Old Strathcona Business Association Celebrates 30 Years in 2023!
In September 2023, the Old Strathcona Business Association is proudly celebrating 30 years of supporting our district! Since 1993 the OSBA has been promoting Whyte Avenue and surrounding area through beautification projects, destination marketing, and advocacy to government and other stakeholders.
A lot can happen in 30 years, so we’ve collected some notable moments through our organization’s impact on this historic neighbourhood.
2023
Old Strathcona Business Association marks its 30th year! How to celebrate this milestone:
Dedicate a webpage to a timeline of the 30 years with notable events.
Have a special logo created. This logo was made into two different colors of window decals and offered, free of charge, to businesses that have been in Old Strathcona for 30+ years.
Get a 90s-inspired design created for a large mural on the Edmonton Bookstore East facing wall, 10533 82 Avenue NW. The Mural was painted by artist Rory Lee and managed by Grindstone Theater. It was completed on September 8, 2023.
Combine the art of the logo and the mural into one and have 13 out of 14 traffic control boxes wrapped.
Conduct a variety of interviews with current and former business owners and affluent people of the Old Strathcona area.
Whyte Ave restaurants Julios and Da-De-Os celebrate their 30th year as well!
Edmonton’s Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market celebrates their 40th year in the district!
Lillo’s Music celebrates their 60th year in the district!!
2013+
Events the Association either hosted, sponsored, or partnered with:
- Fringe Festival (celebrates 40 years in 2021)
- Silly Summer Parade celebrates its 25th and final year in 2013
- Royal Bison Fair
- Shop Hop
- Sand on Whyte
- Whyte Ave Art Walk (celebrates 25 years in 2015)
- The last Edmonton Pride Parade on Whyte Avenue was held in 2018
- Winter Whyte Light Up
- Rust Magic Street Art Festival
- Mural Massive [link: https://www.muralmassive.com/]
- Pet Prowl
Honorable Mentions:
- Whyte Ave streets introduce the first boardwalk sidewalks to enlarge restaurant patio space.
- 2016: Bylaw 17787 is created to amend the original Bylaw 10454, changing the name to Business Improvement Area.
- 2022: Edmonton’s best intersection is created. The corner of Whyte Avenue and 104 Street is officially named “Pride Corner”.
2003+
OSBA launched the E-Newsletter in 2009. The E-Newsletter is sent out monthly. A direct mail letter is sent out twice a year.
Old Strathcona Business Association operates and owns a paid public parking lot.
Community beautification & and cleanliness initiatives:
- Capital City Clean Up partnership
- Sidewalk flushing/pressure washing
- Blooming boulevards
Events the Association either hosted, sponsored, or partnered with:
- Fringe Festival (1981) [link: https://www.fringetheatre.ca/]
- Silly Summar Parade (1993)
- Whyte Ave Art Walk (1995) [link: https://art-walk.ca/]
- Fashion Extravaganza (2008)
- Ice on Whyte (2008)
- Saturdays in December (2008)
- Window Display Contest (2009)
- Return of the Magic (2009)
1993+
May 20, 1993 – the Office of the City Clerk received the request to establish the Edmonton Old Strathcona Business Revitalization Zone and Association.
June 22, 1993 – City Council approved the Planning and Development Department undertaking the processing of this request in accordance with the Municipal Government Act and approved City Policy.
September 8, 1993 – At the executive committee meeting, the bylaw was approved for submission to City Council.
September 14, 1993 – Old Strathcona Business Association is finally passed! Bylaw 10454.
September 14, 1993 – Old Strathcona Business Association is finally passed!
Members of the original executive committee:
These businesses are just some of the original members of the Old Strathcona BIA that are still around 30 years later:
| Acoustic Music Shop | 1992 |
| ATB Financial | 1991 |
| Black Dog | 1992 |
| Blackbird Myoozik | 1993 |
| Block 1912 | 1992 |
| Blues on Whyte | 1984 |
| Boston Pizza | 1964 |
| Cambridge Daycare | 1987 |
| Chianti Café | 1987 |
| Continental Treat | 1982 |
| Cook County | 1982 |
| Don Wheaton GM | 1961 |
| Dadeo | 1993 |
| Edmonton Fringe | 1981 |
| Freeman Jewelers | 1985? |
| Gravity Pope | 1990 |
| Hardcore Bikes | 1989 |
| Julio’s Barrio | 1993 |
| Justik Medical Clinic | 1954 |
| K & K Foodliner | 1962 |
| Little Royal Framing | 1972ish |
| Lillo’s Music | 1963 |
| Laurel’s on Whyte | 1991 |
| New York Bagel Café | 1982 |
| Next Act Pub | 1992 |
| Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market | 1983 |
| Royal Pizza | 1969 |
| Southern Auto Body | 1964? |
| Strathcona Physical Therapy | 1960 |
| The Paint Spot | 1985 |
| Track N Trail | 1984 |
| United Sport | 1928 |
| Varscona Hotel | 1974?? |
| Village Goods | 1986 |
| Viva Clayworks (Whyte Clayworks Studio) | 1986 |
| Wee Book Inn | 1971 |
| When Pigs Fly | 1989 |
| Wish List Gifts | 1992 |
| Whyte Knights | 1992? |
| Yiannis | 1990 |
1994 – Bylaw 10809 is created to amend the original Bylaw 10454.
Events the Association either hosted, sponsored, or partnered with:
- Launched the Silly Summar Parade (1993)
- Whyte Ave Art Walk (1995) [link: https://art-walk.ca/]
- Fringe Festival (1981) [link: https://www.fringetheatre.ca/]
- Edmonton Pride Parade (1980) [link: https://www.edmontonpride.ca/]