Auction of memorabilia from former Whispers Pub in Westboro raises funds for food bank

A selection of memorabilia from the Whispers Pub auction in Westboro. Sept. 20, 2025. (Maddison de Varennes/CTV News Ottawa)

A popular Westboro pub that closed its doors in 2022 is still giving back to the community as the Westboro Region Food Bank auctions off memorabilia to raise money.

Whispers Pub was located at the corner of Richmond Road and Tweedsmuir Avenue. It was purchased by a company called Y Street Capital, which is planning a new development project in the area, according to the Westboro Village BIA. The company donated several items to the Westboro Region Food Bank to auction off as a fundraiser.

“Locals will be able to take home a piece of Whispers, while giving back to their community,” the BIA says.

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Judy Lincoln, executive director of the Westboro Village BIA, says the neighbourhood food bank is an important part of the community.

“They serve 100 households or approximately 700 people every single week, so anything we can do to raise awareness and raise funds to help them continue to support our neighbours is what we need to do,” she said.

An event was held at All Saints Anglican Church Saturday afternoon, and bids were also accepted online for a limited time.

Items included a vintage kitchen items like a copper teapot or a cast iron coffee grinder, vintage sports equipment, framed photographs, mirrors, and pieces of the pub, such as a sign that says, “Thank you for choosing Whispers.”

Lincoln says the auction was also a trip down memory lane for many regulars.

“It’s been amazing having people come in. There have been lots of Whispers regulars. We had a couple here this morning who came to pick something up because they met at Whispers Pub and they’ve been married for a number of years now, and one of the partners, who was an owner back in the day, came in to pick up a few items his kids remembered and loved from the pub,” said Lincoln. “We also had someone come in to pick up the thank you plaque that her sports team had given Whispers Pub for sponsoring them, and I think it shows how the business in Westboro and the businesses in Ottawa have been supporting our community for decades.”

The Westboro Region Food Bank operates out of All Saints Anglican Church at 354 Madison Ave. You can find more information and how to donate at https://www.allsaintswestboro.com/westboro-region-food-bank/

Lincoln encourages everyone to get to know their neighbourhoods.

“It’s really important to find your local community food bank. They’re doing amazing work. And know the businesses in your communities are also supporting their neighbours through amazing work like this,” she said.