LETTER FROM THE BIA PRESIDENT - Downtown New West
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2020 ANNUAL REPORT Printed on Forest Free Sugar Sheet paper February 2021, New Westminster
The Downtown New West BIA was first established in late 1989. A not-for-profit
society governed by a volunteer board of directors comprised of local business and
property owners, they are funded by a levy on commercial properties within the
society’s boundaries.
For three decades the organization has supported businesses, promoted the area and grown
Downtown New West into the vibrant community it is today. It is the 600 plus members, the
faces behind the businesses, that continue to inspire and fuel the journey.
LETTER FROM THE BIA PRESIDENT
What a year we have had with the The team at the BIA has done amazingly well
pandemic. Last year, at this time, to support the business community during
these hard times. They have come up with
I was so sure that it wasn’t going to
creative ideas to engage the community and
be as hard as it was, but I was keep people coming into Downtown New
completely wrong. The past year was Westminster, initiatives like the
the hardest I have ever had in my #togethernewwest campaign, Quest New
career and there were days in the West and Shine Bright Downtown. My kudos foremost because if you don’t, you won’t be
beginning that I wasn’t sure that I to Kendra, Angie, Christina and the rest of able to help your business, your family and
the team for persevering and doing everything your team. Healthy meals, walks, learning to
would make it, let alone my business.
possible to help the BIA membership. paint, adult colouring books, reading and just
selfcare time has been my salvation especially
We have all had to adjust the way we do The toll the past year has taken on each of us when I was home with COVID. It is okay not
business especially with the changing Public physically, emotionally, and mentally is one to be okay.
Health orders. Some of us have fared better that will be there for a long, long time after the
than others overall and some of us haven’t pandemic is gone. I was reading a post from a Please know that you are not alone and we at
fared well at all. We have seen businesses come good friend of mine who is a marketing guru the BIA are here to help. I am always available
together to help each other out and support and he commented on the fact that you should for a chat with you even if it isn’t about
one another. We have a huge support for local take care of yourself first. He mentioned the business, and the team can help connect you
businesses from the New Westminster analogy that when you are on the plane, they with resources and support. Everyone at the
community. We have seen leaders step up, roll tell you to put on your oxygen mask first in the BIA is rooting for you, and we wish you all
up their sleeves and do what needs to be done event of an emergency then help those around the best for a new year ahead.
to ensure that we all get through this as best you. This struck me as being so true. I strongly Karima Jivraj
President, Board of Directors
as we can. urge you to take care of yourself first and
www.downtownnewwest.ca 2
2020 TEAM THE PANDEMIC HITS DOWNTOWN NEW WEST
I’ll never forget the last time I felt
carefree in public. It was Friday,
March 13th and I met up with a
couple of friends for after work
drinks. We had obviously heard
about COVID19 and we knew we
weren’t supposed to get too close
or to hug. So, we sat in a larger
booth, enjoying appetizers and
to adapt to new public safety protocols.
wine, laughing, gossiping, and
Offices sent their staff to work from home.
sharing the recent news of our Restaurants closed or moved to takeout
BIA Board of Directors:
PRESIDENT:
work and families. It is forever only. Services and Retail pivoted to online
Karima Jivraj burned into my brain as the last shopping or curbside pickup. The streets of
Bosley's by Pet Value Downtown New West became a ghost town,
time I wasn’t worried about
1st VICE PRESIDENT
seemingly overnight.
COVID19. We had no idea what
Alice Cavanagh
River Market was coming. The BIA team started working from home
too on March 16th and we spent that first
2nd VICE PRESIDENT
Brian Hughes
week tracking and promoting Downtown
Gamedeals Video Games businesses who had closed, moved online or
changed their business models in an effort to
SECRETARY
keep us all safe. But the consequent weeks feel
Dale Darychuk
Darychuk Law
very blurry now, with only a few things really
standing out. I remember counting down to
TREASURER
daily Dr. Henry briefings and cheering for
Anita Dunn
Mila & Paige
healthcare workers at 7pm each night. What
I remember most however is the incredible
Wes Everaars sense of community and amazing acts of
Lookout Housing & Health Society kindness I witnessed, so many people helping
Aman Grewal each other in big and small ways every day.
Longevity Compounding Pharmacy
Jennifer McCreath
And that inspired our whole team to keep
At the beginning of March, the Downtown moving forward. At the BIA, some events and
Kelly O'Bryans & Carlos O'Bryans New West BIA celebrated its 30th programs were simply cancelled, while others
Eric Moolin Anniversary. Our team hosted a big party we were able to reimagine in safe and creative
CL Simplex with more than a hundred people mingling at ways. We continue to work hard every day in
David Sarraf Champagne Taste Home, enjoying Columbia support of Downtown New West businesses.
Property owner Street Sandwich Co. catering and Steel & For me, I kept my head down and tried to
Oak offerings at the bar. It was a fabulous focus on my small part. Once in a while I’d
Janice Wright
evening and what I thought was a terrific look up and over time I would grasp little by
Champagne Taste Home
start to what was supposed to be another little just how big this thing is.
Mary Trentadue banner year for the BIA. On March 11th we
City Council Representative held our first meeting of the new Board of Like everyone, I long for the day when I can
Directors where a very brief conversation meet my friends for after work drinks again
BIA Employees: about possible COVID19 impacts took place. and feel carefree. When that day comes the
Kendra Johnston Again, we had no idea what was coming. first round is on me.
Executive Director
Angie Whitfield About a week later a third of our businesses Kendra Johnston, Executive Director,
Programs & Events Manager had closed, and so many others scrambled Downtown New West BIA
Christina Florian
Digital Marketing Coordinator
Melinda Michael
Bookkeeper
Summer Student Team:
Sam Sommerfeld
Ava Creasy
www.downtownnewwest.ca 3
PIVOT BECAME THE WORD OF THE YEAR
The events that Downtown New
West had grown to love over the
years were forced to make some
major changes in 2020. The large
festivals like the Columbia StrEAT
Food Truck Fest and Fridays on
Front were cancelled due to ensure
the safety of the community.
The Downtown New West BIA knew the again with the messaging, we are all in this about the Royal City while questing!”
value these events bring to the community so, together. The campaign and its messages
in an effort to still provide those benefits, new were carried throughout 2020. By the late fall of 2020, large gatherings and
initiatives were introduced in place of their events were still not permitted, and therefore,
regular programming. As businesses were But what about Fridays on Front? The most of the annual holiday celebrations were
closing, the Downtown New West BIA neighbourhood and surrounding areas had cancelled. The Downtown New West BIA
launched a campaign to remind the become accustomed to spending Fridays in and the City of New Westminster were once
community that while we are physically Downtown New West, where connection and again forced to pivot. The pivot, Shine
apart, we are still together. community were celebrated weekly. The BIA Bright New West, a citywide indicative that
knew they needed to provide something to fill encouraged residents, organizations, and
The #togethernewwest campaign aspired to that void, and again, bring some joy back to businesses to shine bright during the darkest
bring some sparks of joy to our Downtown New West. months of the year was born.
community. The first project was the
commission of the “We Are One” mural on Fridays Quest New West was introduced; a In Downtown New West, Shine Bright
the corner of Columbia, McKenzie and Front series of adventures released digitally every Downtown highlighted the existing lighting
Street. The 80-metre-long mural included the Friday. The series included family-friendly in the neighbourhood and introduced
hashtag “#togethernewwest” with a cityscape challenges, restaurant offerings, picnic areas, Candycombs in Hyack Square, Selfie
of New West, a colourful heartfelt thank you local patio features and weekly prizes. The goal Stations at Begbie and McKenzie streets
recognizing essential workers, and images from was to get residents and guests out exploring and a SHINE window display.
around the world, reminding us this is bigger the community and visiting local businesses.
Shine Bright brought some much-needed
than New West, it’s a worldwide challenge.
And they did! Hundreds of participants light to the community, both visually and
played weekly, one commented: “Our joyfully. In a year when social interaction
family had a great time, it was something to and connection was challenging, the pivots
look forward to each week during these provided by the Downtown New West BIA
nutty times. Many thanks to all who put it were instrumental in fostering a healthy
together. And darned if I didn’t learn more connected community.
A series of window and sidewalk vinyls were
proudly displayed all over Downtown New
West with the #togethernewwest logo. The
sidewalk vinyls had various uplifting
comments and inspiring thoughts. The goal
was to add colour and the cohesive message
of togetherness throughout the community.
The campaign also featured advertisements in
the local paper and online profiles that
showcased the faces behind the businesses,
www.downtownnewwest.ca 4
THE WORLD TURNED TO DIGITAL IN 2020
In 2020 the world turned digital for their information, meetings, and social
interactions. The Downtown New West BIA connected online with our
community more than ever, with an increase in social media reach across
the board and a record breaking year in Facebook reach specifically.
The Downtown New West website became a in a casual setting. The organization also
valuable source for up-to-date information moved all its team meetings and Board
about business closures and the delivery and meetings to Zoom. Digital meetups became
takeout options. That webpage alone another valuable tool during the pandemic.
received 10,547 page views in 2020. During
the pandemic, information was changing at a Many community events used digital
very quick rate and having a reliable website platforms to produce experiences during a Online meetings and digital experiences
covering current offerings was so important. time when social gatherings were not possible. provided unique opportunities in 2020. As
In Downtown New West, for example, Fridays businesses and organizations struggled to
Not only did people turn online for on Front transitioned to Fridays Quest New navigate the pandemic, those who embraced
information, meetings and social gatherings West, offering a self guided adventure via a the digital transition found new ways to do
also moved to a digital platform. The custom built webside. That page alone saw business, connect to their community and
Downtown New West BIA hosted member close to 10,000 visitors and Quest New West customers, and stay informed.
happy hours (Whine & Wines) as an won an Award of Excellence from BIABC for
opportunity for business owners to connect its innovative programming pivot.
LOOKING AHEAD AS WE RECOVER TOGETHER The Downtown New West BIA
updated their Strategic Plan in 2018
The pandemic taught us many things. • Confirm you are getting the bi-weekly eblasts.
and now has the following focuses
Among the lessons was a reminder about the If not, email info@downtownnewwest.ca to
guiding them into 2021:
strength in our community and the value of get on the list.
mutual support. The Downtown New West
• Join the private member Facebook Group. • Make Things Happen
BIA is more important than ever as we work
Search for Downtown New West BIA and • Business Outreach & Support
together to rebuild and welcome back the
request to join.
community. Please keep in touch to be
• Lead the Way in Fostering
involved in the efforts: • Add info@downtownnewwest.ca to your
an Inclusive Community
email list and keep them informed.
The key to our strength
is our togetherness.
Hold this with you as
we rediscover the
power of our
community.
RVSP to awhitfield@downtownnewwest.ca
to confirm your spot by March 1st.
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