Our first-ever Holiday Gnome Hunt has come to an end. Thank you to everyone for participating! Over the past four weeks, we've worked with 12 businesses to hide gnomes across Old Strathcona and award 12 dedicated gnome hunters with a...
Joint Advocacy Campaign With Paths for People In September, we launched a letter writing campaign with Paths for People advocating for Edmonton City Councillors to advance the Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy (OSPRS). Thank you to our community for showing...
Where to Find Ice Cream If you're ever strolling down Whyte Ave in Edmonton and find yourself craving something sweet, you're in for a treat! Lucky for you, this vibrant street is not just about unique shops and entertainment but...
PETS WELCOME! Old Strathcona has something for every member of the family, including the pups! With 80+ businesses welcoming well-behaved leashed pets, you do not have to worry about leaving your pets at home. View this post on Instagram A...
Father's Day in Old Strathcona! Father's Day is just around the corner, and there's no better place to find the perfect gift or plan a special day than in Old Strathcona. Our vibrant community offers something for every dad, whether...
Skirts & Found Blackout Poetry Installation This year’s Skirts on Whyte interactive art installation is Skirts & Found, an interactive found poetry installation. This form of poetry utilizes pre-existing or “found” text that is used to create an original poem....
The Old Strathcona Business Association is proudly celebrating 30 years of . We aren’t the only ones to have been kicking it since 1993. In fact, there are over 30 businesses who are original founding members of our business improvement...
The Old Strathcona Business Association (OSBA) is launching a mass letter-writing campaign asking the Edmonton Public Safety and Community Response Task Force to take action to improve safety in the district. “The work we do as a Business Improvement Area...
The best thing about summer in Old Strathcona is the warm weather and the special features found in our neighbourhood. These new, colourful menu additions willmake you want to hang out all on those Whyte Ave patios! Here are some...
A pet-friendly afternoon in Old Strathcona Hello, fellow pet lovers! It's finally that time of the year again. The 2nd Annual Pet Prowl is happening on Saturday, July 22nd, and we want you there! Mark your calendar because we are...
PRIDE MONTH WRAPS UP IN OLD STRATHCONA There's no doubt that June is the most colorful month of the year, and as it comes to an end, we want to recap all things Pride! From storefront displays to events and...
Say goodbye to single use items Hey there, fellow Edmontonians! It's an exciting time for our beautiful city as we gear up to embrace a greener and more sustainable future. Starting on July 1, 2023, Edmonton is taking a significant...
Second Hand Stores to Beat the Heat: If you're like me, you love sustainability and have a passion for thrifting. And during the winter months I almost always forget that Edmonton gets super hot during the summer--leaving me panicked for...
Father's Day Gifts Father's Day is almost here, and if you're tired of the same old tie or toolset routine with plain white socks, you're in luck! Step up your gift-giving game and surprise dad with some out-of-the-box, one-of-a kind...
We Love a Clean Street! We know how important it is to have a clean, safe & welcoming environment on the streets of Whyte Avenue, and with summer here we know the streets tend to get more crowded--increasing the amount...
Rainbow Pride Crosswalks By now you've probably seen Old Strathcona's rainbow crosswalks - they are something we now look forward to seeing redone every summer with support from the City of Edmonton. They are a great way to brighten some...
Life Is Better With Friends We all have that somebody that has seen us at our best, worst & everything in between...AKA a best friend! To celebrate #bestfriendsday we've dedicated this blog to all kinds of activities and treats to...
A Summer in Old Strathcona Ahh…summertime, it’s finally here. After a long winter indoors, a fun time relaxing in the sun and having some Old Strathcona fun is just what everybody needs. From patios & parklets to new bike racks,...
Hi, I'm Karey! Karey is a 1st year student at NAIT studying Business Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She loves learning about Whyte Avenue and is passionate about all of the one-of-a-kind things Whyte has to offer--such as the murals (she can...
PATIO SEASON IS HERE! Did you know we are home to nearly 50 patios at various local restaurants, bars & cafes?! Whether you want to people-watch on the busy sidewalks of the avenue, enjoy a cozy courtyard meal, or see...
MEET OUR NEWEST BUSINESSES! If these first few months of 2023 have showed us anything, it's that Edmonton loves its sweet treats! But it doesn't stop there, we welcomed 20 new businesses to the area from January to March. Check...
JUNOfest in Old Strathcona Did you hear? The Juno Awards are coming to Edmonton on March 13, with host Simu Liu! And with it comes a whole host of live music events celebrating a huge range of talent from across...
Meet our newest businesses! More than 50 businesses opened in our business district last year, and another 7 moved into newer and bigger locations. This is exciting news for everyone who loves shopping, snacking and experiencing the best main street in...
WISH & WIN YOUR GIFT We are so excited to help you gift your loved ones something special from Old Strathcona! From November 25 to December 18, 2022 all you have to do is share your #WhyteWishes for someone special...
Get ready to kick off the holidays with special deals, treats, and exclusive in-store experiences from 30+ Old Strathcona businesses! From November 24-26, participating businesses are joining together to offer 3 DAYS of local shopping & gifting. We’ve even mapped...
Meet our newest businesses! There has been no shortage of change around Whyte Avenue over the summer and we are pumped to round up the latest openings, and other exciting business announcements from the last 3 months! Pals | 10335...
Food That's Really Too Good To Go As of now, more than 1/3 of all food that is produced is wasted EVERY year... this equates to nearly 2.5 BILLION TONS of total food loss (WWF Report, 2021). Grocery stores, restaurants, and...
The Old Strathcona Business Improvement Area (BIA) represents the interests of nearly 600 businesses in the Old Strathcona and Whyte Avenue district. We use tactics like beautification to improve the visual appeal of the district, foster a sense of place...
Back to school shopping season is upon us! If you are looking to support local businesses this year, come check out the amazing shops Old Strathcona has to offer. Whether you are shopping for your little one or preparing to...
National Thrifting Day in Old Strathcona Whoop! Whoop! On August 17, 2022 we celebrated National Thrifting Day, and a shopping spree around Whyte felt just right. What is thrifting? You probably know, but it's purchasing clothing, furniture, accessories and even...
Rainy Day in Old Strathcona Old Strathcona is the prime place to walk around, check out local shops and eateries, but only on a sunny day, right? Nope. I don’t think the weather can really get in the way of...
Old Strathcona Fashion Report It’s all too common to be enjoying a walkaround in Old Strathcona and noticing someone in an outfit that immediately causes FOMO to strike. If you feel like your closet is looking a little dull, here are...
SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP The Shop Hop returns to Old Strathcona this year with an interesting twist: a scavenger hunt! From August 12th to August 18th, you will be able to explore all Old Strathcona has to offer AND get...
Meet Our New Businesses! It's about time for another round up of new businesses open in the Old Strathcona & Whyte Avenue business district! We're always so exited to welcome new neighbours to the area, and hope you'll enjoy discovering...
The Repair For Good Program Have some old furniture that you’re planning on getting rid of? Give it a second chance at Goodwill! About 2 years ago, Goodwill started Repair for Good, a program where volunteers with disabilities repair and...
Drama...but IRL Want to take a break from screens but still want to watch some drama? Live theatre may just be the way to go. Not only is it a great alternative to watching TV, but it also gives you...
Find Your Niche in Old Strathcona As we begin to regain some normalcy in our lives, many of us will be reuniting with friends that we haven’t seen in-person in a long time. During your time apart, you may come...
Patio Season is Here! We are home to more than 60 patios at local restaurants and bars in Old Strathcona. Whether you want to people-watch on the busy sidewalks of the avenue, enjoy a cozy courtyard meal, or see it...
Art Around Every Corner & On Every Wall If there is one thing us zoomers know how to do, it's finding the best spots for a pic. Murals are a beautiful backdrop for your latest Insta or just a great way to...
Parklets and street furniture showcase Old Strathcona walkability The Old Strathcona Business Association (OSBA) is announcing its plans for new placemaking infrastructure throughout the business district, as a recipient of the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF). The OSBA will use...
Meet our newest businesses! We’re already 3 months into 2022 and there is no shortage of new openings to celebrate around the Ave! It’s been a tough go for businesses over the past two years but behind the scenes, many...
These Sweet Treats Are Larger Than Life This year’s Sweet Treats & Latte Festival has a bigger lineup than 2021 and now it’s got the biggest desserts in all of Edmonton. Literally. No, you can't eat the 7-ft doughnut or...
Providing access to affordable laundry "Access to affordable laundry needs to be considered a basic need. It's not just about clean clothes, but also social inclusion - how our clothes make us feel; the space they allow us to occupy...
Happy New Year! After almost two years of - dare we say it…unprecedented times...marking the new year by setting goals, exploring ideas and seeking creative outlets is still the signal of January's arrival. So we've put together some inspiration, whether...
There is no doubt that 2021 was another tough year. The pandemic is not over, and supporting your favourite local businesses remains the best way to make sure they are there when everybody can shop and dine in-person again. Through...
Did you know we contract The Mustard Seed to help keep Whyte Ave clean? The Old Strathcona Clean Team is a partnership between the OSBA (that’s us), The Mustard Seed and the City of Edmonton's Capital City Clean Up, making...
We know that Edmonton loves a good holiday market. Lucky for Edmontonians, that Old Strathcona is home to many of the markets that fill our Christmas calendars. Every weekend during the holiday season, you can shop at multiple markets up...
WISH & WIN YOUR GIFT We are so excited to help you gift your loved ones something special from Old Strathcona! From November 26 to December 19, 2021 all you have to do is share your #WhyteWishes for someone special...
The Old Strathcona Business Association (OSBA) is launching the next phase of its economic recovery plan as more businesses open in the district. So far this year, more businesses have opened than closed and more business licenses have been issued...
Pride Corner protestors wave Progress Flags as a rainbow arcs over Whyte Avenue. credit: Pride Corner Instagram The Old Strathcona Business Association (OSBA) fully supports recognizing the intersection of Whyte Avenue and Calgary Trail (104 Street) as “Pride Corner”. More...
As street art has gone mainstream, no neighbourhood in Edmonton has gotten more colourful than Old Strathcona. By the end of summer, we will be home to more than 70 murals! To celebrate all this art, we’ve launched a new...
What To See, Where To Go Whether you’re planning a coffee date, scoping out local breweries, or making a day trip to shop, Old Strathcona has plenty to choose from, but trying to narrow down what to do can be hard. Here...
Off The Beaten Path As Fringe welcomes thousands of Edmontonians this month, many will notice phase one of the Strathcona Back Street Project underway in the alleys beside the Varscona Theatre and across from the Old Strathcona Farmers' Market. This...
With the OSBA’s Shop, Hop, & Roll event right around the corner, we wanted to highlight all the deals that will be in action all weekend long. Dozens of businesses are offering deals, giveaways and promotions for two days only on August...
Art Walk returns with a twist One of the most familiar sites of every summer is back for 2021. The Whyte Avenue Art Walk has returned, with a twist. This year you'll find artists inside the Army & Navy building...
What They Do We are excited to welcome the Mustard Seed's Street Team to the district! They will be out in the neighbourhood 7 days a week, offering resources and support to vulnerable community members. "We strive for high touch...
More room to explore and enjoy Whyte Avenue We're excited to announce the return of expanded sidewalk space in Old Strathcona. Just like last year, the expansions return to Whyte Ave. between 103 and 105 Streets. New this year is...
Summer 2021 re-opening (Updated July 2, 2021) We know our businesses are excited to welcome you back to Old Strathcona for a safe and fun summer. As public health restrictions lift July 1, 2021, we can all work together to...
How to help businesses right now You won’t be able to visit as many Old Strathcona businesses for at least three weeks this May. But they all still need you to shop, eat, and support them! Here are some of...
As many businesses prepare to shut down in-person operations this weekend due to new public health restrictions, it’s more important than ever that Edmontonians shop and eat locally. “A number of small businesses will be hit hard by these renewed...
As new public health restrictions take effect this week, we want to remind you of all the best – and safest – ways to shop, dine and support businesses in Old Strathcona. Order Online There’s no easier way to support...
Art, design & music live in Old Strathcona We are so excited to once again partner with the SkirtsAfire festival. From March 4-14, experience amazing art, design, and music come to life right here in Old Strathcona. With a strong...
Art, design & music live in Old Strathcona We are so excited to once again partner with the SkirtsAfire festival. From March 4-14, experience amazing art, design, and music come to life right here in Old Strathcona. With a strong...
Art, design & music live in Old Strathcona We are so excited to once again partner with the SkirtsAfire festival. From March 4-14, experience amazing art, design, and music come to life right here in Old Strathcona. With a strong...
Art, design & music live in Old Strathcona We are so excited to once again partner with the SkirtsAfire festival. From March 4-14, experience amazing art, design, and music come to life right here in Old Strathcona. With a strong...
Art, design & music live in Old Strathcona We are so excited to once again partner with the SkirtsAfire festival. From March 4-14, experience amazing art, design, and music come to life right here in Old Strathcona. With a strong...
Art, design & music live in Old Strathcona We are so excited to once again partner with the SkirtsAfire festival. From March 4-14, experience amazing art, design, and music come to life right here in Old Strathcona. With a strong...
February 13-March 14, 2021 It's no secret that Old Strathcona is home to some of the best cafes & bake shops in the city. That's why we are so excited to launch our very first Sweet Treats & Latte Fest!...
Join us for #TakeOutTuesday On Tuesdays in December, we're asking everyone to share their favourite Old Strathcona restaurants and hospitality businesses on Twitter and Instagram. And 5 people will be getting a $100 gift card for their next meal, late...
Shop Online. Shop Safe. Shop Edmonton. With recent provincial announcements restricting business operations over the next few weeks, you might be wondering…how can I still support the local businesses that I know and love? This is usually a time of...
Winter Whyte Light Up Is Here We love kicking off the holiday season with our annual Winter Whyte Light Up, and this year is no different! Well... it's a little different. While we may not be able to offer a...
Winter Whyte Shop Hop It's time to kick off your holiday shopping with special deals, treats, and exclusive in-store experiences from over 30 Old Strathcona businesses! From November 26-28, participating businesses are joining together to offer a 3 DAY LONG...
#WhyteWishes Is Back! We are so excited to help you gift your loved ones something special over the holidays! From November 16 to December 15, 2020 all you have to do is share your Old Strathcona #WhyteWishes for someone special....
What is an art bomb? Okay, you might be wondering...what is an art bomb, anyways? Well, it's often a somewhat spontaneous installation or display meant to create visual interest and creatively engage otherwise underused or unkept spaces! If this pandemic...
We've seen some great comeback stories, and we're so excited to be part of this one as we welcome Rapid Fire Theatre to the neighbourhood! After a 7 month hiatus you can now experience physically distanced shows right here in...
50 Years of Connecting People and Place We recently shared some fun facts about our association over on our Instagram Stories! Did you know the Old Strathcona Business Improvement Area overlaps multiple neighbourhoods; Garneau, Queen Alexandra, Strathcona and Ritchie? Or, that...
Looking for a local shop to support & buy masks from? This week on Instagram we continued our round up of where to find 2020's most essential accessory...masks! There's no shortage of fun and unique options from some of our...
What is an Instagrammable Wall? We recently partnered up with Linda Hoang to host an Instagrammable Wall Tour of Old Strathcona! What is an Instagrammable Wall, you ask? You know when you're inspired to snap a photo of a mural,...
We thought it might be time for a little patio round up! Sunny days come in short supply in Edmonton. That's why we love our patios so much! We also want our community to safely continue supporting our restaurants and...
Recently, we heard from the owners of Healing Waters Spa which has been in the Old Strathcona / Whyte Avenue district for over 16 years. We were excited to learn more about the team behind one of Whyte Avenue's long...
What Is An Art Hive? Art Hives are a branch of art therapy that focuses on the health of the community to combat depression, isolation, and stereotypes within the community. Art Hives operate on an "each one teach one" premise...
TAKE A STROLL DOWN RAINBOW ROAD Things got a little brighter on the avenue this week, with the ultimate alley glow up! Tucked in between Malt & Mortar and Glam Slam you'll find a colorful path, reminiscent of the classic...
We're back with another local feature! We loving learning more about the amazing business owners that make up our beautiful community! Today, we have Little Plant Shop! WHO IS BEHIND LITTLE PLANT SHOP Little Plant Shop is owned by Sara...
Making Old Strathcona Inviting and Safe For Pedestrians The Old Strathcona Business Association (OSBA) is excited to announce added enhancements to the expanded sidewalk space located along Whyte Avenue between 103 and 105 Street. As part of a pilot project...
We know how eager many of you are to continue to support our local businesses in Old Strathcona, and for that – THANK YOU! To help you enjoy your visit to Old Strathcona in a safe and healthy way, here are some things...
After much brainstorming over the last while about how we can better serve local businesses, we are proud to present a new series of mini-interviews. In this time of hardship, we feel that it is super important to actually get...
We are absolutely loving all of the ways our community has come together in support of local businesses, and the Wheel of Local is no exception! This post was re-published with minor edits, with permission from Linda Hoang. It's been...
This year, SkirtsAfire Festival is teaming up with the Old Strathcona Business Association for the first ever Skirts on Whyte Shop Hop! From March 5 - 7, join us for three whole days of amazing deals and exclusive in-store experiences!...
It’s baaaaack! We’re so excited to have Ice on Whyte in our ‘hood from January 23 to February 2. Join us in McIntyre Park for an incredible winter experience this year! Ice on Whyte hosts 10 teams of professional artists...
We’ve been undergoing a bit of a makeover at the Old Strathcona Business Association! As we head in to the new year, we're pleased to unveil a fresh, new look for our organization. New website Our previous website was a...
