We are going to start this episode with an interview with Jenna Rideout. Jenna is the Manager of Marketing and Events at Develop Nova Scotia, and she is going to tell us all about the Evergreen Festival. And Paul MacKinnon, CEO of Downtown Halifax Business Commission, is going to join me for a chat with Eric Jonsson. Eric is the Program Coordinator for the Navigator Street Outreach Program, and he is going to give us some suggestions on donating this holiday season. And on Biz Buzz, we have...

And this is a special holiday themed episode of Downtown Lowdown. With the holiday season upon us, we’re going to give you the ‘lowdown’ on what’s happening around Downtown Halifax over the coming weeks to get you in the festive spirit. We are going to start this episode with 3 interviews we did with businesses in Downtown Halifax about how they are preparing for the holidays this year. They include Stephen MacDonald, the General Manager of Gahan House Nova Centre; Colleen Underwood, the...

ON this episode with Haley Clarke from The Coast. Haley is going to tell us all about Halifax Burger Week 2021, including what we can expect and look forward to this year. Paul MacKinnon, CEO of Downtown Halifax Business Commission, is back with some updates on Nova Scotia’s Proof of Full Vaccination Policy and how it will affect businesses Downtown, and what to expect as we more forward in a more cautious approach to Phase 5 of the provincial’s Re-Opening Plan. And on Biz Buzz, we have a...

Today, Ivy will be talking to Jessica Pettigrew, Downtown Halifax Business Commission’s new Membership Engagement Manager. Jessica is responsible for connecting the members of DHBC with the organization, primarily through personal contact, engaging volunteers, managing the Downtown Halifax Welcome Centre, maintaining DHBC’s Member database, and helping maintain a membership-based culture throughout the organization. On Biz Buzz, we have some business updates and milestones to share, we’ll...

Jonathan Goldson, Downtown Halifax Business Commission’s new Placemaking Manager. Jonathan is responsible for the management and execution of DHBC’s placemaking programs, events, and initiatives. He has a passion for creating vibrant and inclusive public spaces with a strong understanding of how such spaces impact the community.  On Biz Buzz, we have business updates and milestones, we’ll tell you about some upcoming events in Downtown Halifax including the Art of City Building Conference,...

After a brief summer hiatus, we are back with an in-person interview with Erin Esiyok-Prime, Director of Marketing and Communications for Events East Group. Erin will be talking to Allana about the re-emergence of events in Downtown Halifax, and how conventions, events, and festivals will play a crucial role in the economic recovery of the Downtown area. She’ll also tell us about some upcoming events to look forward to this fall. On Biz Buzz, we have some business updates and milestones to...

In this episode, Allana will be chatting with Wendie L. Wilson. Wendie is a visual artist and the creator and designer of the African Nova Scotian flag that was unveiled earlier this year during African Heritage Month. Wendie is going to tell us about the new flag, and how businesses and individuals can honour and participate in the first official Emancipation Day on August 1st. On Biz Buzz, we have a few business updates to share, and we’ll talk about Patio Season in Downtown Halifax, Pups...

We begin this episode with Mike Leigh, owner of The Bitter End Martini Bar & Restaurant and The Loose Cannon Scottish Public House. We are going to discuss with him the challenges he has faced as a food and beverage business owner during the pandemic, and how they are moving forward now that we are into the third phase of the provincial Re-Opening Plan. And Paul MacKinnon, CEO of Downtown Halifax Business Commission, is back with some updates on Phase 3 of the provincial Re-Opening Plan,...

We begin this episode with Tracey Barbrick, Associate Deputy Minister of Departments of Labour & Advanced Education, Community Services. We discuss with her the province’s COVID-19 vaccine roll-out and what more we can do as a community to encourage vaccination. On Biz Buzz, we have a few business updates to share, and we’ll talk about What’s Open in Downtown Halifax, Patio Season, Pups on Patios, and our new ‘Meet Me Downtown’ and Parking campaigns.  Producers: Ivy Ho and Allana...

We are back with another special COVID-19 episode. This episode was recorded via video conferencing as we are all working remotely during the third wave of this pandemic. So, we apologize in advance for any issues with the sound quality. In this episode, we are joined by Paul MacKinnon, CEO of Downtown Halifax Business Commission, who will be discussing the recently launched Provincial Re-Opening Plan. Paul will also update us on the provincial advocacy efforts by 12 business improvement...

Mike Savage was first elected Mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality in 2012, with a mandate to make Halifax the most livable, entrepreneurial, and inclusive city in Canada. He’s going to talk to us about what it’s been like to run a municipality during the pandemic. He will also be joined by Paul MacKinnon, CEO of Downtown Halifax Business Commission. Paul will update us on provincial advocacy efforts by 12 business improvement districts, including Downtown Halifax Business Commission. On...

We begin this episode with Joyce Liu, Founder and CEO of Lumi Studios, a media and production company in Downtown Halifax. They specialize in community storytelling, offering mix-media services to local businesses and corporations. And Paul MacKinnon, CEO of Downtown Halifax Business Commission, is back. Paul is going tell us about the new developments with provincial economic relief programs, and the new video campaign that Downtown Halifax Business Commission, in partnership with 11 other...

On today's episode, Ken Kelly, Project Manager with International Downtown Association, or IDA Canada. Ken is going to tell us about his role with IDA Canada and how he sees downtown and main street areas recovering from the pandemic.  And Paul MacKinnon, CEO of Downtown Halifax Business Commission, is back. Paul is going tell us about the new developments with provincial economic relief programs, and the new communications campaign that Downtown Halifax Business Commission, in partnership...

We are back with a special COVID-19 episode. Paul MacKinnon, CEO of Downtown Halifax Business Commission is going tell us about the new developments with provincial and federal economic relief programs as well as a couple of new DHBC grants. We’ll also talk about what’s going on with businesses in Downtown Halifax since the province of Nova Scotia has declared another lockdown and everyone is encouraged to stay home. We’ll finish with a list of what Downtown Halifax businesses are open and...

Allana will be talking to Gordon Stewart, Executive Director of the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia. They will be discussing the new restrictions that were just announced and how the restrictions will affect the food and beverage industry, and the new dogs on patio rule that came into effect in late March. On Biz Buzz, we have business updates and milestones, how to best support local with the new restrictions, we’ll tell you about a few virtual events coming up, and more.  We’ll also...

Ivy will be talking to Tareq Hadhad, Founder and CEO of Peace By Chocolate. Tareq will be sharing his story about his journey as a Syrian refugee and successful entrepreneur.  In Biz Buzz, we have business updates and milestones. We’ll also talk about EGGcellent window decorating for Easter and Easter gift ideas, Open City, Soli Productions’ The-Fabric-of-our-DNA, and picking up after your dog. Producers: Ivy Ho and Allana MacDonald Mills Downtown Halifax Business Commission...

Ivy will be talking to Ross Jefferson, President and CEO of Discover Halifax, and Paul MacKinnon, CEO of Downtown Halifax Business Commission. Ross will be telling us all about the Discover Halifax’s recently launched Integrated Tourism Master Plan. On this episode in Biz Buzz, we have business updates and milestones, we’ll talk about March Break and free parking during March Break, Around the World in 80 Plates International Food Festival, extended Dine Around, and Downtown Halifax...

Allana will be talking to Katie Conklin, Marketing & Communications Manager for Discover Halifax. Katie will be sharing with us some ideas of what to do in Downtown Halifax for March Break. On Biz Buzz, we have business updates and milestones, we’ll tell you about our featured member for March, THE TEN SPOT, and we’ll talk about March Break, Around the World in 80 Plates International Food Festival, and where to park in Downtown Halifax. And Ivy will give us an Covid Update. Producers:...

Ivy will be talking to Dr. Lisa Barrett, a clinician scientist with Dalhousie University. Her expertise is in infectious disease and human immunology. Dr. Barrett and her team have been organizing COVID-19 Pop-Up Rapid Testing events in the community. And, on Biz Buzz, we have business updates and milestones; some updates on what is open in Downtown Halifax, African Heritage Month, Dine Around. And we will talk about Random Acts of Kindness week, March Break in Downtown Halifax, and the Open...

Luc Erjavec, Vice President, Atlantic Canada, with Restaurants Canada speaks Allana and Paul MacKinnon, CEO of Downtown Halifax Business Commission, will talk to Luc about how the food service industry is faring during the pandemic and how he sees the industry recovering from this unprecedented situation. And on Biz Buzz, we have some business updates and milestones; restaurants that are open for dine-in, delivery, and take-out; and Valentine’s Day and March Break promotions. Plus, we talk...

A happier new year to all and welcome to Episode 40 of Downtown Lowdown with Downtown Halifax Business Commission, recorded on January 14, 2021. Ivy is going to talk to Paul MacKinnon, CEO of Downtown Halifax Business Commission. They will discuss the revised public health restrictions that came into effect since the holidays and their impact on the Downtown businesses. On Biz Buzz, we have some business updates in light of the revised restrictions recently announced by the provincial...

We are welcoming Eric Jonsson back to the Downtown Lowdown. Eric is the Program Coordinator of the Navigator Street Outreach Program, which provides support to motivated street-involved and homeless individuals by assisting them in securing and maintaining employment and housing through partnerships with community agencies, Downtown Halifax Business Commission, Spring Garden Area Business Association, and their business members. Eric has been on Downtown Lowdown a few times to talk about the...

Paul MacKinnon, CEO of Downtown Halifax Business Commission. They will discuss the new restrictions that were recently announced in response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the province, and in particular, HRM. Paul will also update us on some of the federal emergency economic relief programs.  And on Biz Buzz, we have business updates in light of the new restrictions recently announced by the provincial government. We also have an update on what’s happening with events, and we’ll...

PLEASE NOTE THERE WERE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES RECORDING SOME OF THE SEGMENTS IN TODAY'S EPISODE.  WE APOLOGIZE.   Allana is talking to Gordon Stevens, COO & Vice President, Finance, of Develop Nova Scotia, about the Evergreen Festival. The Evergreen Festival, taking place from November 28 to December 20, is the brainchild of Gordon Stevens and is led by Develop Nova Scotia. And . Paul MacKinnon, CEO of Downtown Halifax Business Commission, is back with some updates on the restaurant...