The city's south side may have some problems, but that’s not what local business owners are focusing on.
Instead, several shop owners in the Victoria Avenue area are searching for solutions. Some of those shop owners met city officials in Shelby Ch'ng's Unveiled Bridal Boutique Wednesday evening to talk about issues like public intoxication and vandalism and what they can do to help.
Ch'ng said there are problems, but the general public's perception that the area is worse than others isn't true.
"It's charming, it's beautiful, the trees are amazing. There are church bells when I leave work at five o'clock," she said.
"I think a lot of people who don't live and work in this area view it as the Gotham City with no Batman and it's really not like that."
The area has cheap rent for new businesses and a lot of female owners to learn and share experience with Ch'ng said. Even a business in a place like the Thunder Centre might have something to complain about if they're looking for it.
"I think you can find something negative about every place," she said.
The problems the area does face though are going to be met with diligent business owners from now on though she said. Over the next few months they're going to document every infraction they see and compile a report for the police department.
The businesses are going to start small but its a start to getting the area to realize its full potential. It could be as simple as changing Eye on the Street locations, getting better lighting or asking beat police officers to change shift times to when many of the problems occur.
"I'm not going to just sit here and wait for Thunder Bay to change itself," Ch'ng said.
"We really want to see this neighbourhood turn around."
