Waterloo businesses receive funding from the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program

Twenty local businesses received a total of $200,000 ($10,000 each) from My Main Street to start or grow their businesses.

Main streets play a vital role in growing the Canadian economy and supporting local communities. Over the last eight months, the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program has become an essential part of our community. The program is helping to build the resiliency of Waterloo by creating more economic opportunities for business owners, new entrepreneurs and community members. In Waterloo, the uptown core and university district were identified as the main street communities of focus.

The City of Waterloo would like to congratulate the following 20 businesses on their success, progressing through the program and becoming recipients of My Main Street funding. The businesses supported through this program in the City of Waterloo include:

Uptown Waterloo

• Gold Leaf Botanicals
• Champa Kitchen
• The Underdog Dance Corp.
• Poppy’s Bagel and Bakery
• Ce Food Experience & The Bakery
• Le Prix Fashion & Consulting
• Gentle Arts Dojo
• The Jane Bond
• KW Professional Organizers
• The Truth Beauty Company

University district

• Sweet Dreams Teashop
• Bhima's Warung
• Pinup Arcade Bar
• Chef on Call
• Rosel's Filipino Cuisine
• O' My Bakery & Asian Kitchen
• Los Rolling Tacos
• King Tin Restaurant
• Exotica Sandwich & Wrap Bar
• Roosters Fried Chicken & More

The My Main Street, Local Business Accelerator program is delivered by the Economic Developers Council of Ontario with an overall Government of Canada investment of $23.25 million through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to support the recovery and strength of main street businesses in southern Ontario.

The City of Waterloo would like to thank the Government of Canada, FedDev Ontario, the Economic Developers Council of Ontario and the Uptown Waterloo BIA for their contributions toward supporting our local business. 

Quotes

“From bagels to teas to arcades, these businesses are the heart of the Waterloo community. My Main Street provides the support these fantastic entrepreneurs need to continue to make a difference, create jobs, and grow the local economy.”— The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

 “The My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program is supporting the revitalization of communities throughout southern Ontario, including right here in the City of Waterloo. This investment by the federal government is helping twenty small businesses in Uptown Waterloo and the University District. I encourage you to support local and check these businesses out.” — The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Member of Parliament, Waterloo.

 “The Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) is delighted to be delivering the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program to support local business and main streets across southern Ontario. Thanks to the support of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, local businesses will have access to resources to help create economic opportunities for these main street communities, which is an essential component to a successful local economy.” — Doug Lindeblom, Managing Director, My Main Street, Local Business Accelerator.

“I am pleased to see the hard-working business owners of Waterloo benefit from this program. Support for small business owners creates local jobs, grows our economy and keeps Waterloo vibrant, strong and resilient.” — Mayor Dorothy McCabe, City of Waterloo.

“Our BIA was pleased to be a partner in the My Main Street program. Having the extra support for our existing, and especially new businesses, was deeply appreciated and made a huge impact to their pandemic recovery planning.”  — Tracy Van Kalsbeek, Executive Director, Uptown Waterloo Business Improvement Area.

“As a new business, the first couple of years can be challenging. With this funding and support we were able to expand our menu and provide more gluten-safe alternatives by adding a second dedicated gluten-free fryer. The support of this program has allowed us to grow in ways that otherwise would not have been possible this early in our business.” — Rosel and Chris, owners of Rosel’s Filipino Cuisine.

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