Welland’s Ward 4 sees new businesses open during COVID-19 pandemic; more to come says Bryan Green
September 4, 2021
Welland’s Ward 4 sees new businesses open during COVID-19 pandemic; more to come says Bryan Green
Welland Ward 4 Coun. Bryan Green says numerous new businesses, such as the ones in the small plaza on Niagara Street south of Quaker Road, have opened in the ward in the past year. He expects even more to come to the ward and the city as new development brings more people to Welland. DAVE JOHNSON / TORSTAR
A lot is going on in Welland’s Ward 4, says Coun. Bryan Green.
Green said the ward — he’s one of two councillors who represent it — has grown with many new businesses opening in the past year.
Some of those businesses include Stacked Pancake and Breakfast House, Party Max, Simply Gas, Everest Tandoori Kitchen, Niagara North Propane, Starbucks, Sleep Country and a new Pizza Hut.
There are more to come, said Green, citing Whole Health Niagara Pharmacy, Intrepid Health Clinic, Insalata Cannabis Market, Garden City Cannabis and, one he is personally looking forward to, Firehouse Subs.
“There’s a lot of excitement around Firehouse Subs.”
Green said it has been good to see so many businesses open in the city and ward, which takes in most of the city’s northeast area, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Residential development across the city has drawn more people to Welland, and businesses responded, the councillor said.
“People will come into the north end and patronize those businesses.”
The councillor was also happy to see the new Holiday Inn Express and Suites on Power Drive open.
“Welland needs more hotels.”
Green expects to see more business in the ward if a proposed development on Seaway Mall property and others in the area move forward.
A developer wants tear down the former Target store and create about 1,300 housing units. The proposal would see internal streets, parks, small-scale commercial uses and a mix of buildings with maximum heights of eight, 20 and 30 storeys. Townhouses, two-unit dwellings and accessory dwelling units are part of the proposal.
“That’s a big change to the mall and will likely help it attract new tenants.”
A seven-storey build just south of the Esso gas station at Woodlawn Road and Niagara Street will offer a variety of unit sizes to the area, bringing more residents to the north end.
Last week, the city said it was looking for a developer to create a landmark development on the city’s Northern Reach — land on the west side of the recreational canal from Woodlawn Road north to Merritt Road.
If it moves forward, there could be between 1,086 and 5,354 housing units created.
While happy to see growth in his ward, Green wants to see the city grow as a whole when it comes to new business.
With Empire Communities building up to nearly 2,000 homes in Dain City, he believes the downtown core will see new businesses pop up with people from the developments looking for places to shop.
“All these people will need some sort of services,” he said.