ATTENTION! DUE TO A VERY SERIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE AND AN ON-GOING FIREARMS SITUATION CURRENTLY UNFOLDING IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA OF THE DOWNTOWN ST. JOHN’S CHRISTMAS PARADE ROUTE. THE RNC HAS REQUESTED THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE PARADE. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY CONVENIENCE THIS MAY CAUSE. PUBLIC SAFETY & SECURITY IS THE #1 PRIORITY.
The Annual Downtown St. John’s Tax Free event is set for Saturday, November 18, 2023.
It’s the annual Downtown St. John’s shop and save sale you’ve been waiting for all year! The Annual Downtown St. John’s Tax Free Day! Keep checking back as the list of participating Downtown shops and services keeps growing everyday!
Calatheas Plant Studio & Gifts 296 Duckworth St. 10 am to 5 pm
Ethereal Boutique 199 New Gower St. 10 am to 7 pm
Heritage Shop of NL 158 Duckworth St. 9:30 am to 8 pm
Model Citizens 245 Duckworth St. 11 am to 6 pm
Pin Point Clothing & Gifts 245 Duckworth St. 10 am to 6 pm
The Tickle Trunk 245 Duckworth St. 11 am to 5 pm
First Western Boutique TD Building Duckworth St. 10 am to 6 pm. *Restrictions apply
Madison Mackenzie Home 116 Duckworth St. 10 am to 6 pm.
Downtown Comics 141 Duckworth St 11 am to 7 pm
*Modo Yoga St. John’s 223-233 Duckworth St. 8 am to 4 pm
Posie Row/ Posie Row & Co. 210-214 Duckworth St. 10 am to 6 pm.
Dear Dawcy – Posie Row & Co. building 210-214 Duckworth St. 10 am to 6 pm.
Yellow Rose – Posie Row & Co. building 210-214 Duckworth St. 12 pm to 6 pm
Doghouse 204 Duckworth St. 10 am to 6 pm.
Red Ochre Gallery 96 Duckworth St. 10:30 am to 5 pm.
Fred’s Records 198 Duckworth St. 9:30 am to 9 pm.
Hempware 98 Duckworth St. 10 am to 6 pm.
Crafted Treasures 162 Duckworth St. 9 am to 6 pm.
Elaine’s Bookstore 208 Duckworth St. 10 am to 6 pm
Mandy Lee Dawe Clothing 267 Duckworth St. 12 pm to 6 pm
Hillhead House Prescott St. 10 am to 6 pm
*Emma Butler Gallery 111 George Street West 11 am to 5 pm
*Escape Quest 156 Duckworth St. 12 pm to 9:45 pm
Mad Catter Cafe 124 Duckworth St. 12 pm to 8 pm
Freeride Mountain Sports 153 Water St. 11 am to 5:30 pm
Freak Lunchbox 308 Water St. 10 am to 9 pm
Johnny Ruth 181 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm.
The Outfitters Adventure Gear & Apparel 220 Water St. 9 am to 6 pm
Maverick Sports Collectibles 250 Water St. 9 am to 8 pm
Unicornio Studio 176 Water St 10 am to 6 pm
The Bees Knees 199 Water St 10 am to 6 pm
The Travel Bug 197 Water St 10 am to 6 pm
Irene’s 324 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm
Wild Things 124 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm
Byron’s Clothing for Men 188 Water St 10 am to 5:30 pm
Soul Studio 351 Water St. 9:30 am to 5 pm
O’Brien’s Music 278 Water St. 10 am to 5 pm
Gaze Seed 138 Harbour Drive 9 am to 6 pm
Craft Council of NL – The Pantry 155 Water St. 10 am to 5 pm
NONIA 286 Water St. 10 am to 5:30 pm
Benjamin’s Menswear 277 Water St. 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Grand Time Murray Premises 10 am to 4 pm
Leyton Gallery of Fine Art Clift’s-Baird’s Cove 11 am to 5 pm
East Coast Quilt Co. 343 Water St 10 am to 6 pm
Tval Skin Care 151 Water St. 10 am to 5 pm
Le Boudoir 256 Water St. 10 am to 5 pm
Gail’s Clothing Store Bowring Building 277 Water St. 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Rocky Mountain Chocolate 282 Water St. 9 am to 10 pm.
Fogtown Barber The Side Shop 134 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm
Vinland Skates 216 Water St. 11 am to 6 pm.
Downhome Shoppe & Gallery 303 Water St. 9 am to 7 pm.
Legend Tours & Gallery 284 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm.
Twisted Sisters Boutik 175 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm.
Newfoundland Weavery 177 Water St. 9 am to 7 pm.
Civic Duty 181 Water St. 10 am to 8 pm.
Relic 181 Water St. 10 am to 8 pm.
Sooley Designs 179 Water St. 10 am to 8 pm.
Home on Water 156 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm.
Sound Salon Spa 301 Water St. 9 am to 5 pm.
Island Design & Gifts 170 Water St. 10 am to 7 pm
The Golden Tulip 295 Water St. 10:30 am to 5 pm
The Natural Vibe Wellness Market 272 Water St. 9 am to 6 pm
*Newfoundland Cannabis Co. 270 Water St. 10 am to 10 pm
WM. L. Chafe Menswear 326 Water St. 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Natural Boutique 191 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm
R.O.W. Rock on Water Gift Shop 202 Water St. 9 am to 6 pm
Aunt Sarah’s Chocolate 258 Water St. 10 am to 7 pm
Dildo Brewing Company 332 Water St. 12 pm to 6 pm
*Pedego Electric Bikes St. John’s 172 Water St. 9 am to 5 pm
709 Exclusive 364 Water St. 11 am to 7 pm
The Artisan Loft 166 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm
The Heritage Shop 309 Water St. 9:30 am to 8 pm
CDH Inc. 110 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm
Doodle Palooza 155B Water St. 10 am to 5 pm
*Some restrictions may apply. Inquire at your favorite shop for details.
Check back often for an updated list of participating businesses.
This event is organized and financially supported by the Downtown St. John’s Business Commission.
Today, business leaders from cities across the country
convened on Parliament Hill, stressing the need for urgent measures to rejuvenate Canada’s
downtowns and main streets faced with rising vacancy rates and the burden of businesses
striving to clear their CEBA loans.
The International Downtown Association Canada (IDA Canada), a national coalition, supports
organizations representing and serving business districts nationwide. Its members have
expressed significant concern about the vacancy rates in Canada’s leading cities, with notable
downtown street-front vacancies recorded as follows: Edmonton at 33%, Halifax at 13%,
Montréal at 11%, Toronto at 14%, Victoria at approximately 12%, and Winnipeg slightly above
30%.
Post-COVID-19 effects, compounded with rising costs, labour shortages, and operational
barriers that include anti-social behaviours in public spaces, have harshly affected Canada’s
downtown and main street businesses. IDA Canada emphasizes that addressing these hurdles
is essential not only for economic rejuvenation but also for ensuring community prosperity.
Further, IDA Canada is advocating for an extension to the CEBA loan repayment timeline,
aiming to offer significant financial reprieve to beleaguered small businesses.
“While government efforts have certainly aided struggling businesses, the brief 18-day
extension for federal payments falls short of what’s needed,” said Kate Fenske, Chair of IDA
Canada. “Many businesses are teetering on the edge. The very core of our downtowns and
main streets—our central business districts—are feeling the strain. The moment calls for
collaborative and holistic strategies.”
Additionally, IDA Canada is calling for the government to strengthen Canada’s main street and
downtown businesses by directing federal business funding effectively through Regional
Economic Development Agencies, guaranteeing that these funds reach local main street and
downtown businesses via their respective improvement associations. “This isn’t solely about
lengthening loan repayments, vital as that is. We’re looking at addressing systemic issues
impacting every riding from coast to coast. Downtowns and main streets are the economic
lifeblood of our communities, and relief, restructuring, and visionary leaders are needed to
ensure their prosperity.”
IDA Canada is keen on fostering a collaborative relationship with the government to tackle the
highlighted challenges. Recognizing those who have already taken steps in this direction is
essential, and the coalition is prepared to contribute even more to these efforts. By joining
forces, IDA Canada is looking to not only address immediate concerns but also to lay a
foundation for the lasting prosperity of business districts across the nation.
The Downtown St. John’s Business Commission is a member of IDA Canada. IDA Canada is a national coalition that works on behalf of more than 500 Business Improvement Associations. Together, they represent over 250,000 business and property owners in districts that account for billions of dollars in assessments and economic activity. Crucially, they represent commercial neighbourhoods nationwide that have historically employed
millions and remain the foundational pillars of our communities—economically, socially, and culturally.
For more information on IDA Canada please visit: https://downtown.org/ida-canada/