Markham businesses get first crack at ShopHERE to rebuild from COVID-19

Estimated 8,312 Markham businesses eligible for program

Yorkregion.com
May 29, 2020

The City of Markham is the first municipality to join a Canada-wide initiative in support of small business.

The ShopHERE Program, initiated by Digital Main Street (a program of the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas) and the City of Toronto, is being expanded across the country and Markham is the first municipality to sign up.

"This is a great fit for Markham," said Mayor Frank Scarpitti in a statement May 28.

"It builds on the rich and diverse talent we have here, while supporting local entrepreneurs and artists, who may need to rethink their business model beyond bricks and mortar, and need to fast-track their digital transformation."

ShopHERE will provide independent businesses and artists the opportunity to develop an online store, which will be built and launched with no fees charged to the business, with support from marketing and business students.

The program will provide independent businesses and artists with:

• Their choice of a template online store customized with their information, branding, logo, etc.

• Hands-on assistance setting up and launching their online store.

• Training and support for digital marketing, shipping and operating an online store.

• Access to free tools and online advertising credits to support the launch of their online store.

Digital Main Street and Google are extending the program to Canadian municipalities with a goal of building 50,000 online stores by the end of 2020.

"This is a significant collaboration with leading tech partners," said Scarpitti referring to the partnership between Shopify, Google, Mastercard, Microsoft, Facebook, eBay, Ritual, Trufan, eShipper, Snapchat, Magnet and York University’s Markham and York University Schulich School of Business.

The program was unanimously endorsed by the Destination Markham Corporation Board, which is currently working on a recovery plan and strategies focused on reviving tourism, the hospitality industry and wider local economy across various sectors.

An estimated 8,312 Markham businesses -- 744 of them restaurants, bars or cafés -- are eligible for the program.

"I have been moved by the stories I have heard from our small business owners who are experiencing anxiety and frustration during these challenging times," said Scarpitti.

"Many are looking for ways to rebuild. By providing this opportunity, we are trying to extend a lifeline. We have all had to rethink and adjust the way we work, learn and do business and this innovative program provides critical support for our small and independent businesses, which are the backbone of our economy."

To find out more about the ShopHERE program, visit https://digitalmainstreet.ca/shophere/.