THIS BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT SHINES ON
Brought to you by these community-minded organizations because they recognize that
good business is good for everyone:
She’s young, she’s passionate and she’s excited to help people think local.
Morgan Richter is the new manager of the Downtown Huntsville BIA, a role she was recently selected for in an interview process following the departure of the organization’s executive director, Helena Renwick. The business group isn’t new to Richter, though—she was the BIA co-ordinator from July to November of last year, a role she shared with Lizzie Robinson, and in November was hired as the BIA assistant. But her new position will allow her to really dig in to one of her passions: community development.
Richter plans to build on the strides the BIA has already made with its signature events—adding more vendors to the popular Muskoka 2/4 Craft Beer Festival, continuing the long-running Midnight Madness, giving more of a festival feel to the annual Sidewalk Sale, and expanding upon the new Macaroni Festival which had its inaugural event in 2018—while also working to bring more people to downtown Huntsville, particularly the under-30 crowd.
“I think there’s room for that, bringing more younger people downtown,” says Richter. “Keeping [events]family-friendly, but also creating a bit more of a music scene and a food scene. I think there’s a ton of ways to bring different demographics downtown…and lots of opportunities to do smaller scale events.”
The BIA will also continue to coordinate with local organizations on other downtown events, like the Huntsville Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce for the annual Maple Festival which is coming up on April 27, and Huntsville Festival of the Arts which produces Nuit Blanche North, Music at Noon, and this year is partnering with Band on the Run for a post-race afternoon music festival.
Richter’s thrilled that more restaurants have been popping up downtown, which fits into her vision for an expanded food scene in Huntsville’s core. In the last year or so, six eateries have opened or changed hands—The Artisan House (formerly La Dolce Vita Trattoria), Huntsville Brewhouse, Marigold Indian restaurant, I My Thai (formerly Bo’s Thai), Mottbora Sushi (which started out as Wabora Come and See and later changed its name in a trademark dispute), and Affogato Café and Gelato (formerly a market run by That Little Place by the Lights, which has retained its Main Street presence)— and just across the swing bridge, Canvas Brewing Co. is slated to open sometime this year.
Part of her role is communication between BIA members, residents and the municipality. And with some major infrastructure projects coming to King William Street and Main Street—including a new streetscape project—in the next couple of years, keeping everyone informed will a big part of what she does.
“I think people are are looking for a bit of a refresher for downtown,” says Richter, adding that it’s already begun with the new restaurants and will continue with the streetscape project.
The 26-year-old is an International Development graduate from the University of Guelph, specializing in Rural and Agricultural Studies. After graduation, Richter returned to Huntsville and spent several years helping build the Muskoka North Good Food Co-op, including developing connections with small business owners. She has future aspirations to be an entrepreneur herself, something she’s already begun on a smaller scale with her catering business, Lilac Local Source. She was also named a regional champion for Food Secure Canada’s Youth Caucus last year.
And Richter says she is excited to continue making local connections on behalf of the BIA merchants.
“As a young person living in Muskoka, I’m honoured to do the job and I think it says a lot about the BIA,” she says. “I have a lot to learn, as anybody would, but I think I have a lot to offer as a younger person trying to create a career. This is a perfect fit for me because I’m very interested in all aspects of the BIA: communication, supporting local, event planning, working with the town, and understanding what’s going on in my community… I hope that I can help spur some more creative thinking in the long term.”
Karen Cassian says
Congratulations Morgan! I am so excited for you. The BIA has made a great decision in hiring this young, entrepreneurial woman full time.
Pat Allinson says
Congratulations Morgan. We know you will be a fantastic advocate for all of Huntsville’s events and businesses. You are a special young lady.
Bill Wright says
You took the words right out of my mouth Karen!!
WTG Morgan! I wish you every success in this venture. Good choice!
Rich Trenholm says
Congratulations Morgan! Looking forward to your passion, your ideas, and your projects to bring even more life to what is already a vibrant core to our town.
Judith Blanchette says
Congrats Morgan what a great new face for our lovely downtown. Looking forward to chatting about sustainability and reducing the impact of waste in our overflowing landfill from local events!
Rob Millman says
Kudos, Morgan! i look forward to meeting you someday. As with everything in this tourist mecca, we need more events in the shoulder seasons: I quite realize that I’m preaching to the choir with this too obvious suggestion, but a “signature” event for each month would be something to which the BIA should aspire. You obviously have enthusiasm and ideas in spades; and after the completion of the streetscaping next year, you will have an amazing canvas with which to work.
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Your observations about the niche eateries and more 30-something music are most astute: a food festival tour to acquaint everyone with our new offerings, and more film festivals are certainly something that this reader would enjoy.
Allie Chisholm-Smith says
Morgan, so glad to have someone so capable take over the reins. Big shoes to fill and you can do it! Vibrancy ahead!
Jim Miller says
Morgan,
Congratulations. So well deserved. You will be awesome for the town.
Maxime Rivière-Anderson says
Congratulations, Morgan! Wishing you success in your important role and looking forward to the implementation of your vision.
Angela Dunnett says
Congratulations.
I hope to see an event for International Woman’s Day next year. Helena used to organize an amazing evening. Last year everything was in Bracebridge and I missed it. No dinner and a show or event with other ladies to celebrate the day.