Windsor struggles with 'perfect storm'I don't know about anyone else, but if I was a downtown business owner, I'd be pissed to be reading a quote like that. I'm sure we'll shortly be hearing the "out of context quote" explanation.
By PREMA OZA
Gordon Orr, managing director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Windsor Essex County and Pelee Island, said it's exactly that kind of self-help that will allow businesses to ride the tide of economic uncertainty until better days arrive.
"You just can't leave the door open and expect people to come," said Orr. "I think that it's up to the property to position themselves to try and capitalize on the visitation that's coming to Casino Windsor."
As I live downtown, I've been taking a keen interest in the plight of business owners down there and the last impression I get is they are just "leaving the door open and expecting people to come". The DWBIA has to be the most active and pro-active BIA in Windsor. On top of the normal cost of doing business the DWBIA is investing significant sums of money to improve streetscaping, initiate/ support various events and festivals to draw people downtown and subsidize parking, just to name a few.
From what I understand, they are still waiting for an RFP to be issued by the City for the "Urban Village" project. Taxes are slated to increase, City reserves are dangerously low, the streetscaping project is rumoured to be running over-budget, the Health Unit has been targeting struggling smokeshops, the Casino and bingos are enjoying an exemption from the new smoking laws not offered to restaurants and bars, City licensing costs are increasing - just to name a few things off the top of my head.
What amazes me is that Downtown owners continue to stay downtown. Owning a business is a risky venture in the best of circumstances, downtown businesses seem to operate with one leg and one arm tied behind their back.
For the Convention and Visitor's Bureau - if you want to talk about just leaving a door open and expecting people to come - look no further than home. This door looks like it was opened in 2000 and promptly forgotten.
