Centretown BIA hopes to boost foot traffic downtown with free food initiative

There’s a new initiative to revitalize Centretown, and it all starts with a free sandwich. CTV’s Camille Wilson explains.

The Centretown Business Improvement Area (BIA) is launching a food-focused promotional campaign called “Bites of Centretown” focused on promoting local businesses.

For the next eight months of 2026, one business will be highlighted each month, offering some freebies for eager customers.

Monday marked the first day of the promo at Gladstone Avenue’s Subito Sandwich, giving away 40 free meatball subs to the first 40 customers.

“I think this initiative is really important because a large portion of our area that we promote in Centretown is hospitality businesses, and we get overrun by all of the chain restaurants, which people go to on a daily basis but we have so many mom and pop shops, so many shops that we want people to be more aware of and a lot to offer in Centretown,” said Tianna Anderson, promotions and operations coordinator at the Centretown BIA.

Bank Street in particular has seen several businesses close over the years, with many vacant storefronts.

“I thought it was a really good opportunity to show the community some of the food we offer. Bring some people into the area as well. People coming in, they can try the meatball, and then they can try our cannolis and try some of our other good Italian products,” said Filip Maric, co-owner of Subito Sandwich.

The BIA says the idea is for people to get introduced to a Centretown business that they’ve never heard about or been to, hoping they come back for more.

“It definitely does have its rough spots, as you see with any major city for sure,” said Centretown resident Percival Pink.

“I’m really happy to call Ottawa my home. I love the area. It’s really great.”

Centretown resident and business owner Soungui Koulamallah says even though it can be rough, it’s a supportive neighbourhood and makes up a great community of people.

“It’s a great neighborhood to walk in with my wife and my daughter and also to run my business,” said Koulamallah, “I find it’s a great place to be. I’m happy that I’m living here and I get to be part of this community.”

Last fall, Centretown held a volunteer clean up in addition to the food-focused promotion.

The next business to be featured will be Bread & Sons on June 15. The first 80 customers will receive a free slice of pizza starting at 11 a.m.

In addition, $2 from every slice sold will be donated to CCI Ottawa.

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