Thunder Bay’s waterfront business district saw the reopening of Red River Road this past year after extensive construction during 2024 to replace underground infrastructure and renew the streetscape.
While construction is not yet fully complete, Kara Pratt, Waterfront Business Improvement Area executive director, said it has been encouraging to have Red River Road open again.
“Some work continued on the Red River Road roadway and sidewalks through the summer, with Mall Street still to be completed,” she said, adding that the Cumberland Street renewal project is included in the City’s 2026 budget.
She said the results from the construction have been positive for the city’s north-side downtown.
“Improved sidewalks have made the area more walkable and accessible, and the City of Thunder Bay’s two-hour free on-street parking has been a fantastic addition,” she said.
“It has helped reinforce that supporting local businesses supports vibrancy and strengthens the cycle of local investment.”
The year saw business flourishing in the newly landscaped district, where half a dozen new businesses opened at the main street level.
Additionally, Pratt said there were several existing businesses that expanded their operations. These included an expansion of African Boutique, the addition of an event space at Café Ora, the expansion of Three Seeds into the basement of 251 Red River Rd. (formerly Eaton’s), and Dymaco expanded to the second floor.
“We also welcomed new businesses to the broader area just outside the (Business Improvement Area),” she said. “The district continues to attract service and office-based businesses, strengthening the overall mix, which increases support for the other businesses in the area.”
As the district grew through 2025, other businesses adjusted their focus to locations outside of the Business Improvement Area.
“Vacancies are reducing, and locations we have seen vacant for a while are filling up,” Pratt said, adding that Ottawa House Vintage is one of the great new businesses in the area.
Among the highlights for the Waterfront BIA was the return of Harbourfest, which Pratt says was driven by a strong vision and delivered on a shoestring budget, as well as a Holiday Craft Revival like none other.
The ongoing imposed tariffs by the U.S. government have created uncertainty and increased costs for many businesses, affecting both direct imports and supplier pricing.
“Businesses with online sales also experienced impacts when selling to U.S. customers,” Pratt said. “Given the diversity of business models in the (Business Improvement Area), impacts varied significantly; some were heavily affected, while others benefited from increased support for local and Canadian businesses.”
She added that they observed more vehicles with American licence plates, and there were more conversations with visitors from outside the city.
This year, the district will focus on navigating another year of construction while proactively supporting business visibility, access, and customer confidence.
“We will continue to strengthen communication and wayfinding to ensure the Waterfront District remains welcoming and easy to navigate,” Pratt said.
“Ensuring capacity for delivering events like Harbourfest alongside core (Business Improvement Area) services requires thoughtful planning and partnerships, which we are actively pursuing.”
The Waterfront District BIA has worked with the City of Thunder Bay on the City’s Smart Growth Action Plan, recognizing that collaboration and a well-rounded approach are key.
“Positive marketing and positive news are essential to promoting the city and reframing negative narratives,” she said.
