Part 20: Hamilton Day
Hamilton Day is happening on November 5th!
Hamilton Chamber of Commerce first held Hamilton Day in 1931 as a way to boost the economy and morale during the Great Depression. It quickly became the symbol of a rallying spirit in the face of adversity and strife, meaning it was the perfect initiative to bring back in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to support small businesses in Hamilton. The Hamilton Chamber worked with the Stoney Creek and Flamborough Chambers, in addition to Hamilton’s thirteen Business Improvement Areas, to bring back Hamilton Day and make it an annual event designed to support local businesses. This is an important and exciting opportunity to support the local businesses that make up the heart and soul of Hamilton, with multiple benefits for both participating businesses and patrons.
If you are a business that is interested in participating in Hamilton Day you can register here, with no cost or commitment required. Registering will simply let members of the community know that you are participating, and you will be added to an online map that includes all of the participating businesses. In addition, you will gain access to three months of free membership to GetintheLoop, a digital shop local community, and you will also receive a variety of resources to share that you will be participating in this year’s event. Hamilton Chamber of Commerce encourages businesses to participate in Hamilton Day in any way that they feel fit, whether that be launching a new item, offering a one-day special or collaborating with another local business.
If you are a consumer, Hamilton Day is the perfect time to patronize a local business and show them some local love. This could involve returning to a business that you have already visited previously and buying something again, or you could try a completely new place and product. If you register for Hamilton Day through the same link above, you can also have access to a variety of Hamilton Day social media graphics to share.
There are some businesses in the downtown core that have already registered for Hamilton Day and are offering some incredible deals for their customers. Afrolicious, located at 46 James Street North, is offering 30% off on select dishes. Ark Collective, located at 58 James Street North, will have sales of up to 50% off in store. CoMotion on King, located at 115 King Street East on the third floor, is having a free drop-in at their coworking space from 9am to 5pm on Friday, November 4th (they are closed to the public on the weekends). The Downtown Hamilton BIA will be selling Downtown Hamilton sweatshirts for the discounted price of $20 in Gore Park, or you can purchase one by sending us a DM on our Instagram account. If you want to use this year’s Hamilton Day as an opportunity to try a new place and see what they have to offer, Suya Boyz and Just Jollof, both located at 92 Jackson Street East, are new and delicious restaurants that you will be sure to enjoy.
Regardless of which local business or businesses you choose to visit on November 5th, Hamilton Day is an incredible opportunity to support local and small businesses while simultaneously experiencing amazing deals and discounts. Local and small businesses are the heart of Hamilton, and this is an opportunity to show support for the people that make this city so great. Remember: “It’s Not Hard, Shop Your Backyard”!
You can learn more about Hamilton Day, view the map of participating businesses and register by visiting their website here. You can also follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
If you are a Downtown Hamilton BIA member business and would like to be featured in a blog post, please email Emily Gilruth at emily@downtownhamilton.org
