Despite the closure of one of Ottawa’s oldest movie theatres, community support has hinted at a light at the end of the tunnel for the city’s small businesses.
When it was announced the Bytowne’s doors would be closing for good amidst the second lockdown, there was an immediate community outcry. Prided on showing lesser-known Canadian and foreign films, the 73-year-old theater brought together a diverse array of cultures and traditions alike.
However, soon into the debacle of the Bytowne’s impending closure, rumors regarding the possibility that the theatre may make a comeback began to surface. In March 2020, potential buyers were planning a visit to Ottawa when the first lockdown happened—both of whom might still be interested in purchasing the theatre once its doors reopen for its final hurrah after the current lockdown. This was in addition to other community members interested in keeping the Bytowne alive through planned group viewings and donations.
For the theatre, this is a potential second chance. For the rest of Ottawa’s small businesses, this is a hopeful precedent.
The opportunity for the community to serve small businesses the way they’ve been serving us is a challenge Ottawans had no issue confronting, from the Mayfair Theatre’s massive fundraising success to Octopus Books’ increase in patronage. Each business brings its own portion of diversity and history to the nation’s capital, and it is clear this is something our community is willing to fight to save.
Therefore, it is perhaps better to refer to small businesses as only temporarily out of sorts. Though COVID-19 has forced their doors closed on an intermittent basis, the community continues to breathe life into these establishments.
For now, it’s not the end. The Bytowne may be closed, and even if it never reopens, it has at least given us a chance to truly reflect on the impact it’s had on us as a small business, and vice versa. From there, fate lies in the hands of community members to pay it forward, allow businesses to start a new chapter, and make their mark in Ottawa’s rich history and culture.
Through community passion, Ottawa’s small business may be dormant, but never dead.
Featured graphic from file.
