Downtowns of Durham offers residents and visitors a chance to explore the region’s many “main street” shops, restaurants and services virtually. The site also offers stories from local contributors highlighting businesses, exciting events and first-person accounts of cool Downtowns of Durham experiences.

Durham Region is home to thirteen distinct ‘main street’ downtowns. From historic storefronts, to culturally diverse independent restaurants; from contemporary hair salons to espresso-to-go. These businesses are in urgent need of your support now, so that they can recover and rebuild. #ShopLocal.

Small businesses are the heart of a community. Our main streets and downtowns are where our parades tour, our creative businesses flourish, and where a large percentage of our workforce contributes to our economy. These areas are essential to creating vibrant communities to visit, work, and raise a family. They are central to our collective experience as residents.This project is an initiative of the Durham Region Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) and the Economic Development and Tourism Division of the Regional Municipality of Durham. It was conceived in response to the COVID-19 crisis. While it is intended to promote the small businesses in our main street areas to endure a difficult period economically, it is also intended to help them recover.

“Day Trips for Date Night in Durham’s Downtowns,”  “Travel Through Taste Buds in Downtown Whitby”, and “Want to Support Local? Skip the Delivery Apps and Order Direct” are just some of the recent stories featured.