Best Place to Open a Shop in Kingston
Downtown Kingston is a full service district, featuring an eclectic mix of specialty retail shops entertainment, restaurant, professional services and residential occupancies within a walkable, historic, waterfront setting. Kingston’s downtown is consistently cited as one of the top downtowns in North America. The Downtown Kingston BIA is dedicated to sustaining the health of the downtown by promoting the core as the vibrant and healthy commercial, retail, residential and entertainment centre of the region.
Downtown Kingston is a year-round destination. Free public skating in Springer Market Square and the annual Feb Fest winter festival augment the winter experience while a plethora of outdoor summer activities cements the warmer months.
Springer Market Square is also home to Ontario’s oldest continuously run Public Market. Vendors, farmers and crafters fill the Square every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. There is a strong sustainable movement, localized in our downtown centre. Kingston is beautifully positioned to intercept the increased interest among consumers to buy local. Many businesses downtown are locally owned and independent. Environmental and socially conscious minded consumers have a wealth of opportunity in our downtown core – from specialty food and health stores to appeal outlets and specialty shops to restaurant dedicated to using locally grown product from area farmers.
Kingston has a thriving arts scene and a countless amount of area bars and restaurants. Local galleries are flourishing, as well as the businesses and events that support and encourage local artists.
Downtown is also home to a wide array of festivals and events. Summer comes alive with such events as the Kingston Buskers Rendezvous, Princess Street Promenade and world-class Limestone City Blues Festival.
“Downtown Kingston couldn’t be better suited to locate a business”, says Susan Shaw, a member of the Board of the Downtown Kingston! BIA and owner of the Frontenac Club Inn, a bed & breakfast located in a historic limestone building that was the former home of a bank and a private gentlemen’s club. “We moved here from Toronto and have never looked back. I think it’s an ideal place for doing business and I think we are well positioned to welcome new, innovative businesses to Kingston. We have the quality of life, access to the local, the student and the tourist markets – in a vibrant and funky downtown”.
