A Look Back on What We Achieved Together in 2023
What a year, Bronte!
For those who supported local, dined at our restaurants, window-shopped, attended events, walked the pier, sat in our Muskoka chairs, took pictures under our Christmas tree, entered our giveaways, shared our posts and made Bronte part of your story in 2023, we are so very grateful.
Here’s a snapshot of what we achieved together:
We welcomed an (almost) entirely new BIA Board of Directors and 20+ new businesses, including:
Cat Hospital of Burlington-Oakville
Boba Blast Bubble Tea
LBC Financial Group & Gallery
Bronte MY Wellness
Two of our local businesses celebrated big, huge, giant milestones – El Spero Family Restaurant celebrated 50 years in business and Goodnight Goodmorning celebrated 25 years in business.
We launched year two of our Community Investment Program and the BIA sponsored 65 days of events and activations with 10 participating groups, including Bronte Lake Notes, Oakville Public Library, CRAFT by BLing Events International, Bandology, Oakvillegreen, Bronte Legion, Oakville Festivals of Film & Art, Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton, Bronte Historical Society and Oakville Wind Orchestra.
As a result of our Community Investment Program, we welcomed 28,000+ visitors who connected and celebrated in unique shared experiences – and spent over $340,000 at local Bronte businesses.
We funded two public art projects – the Zara’s on Wheels Food Truck and the Bronte Legion mural.
We coordinated the seventh annual At Home in Bronte Muskoka Chair project and invited three equity deserving groups to paint 10 chairs.
We funded and distributed 25,000 copies of the Look Local Bronte Summer Guide across Halton.
Our businesses won not one, not two, but twenty-two Oakville Beaver Readers’ Choice Awards!
We created the At Gnome in Bronte (spring) campaign with contesting for kids and adults and a district-wide scavenger hunt.
We continued our partnership with the Oakville Public Library through our ON THE GO Book Bike program – and Bronte, you read 3,000+ books in 2023!
We designed, printed and installed new street banners and gateway flags.
We beautified the district with new summer barrel planters, hanging baskets and both Canada and Progressive Pride flags.
We installed (daily) 12 Bronte Connects Here bistro table sets in the public realm from June through to September.
In partnership with RBC and Visit Oakville, we ran the Show Us Your Receipts! support local gift card giveaway contest for 11-weeks between June and September.
We organized the first annual Bronte Block Party; 25 Bronte business and community partners participated and the event attracted 4,500 visitors.
We organized the first-ever At Home in Bronte for the Holidays celebration in Bronte Market Square – which included a community tree lighting, visits with Santa & Mrs. Claus, carolling, live music and festive activities.
We ran a 3-week curling rink/BeaverTails food truck activation in Bronte Market Square from November to December.
We created a 12-page digital and print Bronte Holiday Gift Guide to promote supporting local during the Christmas season.
On behalf our BIA Board of Directors and 175+ businesses, we thank you for making Bronte a one-of-a-kind neighbourhood to live, work and visit. Here’s to 2024!