CaitlinMcKinlay

Grab your favourite, local seasonal latté, admire the twinkle lights on the Bank Street trees, take in the stunning storefront displays, and discover a new local gem, because the Glebe’s favourite holiday tradition is back, bigger and brighter than ever before!

Glebe Spree 2025 has officially arrived, bringing festive fun, community connection and endless chances to win a local shopping spree! From November 15 to December 31, every purchase you make at participating Glebe businesses gets you closer to winning. Whether you’re shopping for gifts, enjoying a cozy café or simply running errands, every purchase in the Glebe gets you closer to an amazing prize.

This year, the Glebe Business Improvement Area is giving you six chances to win, with two $1,000 Early Bird Prizes and four $2,500 Grand Prize Shopping Sprees up for grabs! Whether you’re hunting for holiday gifts, indulging in local eats or supporting your favourite small businesses, every purchase brings you closer to a win — right here in the heart of the Glebe.

For every $15 you spend before tax, you’ll receive a sticker. Once you’ve collected 10 stickers (that’s $150 worth of purchases), you can submit a completed Glebe Spree ballot to enter the prize draw.

Local shoppers can enter to win:

🎉 2 x $1,000 Early Bird Prizes – Submit your completed ballot by December 7 to be eligible.

🛍️ 4 x $2,500 Grand Prizes – All completed ballots submitted by December 31 will be entered into the final draw.

Glebe Spree isn’t just about prizes; it’s about celebrating the heart of the neighbourhood. As you collect stickers and explore participating shops, you’ll rediscover what makes the Glebe so special: friendly faces, charming storefronts and the festive buzz of a community coming together to keep things warm in the cold winter months.

Ballots are available now at participating businesses across the Glebe, so be sure to pick one up during your next visit. With over 120 Glebe Spree Stores, it is easier than ever to fill your ballot while supporting your favourite shops, cafes and services.

A heartfelt thank you to our 2025 sponsors: Amica the Glebe and Poulet Rouge for supporting this year’s Grand Prizes, and The Effect Healing Collective for sponsoring the Early Bird Prizes. Your generosity helps make this cherished community tradition possible.

Let’s make this holiday season one to remember. Shop local, collect your stickers and be part of something special, right here in the Glebe.

For full contest details, visit glebespree.ca

Small businesses are the heartbeat of our community. The Glebe Business Improvement Area (BIA) was thrilled to celebrate Small Business Week this month with a series of exciting events and initiatives that shone a spotlight on the incredible businesses that make our neighbourhood special. 

Running from October 19 to 25, Small Business Week is a national celebration that recognizes the vital role small businesses play in our economy and communities. Here in the Glebe, we’re home to nearly 400 diverse businesses – from cozy cafés and boutique shops to professional services and innovative startups. Each one contributes to the unique character and vibrant atmosphere that residents and visitors love about our neighbourhood. 

 

How We Celebrated Small Business Week 

Ottawa Small Business Summit 

Our week began at the Ottawa Small Business Summit, an all-day event dedicated to learning, collaboration, and inspiration. The Glebe BIA team attended alongside our OCOBIA partners, joining the Ottawa business community for a day filled with valuable insights and meaningful connections. 

The summit featured an engaging educational workshop hosted by Glebe BIA member, seoplus+, offering practical strategies to help small businesses strengthen their online presence. It was a fantastic opportunity to share ideas, learn from local experts, and connect, all while supporting Ottawa’s business community. 

Member Social 

We kicked off our local celebrations with a Member Social at the CAA North & East Ontario Head Office – a warm and welcoming morning gathering that brought together new and longstanding Glebe businesses. Fueled with coffee and a light breakfast from Glebe BIA Members Wild Oat Bakery, Olgas Catering and Whole Foods Market, members had the chance to mingle, share stories and connect over the shared challenges and triumphs of running a business. 

Our Executive Director, Darrell Cox, shared a few words about the importance of community and collaboration, followed by remarks from CAA North & East Ontario’s President, Jeff Walker, who emphasized the value of local partnerships. The morning was a wonderful reminder of the strength and spirit that defines the Glebe’s business community. 

 

Instagram Story Takeover 

To bring the celebration online, we launched our Small Business Week Instagram Story Takeover series – featuring two beloved Glebe businesses giving followers an inside look at what makes their shops unique. 

First up was The Bunker, an indoor golf simulator owned by Matt Williams. Matt shared how his business began to our 15,000 InTheGlebe Instagram followers. The pandemic inspired him to pursue his passion of golf and leave the world of accounting behind. He also showcased their state-of-the-art golf rooms, where visitors come not just to play, but to connect and have fun. His takeover highlighted the strong sense of community that defines The Bunker — and how they, in turn, support other local businesses. 

 

 

To wrap up the series, Compact Music, led by owner Ian Boyd, took followers inside their store, which they lovingly describe as an “art gallery for music.” Ian showed off their extensive collection of vinyl, CDs and DVDs, talked about the evolving experience of running a small business, and shared why customers keep coming back — for the music, the atmosphere, and the personal touch. He also offered a few gift ideas for music lovers ahead of the busy holiday season. 

 

Both Matt and Ian shared thoughtful advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: lead with passion, have fun, connect with your community, and never lose sight of what makes your business uniquely yours. 

 

Why Small Business Week Matters 

Small businesses are more than just places to shop and dine – they are where relationships are built, where neighbours become friends, and where our community identity takes shape. They create local jobs, support community initiatives, and invest in the neighbourhood’s future. 

The energy and enthusiasm we saw throughout Small Business Week reminded us why shopping locally matters so much. From the connections made at our Member Social to the stories shared during our Instagram takeovers, this week highlighted the passion and dedication of Glebe business owners. 

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Thank You 

Thank you to everyone who participated in Small Business Week. Whether you attended events, followed along on social media, or simply stopped by your favourite local business, your support makes all the difference to the entrepreneurs who call the Glebe home. 

Special thanks to CAA North and East Ontario for allowing us to use their space for our member social. A special thanks to The Bunker and Compact Music for sharing your stories with our community during our Instagram takeover series. 

While Small Business Week may be over, we encourage everyone to continue supporting local year-round. Every visit, every purchase and every recommendation helps our small businesses thrive. 

Here’s to our small businesses – the big heart of the Glebe! 

Get ready for a Sunday morning where horsepower meets haute couture. On October 19th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Third Son Tailors is teaming up with car show organizers, TRUE CEC, to host the second annual Sartorial Sunday in the Glebe. This is an unforgettable celebration of vintage classics and modern supercars and timeless style in Ottawa’s best-dressed neighbourhood.

Throughout the day, you can participate in the Grand Tour Giveaway, hosted by the Glebe BIA in collaboration with Third Son Tailors and TRUE CEC, where you can enter for a chance to win a prize package valued at over $500. Visit any of the participating stores from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and complete a purchase to collect a ballot. The more ballots you collect, the more likely you are to win!

 

Participating businesses include: 

Compact Music Inc. The Dosa Spot Ramen Isshin JOE MAMMA CYCLES The Rowan Magpie Jewellery

Ichiban Bakery Ottawa Ollie Quinn Fairy Dreams Bridal Boutique Provence en Couleur Home Decor Free Form Fitness Il Negozio Nicastro

Hokum Ottawa Bridgehead Coffeehouse J.D. Adam Kitchen Co Witch Chest Mad Radish The St. Rita

Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a fashion aficionado, or simply someone who appreciates craftsmanship, here’s how to make the most of this dapper Sunday morning. Consider this your excuse to wear that vintage piece, your best-tailored jacket, or the outfit that makes you feel like you stepped out of another era. 

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Arrive Fashionably Early
9:45 AM  

Starting at Third Son Tailor (address) – home of Sartorial Sunday 

There’s something special about a Sunday morning dedicated to celebrating the finer things. See you on Bank Street to celebrate the artistry that goes into both classic automobiles and timeless tailoring. 

Important parking note: From 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, parking will not be permitted on Bank Street between First and Fifth Avenue. Don’t worry! The Glebe BIA is offering complimentary two-hour parking at the Parking Garage on Third Avenue – available on a first-come, first-served basis with limited availability. Get there early to snag a spot! Take advantage of the free parking, find street parking nearby, or walk over – the crisp October morning is perfect for a leisurely stroll through the neighbourhood. 

 

Coffee, Cars & Conversation
10:00 AM 

As the event kicks off, start with expertly crafted coffee from event partners Little Victories or from Bridgehead Coffeehouse. Don’t forget to grab a ballot while you’re there! Take your time strolling among the impressive display of automobiles from First to Fifth and appreciate the precision engineering of classic cars and cutting-edge supercars alongside the meticulous craft of bespoke tailoring.
 

Shop & Soak Up the Glebe
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM 

As you soak in the atmosphere, take time to explore the offerings of the Glebe businesses. Browse the eclectic vinyl collection at Compact Music Inc., find the perfect accessory at Magpie Jewellery, or check out the stylish frames at Ollie Quinn. Need a tune-up for your own wheels? Stop by Joe Mamma Cycles to see what’s new.
 

Planning something special? Browse at Fairy Dreams Bridal Boutique, explore unique finds at Hokum Ottawa and Witch Chest, discover home essentials at Provence en Couleur, or browse kitchenware at J.D. Adam Kitchen Co. Feeling inspired to get active? Check out Free Form Fitness to learn about their programs.
 

The Glebe’s retail scene is part of what makes this neighbourhood special, and Sartorial Sunday is the perfect excuse to discover shops you might have missed. Don’t forget to ask for your ballot when purchasing from any of our participating stores — each purchase gets you one step closer to that $500+ prize package!
 

Community & Connection
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM 

By now, you’ve worked up an appetite. The Glebe has you covered with incredible options. Grab a late brunch at The Rowan, enjoy South Indian flavours at The Dosa Spot, slurp authentic ramen at Ramen Isshin, dig into fresh options at Mad Radish, or settle in for a classic Italian meal at The St. Rita.
 

If you’re craving something sweet, pop into Ichiban Bakery Ottawa for Japanese pastries, or visit Il Negozio Nicastro to pick up gourmet treats and Italian specialties. Each dining experience is another chance to collect a ballot and support the local businesses that make the Glebe such a vibrant community. 

 

End on a High Note
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Don’t rush home just yet! Head back to Third Son Tailors to enjoy any cars you may have missed, strike up conversations with Ramy & his team or just soak up the electric energy.
 

Before you leave, drop off any ballots you collected today at Third Son Tailors and keep your fingers crossed to see if you’ve won the grand prize. (INCLUDE DRAW TIME/MEDIUM)
 

Snap a few photos of your favourite cars, exchange stories with fellow enthusiasts, and soak up the atmosphere of a neighbourhood that knows how to celebrate the good things in life. The combination of vintage automobiles, fine tailoring, and exceptional coffee makes for a uniquely Glebe experience.

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We can’t wait to see you on October 19th! Whether you’re in it for the stunning cars, the chance to win big, the community spirit, or simply a beautiful Sunday in the Glebe, Sartorial Sunday offers something for everyone.