Downtown Windsor getting double shot of nightlife as two businesses move in

New businesses are coming to downtown Windsor, sparking a ‘comeback’, some say. CTV Windsor’s Bob Bellacicco has more.

Two businesses are set to open and help change the vibe in downtown Windsor.

“I guess it’s more than a hint. It’s a sign that things are moving in the right direction,” said Justin Warnock, owner of Eko on Pelissier Street.

Ariius is leaving Caesars Windsor and relocating to Ouellette Avenue near Wyandotte Street.

Caesars officials said they wish the Ariius team the best of luck but have no current plans for the space

“To bring that brand to Ouellette Avenue, you’re taking a massive footprint that has been empty for years and filling that space. That’s a huge win for the downtown core,” Renaldo Agostino, Ward 3 councillor, told CTV News.

Another club is taking over the old Turbo’s and officially opening on Valentine’s Day.

Prototype will be a nightlife club with top shelf technology on the weekend and a multi-use event space during the week.

“You can see it with some of the clubs that are existing now. We have lineup around the block. The people are there; the energy is there. It is really starting to make a comeback, and I think when we get into spring and the summer, it’s going to be huge again,” said Prototype co-owner Brad Goldring.

He, his partner Camden Finlay, and other business owners have heard the underlying concern for downtown safety.

“If you’re going to make the business decision to leave what is arguably the safest venue in the city, that being inside the casino, to come downtown, that’s a huge vote of confidence,” Goldring said.

Warnock echoes the sentiment.

“I truly believe the idea of downtown being unsafe is certainly overblown and I think all it takes is people to come down and see,” Warnock said.

CTV spoke to residents who agree having a couple of new businesses open is great for the downtown area, but they would like to see more diversification including cafes, restaurants, patios, parking, a bakery, and even a neighbourhood grocery store.

“It’s always amazing to see a new business opened downtown,” said Katie Stokes, co-owner of Whiskeyjack Boutique on University Avenue.

“We love seeing vacant storefronts turn into actual viable properties and businesses that bring more people to the core.”

Stokes said customers from all over the region tell her they would like to see more retail in downtown Windsor.

“We’ve kind of acted almost like a pillar to try to show other businesses that it is possible to find success down here as a retailer, and we’d love to see more businesses similar to ours or retail of any kind open up in this area.”

Agostino said urban density will help sustain the turnaround. He’s enthusiastic about the proposed Caron Street development and is hopeful about another development being announced soon. He also pointed to the Security Building at the corner of Pelissier Street and University Avenue as another spark.

“I know they’re almost done. I’m hearing good news with the Canada Building. There’s work being done,” he explained.

“Adding 5,000 apartments to downtown Windsor residential units is going to be massive for the core.”