Businesses band together with downtown event

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Businesses in Strathmore’s downtown core are hoping to attract more business and awareness, and provide patrons with special deals next weekend with the first 2018 Christmas Downtown.
The initiative includes 11 businesses from Second and Third Avenue that, on Nov. 16 and 17, will offer special deals and a chance to win a basket valued at $550 with items included from the participating businesses.
The idea is the brainchild of the owner of Strathmore’s oldest business, Strathmore’s Florist, which will be celebrating over four decades this month. The anniversary goes hand in hand with one of Strathmore’s newest businesses, The Rack on 3rd which is celebrating its first anniversary.
“Everybody is really excited about it and thought it was a good idea; this is our first one and we might be doing another one in the summer too,” said Marlene Risdon, owner of The Rack on 3rd.
“It’s just for awareness so that people know. We all still get people saying ‘I never come downtown’ and ‘I didn’t know anything was down here.’ So we’re just trying to get downtown awareness.”
2018 Christmas Downtown includes Strathmore’s Florist, Hob’s Hobbies, Standard One Stop Shoe Shop, Rocky’s Bakery, Hidden Secrets and Horsebitz on Second Avenue. Back to Good, The Rack on 3rd, the Red Carrot, Sole Discretion and Strathmore Jewellery will also be taking part on Third Avenue. Special deals will take place during regular store hours and the draw to win the communal basket will take place at 5 p.m. on Nov. 17.