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#Stratford

As we reflect back on National Accessibility Week,

As we reflect back on National Accessibility Week, we'd like to share a word from the BIA's GM, Jamie Pritchard:⁠
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"The updated definition of Disabled is “impaired or limited by a physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition”. The definition of Accessibility is “ensuring the ability for everyone, regardless of disability, to have access, use, and benefit from their environment”. ⁠
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In my journey, I have lived through the thought process of being excluded from many of the things I once had the ability to do on my own. This thought soon resulted in a mindset change in me and I embraced the aids that would give me more personal freedom. This newfound freedom brings so much joy to my life and I applaud (and patronize) the downtown businesses that take measures (where possible) to make their businesses more accessible and thus more shippable. ⁠
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There are many tools such as ramps or doorbells for service that can be utilized. ⁠
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Stratford is a beautiful city with many leaders who believe inclusivity is paramount for all and I am proud to call it my home."⁠
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If you're a downtown business looking to improve the accessibility of your space please reach out to us directly.

🦮💩 Check out our NEW doggie poop bag dispens

🦮💩 Check out our NEW doggie poop bag dispensers! Located beside the entrance to the washrooms at city hall AND by the grass and bike rack on York Street.

This is all part of our new Pet-Friendly initiative we’re launching in Downtown Stratford.

The biodegradable disposal bags have been generously donated by @thebarkerystratford and @pawsitivedifference and they are going to keep them stocked up. We are so grateful!

CONGRATULATIONS Sara and @matilda.galleryartbar an

CONGRATULATIONS Sara and @matilda.galleryartbar and @matildaswansonartgallery for a smashing Stratford Artists Takeover Show opening success. Runs until July 23 so you have lots of time to get in and explore, browse, purchase and show your support for this new gallery art bar located beside the Theatre Store.

Happy #WorldCycleDay as we look back on yesterday’s super successful Car-Free Friday (1st of 4). We’ll unveil the winner of our “Commuter Cup Challenge: City vs. Business” next week in a dramatic first handoff of the trophy.

🍩 HAPPY NATIONAL DONUT DAY 🍩 ⁠ A joyful da

🍩 HAPPY NATIONAL DONUT DAY 🍩 ⁠
A joyful day indeed - and we almost missed it.⁠
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📸 @Lady_Glaze_Doughnuts has you covered ⁠
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Missed it? Don't forget... Saturdays are @revelStratford donut days of delight, and @ThePlanetDiner always has vegan donuts⁠ (PHEW)
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Favourite donut type or flavour? GO!

We ADORE seeing the raising of Pride Flags all ove

We ADORE seeing the raising of Pride Flags all over downtown today 🏳️‍🌈 (and many year-round). ⁠
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On this Pride Month, we strive as always to make Downtown Stratford a safe, inclusive, loving space for all.⁠
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Here are a few of the ones we've spotted so far today:⁠
@revelstratford⁠
@tacoshopgrrrl (love this)⁠
@whatever75stratford⁠
@thelittleshedflower⁠
@sirkelfoods⁠
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Join us as we gather together on Sunday at Upper Queens Park for the Pride March at 1pm, and the Festival 2-4pm @stratfordperthpride⁠
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#loveislove ❤️🧡💛⁠
Happy Pride Month!

What an incredible day yesterday was in the doggin

What an incredible day yesterday was in the doggin' heat as we worked on the best darn downtown dog video you will ever see. ⁠
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We can't wait to present more sneak peeks. And unveil the final video! KEEP THE DATE: JUNE 22nd. Our official Downtown Pet-Friendly Launch + Dog Show in Market Square 4-6pm ⁠
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Thank you for everyone who brought their doggos out. More soon!

It's National Accessibility Week! A week which rai

It's National Accessibility Week! A week which raises awareness about accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities in Canadian communities and workplaces.⁠
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We are pleased to see our Downtown Stratford businesses' efforts to make downtown more accessible. Including installing these StopGap ramps. ⁠
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1. Accessibility means inclusion⁠!
2. Accessibility means Shopability⁠!
3. Accessibility also helps those with strollers etc get into more spaces!
4. When thinking accessible, think also of people that may have limited or no hearing.⁠
5. When thinking accessible, think also of people that may have limited or no sight. ⁠
6. Other items to highlight in our downtown: accessible washrooms at the boathouse, new ramps installed at Memorial Gardens, the city has been installing crosswalks with audible queues recently, businesses have installed automatic doors (like Destination Stratford, Macleods, Library, Avon Theatre etc)⁠
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We expect this is only the start...⁠
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#AccessibleCanada #AccessibleOntario #AccessibleStratford.⁠
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To learn more about AccessAbility Week go to our bio link or https://www.canada.ca/.../national-accessability-week.html

NOW CLOSED. WINNER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. Thank you fo

NOW CLOSED. WINNER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. Thank you for participating 🫶🏽 🚲 **GIVEAWAY TIME** 🛴 🛹🚶🏻‍♀️⁠
In celebration of our upcoming Car-Free Friday event on June 2, 8-10am and #WorldCycleDay we are asking you to use active transportation on that day and join us in this giveaway. ⁠
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WIN $75 Downtown Dollars⁠
To enter:⁠
1. Like this post⁠
2. Tell us in the comments your favourite form of active transportation⁠
3. Share this post with the friend you'd love to head downtown with⁠
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Contest closes Friday when our event begins at 8am. We will contact the winner directly.

"Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area (BIA

"Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area (BIA) wants everyone to leave cars at home on Fridays starting June 2, just in time for World Cycle Day." - by StratfordToday.ca (read the full article at our bio link).⁠
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Join us at the Bike Repair Station this Friday from 8am-10am: ⁠
🚲 FREE coffee donated by @revelstratford and FREE juice⁠
🚲 GIVEAWAYS (2 ballots if you bring your own mug)⁠
🚲 DEMOS of our repair station by @rossbikeworks
🚲 BIKE REGISTRATION ⁠by @cro_fischer with Project 529 Program⁠
🚲 SPECIAL GUESTS Bill James-Abra @ClimateMomentum, City Counsellor Jo-Dee Burback @CycleStratford, Sadaf Ghalib - City Climate Change Programs, Michael Mousley - City Transit⁠
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What is Car-Free Friday? It's a celebration of active transportation: An opportunity to experience the joy of cycling, rolling, bussing, cruising to work without your vehicle.⁠
#WorldCycleDay⁠
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STAY TUNED for our INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY, which starts tomorrow. ⁠

🍔 National Burger Day 🍔 ⁠ Are you picking

🍔 National Burger Day 🍔 ⁠
Are you picking up ingredients downtown to make your own tonight? Or dining out feasting on one of the many hot burger spots? Tell us in the comments!⁠
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Ingredients for this burger were found at (and photographed for) @hubbutchery

👗 👡 FASHION SUMMER 🩳 👚 ⁠is here! ⁠

👗 👡 FASHION SUMMER 🩳 👚 ⁠is here!
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Enjoy some of the best shopping for the latest fashions between dining, theatre, and river walks. ⁠
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FEATURED HERE:⁠
🛍️ @pamela_osa (more coming from Stratford model @elizabethexpress_ - can't wait to share - hint: 🐩 🐕)⁠
🛍️ @distillgallery⁠
🛍️ @thegreenroomstratford⁠
🛍️ @gruvstratford⁠
🛍️ @resonancefashion⁠
🛍️ @andethestore⁠
🛍️ @dannanicolestratford⁠
🛍️ @pamela_osa again ⁠
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Thank you @stratfordperthpride and @sirkelfoods fo

Thank you @stratfordperthpride and @sirkelfoods for this beautiful addition to our downtown. We love it so much. This week the Stratford Rainbow Crosswalk was replaced - and in time for Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Join us for our first of FOUR Car-Free Fridays. We

Join us for our first of FOUR Car-Free Fridays. We are SUPER STOKED to celebrate World Cycle Day with you, as we all cycle, rollerskate, scooter, walk, or take public transit to work. ⁠
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For all the VERY cool details, including a list of special guests (like Ross's Bike Works there to demo the Bike Repair Station) aor to see what we're giving away, head to the link in our bio.

We love our downtown gardens. And we're so happy t

We love our downtown gardens. And we're so happy to see Shakespeare Gardens beginning to bloom.⁠
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This Sunday, May 28 from 2pm to about 4pm you're invited to an Anniversary Recognition Gathering for the 87 years this beautiful garden has flourished!⁠
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Please join The Friends of the Shakespearean Garden for a mingle and a short chat with Reg White at 3pm.⁠
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Photos by Mike Beitz⁠
REPOST The City of Stratford⁠
SHAKESPEAREAN GARDENS⁠
Spring has sprung, and along with it, a number of colourful bulbs in the City of Stratford’s Shakespearean Gardens.⁠
That includes tulips, daffodils, allium, crocus and hyacinths.⁠
Once the bulb show dims, perennials like peonies, lilies, iris, coneflower and bee balm will provide another burst of colour.⁠
Annual plantings are also added to the gardens each spring for a lasting summer display.⁠
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👒 LONG WEEKEND SHOPPING VIBES 🛍️ ⁠ It's

👒 LONG WEEKEND SHOPPING VIBES 🛍️ ⁠
It's time to get your summer wardrobe in order. Sunhats, sunglasses, sandals, sneakers, sundresses, and more.⁠
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Downtown Stratford can help you with all your summer wardrobe needs! Where do you shop for your best summery apparel?!⁠
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Find this hat at @gruvstratford

Spend your long weekend with us! Downtown has all

Spend your long weekend with us! Downtown has all the weekend fun: boat rentals, restaurants and patios, amazing shopping, world-renowned theatre, and nature.⁠
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REPOST @avonboathouse 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬? ⁠
Come explore the Avon River ☀️⁠

DID YOU KNOW...Downtown Stratford is becoming a Pe

DID YOU KNOW...Downtown Stratford is becoming a Pet-Friendly City? And we want to see YOU and YOUR PET enjoying it. As we work on all the details to make downtown as dog and pet-friendly as we can (water bowls, poop bag dispensers, decals for pet-friendly businesses) we want to know how excited you are. ⁠
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TAG US @downtownstratford or #dogtownstratford when you post your dog or pet photo downtown - and we will share the love 🦮🐾🤎⁠
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🐶 This is handsome Herc (who loves our downtown).⁠
📸 His human @stephanietheodoropoulos is the photographer, our Board of Director's Vice Chair and an associate at @SuttonGroupfc ⁠
She also loves downtown. They make quite a pair. ⁠
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SHOW US YOUR POOCH 💞

Craving sunshine and warm weather this long weeken

Craving sunshine and warm weather this long weekend? So are we. And we've got patios open for you all weekend long. ⁠
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What are YOU doing downtown this weekend?⁠
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PATIOS as shown:⁠
@bluebirdstratford⁠
@theplanetdiner⁠
@commonstratford⁠
@blackswanbrewingco⁠
@balzacscoffee⁠
@fullhousestratford⁠
@thereliclobbybar⁠
@fellinisstratford⁠
@bentleysbarinn⁠
@mercerbeer⁠

Starting May 19, the City of Stratford will delive

Starting May 19, the City of Stratford will deliver a community concert series in City Hall Market Square on Friday evenings from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. (A perfect chance to SHOP BEFORE and DINE AFTER the performance.) ⁠
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Produced by Stratford's own Juno-nominated Dayna Manning, each Friday evening will feature a new local artist. Dayna will kick off the first evening, and the concert series will continue each Friday until June 23rd.⁠
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Those wishing to attend are welcome to do so free of charge and are encouraged to bring their own chairs.⁠
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May 19: Dayna Manning⁠
May 26: Dan Stacey and Kyle Waymouth⁠
June 2: Barbara Fulton⁠
June 9: Paul Mills & Graham Lindsey⁠
June 16: Ben Bolt-Martin⁠
June 23: Lea Keeley⁠
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More info at our bio link.⁠
Graphic provided by Destination Stratford website.

DID YOU KNOW…? 2023 marks Downtown Stratford BIA

DID YOU KNOW…? 2023 marks Downtown Stratford BIA’s 50th year?!?! 🥳🍾🎉🥂 We’ve got some fun things coming down the pipes to help celebrate. But we’ve started with this bench outside our member’s business, Shopper’s Drug Mart. This image is from downtown almost 50 years ago. Recognize anything?

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