Sault Downtown Association looks forward to 2024

Sault Ste. Marie's downtown has seen some changes over the past year and merchants say they are hoping the upward momentum will continue next year.

The Downtown Association said business has been steady and the recently opened plaza has played a part in that.

Sault Ste. Marie's downtown has seen some changes over the past year and merchants say they are hoping the upward momentum will continue next year. (Mike McDonald/CTV News Northern Ontario)"We've done a few surveys and spoken with a number of business merchants and they have noticed increases to foot traffic as well as actual sales figures," said Nicholas Rosset, the association chair, who also pointed out some businesses that have changed ownership in 2023.

One of those is City Meat Market, a long-standing presence on Queen Street.

"City Meat Market has been an institution in our city for such a long time," said Sonny Spina, who co-owns the business with Ernie DiBerardino and Anthony Celli.

"It's been a family-run business from pretty much day one, almost a hundred years ago today and it's going to continue to be that."

Earlier in the year, downtown businesses were asked to consider expanding their hours, and Spina said that is something the new owners have taken to heart.

"Almost immediately when we took over, we wanted to expand the hours and really provide this service on a more regular basis for downtown patrons and the rest of our community," he said.

"That's why we immediately opened on Saturdays and we're looking at staying open later in the evenings."

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Heading into 2024, the Downtown Association is looking to build on the success of its events, such as Moonlight Magic – which saw an expansion in 2023.