On December 18, 2025, the Downtown Barrie Business Improvement Area launched its “Shop Local for the Holidays” campaign to drive last-minute shoppers to more than 300 businesses in the city’s historic core. The Barrie Chamber of Commerce will use BIA foot-traffic data and promotional outcomes from this push to fine-tune member communications and seasonal support.
The campaign offers a digital shopping guide, the Downtown Barrie Gift Card (a non-reloadable prepaid card issued through Peoples Trust Company) and free two-hour on-street parking throughout December. Bounded by High Street to Poyntz Street and Collier/Ross Streets to Simcoe Street, the core will also benefit from social media promotions designed to counter online shopping trends.
The Barrie Chamber of Commerce will use data provided by the BIA to coordinate city-wide advocacy and measure economic impact for its 1,250+ member businesses. With about 1,500 new students living downtown this year from Georgian College and Lakehead University, organizers hope to convert young residents into regular shoppers.
As part of the month-long Noella Festival, “Shop Local” aims to exceed the $15 million in annual economic activity generated by last year’s downtown events, according to BarrieToday. “These results highlight the power of creative programming and partnerships in supporting our businesses and fostering a dynamic downtown,” said Steve Ricalis, chair of the Downtown Barrie BIA.
