Small businesses play an important role in our local economy and help make up the fabric of our unique community. This week, the Town of Whitby is joining municipalities across Canada in recognizing Small Business Week (October 19 to 23).  

The Town is continuing and building on its supports for small businesses in our community through:

Downtown Parking Supports

Based on feedback from businesses, the Town of Whitby and Downtown Whitby Business Improvement Area (BIA) are continuing to partner together to offer parking supports for businesses in Downtown Whitby, including:

• Free Parking – all on-street and municipal lot parking in Downtown Whitby will continue to be free for the remainder of the year. On-street and municipal lot parking will also continue to be free in Downtown Brooklin.
• 15-minute Parking Spaces - the Town will continue to offer 15-minute parking at more than 20 of its metered on-street parking locations in Downtown Whitby to help support safe curbside pick-up and delivery.

Outdoor Patios

The Town is continuing to make it easier for local businesses to expand or keep open outdoor patios by extending the waiving of application fees and the expedited approval and permitting process.

To help extend the patio season for local businesses, the Town has created a quick and easy check-list of the do’s and don’ts for safely operating a portable heating appliance, such as a patio heater. The goal is to support local businesses in their ongoing business operations and provide residents with continued opportunities to enjoy local establishments safely, despite the cooler weather. For more information on outdoor patios, businesses can contact clerks@whitby.ca.

Whitby Business Reopening Kit

The Town continues to offer local independent businesses a free reopening kit. The kit includes a business hours window decal, floor decals and posters to support physical distancing and the wearing of masks. Local independent businesses can email ecdev@whitby.ca to request a kit. Members of the Downtown Whitby BIA can also request a kit by emailing info@whitbybia.org.

What’s Open Whitby

To date more than 230 local businesses have added their information to the Town’s What’s Open Whitby online mapping portal. The portal was developed by the Town of Whitby in partnership with the Whitby Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Whitby Business Improvement Area (BIA). Through whitby.ca/whatsopen, a user can quickly search for a local business by category or address to find a variety of options available to them.

Not on the map? Add your business by completing a quick survey. Questions about the portal can be directed to ecdev@whitby.ca.

More Information

For more information and resources, visit whitby.ca/businessresources or email ecdev@whitby.ca.

Share Your Feedback

Local businesses are invited to have their say on Whitby’s municipal programs and service delivery by participating in the Town’s 2020 Community Survey open until Sunday, October 25.