Dear Riverside BIA Members,
For the week of May 10, here is the latest to help keep the Riverside BIA community informed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous editions of Riverside BIA COVID-19 E-news here.
Today’s Topics:
- Province Extends State of Emergency Until June 2
- Commercial Rent Relief Program Update
- City of Toronto Launches: ShopHere & Reminder of CurbTO
- Re-Opening Support: Free Riverside BIA Kits, PPE Suppliers List
- FREE Business Coaching for Riverside BIA Members & More
- Featured Specials from Riverside Businesses
PROVINCE EXTENDS STATE OF EMERGENCY UNTIL JUNE 2
The Province of Ontario has extended the Declaration of Emergency until June 2, with further extension possible. Read the full announcement here.
A reminder the list of Essential Workplaces and how they can operate is here and call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line if you have questions: 1-888-444-3659.
COMMERCIAL RENT RELIEF UPDATE
When the Federal Government announced the Canada Emergency Commercial Relief Abatement (CECRA) program they said it would be launched in mid-May. We have heard that the launch may be delayed and there is increasing concern from tenants and landlords about the announced parameters and uncertainties around the program.
Our Councillor Paula Fletcher and MPP Peter Tabuns have been advocating for improvements to the program ahead of its launch – click here to see their media release and the recent survey results. Here are some templates you can use to make your voice heard.
CITY OF TORONTO LAUNCHES SHOP HERE & REMINDER OF CURBTO
ShopHERE has been launched to help Toronto businesses and artists build and promote their own Shopify online store for free. The City program brings together over 100 volunteer web developers, business students and corporate partners to provide one-on-one support with set-up, optimizing and marketing their online stores. Sign up: digitalmainstreet.ca/shophere
A reminder that to the CurbTO program is available to help businesses, services, and community agencies that are open support physical distancing outside and inside their buildings while also accommodating increased demand for delivery and pickup services, the City is offering two programs: Temporary Parking Pick-up Zones and Curb Lane Pedestrian Zones. Request a temporary parking pick-up zone and/or a curb lane pedestrian zone for your business: Request Form HereRE-OPENING SUPPORT: FREE RIVERSIDE BIA KITS, PPE SUPPLIERS LIST
Riverside BIA is putting together a free package of re-opening supplies for all our members including samples/preliminary supplies (gloves, masks, sanitizer pump, cleaning supplies, health & safety signage), a list of PPE & other equipment suppliers, and health & safety consulting services.
In the meantime, please find our growing resource page here with listings of locals suppliers of a variety of these products and services, including free health & safety resources.
A reminder that if your businesses open status changes, please let us know (office@riverside-to.com, 416-466-8167) and we will update your information on the Riverside BIA COVID-19 Directory and provide updated window signs if needed!
WEEKLY RIVERSIDE BIA ZOOM DROP IN: PREPARING FOR RE-OPENING
A reminder of our weekly Zoom drop-in for Riverside BIA members. The focus this Week is on preparing businesses for re-opening and we will have an expert from Workplace Safety & Prevention Services on the call (their website: https://www.wsps.ca/Home ) to provide an introduction and discuss your questions.
Jennifer from the BIA office will also provide more info and a sneak preview of the Riverside BIA Member Kit that the BIA office is putting together for all members to assist with re-opening.
FREE BUSINESS COACHING FOR RIVERSIDE BIA MEMBERS & MORE:
- Free Business Coaching and Consulting – Valued at $5,000: A local resident in Riverside, Grace Churchill MBA, PCC, is a 15+year, seasoned entrepreneurial coach and is offering a free coaching program to 25 small business owners in the Riverside, Leslieville and Beaches neighbourhoods. She is also a doctoral student, doing research on what she’s calling “the living casualties of COVID-19 – small businesses” and interested in studying the impact the pandemic has on small businesses and their owners from the time of impact to a future state of recovery. In exchange for her coaching services, she would be interested in conducting a series of short interviews with each business owner for her doctoral research. Interested BIA members can contact Grace directly at grace@gracechurchill.com to set up an introductory call.
- More free resources on the Riverside BIA website right here
FEATURED RIVERSIDE BUSINESS SPECIALS
Token Toronto is re-opening for curbside pick up on Fri and Sat, click for details:
Queen Garden Centre is now open for the season for curbside and delivery. Click for details:
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