Just before the curtains of 2020 were drawn, Ottawa was forced to say goodbye to one of its local landmarks: the Bytowne Cinema on Rideau Street.
The permanent closure of the Bytowne on Dec. 26 due to financial pressures made worse by the pandemic has unfortunately been a common fate for local businesses. However, hope for the continued existence of other small businesses in Ottawa remains, so long as we do not forget that their survival lies in the hands of community members.
Though Ottawa may hold the title of the nation’s capital, one could argue it has always had the warmth of a small town. Central to defining this identity are the small businesses which bring vitality to our neighbourhoods and are core to our collective memory.
Perhaps the most poignant example of this is Old Ottawa South’s Mayfair Theatre.
The cult classic has been brought to life for countless Ottawans by this live cast who induct them int0 the Rocky Horror experience by pantomiming the film in front of the screen for an elaborately dressed audience, guiding attendees to heckle the movie, and infamously initiating all first-timers with the “virgin ritual” where they line up and are branded with a bright red, lip-stick drawn “V” on their faces.
The single-screen hall has been the setting of some of the funniest and most joyful memories I share with my friends and family. The Mayfair plays a different role in Ottawa’s film scene than the many multiplexes which screen the latest and greatest Hollywood films. It is a cultural guide through the pantheon of cult classics which populate film history, as well as a platform for independent and foreign cinema. It has managed to thrive—in non-pandemic years, of course—even with one of the city’s most popular Cineplex locations just down the street in Lansdowne, making its survival a testament to its community importance.
Well…that was unexpected.
Look at this wonderful accomplishment that has happened thanks to the amazing and endless support of our lovely patrons!
What you see before you is a cinema that is completely sold out for names-on-seats fundraising!
I'm not crying…you're crying! pic.twitter.com/LzWPuxXuJs— Mayfair Theatre (@mayfairtheatre) March 28, 2020
Now, as a result of the 28-day lockdown which kicked into place Dec. 26, the Mayfair has sat empty for weeks.
Small businesses which have been operating in a limited, physically-distanced capacity since March have had to pivot their businesses so frequently since the beginning of the pandemic to deal with shutdowns, new customer needs and pandemic safety protocols. The Mayfair in particular turned to fundraising in the early days of the pandemic, selling theatre seat inscriptions for $150 a piece. Though the Mayfair found great success in this endeavour, many businesses have not been so lucky, and are likely exhausted and unsure of what direction to continue in.
As patrons, we have the power to preserve Ottawa’s cultural vibrancy. As consumers, we can support the businesses which form the backbone of our community, and when we do, we can be secure in the knowledge we are investing in our communal growth. Small businesses contribute to local culture, but they also boost and regulate the economy. They provide jobs, instill competition to prevent even larger retailers from charging too much for their products, and fuel innovation.
It is imperative residents understand that they truly can make a difference in the livelihood of small business owners. Money is a powerful thing, so why not exercise our collective power for communal growth, on both a local and national scale?
When Bruce White, operator of the Bytowne, announced the closure of the iconic institution on s0cial media, he was met with a wave of messages from community members echoing calls to save the theatre. This outpouring of support for the Bytowne emboldened a sentiment I always felt: that what makes Ottawa an interesting place are the small businesses which call it home.
At the end of this lockdown, the Mayfair is promising special screenings of films including The War of Worlds, Memories of Murder, and Sound of Metal. When the lockdown is lifted, they will need our patronage, because that is all it takes to ensure local businesses thrive—it was donations, attending showings while possible and so on that kept the Mayfair afloat for the first portion of the pandemic. So if you can keep safe while doing so, why not enjoy a COVID-friendly, physically-distanced movie night once restrictions are lifted?
Small business has always been, and hopefully will continue to be, the heart and lifeblood of Ottawa’s cultural fabric. Weathering the storm of 2020 will inevitably leave its mark on small businesses, but with the community’s support, we can promise the businesses we value a future in our city.
Featured image provided.
