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Thursday, Oct 9, 2025 4pm-5pm
Location: Locomotive Espresso South
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ITEMS:
1) City of London — Economic Development Strategy (Trevor Fowler)
2) OSCO Update (Margaret Hopkins)
3) London Chamber of Commerce (Graham Henderson)
4) Wortley Retailers - "Late & Local" Shopping Nights (Ashley, Featherfields)
5) Irish Festival 2026 (Keith Doyle & Bonnie Hardy)
6) Councillor Update (Skylar Frank, Ward 11)
7) Member Round-Table & Community Notices
8) OSBA Business
9) Key Dates At-a-Glance
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1) City of London - Economic Development Strategy (Trevor Fowler)
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Strategy (with Deloitte) aims to matter in practice; heavy emphasis on engagement (9 sector workshops; ~40+ convos).
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Strengths: cost competitiveness; strong talent from Western/Fanshawe; sectors (life sciences, education, agri-food, advanced manufacturing, tech); UNESCO City of Music; mid-size affordability; location between Toronto/Detroit.
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Key themes heard:
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Invitation: Businesses to give input via Get Involved site / email. If interest, Trevor + Ian to host a virtual workshop.
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More info: Pamphlet Side 1, Pamphlet Side 2
2) OSCO Update (Margaret Hopkins)
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Road safety petition (QR cards distributed for petition > Side 1, Side 2). “Respect the Limit” lawn signs available at Margaret’s porch (Duchess & Edward - site of 18 accidents).
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Events supported: Halloween in the Village (hitv.ca) > funding, insurance, city paperwork.
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Upcoming: Christmas in the Village (Sat Dec 6 > FB Page) — including social market with chalets raising funds for food insecurity, housing, Humane Society (Miley Group).
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Milestone: OSCO’s 50th anniversary.
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Thanks to City for bike repair station fix at Tuckey’s; one sidewalk fixed; Wortley Roadhouse sidewalk still outstanding.
Members can share/complete safety petition; contact Margaret for lawn signs.
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3) London Chamber of Commerce (Graham Henderson)
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~1,000 members (majority small biz); networking a core value (londonchamber.com)
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Advocacy priorities: Downtown plan (Canadian Urban Institute) and the Economic Development Strategy.
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Strong view: “Fix the downtown” = the moonshot that benefits entire city (talent, livability).
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UNESCO City of Music is a global window; urges more funding/activation and integration of culture (including arts-based therapies) in revitalization and social supports.
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Offer: Limited complimentary entries for OSBA members to the MEGA Business After 5 trade/networking event at the airport (Beach Hangar).
Contact OSBA to get on MEGA Business After guest list.
4) Wortley Retailers - "Late & Local" Shopping Nights (Ashley, Featherfields)
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Evening openings planned to 8 pm to serve working customers.
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Next dates: Thu Oct 16; Thu Nov 20 (holiday edition).
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Halloween in the Village scavenger hunt runs during this period (tokens across the village; passports/prizes).
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Sha Choix pop-up likely returning in November in Mylie Group space.
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Help shape the OSBA's future! Your feedback means a lot.
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5) Irish Festival 2026 (Keith Doyle & Bonnie Hardy)
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Target date: Sat Sept 19 (on Wortley Green).
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Plan: One main stage + three mini-stages; continuous traditional music; storytelling; Gaelic football & hurling demos (new London Gaelic Association); evening patio sessions across village venues.
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Friday kickoff at Hyland Cinema with entertainment/speeches; aim to involve Irish Ambassador; explore Belfast band exchange (UNESCO City of Music link).
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Backed by Tourism London; intention to become an annual signature event.
6) Councillor Update (Skylar Frank, Ward 11)
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Craig Street: ~95% underground work complete as of Oct 1; one more overnight closure expected; goal finish by end of Nov (contractor sequencing causing current pause).
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Wellington Gateway BRT: Over halfway across both links; construction continues into 2027–2028 moving south towards Baseline.
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Traffic enforcement: Police speed display planned near 4-way stop; rotating enforcement teams citywide; addressing speeding on Emery and cyclist pass-bys on Wortley toward Stanley.
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Transit safety: Discussions with LTC/Police; potential updates forthcoming.
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Community Improvement Plan (CIP): Transit-oriented development incentives along corridors (incl. Wellington) — expect more/taller buildings over time.
Skylar to work with Ian & Al (Westland Gallery) on boulevard/weed maintenance in Wortley Business District.
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The Old South Business Awards will be take place in the historic Normal School ballroom. You're invited to attend!
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7) Member Round-Table & Community Notices
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Blue Elephant (Craig): Opening branded swag shop at 156 Bruce; grand opening Thu Oct 30, 2–6 pm. Offers free 10×10 community canopy loan; small meeting space available by appointment.
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BGC London (Mario & Susanna):
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Fashion Show: Wed Nov 6, 6–9 pm, Marconi Club; supports Horton Street 50+ Centre.
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Coats for Kids winter wear drive (newborn–18); drop sites listed at bgclondon.ca.
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12 Days of Christmas fundraiser for Nutrition Program (after-school suppers for ~100 kids; $2 suggested, none turned away).
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Halloween in the Village (Maria):
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Dance: Sat Oct 18 (Flyer).
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Main event: Sat Oct 25 (HitV.ca).
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New Scarecrow Workshop at St. James.
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Unleashed London (Becky): Planning monthly dog-friendly events starting January; seeking venue/partner businesses; longer-term vision: indoor dog park concept.
- St. James Westminster Church: Cabaret scheduled for Fri Oct17-Sat Oct 18 with dinner, drinks & Music. (Flyer)
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Tandoori EH! (Huma): Offering monthly kids’ supper support and 10% discount for Wortley/OSBA community mentions. They could use help with promoting the restaurant. Seeking community marketing ideas/partners.
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German-Canadian Club: Oktoberfest Fri Oct 24–Sat Oct 25, 1 Cove Rd (music/dancing).
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Curry’s: Closing Nov 10 after 41.5 years due to loss of building to the city for the BRT; welcomes community support through November; open to ideas on how to move forward.
8) OSBA Business
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OSBA Survey: Will only take 5–10 minutes > feedback on past performance and future priorities (Take the survey).
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Old South Business Awards: Thu Nov 13, 7:30–9:00 pm, in the Wortley YMCA ballroom (Normal School).
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Nominations: Three award categories. (Link to nominate)
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Perks: First drink free for Old South Businesspeople; Tricello live performance.
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Awards Night Info: You're invited! (2025 Awards)
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9) Key Dates At-a-Glance
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Oct 16 (Thu): Late-Night Shopping (to 8 pm).
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Oct 17-18 (Fri-Sat): St. James Westminster Cabaret.
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Oct 18 (Sat): Halloween Dance.
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Oct 24–25 (Fri–Sat): German Club Oktoberfest.
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Oct 25 (Sat): Halloween in the Village.
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Oct 30 (Thu): Blue Elephant swag shop opening (2–6 pm).
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Nov 6 (Thu): BGC Fashion Show (Marconi Club, 6–9 pm).
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Nov 10 (Mon): Curry’s last day.
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Nov 13 (Thu): Old South Business Awards (7:30–9:00 pm, Normal School).
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Nov 20 (Thu): Late-Night Shopping (Holiday edition).
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Dec 6 (Sat): Christmas in the Village.
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Sept 19, 2026 (Sat): Irish Festival on the Green (+ Fri kickoff at Hyland Cinema).
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It was great to see such a great turnout at our meeting last week! So much valuable information was shared, the kind that benefits not only individual businesspeople but our entire business community. There was also plenty of discussion about collaborating on events, and that spirit of partnership is exactly what makes the Old South Business Association so special.
Each of you plays an important role in supporting one another and strengthening our community as a whole. I’m really looking forward to celebrating some exceptional businesses and businesspeople next month at the Old South Business Award, and to continuing the great work we’re all doing together to make our community thrive.
On behalf of the entire OSBA Board, I want to say it’s truly an honour to be part of this journey with such an outstanding group of people.
Sincerely,
Ian
Ian Sterling Leishman
President
Old South Business Association
190 Wortley Road LL10
London, Ontario N6C 4Y7, info@OldSouthBA.com
www.OldSouthBA.com, facebook.com/OldSouthBA
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We're looking for the newest exciting additions to our amazing business community.
If you have seen a new business open up in the area, we'd love to know about it.
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Would you like some OSBA pens or an outdoor sticker for your business? Contact us! |
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If you're conducting business in Old South, you're welcome to attend. We also encourage you to get more involved and join the OSBA for just $100!
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Whether you're already a member or just curious, you’re always welcome to join our Agenda Meetings. We share updates that impact Old South businesses and discuss ways to strengthen our local business community.
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We hope we can add your voice to the group and help the business community as a whole grow stronger.
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Join us for our next business mixer!
No speeches, no agenda, just relaxed networking with your neighbourly businesspeople with free hors d’oeuvres and your first drink on the Old South Business Association.
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NEXT OSBA EVENTS:
(Mark you calendars!)
- Old South Business Awards: Thursday November 13th 7:30pm-9pm in the Wortley YMCA Ballroom (Normal School) with free first drink & TriCello live.
- OSBA Agenda Meeting: Thursday, January 8th, 4p-5p @ the Pickle Barrel, 387 Wellington Road.
- Old South Business Mixer: Thu Feb 12th, 4:30-6pm @ Luan's Seafood & Grill, 315 Wellington Road with free first drink & hors d'oeuvres.
> Full Calendar of events
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Hopefully we'll see you at our next event!
Board of Directors
Old South Business Association
190 Wortley Road LL10
London, Ontario N6C 4Y7, info@OldSouthBA.com
www.OldSouthBA.com, facebook.com/OldSouthBA
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(Annual Membership dues: Only $100! / Business outside of Old South: Only $150!)
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