Province opens up applications for small business grants mymuskokanow.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mymuskokanow.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Jan 8, 2021
If anyone has their work cut out for them during the pandemic it’s suit tailors and dress designers.
With weddings, galas and corporate events cancelled, put on hold or severely restricted, the demand for glamorous gowns and sophisticated suits is hanging by a thread, leaving Ottawa’s formalwear sector in search of new ways to do business.
For
Sonia Fisher, president of E.R. Fisher Menswear, 2020 was “the most challenging year” in the history of her venerable business, located at 199 Richmond Rd. in Westboro.
“There’s never been anything like this before.” Not in recent memory, anyway.
The menswear store, founded on Sparks Street in 1905 by Fisher’s great-grandfather, has a reputation for its tailored and made-to-measure suits, custom shirts and formalwear. Fisher, who’s the fourth generation in her family to own E.R. Fisher, purchased the retail store from her uncle, aunt and father in 2009.
Dec 21, 2020
This story was updated at 3:35 p.m. to include details from the City of Ottawa s press conference.
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson slammed the provincial decision to include Ottawa in a province-wide shutdown of non-essential businesses for nearly a month, saying there are “no facts” to support such measures, which are likely to have a “devastating impact on our local economy.”
Watson made his remarks shortly after Premier Doug Ford said all of Ontario will enter a “province-wide shutdown” on Boxing Day as officials try to bring soaring COVID-19 cases under control.
The measures will remain in place for southern Ontario, including Ottawa, until Jan. 23, but will lift for northern Ontario on Jan. 9.
Over 70,000 Sign Petition Urging Ford to Open Ontario Ski Hills
A petition signed by over 70,000 people is urging the Ontario government to allow skiing this winter.
Launched by Bradford resident Dwayne Cardoso, the petition, which has garnered more than 70,000 supporters since Dec. 21, wants Premier Doug Ford to allow ski hills to operate during the province-wide lockdown that went into effect Saturday.
“Skiing should be the safest sport to participate in with face coverings, mandatory space between patrons (skis and snowboards easily facilitate social distancing),” Cardoso said. “Riding chair lifts with only family, in a time of immense negativity, this can also help our mental health, not to mention the exercise that we all desperately want.”
Article content
The Ontario government is defending its decision to allow big box stores to sell more than just essential items during the provincial lockdown.
At the same time, it is reminding small businesses that sell the same items, but are not allowed to offer in-store shopping, to apply for the “many” grants and subsidies available to them.
“We appreciate that this is a difficult time for many small businesses. Though they cannot remain open, they are able to receive orders online and telephone for pickup,” said David Jensen, a spokesman with the Ministry of Health.
He said many big box stores with pharmacies and grocery sections are selling essential goods and services people need access to.