Peterborough Downtown Holiday Shopping Passport Season Begins

You can now downtown with your seasonal Holiday Shopping Passport for your chance to win up to $3,000 Downtown Dollars. 

Starting Monday, November 9th, shop at nearly 150 downtown businesses with your Holiday Shopping Passport and get a stamp for every $10 you spend. When your passport is filled (20 stamps), complete the form and drop it off at a ballot box at one of the participating businesses. Each completed passport is a ballot for a draw to win downtown dollars.

“The Holiday Shopping Passports are always a favourite for our downtown shoppers,” says Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the Downtown Business Improvement Area. “It has been a difficult year for many people and many of our downtown businesses. The passports are a great way to reward people for shopping local this holiday season.”

Whitney Inacio, Mike Hall and Lindsay Barr show off the Downtown Dollars being given away to the winners of the Holiday Shopping Passport draws. (Photo courtesy DBIA)

Holiday Shopping Passport draws will be:

• December 2 — $500

• December 9 — $500

• December 16 — $500

• January 13 — $1,500

The DBIA and participating businesses are working to minimize physical contact with Holiday Shopping Passports. When getting your passport stamped, place it open on the counter of the business so that it can be stamped without being picked up by the business owner or employee.

Last year’s program saw shoppers stamp more than $2.3 million worth of local purchases on their Holiday Shopping Passports. 

In addition, a reminder that parking is free for two hours in downtown Peterborough from Black Friday (November 27th) through to the end of December, courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

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Support Downtown Businesses By Purchasing Gift Cards

Many downtown business owners are struggling badly right now and need the support of the community more than ever. 

One of the biggest challenges faced by local businesses is the expenses don’t stop when the lights are turned off and the door is locked. One thing people can do to support them is buy gift cards and certificates now and spend them later when they reopen. This allows the businesses to have some cashflow to help cover current expenses.

Lisa Dixon, Owner of Black Honey on Hunter Street West

With that in mind, The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area has launched a website supportdowntownptbo.ca where you can buy gift cards and certificates from downtown businesses. Gift cards and certificates will be mailed (or emailed if electronic) to shoppers.

Visit supportdowntownptbo.ca and support your favourite downtown businesses!

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New Free Trolley Service Launching Downtown This Summer

In a unique, innovative move, the Downtown Business Improvement Area has announced they are offering free trolley rides from downtown to Del Crary Park for Peterborough Musicfest concerts. The trolley will start June 30th and run through August 25th.

"We wanted to support Musicfest in a way that also helps our downtown," says DBIA Executive Director Terry Guiel. "The San Francisco-style trolley car really takes people back in time and that is the charm we wanted to capture."

Photo of trolley courtesy DBIA

The Trolley is owned and operated by Michael Bryant of Dromoland out of Little Britain. Michael will bring in a trolley load of visitors with him from Kawartha Lakes each concert night and take them home after. The trolley will be driven by Peterborough's own transit drivers from Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1320.

Photo of trolley courtesy DBIA

According to local historian Elwood Jones, the real trolleys used to run downtown between 1904 and 1928, with a much earlier version in the 1890s. The trolley that will be used for these events is a converted bus made to look like a trolley.

Photo of trolley courtesy DBIA

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SERVICE

-> All stops will occur on the right side of George Street.
-> Trolley pickups will begin at Confederation Square (across from City Hall) and continue at the intersections with Brock, Hunter, Simcoe, Charlotte and King from 6 pm to 10 pm.
-> The trolley will finish at Del Crary Park, where it will swing around and loop back to City Hall.
-> The trolley is accessible and can hold 30 people seated and 15 standing. (Priority use of the trolley will be given to those with mobility issues, seniors and expectant mothers or parents with young children.)
-> The DBIA expects the demand for this free trolley will exceed its capacity (especially right after the concerts end) and ask that everyone appreciate that they may not be able to give everyone a free ride.
-> The trolley is not intended as a substitute for Peterborough Transit.

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Look At This Awesome "Wanted: Boyfriend" Poster In Downtown Peterborough

Ryan Lalonde spotted this gem on a signboard in downtown Peterborough. Too funny.

(A love of bacon appears to be an important prerequisite.)

So yea, you just never know what you're going to spot on Peterborough signboards.

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Tom's Surprise Rooftop Wedding Proposal To Tori In Downtown Peterborough

Tori thought it was just going to be a fun photo shoot in downtown Peterborough with her boyfriend Tom. But Tom—and photographer/co-conspirator Chance Faulkner—had other plans.

Market Hall clock tower makes for a beauty backdrop...

It's time for the proposal!

For more pictures of the wedding proposal and photo shoot, go to chancefaulknerphotography.com.

***Related: Chance Faulkner is the photographer behind the amazing People of Peterborough photo series.

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Annual Downtown Easter Egg Hunt April 5th

Photo via downtownptbo.ca

Celebrate Easter downtown at the annual Downtown Peterborough Easter Egg Hunt hosted by The Nutty Chocolatier on April 5.

The egg hunt starts a noon in the outdoor courtyard of Peterborough Square at the corner of Water and Charlotte streets. This is a FREE event open for children ages 3 to 7 years old. All kids will receive a goody bag.

Adding to the egg hunt will be an Easter Bonnet Contest with prizes for the Best Spring Bonnet and Best Sports-themed Hat.

***Bring your camera and get a photo of your child with the Easter Bunny—and to get a selfie with him!!

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Antoinette Bridal Boutique Opening In Downtown Peterborough

On the heels of Community Butcher Shop opening on George St. comes more exciting news for downtown Peterborough. Antoinette Bridal Boutique is opening on March 2nd at 367 George St. N.!  Awesome.

Photo via DBIA Facebook Page

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Chief Rodd Reaffirms Commitment To Police Downtown

At a media conference in the heart of the downtown at the corner of George and Hunter Streets Thursday (December 18th), Peterborough Police Chief Rodd reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to policing the downtown.

“The holiday season is an incredibly busy time of year in the downtown core. We wanted to pause to remind the community that we serve that our dedication to our downtown is unwavering,” says Rodd.

Statistically, the downtown core—known as Area 1—has less crime and calls for service during the day than other areas of the City. “But the perception is different than the reality,” says Chief Rodd.

In the New Year, the Peterborough Police Service is launching a 30 day pilot project that will see an increased police presence in the downtown. Officers will be on foot patrol conducting regular duties and speaking with the community, merchants and property owners to take a pulse of the downtown. “We are proud of the Service that we provide and want to build on that,” says Chief Rodd. “It’s not just about being visible. It’s about building relationships.”

The information gathered during the pilot project will be analyzed to determine next steps regarding policing of the downtown.

“Downtown business owners, workers and customers will be happy to hear Peterborough Police Service reaffirmed its commitment to foot patrols in the downtown," says Downtown Business Improvement Area Executive Director Terry Guiel. “Downtown is the busiest area of the city. We’re looking forward to seeing increased police visibility in the downtown and more conversations between police and the people who spend time in the heart of our city.”

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