Trick-or-treaters hit the streets early in Windsor

Trick-or-treaters filed up and down Ottawa Street collecting candy from local stores during afternoon hours on the Saturday before Halloween.

Between noon and 2 p.m. on Oct. 26, local business owners along the participating stretch of Ottawa Street opened their doors to costume-clad children and their families.

Some storefronts ran out of candy before the event ended.

“It’s a huge deal in comparison to last year,” said Catherine Goulet, sales representative at Diane Shoes. The retail store, specializing in shoes and accessories for men and women is more than 100-years-old and located on Ottawa Street near the corner of Pierre Avenue.

Costumes ranging from Dorothy Gale (Wizard of OZ) to Wolverine (Marvel Comics) were spotted on the city blocks between Walker Rd. and Howard Ave., taking part in the neighborhood’s third annual trick or treating event.

Parents were thankful to have the opportunity to take their young ones out during the day.
“Its especially good for kids who have special needs, or ones that are scared of the dark,” said Roya Alhakani, who participated with two young ones.

The event helped close-off the province-wide Too Big 2 Ignore campaign for small businesses.

Help give small business a big voice in Windsor-Essex. Join the conversation #TooBig2Ignore https://t.co/JaTeUqasU0 pic.twitter.com/g9hFRaExiM

— WERCofC (@WERCofC) July 28, 2016

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) held the campaign in conjunction with Small Business Week 2019 “to raise awareness of the important contributions of small businesses to local communities across the province and the economy.”

The community aspect of owning and operating a small business really hits home with local entrepreneur Wayne Chapieski.

“Its good just to get the little guys and girls in here,” said Chapieski, part-owner and president of Canada Salvage.

The family owned retail and hardware store has been at its current location on Ottawa Street since the mid-1950s. The store opened 83 years ago, on Chatham Street downtown.

That day, businesses located on Wyandotte Street between Argyle Road and Gladstone Avenue hosted their own trick-or-treat event, to prepare Old Walkerville residents for the night of the 31st.

Joan Charette Exec. Director for Walkerville Business Improvement Area (BIA), said that the Wyandotte Street event gets bigger every year.

“It was packed,” said Charette. “We have businesses that said they had to stop after giving out about 800 pieces of candy. And that was in only two hours! It’s a big success and it grows every year.”