Spring/Summer Seasonal Guide
As the weather turns warmer, we get ready for the Spring & Summer season. Check out our seasonal signature events, annual general meeting (AGM), gift card sale, and Clean Crew services.
We suggest you keep this bookmarked and check back often for up-to-date info!
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Join us near the end of the first quarter to learn more about the Uptown Saint John BIA yearly initiatives. It’s also a chance to meet other Uptown businesses. The 2023 AGM will take place in April 2023. Are you an Uptown Saint John business owner? The link will be available soon to RSVP to this event at the Union Club.
Click below to read our 2021 Uptown Saint John BIA Annual Report
Spring Uptown Saint John Gift Card Sale
Our bi-annual sale happens every Fall & Spring. The sale is for 20% off Uptown Gift Cards while supplies last. It’s a purchase of $100 minimum to $500 maximum per person. We will email you & post on our social media when the next one is about to happen.
Our Uptown Saint John BIA Signature Events
Uptown Clean Sweep
One day near Earth Day in April, we meet at King Square, and for 1.5 hours, we clean Uptown Saint John together! The City of Saint John Green Machine will be joining us and providing gloves, garbage bags, safety jackets, and more.
Want to learn more about the Uptown Clean Sweep? Visit our page at the link below.
Uptown Burger Week
This is a whole week of burgers in May; you can feature as many interesting burgers as you would like, and you set the price!
(During all of our food events, we get many dietary requests from patrons. So if any of your offerings are gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, or halal, please be sure to note it when submitting your menus to us). We will send you an email to sign up for this event closer the event.
Be sure to tag us on Instagram @UptownsjEATS in your Uptown Burger Week photos & use the hashtags #BurgerWeeksj #UptownsjEATS
What’s On Tap Uptown
Looking for a pint of beer? Check out our What’s On Tap Uptown list!
Summer Tips
- With patio season, that warm weather, & cruise ship season, foot traffic in Uptown will be at its peak this summer! How can businesses take advantage and be creative? Using clear signage and water bowls for pets are all great ideas!
- Click here to see Port Saint John’s cruise ship schedule.
- Pss.. We renew our annual Uptown VIP program every fall. Sign-ups happen near the end of summer. If you want to sign up to offer discounts and be a part of this great program, keep an eye on your email or contact Lea through our contact us page by clicking here.
Clean Crew
Our Clean Crew team’s Spring & Summer activities start in mid-May to the end of October.
Ongoing Activities
Big Belly Solar Waste Receptacles are placed around the Uptown Saint John BIA area with the help of the City of Saint John Works Department.
Making Uptown Bright with Banners! Our Uptown Clean Crew puts up different banners Between May-October. A big thanks to our Community Partner Cooper Equipment Rentals for Providing different lifts to get the job done.
Between May and October,
the Clean Crew is busy doing:
Sidewalk vacuum
Weed Removal from the sidewalks & medians
Supply Dog Waste Disposal Units with bags
Power washing the sidewalks
Graffiti Removal
Awning/Storefront and patio cleaning
Complimentary business member services you can request:
Awning, Patio Cleaning, & Storefront signs with the power washer
Do you have an awning/patio you would like cleaned?
Or something else you would like to talk to our Uptown Clean Crew about?
Click below to contact the Uptown Saint John BIA Clean Crew.
Hosting an Outdoor Event?
We have some great fun equipment you can borrow for outdoor events or to use in front of your business! Request one of our fire pits or bubble machine by contacting the Clean Crew by clicking here.
Two Fire Pits
Are you interested in having some outside activities at your business but want to make sure people stay warm? We are lending out both our fire pits. They are perfect for pop-up events or outdoor patios (propane not provided)
Bubble Machine
Looking to add some bubbles outside your business? We have bubble machines available to borrow. Bubble fluid can be purchased from Uptown Saint John BIA and will be delivered with the machine.
If you are interested in borrowing the fire pits or bubble machine reach out to Uptown Saint John’s Operations Manager, Nick, by clicking here.
Uptown Saint John Year Long Initiatives
Facade Grants
The application period for 2023 Facade Grants starts at the beginning of every year. Facade Grants are awarded to cover up to fifty percent of project costs, to a maximum of $1000 per PID. Funds are limited, and awards are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. To apply, please fill out the form below. Please get your application in by mid-fall, so we have time to process it before year-end.
Event Calendar
Did you know you can feature your events happening in the Uptown Saint John BIA Area on our online events calendar? Event listings will include things like special events, local markets, festivals, and Uptown Saint John-sponsored events. (We will not be promoting individual store sales or promotions.)
There are certain days that are an exception to the submission requirements above;
- Valentine’s Day (February 14th)
- St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th)
- Spring Into Summer (May 27th, 2023)
- Small Business Saturday (Saturday after USA Thanksgiving)
- Uptown Sparkles (the first Friday of every December)
For these 5 special dates, Uptown Saint John BIA business members are encouraged to create an event promoting anything that relates to that day’s theme ( their business; themed products, window displays, pop-ups, sales, special hours of operation, music, & etc). The events on these dates will be promoted across Uptown Saint John channels.
Uptown Saint John Gift Card
Have you registered to accept our Uptown Saint John Gift Card? It is currently accepted by 90+ Uptown businesses and is free for our business members to join. See the full list of participating businesses by clicking here.
Contact our Special Project Manager Tracy through our contact us page to join now. Click here to message Tracy.
Uptown Saint John Social Media
Connect with us on Facebook & Instagram at @UptownSJ and remember to use the hashtags #LoveLifeUptown #LiftUpLocalSJ #UptownSJ
To see all things food and drink related in Uptown Saint John, check out our @UptownsjEATS accounts on Facebook & Instagram.
Tag us on Instagram & we will share your content in our stories!
Behind-the-Scenes Features On Uptown Saint John’s Social Media
The Uptown Saint John Business Improvement Association knows that businesses put in so much work behind the scenes through making products, setting up product displays, taking product photos & more! We want to highlight all the hard work that you, Uptown Saint John BIA Businesses, do. We love getting short videos & photos of your behind-the-scenes moments to share with our followers on Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok.
Want to be featured next? Message us on @UptownSJ on Instagram (click here to visit our profile) or email Lea through our contact us page by clicking here.
Community Resources
Find the latest City of Saint John News & Notices Here
City of Saint John Homelessness Crisis Contact Sheet
City of Saint John Winter Management Plan
Want to see King street traffic, weather, or if there is a cruise ship in port? Click here for the City of Saint John Webcam on King Street
City of Saint John Permits, Licenses, and Service Requests
Discover Saint John’s events page
Saint John Police Force non-emergency police number 506-648-3333
“The Saint John Police enforce by-laws related to noise (disturbances of the peace such as loud parties and construction noise), panhandling (obstructive and threatening panhandling), street events (parades, festivals, and demonstrations), and will assist the SPCA for animal control calls.” quote from the City of Saint John website
For emergencies, call 911
Have questions about parking Uptown? Contact the Saint John Parking at the City of Saint John at 506-658-4455
We are dedicated to keeping our membership up to date with Uptown Saint John Business Improvement Association organized events, activities and services.
Uptown Saint John BIA represents the interests of over 650 businesses. Membership is automatic and is based on the location of businesses within a defined area.