How Stratford, Ontario is Utilizing Sustainable Tourism Initiatives
Published April 15th, 2024
Image via Destination Stratford
In our well-read article on 6 key travel trends for 2024, sustainable tourism was included and with good reason. In the world of the Modern Traveller, more and more emphasis is being placed on sustainability and regenerative aspects of tourism.
Stratford, Ontario has several of these factored in via their small business community from retail to dining and more in an ongoing effort to be more than a travel destination.
Sustainable Fashion Initiatives
Image via La Osa
Ånde
Focusing on women-led slow fashion, hand-made objects crafted by thoughtful designers, makers, and artisans committed to our planet and communities, Ånde (pronounced ah-nuh) is a reminder to live with intention—to slow down, pause, and take our time. The shop’s Re-new initiative is a buyback program that follows the circular economy model allowing people to return goods they purchased at the shop, but no longer use or wear for a store credit. The items are then resold at a lower and more accessible price point. Regular darning and repair workshops are organized, an ode to the shop’s sustainability focus, but shoppers can also bring in any damaged item purchased at the store for mending , embroidering over stains, patchups, or dye. More: https://andethestore.com/
Distill
Now in its twenty-first year of business, business owner Alli Skinner curates and retails well-crafted, small batch or limited series Canadian-made designs, ethical and sustainable fashions, one-of-a-kind, jewelry and home decor objects at her independently boutique Distill Gallery. Overlooking Market Square, the collection reflects contemporary material and visual culture. More: https://www.distillgallery.com/
La Osa
Independently owned La Osa is a playful yet chic hotspot for curated vintage and Canadian-made goods on the city’s main street. Beyond the vintage finds, owner and jewelry designer Pamela Coneybeare retails her unique, handcrafted jewelry collection inspired by and created from vintage obsessions, repurposed materials, natural gemstones and a retro design aesthetic. More, stepping into La Osa is like walking into a seventies cocktail party or gazing into your cool older sister’s pastel cosmetic case. More: https://www.laosajewelry.com/
Sustainable Restaurant Initiatives
Image via Pazzo
Each week, with the switch to green bins, Pazzo (a main-street mainstay popular with locals for its Friday-night pizza night), diverts hundreds of pounds of compostable garbage from ending up in the landfill. While the economic benefit is secondary, the bins have resulted in halving the restaurant’s waste costs, and is the only responsible choice the restaurant sees in dealing with food waste. From the taps, Naturizzata water filtration system allows Pazza to save thousands of bottles of imported water which would then require recycling. On the takeout front, using Friendlier company’s takeout containers, the restaurant has diverted 152 lbs of plastic waste, saved 9,632 litres of water, and prevented 440 lbs of greenhouse gas emissions. More: https://www.pazzo.ca/
New in 2023 and returning in 2024, the Savour & Sip Trail, a perfect opportunity to dine al fresco on savoury and sweet delights from local businesses. With a selection of take-out items, travellers experience the unique Stratford dining scene through picnics and DIY charcuterie boards to enjoy in various outdoor settings throughout the city and park system. Given Stratford's location, surrounded by rolling farmland and orchards, the options highlight regional bounty. More details about the Stratford Savour and Sip trail returning in May and available until October at: https://visitstratford.ca/savourtrail/
Chef Brian Clarke opened Elizabeth on the corner of Ontario and Waterloo Streets in 2022 and brings a fresh, seasonally driven menu that changes frequently based on availability. Most ingredients are sourced as close as possible to the restaurant. More: https://www.elizabethstratford.ca/
At Bluebird Restaurant & Bar, the bistronomy-inspired menu blends seasonality with Stratford’s unique agricultural landscape. A compact wine and cocktail list rounds out the experience. More: https://www.bluebirdrestaurant.ca/
Regenerative Tourism
Image via Modern Traveller
It’s no secret that Stratford is a destination for out-of-town visitors, but Destination Stratford puts an emphasis on initiatives by the community, for the community. Driven by collaboration between local business and residents and placemaking, new initiatives include:
Stratford Al Fresco outdoor dining program promoting outdoor dining experiences (including paired wines, craft beers and drinks) and safe outdoor dining areas at various spots in the city. With spaces that fit over 200 people, locals and visitors can dine outdoors with takeout and accompanying drinks from participating Stratford restaurants. Al Fresco areas feature tables made by Stratford’s CRP (including accessible options), umbrellas (open unless wind gusts over 20 km/h are forecasted), hand sanitizer stations, and waste and recycle bins. This summer, Destination Stratford is working with the city to have green bins in the city. More: https://visitstratford.ca/al-fresco-dining/
Lights On Stratford not only attracted visitors to the city, but the average travel distance was 33.4 km with 32% local, 16% regional and 52% from over 40km away. A free hop-on, hop-off bus, organized in partnership with Stratford Transit to connect and had record-level ridership thus reducing the number of people who drove between locations on colder nights. Plans are underway for the 2024 edition. More: https://lightsonstratford.ca/
Image via Modern Traveller
Getting to, from and around
ONEX bus provides multiple, daily service between Stratford and downtown Toronto and Toronto Pearson and stops in Kitchener en route, making getting to Stratford affordable with regular service. More: https://onexbus.com/
The downtown core is largely walkable and punctuated by an active trail system that runs through the city connecting the Shakespearean Gardens, roaming along the Avon River to Gallery Stratford, with art installations along the way. Little known fact is that the Stratford Park System was originally designed by F. Von Hoffman, assistant landscape architect for the New York Park Commission, and Frederick G. Todd, the first resident landscape architect in Canada who apprenticed with the Olmsted firm that designed New York City’s Central Park.
Image via Destination Stratford