Upsides of downtown: For many business owners in Victoria's core, there's no place they'd rather be

Upsides of downtown: For many business owners in Victoria's core, there's no place they'd rather be Despite dealing with everything from economic challenges to crime and parking snafus, many see downtown as a “vibrant and funky place” to make a living Darron Kloster Jul 21, 2024 5:47 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Previous Next 1 / 1 Jeff Bray, CEO of the Downtown Victoria Business Association, on Lower Johnson Street. Bray says many small and medium-sized businesses rely on locals as customers, with 66% of all downtown customers coming from within the Capital Regional District. ADRIAN LAM, TIMES COLONIST Advertisement Expand Listen to this article 00:17:06 On a warm weekday downtown, Chris Stevens has opened the doors to her tiny shop on Lower Johnson Street while she carefully cuts a brim for one of her custom hats.

St. Evans Hattery is only 40 square feet — a closet, really — fronting a heritage building with tall windows. There’s enough room for a customer or two to step inside, have a chat and watch Stevens at work.

“I’m really lucky to have found this space ...

probably the smallest retail space in North America,” says Stevens, who used to sell at markets and make her hats at home, which provided only limited exposure. “Here I can work and talk with people, sell some hats ..

. it’s really a great situation for me.” Stevens opened her outlet in June, one of many business owners in the cor.