Patios boost business in downtown Sudbury

The Downtown Sudbury Business Improvement Association's (BIA) patio program is in full swing. This year, there are new businesses on board, as well as events and spaces to attract people to the area.

Four businesses downtown have added new patios for patrons to enjoy.

Ranvee's is a new restaurant on Cedar Street.

Sandeep Sanger, the owner of Ranvee's Restaurant & Bar in downtown Sudbury. June 17/22 (Alana Everson/CTV Northern Ontario)

"I think it's wonderful to have a patio in your business because it makes your business more charming," said Sandeep Sanger, the owner of Ranvee's Restaurant & Bar.

"People starting to know this is the new business in the place, you know. When they are passing by, they see the patios, then they see the restaurant."

Also new this year, are two community patios for people visiting downtown to enjoy. One offers chess and checkers tables.

A community stage in front of the YMCA on Durham Steet has events all weekend beginning with a happy hour Friday from 4-7 p.m.

"We have a street team giving away anything from $10 to $200 in downtown 'dollars' every Friday," said Kyle Marcus, the managing director of Downtown Sudbury and owner of the Alibi Room – a bar also on Durham Street.

"So you come downtown and good things could happen to you just for being you and being down here."

The BIA said the city's accessibility advisory panel recently toured the patios and Marcus said some businesses have been asked to make some minor changes.

"When you need things and you get to create things, we have the unique opportunity of creating things that are better for everyone and I am really excited to be a part of that process and really have our businesses be a part of that process to make sure that we are welcoming to everyone," Marcus said.

Downtown Sudbury offers the patio incentive program to help businesses expand dining opportunities and attract people downtown.

"We rebate up to 75 per cent of their expenses up to a maximum of $7,500," said Marcus.

The BIA gave 15 businesses a total of more than $120,000 through the patio program last year. 

Find more fun things to explore in the Sudbury area with the community calendar.