Old South Town Hall Meeting: Recovery Efforts After the Wortley Fire
At the Wortley YMCA December 5th at 7:30pm & livestreamed, the community came together to discuss recovery efforts following the recent fire on Wortley Road. Hearing directly from impacted business owners, first responders, and community leaders about the current situation, plans for moving forward, and how people can help.
The live event featured updates from Sha Choix, A Village Tail, and the Westland Gallery, talking about the resilience of the tenants and the recovery journey of the Black Walnut Café.
It was an important conversation to support recovery and celebrate the strength of Old South.
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Link for the Online Fundraiser: https://www.oldsouthba.com/firerecovery
Wortley Fire Affecting Sha Choix, A Village Tail & Westland Gallery
All of us with the OSBA are deeply saddened by the fire that broke out early this morning affecting Sha Choix, Westland Gallery, and A Village Tail in Wortley Village. We are unaware of the extent of the damage, and are relieved that no injuries have been reported.
Our hearts go out to these cherished establishments that contribute so much to the vibrancy of our community. The Old South Business Association stands ready to support them during this challenging time. Thank you to the incredible London Fire Department who worked hard to ensure everyone’s safety.
2024 Old South Business Awards
The 2024 Old South Business Awards took place November 14th, 2024 at the Idlewyld Inn, honouring Old South Businesses and people for their incredible achievements. Congratulations not only to the award winners, but everyone that was nominated for the great work that you do to continue to grow the ecomonic landscape in the Old South through collaboration and support for one another, imporving the area for both businesspeople and residents alike. Click “Read More” below to see the list of nominees & winners along with pictures and a video recap of the evening.
Oct 2024 Old South Business Insider
The Old South London, Ontario Business Insider Update for Oct 2024.
Minutes from the Old South Business Association’s Members Meeting at the Locomotive Espresso South at 350 Ridout St S..
iTEMS:
- OLD SOUTH BUSINESS AWARDS NOV 14TH
(Call for nominations!: www.OldSouthBA.com/awards)
- CONSTABLE BARRY MACDONALD, LONDON POLICE
(Old South London security, Nova Sewing Centre break in > prevention)
- SKYLAR FRANKE, WARD 11 CITY COUNCILLOR UPDATE
(Wortley Road traffic stats, Ward boundary review, city reviewing special events support)
- RECAP ON SEPT BUSINESS MIXER & WORTLEY CAR FREE DAY EVENTS
- HALLOWEEN IN THE VILLAGE
(New entertainment, marketing roll out, more safety measures)
- OLD SOUTH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION UPDATE
(OSCOR Awards, upcoming community initiatives)
- 2024 OSBA SHORT SURVEY (Take the survey!: www.OldSouthBA.com/survey)
- COMMUNICATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS REPORT (We’re growing!)
- CURRENT & UPCOMING PROMOTIONS / SALES EVENTS
July 2024 Old South Business Insider
The Old South London, Ontario Business Insider Update for July 2024.
Minutes from the Old South Business Association’s Members Meeting at the Storm Stayed Brewing Company at 169 Wharncliffe Road South.
ITEMS:
1. Car Free Day event coming to Wortley Village Business District
2. Old South Community Organization update
3. Christmas in the Village (Reorganizing, looking for volunteers)
4. Skylar Franke, Ward 11 City Councillor Update (Including Small Business Programs)
5. FedDev Old South Beautification
6. Communications report
7. Memberships report
8. Other Business Community Happenings / Discussion
(Grand Wood Park Night Market, New SOHO Community Group, Random Acts of Kindness Day, Business Meeting for Women)
May, 2024 Meeting Minutes
The Old South London, Ontario Business Insider Update for May 2024. Minutes from the Old South Business Association’s Members Meeting at the Pickle Barrel at 367 Wellington Street.
ITEMS:
1. John HH, CFIB (Canadian Federation of Independent Business)
2. Old South Community Organization update > Gathering on the Green June 1!
3. Skylar Franke, Ward 11 City Councillor Update
4. Leading Women Award to Old South Businessperson!
5. Canada Summer Jobs job sharing - Approved
6. FedDev Old South Beautification > Planter Boxes & Illumination
7. Communications & Memberships report
8. Current / upcoming promotions / sales events
April 2024 Meeting Minutes
The Old South London, Ontario Business Insider Update for April 2024. Minutes from the Old South Business Association’s Members Meeting at the Robert Q Travel at 105 Wharncliffe Road South.
ITEMS:
1. London Chamber of Commerce, Graham Henderson CEO
2. London Children’s Business Fair, Eric Brown Infinity School
3. Old South Community Organization update, Nico Philips President
4. Skylar Franke, Ward 11 City Councillor Update
5. Leading Women & Leading Girls Award Nominations > Peggy Sattler, MPP London West
6. Canada Summer Jobs Job Sharing
7. FedDev Old South Beautification Grant > Planter Boxes & Illumination
8. Experience Ontario Grant > Buskerfest
9. OSBA Communications & Memberships report
10. Summer Sunday Farmers Market in the village
11. Successful Robert Q Travel OSBA code Promo: 54 sales!
12. Other Business Community Happenings
March 2024 Meeting Minutes
The Old South London, Ontario Business Insider Update for March 2024. Minutes from the Old South Business Association’s Members Meeting at the Sidetrack Café at 136 Wortley Road.
ITEMS:
- Announcing new OSBA Board member
- Grand Wood Park, 6 acres of opportunities!
- My Main Street FedDev federal grant for your business?
- Update on Black Walnut rebuild and the Ridout bridge & Wharncliffe underpass construction
- OSCO update: Gathering on the Green, Thames River Clean Up & looking for volunteers.
- Canada Summer Jobs job sharing possibilities.
- Summer Sunday Farmers Market in the village: Fanshawe Business School on board.
- How the government could possibly get all of your lighting replaced for free.
- An easy way the OSBA can help promote your sale / event.
- Communications & Memberships report: We’re growing quickly!
- OSBA info cards, pens & outdoor stickers available upon request.
Feb 2024 Mixer, Advocating & Board Position Opening
Update on how the Business Mixer went at Mori Japenese restaurant
OSBA letter to City of London advocating to expedite the rebuilding approvals for the Black Walnut Café was successful!
There is board positon available for the OSBA!
Thank you to Danielle Hoevenaars for her invaluable service on the board of the OSBA, helping to mold the association and incorporate as a Not For Profit
Save 15% on Robert Q Travel to and from the Toronto & Detroit airports with a promo code “OSBA”
Jan 2024 Meeting Minutes
Minutes from the OSBA Members’ Meeting January 11th at the Better Business Bureau.
ITEMS:
- Update from the Old South Community Organization
- South High School Coop Opportunities
- Canada Summer Jobs > Job Sharing?
- Summer Sunday Farmers Market in the village.
- Saving on food waste removal through economies of scale
- Memberships Report- OSBA Business Mixer Next Month @ Mori
- OSBA Social Media Strategy
Nov 2023 OSBA Mixer
The first Old South Business Association business mixer had 33 people out. Not bad for the first one! Thanks to the Wolfe Pack Company Bar for hosting with amazing hors d’oeuvres, drinks, service and ambiance, plus to Sam Hornby for helping to set the mood with his folk and celtic music!
OSBA Gives $14k to Black Walnut
After the devastating fire that burnt down the Black Walnut Café, an Old South London landmark, the area businesses banded together in support of their friends during a tough time. That included fundraising efforts that unfolded into the Old South Business Association presenting a cheque to Mandy Etheridge from the Black Walnut Café for $13,947! It’s a large sum of money made up of a lot of small donations from a very supportive community. Their biggest competitor in Wortley Village lead the fundraising initiatives!
October 12, 2023 Meeting
Hopefully you can join us Thursday, October 12th 4-5pm @ the Craft Farmacy Restaurant, 449 Wharncliffe Road South!
If not, join us by Zoom! https://bit.ly/Oct2023OSBAzoom (If password is required: 1234)
New logo options
The Old South Business Association Board of Directors would like your input on deciding which logo to move forward with for the OSBA. The ideas were narrowed down by members of the business community to three themes. Get brief explanations of them and provide your input: CLICK HERE.
Benefit Raffle!
It has been five months since the devastating fire at the Black Walnut Café. Many individuals and businesses wanted to continue the efforts with the fallout and have donated items and services to this benefit raffle.
Tickets can be purchased here:
September 2023 OSBA Meeting 10 Min Video Recap
0:06 Introductions
1:07 Halloween in the Village: When and where
1:28 Halloween in the Village: How it benefits you
2:12 Halloween in the Village: Experiencing some growing pains
2:57 Halloween in the Village: Sponsorship opportunities
3:09 Hello from Cleopatra from the Sweet Onion Bistro
4:42 Jocelyn from Curiosities / Skylar Franke: Concerns about untidy boulevard
5:15 Richie & Mano from Siderack Cafe / Skylar: Beautification of the village
6:25 Margaret Hopkins, OSCO: Wortley Rd construction in the business district 2026
7:15 New OSBA logo: Ideas?
7:42: New OSBA logo: Tuplip tree, Normal school & business landscape suggesions
8:50: New OSBA Website has launched!: www.OldSouthBA.com
September 2023 Meeting
You’re invited to our next OSBA meeting! It’s Thursday, September 14th 4pm-5pm at the Wortley Sweet Onion Bistro and by Zoom. Click for the meeting agenda and Zoom link.