping.

Kiru said Thunder Bay has a lot to offer, including a "lot of compliments.  [There’s] a lot of misconception of what's up here, especially for the southern Ontario folks."

Local conference delegates are eager to dispel that misconception of Thunder Bay as wilderness — and show off the city’s business cores. They also want to learn from their counterparts' experiences.           

"Something we're looking to learn is filling vacant space," said Natalie O'Doherty, who represents the Waterfront Business District. "So you have ... an optimal mix of businesses in the area."

She said, in addition to filling business space vacancies, the Waterfront District BIA hopes to talk to businesses from other cities at the conference about how they successfully took advantage of their waterfronts.

O'Doherty added that, as a contender for Thunder Bay's multiplex, the Waterfront District BIA also hopes to learn from other Ontario BIA's, such as those in London and Guelph, where multi-event centres have been built.

Jack Moro, a representative with Thunder Bay’s Westfort Village Association, said he hopes to get some ideas on dealing with property challenges.

"It's hard to develop business on small lots," he said.

"We're hampered by the fact that we have an area that is fixed.  We can't expand it easily ... and all those little lots are small.  They're not the normal-size lots of Thunder Bay now. They're 26 feet wide [to] 30 feet wide.  It's hard to develop businesses on small lots."

The long-time owner of JB Evans Fashions and Footwear in Westfort said the area needs to attract a variety of new businesses that will draw people in.  Right now, it is largely retail, and Moro said he’d like to attract more restaurants and nightlife. 

The Ontario BIA Association conference wraps up on Wednesday.