Downtown Winnipeg Biz Archives

Portage Avenue Busk Off Postponed

June 7, 2013 10:17 AM in Entertainment • 0 Comments

A busker performs at The Forks (TED GRANT / CHRISD.CA FILE)

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ has postponed the Portage Avenue Spring Busk Off again due to rain.

The Busk Off was originally supposed to happen May 31, but was postponed to June 7 thanks to rain. Unfortunately, it rained again June 7, pushing the Busk Off to June 14.

The Busk Off will happen from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. where artisans and musicians will compete for cash prizes.

Walk-ups must register with BIZ staff stationed at kiosks on the sidewalk or they can sign up in advance by contacting events@downtownwinnipegbiz.com or call (204) 958-4640.

– Staff

Downtown Biz Summer Events in Full Swing

June 5, 2013 07:29 AM in Entertainment • 0 Comments

Downtown will be sizzling soon as the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ turns up the heat on an array of summer events.

The BIZ is planning yoga, zumba, and summer concerts to give people a reason to visit the heart of our city more often.

The BIZ’s free Out to Lunch summer concert series kicks off today at noon and continues every Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. until August 7 at Air Canada Park (355 Portage Avenue).

‘Busk Off’ to Find Best in Local Street Entertainment

May 29, 2013 07:28 AM in Entertainment • 0 Comments

Downtown buskers will bust out their entertainment on Friday as part of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ’s annual Spring Busk Off.

Artisans and musicians will compete for cash prizes outside of Portage Place Shopping Centre from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public can vote on which busker they prefer by visiting one of the BIZ kiosks along Portage Avenue.

“Last year’s Spring Busk Off saw a diverse and entertaining roster of break dancers, painters, jugglers, and rappers — all invigorating downtown from the street level,” said Stefano Grande, executive director of the Downtown BIZ.

Downtown BIZ, MEC Partner Up For Patrols

May 6, 2013 11:13 AM in News • 0 Comments

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ and Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) have sprung the kickstand on a new partnership.

MEC will help the BIZ’s existing Downtown Watch Bike Patrol program with discounts on bikes, helmets, cycling shoes, lights, locks and free labour on tune-ups.

Downtown BIZ to Kick Off New Anti-Litter Campaign

May 3, 2013 09:08 AM in News • 0 Comments

Downtown Winnipeg BIZ The city’s top executives will roll up their dress sleeves today to clean up downtown.

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is also announcing a new anti-litter campaign in honour of National Earth Day.

“We want the corporate community to come out and clean up the downtown,” said Downtown BIZ executive director Stefano Grande. “This is a great way to connect business people with our Metro Enviro-Team so they can see firsthand the important work they do, and how valuable it is to have a downtown that is spotless, clean and inviting.”

About 300 business and community members are taking part in today’s clean-up, which will begin at Thunderbird House (715 Main Street) from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and then Millennium Library Park from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

‘Let’s Do Lunch,’ Downtown BIZ Says

May 1, 2013 08:20 AM in Entertainment • 0 Comments

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is undertaking an initiative to get more people to the city’s core.

Through the annual Let’s Do Lunch Downtown event, the BIZ will highlights the booming restaurant industry downtown from May 6-31.

Office workers and Winnipeggers will get a chance to try some of downtown’s top restaurants and see firsthand how restaurants are adding to a bustling and vibrant city centre.

“Business owners are investing in our restaurant industry because they understand that with more than 70,000 office workers, 16,000 residents, and over 35,000 students — there’s an undeniable market,” said Stefano Grande, executive director of the Downtown BIZ. “We encourage people to come downtown and to discover the many one-of-kind restaurant destinations located right here at the heart of our city.”

BIZ Invests in Fighting City Homelessness

April 22, 2013 08:30 AM in News • 0 Comments

Floyd Perras of Siloam Mission, Shanine, Graffiti Art Programming Inc. participant, Bob Veruela, Graffiti Art Programming Inc., Ivan Holloway of the Downtown BIZ, and Beverly Roberts of Red Road Lodge during a news conference on Monday, April 21, 2013. (HANDOUT)

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ awarded more than $100,000 to three downtown area organizations on Monday to combat homelessness.

Through its Change for the Better program, the BIZ announced funding for the Graffiti Art Programming Inc. ($15,990), Siloam Mission ($50,000), and Red Road Lodge ($39,200).

“Business is beginning to realize that homelessness is a community problem — it affects everyone, and everyone pays for it,” said Stefano Grande, executive director of the Downtown BIZ. “This financial support represents a larger commitment from the corporate community in creating employment opportunities for those who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless.”

What Does Downtown Need? BIZ Wants to Know

April 18, 2013 09:24 AM in News • 1 Comment

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ has launched an initiative to gauge ideas from the public on what downtown needs.

Downtown Living Room will encourage community members to learn more about their city centre, and discuss initiatives, developments, and opportunities downtown as part of its next three-year strategic plan.

“With so many positive developments and initiatives taking place, the Downtown Living Room aims to provide people with an outlet to express their ideas, suggestions, and vision for their downtown,” said Stefano Grande, Downtown BIZ executive director. “Change happens when people participate and take action.”

Downtown BIZ Installing New Banners in Chinatown

February 12, 2013 09:30 AM in News • 1 Comment

A worker installs a banner in Chinatown on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 to honour the Year of the Snake. (STAN MILOSEVIC / CHRISD.CA)

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ will raise 18 new banners in Chinatown today as part of their annual Chinatown Banner Competition.

Beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing throughout the day, the BIZ is installing the refreshed banners to welcome residents and visitors to this unique Winnipeg area. Seventeen new district banners will also be part of the installation.

“These newly added banners will help breathe new life into one of Winnipeg’s most diverse and unique areas — Chinatown,” said Stefano Grande, Downtown BIZ executive director. “Not only do they celebrate local artists, these banners create a welcoming atmosphere and help identify Chinatown’s boundaries for those coming to and from the heart of the city.”

RRC Graphic Design student Christel Nadeau had her winning Year of the Snake banner design selected from 48 entries. The banner will be officially unveiled at the Chinese New Year Banquet at Kum Koon Garden, 257 King Street, at 6:30 p.m. tonight. Nadeau will also receive a $500 honorarium.

– Staff

Downtown BIZ Welcoming NHL Back with Open Arms

January 18, 2013 09:01 AM in Entertainment • 0 Comments

Posted by Brian Schultz

Winnipeg Jets Logo Now that the hockey season is back — albeit a truncated one — the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is hoping area businesses start to feel the trickle effect of the NHL again.

With the first home game of the Winnipeg Jets’ 2013 season on Saturday, some of the 15,000 fans are expected to pack restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and skywalks around MTS Centre.

The Downtown BIZ is suggesting fans check out the new Metropolitan Theatre on Donald Street, which boasts a 35×26 foot video screen.

“We could not be more excited for the Jets’ return this year,” said Stefano Grande, executive director of the BIZ. “Fans help boost the downtown economy and add to the growing spirit of our city.”

Fans who make their way to MTS Centre throughout downtown skywalks on game days will be entertained by buskers, artists, and musicians from all genres.

More of the festivities in the downtown on game days can be found at DowntownPeggy.com.

Canada Post Unveils ‘Living Flag’ Stamp

January 14, 2013 09:05 AM in News • 0 Comments

Downtown Winnipeg BIZ executive director Stefano Grande and Premier Greg Selinger admire the newly-unveiled Living Flag postage stamp at the Manitoba legislature on Monday, January 14, 2013. (STAN MILOSEVIC / CHRISD.CA)

Thousands of Winnipeggers form a giant living flag on Canada Day, Sunday, July 1, 2012 at the Manitoba legislature. (RON GILFILLAN / DOWNTOWN WINNIPEG BIZ)

Canada Post unveiled a special postage stamp on Monday based on the Living Flag that was formed last year at the Manitoba legislature on Canada Day.

Premier Greg Selinger joined MP Steven Fletcher and Downtown Winnipeg BIZ executive director Stefano Grande for the unveil shortly before noon.

“This stamp series puts Canadian patriotism on display,” Fletcher said. “I am thrilled that my hometown of Winnipeg was chosen to be a part of this wonderful collection.”

(CANADA POST / HANDOUT)

In July, more than 3,000 people gathered in red and white T-shirts to form the Canadian maple leaf and pose for an aerial photograph. It was the second time the BIZ had held the event.

The piece is being released as part of Canada Post’s Canadian Pride series of definitive stamps, which includes the back of three Muskoka chairs facing a lake in early fall, a hay bale on the prairies also in the fall, the sail of a boat near Halifax in the summer, and blankets a winter fishing hut on a frozen lake in Scugog, Ontario.

Updated at 12:15 p.m.

Downtown BIZ Reflects on Top Achievements of 2012

December 19, 2012 03:03 PM in News • 0 Comments

Posted by Sarah Klein

The emptyful sculpture is located outside the Millennium Library in downtown Winnipeg (STAN MILOSEVIC / CHRISD.CA FILE)

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is celebrating some of its top achievements of the year as 2012 comes to a close.

The completion of the first phase of the city’s bus rapid transit system made the list, as did Millennium Library Park and numerous festivals.

“We can feel Winnipeg’s urban canvas taking shape, bringing us together, weaving more and more into the fabric of our everyday lives,” said Stefano Grande, executive director of the Downtown BIZ. “We know what works, we have a plan, we have all of the right tools, and our downtown can become as vibrant as we hope it to be. We need to work together.”

The BIZ also hailed plans for Winnipeg’s central entertainment district, the Sports, Hospitality and Entertainment District (SHED), its giant Canada Day Living Flag, growing downtown housing options, the $12.5-million transformation of a 100-year old historical building into the Avenue Building on Portage, Winnipeg Convention Centre expansion plans, the newly restored Metropolitan Theatre, and the BIZ’s successful outreach program to 10 permanent WPS cadets.

Tag Archives: Downtown Winnipeg Biz