A Vibrant Hospitality Scene, A Healthy Community
- PJ Mercanti
- 16 Dec 2015
What makes a person healthy? What makes a city healthy?
There are many factors that ultimately determine whether or not we as individuals are healthy, as health can take many forms: physical, mental, social, emotional and financial to name a few. When people focus their daily and weekly activities around improving their “mind, body and soul,” they are making a wholesome commitment to their overall health and wellness.
There are also a few ways to determine the overall health of a city, namely by looking at two key areas: financial/economic activity and social/cultural activity. A city that has a strong economy tends to have many industries con- tributing to its financial engine. Unfortunately, roads do not pave themselves — homeowners and businesses pay for them. Equally impor- tant as a city’s economic success is ensuring that its cultural and social scene is vibrant and full of activity. A strong economy and cultural diversity go hand-in-hand in defining a city’s overall health.
One industry that plays a powerful role in driving the economic engine of a community, while simultaneously contributing to its social and cultural landscape, is hospitality. Restaurants and coffee shops, event venues and meeting spaces, pubs and nightclubs, they all feed into the financial and social wellbeing of a city.
Hospitality establishments are big business in Hamilton. Approximately $1.1 billion in economic activity occurs annually within this city’s hospitality sector, employing over 17,000 people. When you add up the number of people employed at every restaurant, at every hotel, at every pizzeria and at every event venue, it’s easy to comprehend the scope and impact of the industry. In addition to purchasing food and products from local farmers and businesses, these establishments also contribute millions upon millions in property tax dollars to City Hall that help to keep our roads clean and our neighbourhoods safe.
An argument can be made that the more important benefit of a thriving hospitality scene is how it helps to contribute to the social dynamic of a community. Hospitality pioneers have helped to build this city up one street corner at a time, one neighbourhood at a time, one district at a time. Our favourite restaurants and bars have become our second homes and in doing so they have become part of the cul- tural fabric of Hamilton. What would Locke Street have become without West Town? Or James Street North without LiUNA Station and Wild Orchid? These establishments have become city institutions and landmarks in their own right. The cultural health of a city depends upon the distinction and uniqueness of its many food establishments.
On the individual front, our quest to attain the best in personal health can also be achieved via hospitality venues. Restaurants help to nourish our bodies first and foremost but they can also nourish our mind and our soul. Our social and mental wellbeing is positively enhanced when we engage in delightful conversations that stimulate our minds. Go to Augusta Street after 6:00 PM any night of the week and you will see the truth behind this statement. Have a cocktail at Two Black Sheep while you’re at it. If people think that hospitality venues cannot feed soul, I dare that they visit the Ancaster Mill to stare out at the waterfalls or visit the patio at Williams Coffee Pub during a sunset. The tranquility of some of these restaurants and coffee shops allow us to be introspective about what matters in life, warming and calming our souls at the same time.
I feel fortunate to live in a city with such an authentic and diverse hospitality scene, one that contributes to our collective wealth and cultural vibrancy. The exciting part about Hamilton is that the next 5 to 10 years will be our “sweet spot,” where many industries, including hospitality, will experience an uplift. During this ride, it is important that we con- tinue to patronize not only our favourite spots but also the up-and-coming establishments. The pie that is the Hamilton hospitality scene will only get bigger and more diverse as long as we continue to spend our dining and entertainment dollars right here in Hamilton, and not in neighbouring cities too often. The truth of the matter is that Hamilton “does food” better than most anyways, so we might as well just enjoy our homegrown hospitality.
You stay classy, Hamilton.
Comments 0
There are no comments
Add comment