Downtown Gravenhurst is in trouble, and it needs the Town’s help to right the ship.
That was the message from Gravenhurst business owners during the most recent Gravenhurst town council meeting.
Kim Evans, owner of Blooming Muskoka, a flower shop in Gravenhurst, made a presentation to council about the future of the downtown. Her aim was to shed light on the challenges facing the area and propose actionable solutions for revitalization.
Evans highlighted the struggles that downtown Gravenhurst has faced over the past few years, noting a troubling trend of more business closures than openings. “We’ve lost a number of good entrepreneurs along the way,” she remarked, pointing to a difficult winter that exacerbated the situation with its snow emergencies and ice storms. “Walk-in business dried up, and without it, many stores on the main street simply can’t afford to remain open.”
Emphasizing the need for fresh ideas and concrete plans, Evans noted that while numerous entrepreneurs are eager to start businesses—from restaurants to bookstores—there’s a significant lack of available rental spaces. She estimated that nearly 61 percent of retail spaces downtown are either vacant or being used for unauthorized residential purposes.
To address these pressing issues, Evans proposed tightening bylaws and rebuilding vacant lots to create more opportunities for businesses. She also suggested that local establishments should be mandated to maintain a minimum number of open days throughout the year to ensure a vibrant downtown atmosphere. Furthermore, she advocated for updates to property standards, arguing that poorly maintained properties detract from the community’s appeal. “These issues are in plain sight,” she stated, urging council members for decisive leadership.
In response to Evans’ presentation, the council discussed potential solutions, including the reinstatement of the Business Improvement Area (BIA). The Gravenhurst BIA entered dormancy in December 2024. Evans, one of the last board members, cautioned that reinstating the BIA would be ineffective until there are enough business owners in the downtown district to support its functionality.
Following her compelling address, council members passed a resolution instructing staff to explore regulatory tools that could foster and sustain a lively downtown core, signaling a commitment to revitalizing Gravenhurst’s heart.
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I started a group 30 years ago to do a town portrait program to paint the buildings in town, unfortunately I became too busy with my new career to work on the project. There were a few buildings painted and then everything stopped.. We had just sold our Kentucky fried busness and went on a holiday to BC. Stopping at a town that had the best tourist attraction i have ever seen.
The town Chemainus B,C. They painted murals on buildings all over town and carvings and other attractions, had a great walking tour.
Look up Chemainus BC on the internet.. home project like this would put gravenhurst on the map. Ted
Offering a tax break incentive would be a good start.
Moreso,, the delapitated state of many properties on #11 south of town does not help the towns image.
These property owners should be penalized unless they clean up
I’m not from Gravenhurst, but it is interesting to read the comments. People do have some good ideas. Start with the easy ones. Seems like the property owners are indifferent, stiffling development, and the town council is too complacent. Perhaps holding some town hall meetings would help get the needed juices flowing..
My family recently acquired a cottage in Gravenhurst. We intend to enjoy and rent the property. We feel a responsibility to promote local businesses and events as a way of paying back to the community that hosts us and our guests. We love this town. As a licensed renter, we pay an annual permit fee and collect Municipal Accommodation Taxes for the town. It’s our pleasure to do it,. We are interested in supporting any initiative that both elevates the quality of life for Gravenhurst citizens and drives more revenue for the town. With the proximity of town, our guests are looking for local culture, history, shopping and entertainment. I hope we can look for solutions that balance community goals with entrepreneurial endeavours so both prosper.
A point of genuine inquiry: What is the town, doing outside of collecting fees and taxes to help connect the collective of vacation property rentals owners with local businesses. I hope we all have the same goal of showcasing this wonderful place and the people who live here.
I was in Gravenhurst this past weekend (June 21-22) – I saw exactly one Cannibas store on the Main Street. One. And it actually had customers, unlike the majority of the rest of the Main Street – so I would imagine cannibas stores are not the problem here.
Bracebridge was beautiful – Gravenhurst was a huge disappointment.
I’m a little confused by the statement that was made in the article. It stated that there is a lack of available rental spaces in the downtown area. As a longtime cottager, and having had family living in Gravenhurst for centuries, I’ve noticed a big change in the atmosphere and attraction of the downtown core. What used to be a vibrant, busy area with stores that people actually visited and spent money in, has become a street of empty storefronts and types of businesses that do not attract tourists or the towns people. In comparison, Bracebridge has a vibrant business area. What Gravenhurst needs are stores that actually sell items, not an abundance of cannabis stores, realtors, and professional offices. Where are the cafes, gift shops, clothing stores (currently only 2 in the downtown area)? Gravenhurst has two major attractions, other than the lake itself, and those are the Segwun and Wenonah 11, and Bethune House. The wharf, though redone several years ago, has not lived up to its potential. There are no boutiques on the wharf to attract tourism while visiting, other than The Shipyards, but rather a convenience store, hearing office, pharmacy, etc.. The wharf and bay should also be adorned with beautiful plants and flowers to enhance it. What I have seen on my walks there have been unkept gardens, and a lot of weeds. Gravenhurst could be another Niagara-on-the-Lake, bringing in a multitude of tourists and revenue.
What I have heard from past business owners in Gravenhurst is that the reason they left is because the rents were to high. If this is the case, then the town should reconsider the high rents, and attract more businesses.
Compel landowners of vacant lots & buildings to sell or release these properties for affordable housing or retail. Many such properties sit idle in Bracebridge eg. the old BMLSS, Monck Hill apts & a green Victoria St building.
I can understand the frustration of the shop owners because they are not getting enough local support. Perhaps the retail taxes need to be reduced so that small businesses can operate in a profitable climate. Online shopping is taking away personal shopping. This is a societal choice that is tempting so many people. That’s, undoubtedly, a huge shopping preference for people of all ages and demographics. I wish it were otherwise, but we can’t “turn back the clock.” However, personally, I would like to see our residents show more support, especially during the summer, to shop locally.. The limited parking time allowance needs to be lifted to encourage more visitors to Town and also encourage local shoppers, as well.
It will certainly be a good idea for the town council to finally look for ways to encourage more business in Gravenhurst. The town is dying.
One item I think should immediately addressed is the issuing of parking tickets near businesses.
“Welcome to Gravenhurst and here is a nice expensive ticket to remember us by. Come back soon !!! “
Thank you Kim well said . The main street has been battling this problem for years . There needs to be more research on who is renting and the overall focus their business will have on our main street Perhaps we need business people on the committee that have first hand experience of ownership in a small town . We do not have to go far for a good visual . One only needs to look and watch the main St , 10 minutes up Hyw 11.. ,how well they have done over the years .One question who designed the grass area on the main street . ??? There was NO design . . This could easily be cleaned up . Why have a lot full of mature weeds . I believe a project/ committee of senior high school students could have some input . The ” MAIN STREET “
Talking to past business owners in town, the reason they left was the Town’s red tape, delays upon delays, non-supportive. Some moved to Bracebridge stating the town was ‘friendlier , open to suggestions and helpful. Not so with the Town of Gravenhurst, I have heard over and over again that this is a ‘bedroom community’, so why bother. Well the result is a dying town and doubt it will recover. We too are thinking its time to move to a Town that cares
Yes, the way to attract more business is to add a bunch of rules that in large part drove business out of town to begin with. This is a mental illness that plagues Canada well beyond gravenhurst. The answer is the opposite. Cut regulation, cut taxes, make the area pragmatically attractive to investors. If I can’t offer a good price because I have bone crushing overhead, I’m not going to do business.. plain and simple. No amount of curb appeal can rectify a miserable and uninvestable business landscape.
Totally agree. Downtown is dying and there’s not enough to attract tourists or local traffic. Council needs to act decisively to stop the rot and support those businesses that are still there.
Sadly this is not isolated to just small towns anymore and is a growing trend due to the ever increasing insanity of our economy!! As a sole proprietor businesman and the CEO of a newly started B2B S.T.E.M manufacturing corporate plan I started the 2nd due to the first while being very viable in a better economy is drowning simply due to the same. Last year I lost a retail 2 store account only because they didnt have the client and had to close. Literally they just held on till forced out.
We have only the last liberal governments’ bs governance, as the only people to win in the past decade were the head thief and his minions, and still ontarians voted the wolves back into the chicken house ! ! ! SMH !
We all are desperate for a change but as the way of the world this is NOT going to improve anytime soon and likely not ever. Taxes that are said to be eliminated are just modified and I for one knew that would happen as after 63yrs on this rock Ive NEVER seen it happen were a cashcow for #greedyelites !
DO YOU THINK IF VOTING REALLY MATTERED THEYD ACTULLY LET US DO IT???
Answers to these questions are scarey to all and are desperately needed
Well for starters yes empty lots should be encouraged to rebuild maybee tax incentives would help, or maybee mini parking lot. High drawing buisness should be encouraged like Wimpys, Sunset Grill were very tasty food menues are provided. Bulk Barn is another good buisness with traffic. Snow removal and sidewalk clearing was a big problem this last winter im sure hurting many bottom lines. Dont mean to criticise but its true.
Create a downtown revitalization committee to get this town on the retail map. Create a reason why owners want to be apart of the new look downtown , restaurant outdoor patios would help , Be creative or visitors will shop and dine elsewhere. Brad
Hello, we have been operating a small business in a small town in the Kawartha Lakes for the past 18 years. Aside from the grocery store, the bear store, CT, hardware store, and the LCBO, they are the only businesses that have been operating by the same owners during the past 18 years. Some business many locations have changed owners and businesses.
Things have changed over that time frame for the worst. businesses have faced high increases for everything, such as property taxes, insurance, water, hydro, gas for heating, wage costs, internet and phone,
In addition it is harder to do anything with your business as all the red tape instituted by all levels of government to do anything a s simple as putting up an awning on the front of your business.
An issue in our town is the commercial properties are half owned by the business and the other half by landlords. This makes it very difficult to get buy in from any of these groups, as they both have different business models and desires.
It is very difficult financially to maintain a business with all of the increased costs, changing buying habits of the clients, especially when we are all still trying to recover from pandemic and a consumer base which is 70% seasonal.
My bank ground is finance with major Financial institutions, in addition I worked in major NA cities, and understand the business world well. I also sat of the board of our small town local Chamber of Combers for over 10 years.
All I can say is, I hope you can figure it out, as I do not think any government will address the issues of small town, I am aware that right now over 50% of the small businesses are stating this summer will be a make or break it year. Lets hope we all make it or small towns will be gone.
There is no effective signage to encourage drivers to stop and shop in the Town Core.
Traffic is redirected down James for the second year in a row.
There are at most six retail establishments on the Main Street…all the rest are services, which could be on side streets.
I also think that banners in the summer add colour and promotion for events and shops…sitting in a car at the intersection of Bay and Muskoka Road, there is nothing to tell us that this is a vibrant place.