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On The Horizon

Downtown Duncan BIA Newsletter

November 27th, 2024. 

There are plenty of events and activities "On The Horizon" Check out the articles below for up-to-date info about what the DDBIA currently has in the works.

In this issue:



Silver Bells Event Update

Due to inclement weather, we made the tough decision to cancel this year’s Christmas Kick-Off. However, we’re excited to announce Silver Bells, a reimagined holiday event happening on December 5th alongside Sip & Shop! Visitors can enjoy extended shopping hours, festive treats, live music by Tropic Mayhem, fireworks, and more. While scaled back from past events, Silver Bells offers a magical blend of family-friendly fun and grown-up holiday cheer. Curious about the full story and what’s in store? click the .pdf below to read more.





Station Street Common Update

Between now and January 2, 2025, there will be NO street or sidewalk closures in the heart of downtown Duncan. Construction begins on Station Street Common as planned on November 25th, but your downtown experience will remain uninterrupted through the holiday season. What to Know for January 2025:


  • The sidewalk around Station Street Common (Craig & Station Streets) will be closed for the duration of construction starting January 2, 2025.

  • Craig Street (Station to Kenneth) will have a two-day closure for hydro work – January 13-14, 2025.

  • A portion of Station Street between Canada and Craig will be single alternating traffic. Traffic Control will be on site – from January 6-9, 2025.

 



Voting is open for the Christmas Window Decorating Contest!

Our annual Christmas Window Decorating Contest is back, and voting is in full swing! This year’s contest offers two BIG prizes (Voters Choice and BOD Choice).  Themes are:


  • The Christmas Sweater

  • West Coast Christmas


Voting is done online, and all participating businesses receive a special window poster with a QR code for easy voting access (contact us if you don’t have yours yet). Get creative and join in the festive fun!  And the best part?– we are running social media campaigns to promote your gorgeous windows and business!






Sip and Shop on December 5 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm

Mark your calendars for the second annual holiday Sip and Shop on Thursday, December 5, from 6–9 pm! This festive event is a great opportunity for members to showcase their products, draw in holiday shoppers, and boost seasonal sales — all in a relaxed, fun atmosphere.


We encourage you to sign up to participate and make the most of this festive shopping night! Don’t miss out on this chance to connect with the community, spread some holiday cheer, and make it a successful night for your business.





Let’s make this Sip and Shop a memorable night for everyone. We hope you’ll join us in bringing the holiday spirit downtown!

The organizers of Sip & Shop are organizing a Sip & Shop Giveaway to add extra cheer to the event. If you’d like to participate, consider donating a gift card or item from your store.


Suggested value: $50–$100. Your contribution will highlight your store while drawing attention to all that downtown Duncan has to offer!


By participating, you'll not only support this festive event but also enjoy additional promotion through our event marketing. 


Interested in donating? Let us know by November 25. Email us at ddbia@downtownduncan.ca or call the office at 250-715-1700.



Securing Small Business Rebate

There has been an increase in mischief and window-smashing activity again this late fall (the same pattern we witnessed last winter).  How can you respond? 


The first is to REPORT to the RCMP.  While these events are generally after the fact, it is paramount to report to the RCMP using their online portal here. Or, call our local non-emergency line here in Duncan at 250.748.5522. 


If we don’t have statistics to measure this type of crime in our downtown, it makes it very difficult to direct attention (policing) to our downtown. 


If you have suffered a window break-in then please use the Securing Small Business Rebate program – The application process is simple to apply for either a $2,000 grant to repair damage done or a $1,000 grant to prevent damage (installation of cameras, or more secure window and or door elements).  It is a GRANT – not a matching fund.  Here is the direct link to both here.


 Future Events

  • Silver Bells – It’s Christmas Time in the City [Square]

    December 5 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

  • Sip and Shop – December 5 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

  • Member Social – December 12 location Expedia Cruises

  • Christmas Contest Window Themes (two BIG PRIZES this year):  The Christmas Sweater AND / OR West Coast Christmas awarded on December 20th.  Voting begins TODAY and winners announced December 16th. 



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In this issue:



CHRISTMAS KICK OFF IS CANCELLED TONIGHT

Due to weather issues and safety concerns.  In its lieu – we present to you “Silver Bells – It’s Christmas Time in the City [Square]! 


Date: December 5th

Time: 6 pm - 8 pm

Location: City Square, Downtown Duncan

What to expect: Sip & Shop events, Fireworks, Live Music, Roasted Chestnut


Stay tuned for more details as we pivot in our planning and organizing of this reimagined event.


Station Street Common Update

There are no STREET OR SIDEWALK CLOSURES between now and January 2, 2025 in the heart of downtown Duncan! Construction begins on November 25th as planned – but again – there will be no street or sidewalk closures between now and January 2, 2025.  There will be more notices coming to all of us as we get closer to January.  


Starting in January – the sidewalk on Craig Street and Station Street that surrounds Station Street Common will be CLOSED for the duration of the construction as the sidewalk is being incorporated into the new design.  To put that another way – the sidewalk from the corner of the old Monks building (now the new HATS building) right up and around the corner to the OLD HATS building (now the NEW Laine Vintage) will be closed for the duration of the construction.  Additionally – Craig Street will be closed for a two-day period in January (from Station to Kenneth) to run a new hydro line to the Common.  And finally – a small portion of Station Street (from Craig to the crosswalk by Island Bagel and Bannock – will become a single lane alternating route for four days. 

 

Quick Summary


November and December, 2024

  • Construction begins November 25th as planned.

  • No street or sidewalk closures in November or December. 


January, 2025

  • The sidewalk on Craig Street and Station Street that surrounds Station Street Common will be CLOSED for the duration of the construction beginning January 2nd, 2025.

  • Craig Street will be closed for a two-day period in January (from Station to Kenneth) – dates pending.

  • A small portion of Station Street (from Craig to the crosswalk by Island Bagel and Bannock) will become a single-lane alternating route for four days in January – dates pending. 

 



Get Ready for the Christmas Window Decorating Contest!

Our annual Christmas Window Decorating Contest is back, kicking off on November 22.


This year’s contest offers two BIG prizes (Voters Choice and BOD Choice).  Themes are:

  • The Christmas Sweater

  • West Coast Christmas


Voting will be done online, and all participating businesses will receive a special window poster with a QR code for easy voting access. Get creative and join in the festive fun!  And the best part – we will be running several social media campaigns to promote your gorgeous windows and your business! If you plan to participate, please let us know so we can make sure you get a poster for your window and are added to the list of participating businesses. Pre-register now by contacting us via email, or hit the button below to fill out the opt-in form!






Sip and Shop on December 5 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm

Mark your calendars for the second annual holiday Sip and Shop on Thursday, December 5, from 6–9 pm! This festive event is a great opportunity for members to showcase their products, draw in holiday shoppers, and boost seasonal sales in a relaxed, fun atmosphere.


We encourage you to sign up to participate and make the most of this festive shopping night! Don’t miss out on this chance to connect with the community, spread some holiday cheer, and make it a successful night for your business.





Let’s make this Sip and Shop a memorable night for everyone. We hope you’ll join us in bringing the holiday spirit downtown!

The organizers of Sip & Shop are organizing a Sip & Shop Giveaway to add extra cheer to the event. If you’d like to participate, consider donating a gift card or item from your store.


Suggested value: $50–$100. Your contribution will highlight your store while drawing attention to all that downtown Duncan has to offer!


By participating, you'll not only support this festive event but also enjoy additional promotion through our event marketing. 


Interested in donating? Let us know by November 25. Simply email us at ddbia@downtownduncan.ca or call the office at 250-715-1700.



Securing Small Business Rebate

There has been an increase in mischief and window-smashing activity again this late fall (the same pattern we witnessed last winter).  How can you respond? 


The first is to REPORT to the RCMP.  While these events are generally after the fact, it is paramount to report to the RCMP using their online portal here. Or, call our local non-emergency line here in Duncan at 250.748.5522. 


If we don’t have statistics to measure this type of crime in our downtown, it makes it very difficult to direct attention (policing) to our downtown. 


If you have suffered a window break-in then please use the Securing Small Business Rebate program – it takes literally 8 minutes to apply for either a $2,000 grant to repair damage done or a $1,000 grant to prevent damage (installation of cameras, or more secure window and or door elements).  It is a GRANT – not a matching fund.  Here is the direct link to both here.



 Future Events

  • Silver Bells – It’s Christmas Time in the City [Square] – December 5 

from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

  • Sip and Shop – December 5 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

  • Member Social – December 12 location Expedia Cruises

  • Christmas Contest Window Themes (two BIG PRIZES this year):  The Christmas Sweater AND / OR West Coast Christmas awarded on December 20th.  Voting begins TODAY and winners are announced on December 16th. 



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In this issue:



Station Street Common Update – shovels in the ground in 26 days!

 Construction begins on Monday, November 25th.  As the traffic and equipment management plan is rolled out – we will keep you informed! 

 

A big SALE on Station Street Common planters and pots

 As soon as Christmas Kick-Off is tucked away for another year, construction on Station Street Common begins Monday, November 25th.  We have items in the park that are “ours” (the DDBIA has invested some significant dollars in that Park over the years) so the Board has provided us with direction on how to “give back” to our members (as all DDBIA owned items will need to be removed from the Park).

 

  • 11 cedar planter boxes (each $25 / comes with whatever plants are in them) See Item #1

  • 3 square cedar planter boxes (each $25 / comes with whatever plants are in them) See Item #2

  • 2 round planter pots (glazed ceramic / comes with whatever plants are in them - $30 each). See Items #3 and #4

  • 1 metal arbour ($100) See item #5

  • 1 round concrete pot (comes with whatever plant is in it - $30). See item #6

 

Please email us here ddbia@downtownduncan.ca and reserve your choice (first come, first served). See the pictures below and give us the number.   Please e-transfer the money to us at ddbia@downtownduncan.ca.  All items are final sale and MUST BE REMOVED BY November 17th.   




Get Ready for the Annual DDBIA Christmas Kick-Off Event!  NEW TIMES

Join us on Friday, November 22nd, for an evening full of holiday cheer and festive fun. With live entertainment, food trucks, and a visit from Santa, this year’s celebration promises to be unforgettable!


Event Details:

  • Start Time: 5:00 PM

  • Santa's Schedule: Arrives at 5:30 PM, departs at 8:30 PM

  • Event End Time: 9:00 PM


Street Closures:

  • Craig Street: From Station to Ingram

  • Kenneth Street: From approximately Fabrications to the Nha Trang parking lot (all Kenneth Street parking lots will remain open)

  • City Square: Including Lois Lane (from the corner of Belongings)

  • Station Street: Will remain open due to construction in Station Street Common


Highlights:

  • Fireworks at 8:45 PM in City Square

  • Enjoy roasted chestnuts, carolers, a dance stage, and a warming tent for the whole family!


Help Make the Christmas Kick-Off Event a Success!

We need your support to bring the magic to life. Whether you can volunteer for an hour or the whole evening, your help is invaluable—especially at the start and end of the night. If you’re interested in volunteering, please reach out and be a part of this festive community event!  Call Gill at 250.715.1700 or email us at ddbia@downtownduncan.ca .


Get Ready for the Christmas Window Decorating Contest!

Our annual Christmas Window Decorating Contest is back, kicking off on November 22 at the Christmas Kick-Off event—and voting opens same day!

This year’s contest offers two BIG prizes (Voters Choice and BOD Choice).  Themes are:

  • The Christmas Sweater

  • West Coast Christmas


Voting will be done online, and all participating businesses will receive a special window poster with a QR code for easy voting access. Get creative and join in the festive fun!  And the best part – we will be running several social media campaigns to promote your gorgeous windows and your business! If you plan to participate, please let us know so we can make sure you get a poster for your window and are added to the list of participating businesses. Pre-register now by contacting us via email, or hit the button below to fill out the opt in form!






Commercial Space Available for Lease!

Looking for the perfect spot to grow your business in downtown Duncan? A prime corner unit at 157 Trunk Road is now available for lease! Located in the well-known services building at the corner of Trunk Road and Brae Road—home to reputable tenants like Hearing Life, Diamond Eyecare, and Alert First-Aid—this 979 sq ft unit is ideal for retail, office, or service-based businesses.  To learn more and see photos, visit Fort Properties' website. Don’t miss this opportunity to secure a fantastic location for your business!



Sip and Shop on December 5 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm

PlentiFill and the DDBIA have joined forces once again to bring you "Sip and Shop", in an effort to bring shoppers downtown for an evening of extended shopping hours and libations! In years past we have been blessed with the participation of over 20 businesses - making this event a well-rounded (and attended) activity. We are still in the planning phase of this event, and at this point, we would like to formally extend an invitation to members to join in the fun by opting in! The event is slated to take place on December 5th. If you are interested in participating or have any questions about the event - get in touch with us by responding to this email directly, or clicking the opt-in/out button below. Let's get those jingle bells - and cash registers ringing!





 Future Events

  • Sip and Shop – December 5 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

  • Member Social – December 12 location TBD

  • DFM and downtown NIGHT MARKET – November 21st

  • Christmas Kick-Off – November 22nd

  • Christmas Contest Window Themes (two BIG PRIZES this year):  The Christmas Sweater AND / OR West Coast Christmas awarded on December 20th. 






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