What's Up Downtown

January 8, 2020

Despite the uncertainties in 2020, Medicine Hat welcomed several new businesses and expansions to its downtown core.

“We had been shopping for the perfect second location for over a year,” says Melissa Graber, owner, Redcliff Bakery. “With our friends at Station Coffee and Mad Hatter Roastery, and other young business people opening downtown, we wanted to be part of this up and coming community.”

Botanicals, a boutique plant shop, The Yard, a pop-up patio, Motiv Apparel, a custom apparel shop, and The Kommon, a wellness studio and cafe, are among some of the newest businesses you will find downtown. 

The Mezz and 1911 Lounge opened inside the iconic Beveridge building on 2nd Street, Redcliff Bakery expanded to a second location in July and Six-One-Six Entertainment expanded into the old Parker’s Furniture store – tripling the size of their previous venue.

 “We are very passionate about downtown living,” says Jan Dynes, owner, The Clay Trade. “We feel like we are in the big city without the hassles or expense of living in the big city. Medicine Hat has a very safe downtown and there is nowhere else we would rather live and do business.”

Many new and existing downtown businesses took advantage of the 2020 Downtown Development Incentive program and the City of Medicine Hat was pleased the program had been fully subscribed before the end of the year.

Invest Medicine Hat and the City of Medicine Hat are dedicated to the revitalization of its downtown core and continue to work together to attract new businesses and visitors. In the recent MDP plan, the City has highlighted a vibrant downtown has one of its strategic goals.

The discussion of an enhanced waterfront district that connects to the downtown core is also a priority for the City and could offer plenty of opportunities for local businesses, housing and leisure activities in the future.