Chinatown merchants group doesn’t exist
Most of Montreal’s commercial areas have some kind of SDC, société de développement commercial, some possibly more effective than others but at least they exist. Chinatown doesn’t, so two enterprising Chinese Montrealers are talking to 150 businesspeople one by one to try to get something off the ground.
Mark Côté 16:10 on 2023-01-11 Permalink
Can’t remember if this was shared here before, but there was a lot of opposition to an SDC here in NDG last year.
Kate 16:38 on 2023-01-11 Permalink
Didn’t see that because I seldom look at the Suburban. I didn’t realize how much each store owner was expected to chip in.
DeWolf 18:22 on 2023-01-11 Permalink
Has there been a study comparing the success of commercial streets with SDCs versus those without?
The Suburban article shared by Mark is a bit confusing. Most of the people quoted sound like they’re opposed to the SDC, but there’s also this passage:
“The Suburban received numerous calls and messages from supporters describing a climate of intimidation towards those who support the SDC, with some being accused of being “Projet Montréal stooges.” The Suburban approached several of the 60 merchants who signed in favor, but only three would comment, and two anonymously.”
The tattoo parlour owner sounds like a bit of a libertarian wacko…
Ian 21:01 on 2023-01-11 Permalink
Chinatown has historical “family” associations. Most Chinatowns in North America do. They seve this precise purpose. That said, they are only for Chinese. These young people seeking integration will meet a lot of resistance from older businesses, for many reasons the city is seen as an enemy of Chinatown.
Mark Côté 10:50 on 2023-01-12 Permalink
@Kate Yeah it didn’t get much press coverage. I first heard of this via NDG Facebook groups.
@DeWolf I personally know the tattooist (and have had a tattoo done at his shop :)). I can’t speak for his politics per se, but he’s a nice guy, active in the community, and got enough people on his side regarding the SDC such the borough never proceeded with the SDC (this thread reminded me that I never found out what had happened to it).
DeWolf 10:59 on 2023-01-12 Permalink
@Ian There are even more associations beyond the clan ones, and based on my experience, they’re all butting heads. I’ve never seen such a physically small place riven by so many factions. I can only imagine that establishing an SDC would be nearly impossible.
@Mark, I’ll chalk it up to the Suburban’s reporting and not the man himself!
Kevin 16:24 on 2023-01-12 Permalink
@Mark
BizNDG may not be an official SDC, but it seems to be getting support from the borough.
Maybe it decided to be a Queen Mary-Sherbrooke Assn. instead, and left Monkland alone.
https://bizndg.com/en/general-en/launch-of-entrepreneurial-contest-entreprendre-rue-sherbrooke-ouest/
Mark Côté 10:33 on 2023-01-13 Permalink
I would guess that the key difference is that merchants aren’t forced to contribute funds to BizNDG (and I don’t think Monkland has anything to do with it; there are merchants on Monkland on the BizNDG site, and Saving Grace Tattoo is on Sherbrooke).