AGM Wrap-Up, Holiday Window Decorating Contest Winners, Fork it! Let’s Get Take-Out
OBIA Annual General Meeting Wrap-Up
Thank you to everyone who attended the virtual OBIA Annual General Meeting (AGM) last Wednesday! It was wonderful to see so many of our members participating in the member social, sharing some laughs with one another, and providing us with feedback and new ideas. We could not do this job without you, and we sincerely appreciate your support. We would also like to thank our esteemed guests, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, MP Kyle Seeback, Mayor Sandy Brown, Members of Council and Town staff.
As part of the meeting, the 2022 Budget was presented and approved unanimously by the attending members. The OBIA levy remains steady with 0% increase for the 8th consecutive year. We also reviewed our 2021 initiatives and previewed our plans for 2022. If you were unable to attend the live presentation, you can access the presentation on our website or you can watch the presentation on YouTube We welcome your feedback and questions; you may send them anytime to ambassador@downtownorangeville.ca.

Those who registered early for the event received a Foodie Gift Bag containing goodies from Taphouse Craft Beer + Kitchen, Mochaberry Coffee, Le Finis, Son of A Chef Bakery, Wicked Shortbread, and Adamo Winery. Many thanks to Mike from the Taphouse for handing out the goodie bags for us and to each of the contributors – thank you, you made the evening even more enjoyable!
Valentine’s Day
What exciting products and services are you offering to your customers for Valentine’s Day this year?
Please let us know via email, share on the OBIA Member Facebook Page, or tag @downtownoville in your posts so that we can help spread the word!
Image: The Village Refillery


Holiday Window Decorating Contest Winners
It was a close race for our Holiday Window Decorating Contest this year, winners were announced last week at the AGM! In case you missed it, here they are!
Drumroll please….
First Place goes to Pear Home! Pear Home wins a FREE ¼ Page ad including graphic design in In the Hills magazine!
Second Place goes to Koros Games winning $200 in marketing bucks!
Third Place goes to - Suzanne Gardner Flowers winning $100 in marketing bucks!
Special thanks to our friends and partners, In the Hills Magazine and Green Monkey for contributing to the 1st Place prize!
Fork it! Let’s Get Take-Out
Last week, we launched Fork it! Let’s Get Take-Out – a campaign to help support our restaurant & food service members. Along with weekly social media contests, we’re challenging everyone to send in a photo of their take-out meal for a chance to win $100 Downtown Dollars! And yes, BIA members are eligible to enter the contest so show some love to your favourite restaurants and send in your photos! Check out the full contest details here: https://downtownorangeville.ca/fork-it/

Update on Provincial COVID-19 Public Health Measures
On January 31, 2022, Ontario moved into its first step of its most recent reopening plan. Effective January 31, 2022:
- Businesses will no longer have to collect patron information for contact tracing. Businesses will still be required to actively screen patrons prior to entry into the establishment.
- Ontarians will no longer be legally required to work from home. Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health recommends individuals who are able to work from home continue to do so
- Previous restrictions on hours of operations or on the sale/service of liquor have been lifted for restaurants, bars, meetings and event spaces, strip clubs, casinos, bingo halls, gaming establishments, and other applicable businesses
- Physical distancing is not required where proof of vaccination is required
- Food and drink services will be permitted at indoor sporting events, concert venues, theatres and cinemas, bingo halls and other gaming establishments, and horse racing tracks, car racing tracks, and other similar venues, as long as individuals remain seated.
Please view the full list of regulations here.
Please note that out-of-province visitors who are entering businesses that require proof of vaccination, may show vaccine receipts/certificates from their home country or province/state, along with their passport, as proof to enter. The Verify Ontario app can also scan QR codes from select jurisdictions outside of Canada.
Helpful articles from Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
- 10 strategies to protect essential workers from Omicron – Omicron is different from Delta. Customize your existing controls and prevent Omicron from spreading with these strategies
- Tips to keep yourself safe from Omicron - Protecting ourselves and our family members is everyone’s top priority right now. Here’s what to do at home and in the community to stay safe.
- A conversation with Ontario’s Chief Prevention Officer - Dr. Joel Moody is tasked with implementing Ontario’s new 5-year health and safety strategy. Find out what’s in the strategy and how it came about.