CaitlinMcKinlay

That’s a wrap on another exciting season of Glebe Spree! Our beloved annual holiday shopping contest brought festive cheer, community connection and an extra reason to support local in the Glebe. This year’s contest saw over 19,200 entries, which totals over $2.8 million in local spending in the Glebe!

From late November through December, shoppers collected ballots with every $15 spent at participating businesses — and once again, the response was overwhelming. We’re thrilled to announce this year’s four $2,500 Grand Prize Winners: Rachel D., Ashleigh M., Laura F., and Lori K. Congratulations to all! 

We’re incredibly proud of how Glebe Spree continues to showcase the strength and vibrancy of our business community. None of it would be possible without the support of our generous Grand Prize sponsors, who help us bring this beloved campaign to life each year. 

Poulet Rouge Bank Street joined us as a Grand Prize Sponsor in 2025, and we’re excited to welcome them to the neighbourhood! This proudly Canadian healthy fast-food chain offers fresh, flavourful bowls made with high-quality ingredients and served with fast, friendly service. Whether you’re craving something light, hearty or tailored to your dietary needs, Poulet Rouge delivers well-balanced meals that fit your lifestyle. 

We also extend our sincere thanks to Amica The Glebe, another valued Grand Prize Sponsor, for their continued community support. Located at 33 Monk Street, Amica The Glebe offers elegant senior living right in the heart of our neighbourhood. With its warm, welcoming environment and full continuum of care — including Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care — residents enjoy comfort, security and dignity at every stage of life.  

On behalf of the Glebe BIA, thank you to everyone who shopped local, participated in Glebe Spree and helped make this year’s campaign such a success. We’re grateful to our sponsors, participating businesses and all the shoppers who continue to support small businesses and strengthen our local economy. 

We’ll see you again in 2026  —but until then, keep showing your Glebe love all year long! 

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

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.