The OSCAR l November 2020 Page 1 THE www.BankDentistry.com OSCAR 613.241.1010 The Ottawa South Community Association Review l The Community Voice Year 48, No. 9 November 2020 Spend it between the Bridges! PHOTO BY BRENDAN MCCOY By Erik van der Torre that has been identified and recognised before – is that our neighbourhood Spend it between the Bridges lacks both the density, destination Lying awake at 3 am, just hours traffic, and foot traffic that some other after Ottawa went back into a neighbourhoods have to sustain certain modified Stage 2 lockdown, Brian types of businesses. As Brian put it, Montgomery of Oat Couture and businesses in Old Ottawa South have Montgomery Scotch Lounge was to “punch above their weight”. They thinking about what this new setback have to work hard to attract both local The businesses of Old Ottawa South means to his and other businesses in business and business from elsewhere the neighbourhood. While the most to make things work. need our help, now more than ever! recent measures are most acutely felt What “Spend it between the by a subset of businesses – restaurants, Bridges” tries to do is reinforce the Through everything, they have pubs, coffee shops, In the Air, the sense of community that makes Old remained open to serve the Mayfair, House of TARG – there is Ottawa South and its businesses so no doubt that the vast majority of great. Brian made it clear that this is community. OSCA encourages businesses have suffered from the not a movement of us-vs-them, of one everyone to support local and effects of the pandemic. Those effects neighbourhood vs another. But it is Spend it between the Bridges! will continue to be felt, even more both a rallying cry and a cry for help. so now with renewed lockdowns, The businesses of Old Ottawa South colder temperatures, and continued need our support and if we want to uncertainty. continue to enjoy the amazing diversity So in the middle of that night, Brian of businesses that we have now, we came up with “Spend it between the will need to continue to support them Bridges”. Simple and effective. I have and show them we care, both with our no doubt that everyone in OOS knows words and our wallets. And by ‘words’ NOW AVAILABLE: the value of “Shop Local” and the I don’t just mean words of support (economic) benefits associated with it. and compassion, but also “word-of- But “Spend it between the Bridges” is mouth”. Maybe the next time you have OSCA'S ALL-ACCESS more than ‘just’ shop local. Hopefully a great experience or meal at a local it’s a grassroots movement that will business, share it on Facebook, Twitter, FITNESS MEMBERSHIP encourage residents to go out of their Instagram, or just mention it to friends way to pick some of their favourite and neighbours. By the time this OSCAR is U N T I L D E C E M B E R 3 1 S T I N C L U S I V E businesses and spend a little extra if and when they can. And maybe also published, you may have started seeing pick some of the businesses they don’t some of the “Spend it between the F U L L D E T A I L S A V A I L A B L E (yet) frequent, check them out and Bridges” messaging and possibly some O N O U R W E B S I T E spend a little or a lot. One of the clear challenges for oldottawasouth.ca/programs 613-247-4946 businesses in Old Ottawa South – one Continued on pg. 2 Page 2 The OSCAR l November 2020 BUSINESS BEAT for one or two days, so unfortunately Continued from pg. 1 I have not had a chance yet to check it out. But I am super excited about initiatives. In fact, in the third week the fact that it is indeed not a sushi of October, several businesses came place but instead has a menu featuring together and engaged local influencer – several donburi bowls, udon dishes, and OOS resident – YOW City Style to and ramen! run an Instagram contest, highlighting these OOS businesses. While this Beit jady – hookahs initiative was conceived independently Half of the space formerly occupied of “Spend it between the Bridges,” by Planet of Sound has now opened it’s the perfect example of the kind of as a hookah retail shop. The colourful engagement and support that is needed. store at 1194 Bank St. is full of I know this neighbourhood cares hookahs and paraphernalia and the for and embraces its amazing local, few times I have walked by they do independent businesses and I am seem to have attracted some customers. hopeful that together we can ensure Definitely another interesting addition that they all come out on the other end to this intriguing block of Bank Street. of this. Siam Kitchen Shibayan Depending on which day you end up While existing businesses are clearly reading this OSCAR, you may already struggling and in need of our help, be too late to order one last meal at it is exciting and encouraging to see Siam Kitchen. Although the restaurant that despite the current situation, there could have remained open for another are still new business owners who are 6 months before they would need to willing to take the plunge and open up close for the construction of the new People waiting in line to pick up their food at Siam Kitchen one last time development, Siam Kitchen’s owners a business in OOS. before it closed for good. PHOTO BY VIVIAN CROLL For instance, the Japanese restaurant have decided that given the additional on the corner of Sunnyside & Seneca COVID-19 challenges, now is the time that I have been hinting at for the past to close and retire. Siam Kitchen has two months has now opened! On been open for over 30 years and was deadline day, it had just been open the first authentic Thai restaurant in Shibayan Japanese restaurant. PHOTO BY BRENDAN MCCOY Ottawa. And as per their post on their featured, please send a note describing website, favourites like #16 and #52 (!) your/the business’ eco-friendly will definitely be missed. practices to Susan Dallin O’Grady Beit jady, with a selection of hookahs in the window. PHOTO BY BRENDAN MCCOY – at [email protected]. If Christmas trees! you prefer to just (self-)nominate a Chris Smith, head of the OTLBC business, that’s an option too, and court maintenance crew, has indicated Susan has suggested she is willing to that he will open up his Christmas tree come visit the business to check out the sale again this winter to benefit Habitat green initiatives. for Humanity. He has also indicated that he will likely open up the lot a Business Beat is a monthly feature bit sooner than usual, and hopes to be that highlights new and existing open in the second half of November. businesses in Old Ottawa South. So by the time you read this, we’re just Opinions are my own. If you know a few short weeks away from being of any new businesses opening up or able to set up a Christmas tree! want to share your thoughts about existing businesses, send a note to: Green business initiatives [email protected]. Booking now for Fall 2020 The Enviro Crew of Old Ottawa South is hoping to write a special Erik van der Torre has lived in Old article highlighting OOS businesses’ Ottawa South with his wife and green practices (such as reducing, three sons for over 11 years. He reusing, recycling, using green and is a member of OSCA’s Traffic & local products, etc.). If you would Safety Committee and is OSCA’s like your business featured, or if you Communications and Marketing mainrenovations.com would like to nominate a business to be Coordinator. The OSCAR l November 2020 Page 3 NEWS Happy Birthday Jean-Pierre By Layabout This day at the OTLBC was a bit special for J-P. His 92nd birthday! A In this dreary season of COVID-19, I picnic table was secretly prepared with went looking for a happy story. balloons and homemade cupcakes Here is Jean-Pierre Beauregard; what while he played his game. I got a a great name! Imagine leaving your cupcake and a good interview; all was number with a receptionist who will arranged by his daughter Teresa who tell the boss – “A Monsieur Jean-Pierre lives here in OOS. Beauregard left you a message.” You J-P was one of five children in a know the boss will call you back. francophone family in Montreal West, We met at the Ottawa Tennis and a majority Anglophone community. As Lawn Bowling Club (OTLBC) where a result he acquired a good unaccented he goes regularly to play that game that expression in two languages. Then works very well with social distancing. he acquired a master’s degree in His other hobby is playing saxophone mechanical engineering and joined in a jazz group; no way that’s going to up with Rolls Royce in England. One work out in the pandemic. of his projects, among many, was the Farewell Kathryn Jean-Pierre Beauregard, ready for a game of tennis. PHOTO BY BRUCE GRANT Rolls-Royce Dart gas turbine airplane for thirty-one years, he’s done some engine. consulting and some volunteer work Those first generation jet engines with Carleton University, which powered our Trans Canada Airline’s gratefully gave him an honorary fleet of Viscount airliners; older readers doctorate.