Building on its long industrial tradition, the District Central continues to transform itself at breakneck speed to promote the growth and influence of its 2,000 or so businesses. Various initiatives are being deployed to stimulate the development of a dynamic living environment around three major business hubs: design, urban manufacturing and technology. We need only think of the greening efforts underway, the many cultural activities and events now available, the bold urban planning and the addition of many other elements reflecting its transforming identity. But above all, what sets the district apart is the spirit of collaboration and emulation it inspires, made possible by an exceptional concentration of high-performance, creative businesses. Organizations of all sizes and stages of development rub shoulders here, creating a ripple effect for which the SDC District Central plays the role of catalyst.

Local forces in action at Le Grand Défilé

On September 19, this energy,characteristic of the District Central, took centre stage at the presentation of Le Grand Défilé in the inspiring sunflower setting at La Prairie Louvain. This event, presented as part of Montreal Fashion Week, featured all the elements that shape the identity of this neighbourhood. Many businesses from its three business hubs pooled their efforts and expertise to contribute to this collective success. From a fashion standpoint, key players such as Ookpik and Buffalo fraternized with start-ups like Trucs d’enfants (Kid’s Stuff) and Créations Gama. This closeness produces a real emulation between the organizations that, though of different sizes, find the opportunity to exchange and collaborate in highlighting the strengths of the District Central.

“It was very interesting for me to be a part of the organizing committee and to realize that I could have a say alongside well-known businesses like Buffalo. The efforts deployed by the SDC District Central make this type of meeting possible. This type of collective event also gives my small business a visibility I could never get on my own, as well as exposing my products to a wider and different audience,” explains Mary-Jo Dorval, founder and director of Kid’s Stuff.

The concept of urban manufacturing was reflected in the agricultural project that is La Prairie Louvain itself, the product of collaboration between several local players. The Laboratoire sur l’agriculture urbaine acted as the delegated urban farmer, while Îlot 84 was the delegated producer, in parallel with its role as the promoter of Esplanade Louvain, where numerous outdoor entertainment events are held during the summer season. PixMob, an internationally renowned business specializing in the illumination of major sporting and musical events, was also involved in the presentation of Le Grand Défilé. It added a technological component to the event, deploying its Nova devices to illuminate the sunflower field.

“Being located in the neighborhood allows us to take advantage of a central location, while avoiding the constraints of the city centre. Many of our employees have to travel extensively so proximity to the airport is a big advantage for us. Our staff is young, and it’s essential to offer them a stimulating environment, a place where things happen, as is the case with the Aire commune events at Esplanade Louvain,” says Maryse Chaussé, Special Projects Manager at PixMob. She goes on to add that organizing Le Grand Défilé was also an opportunity to forge new links, notably with Îlot 84: “This led us to light up their closing evening this past summer, and we’re looking together at how we can take this collaboration one step further next year. We’ve also met with a number of fashion designers and we may get involved in some of their launches in the future.”

The committé : Mia van der Heyden (SDC), Mary-Jo Dorval (Trucs d’enfants), Gabrielle Mailhot-Côté (Gama), Sylvain Roy (Ookpik), Virginie Roy (Proud Diamond), Julie Folco (Centric Brands), Julie Magnan (Juleĩ), Marie-France Richard (SDC)

A collective spirit that facilitates bonds

The development of collaborations such as these is part of the District Central’s DNA, and these organic exchanges are stimulated by the local SDC, which continues to play its role as facilitator and “connector of opportunities.” We also sense a real motivation on the part of businesses to actively engage in the process of exchanging and pooling forces. Whether you’re talking about big players or smaller ones, there’s a certain unanimity about the fact that everyone wins. If we can say that the District Central helps its local businesses to shine, the inverse is also true.

At the head of a group of fashion businesses including Sly&Co and Ookpik, Sylvain Roy has been established in the District Central for over 35 years. His products are distributed across Canada and the rest of North America, as well as in Europe and Asia. From his perspective, there are many advantages to being located in the district, starting with the proximity of numerous subcontractors and a good pool of specialized personnel. The abundance of activities and initiatives that he has observed in recent years bodes well for local businesses: “Events like Le Grand Défilé play an essential role in raising awareness of the entrepreneurial and creative effervescence that exists in the District Central, and in Quebec as a whole. As a well-established business, we can be an inspiring example to our young colleagues just starting out. Even after all this time, I’m still as passionate as ever, and to see them following a similar path is also a source of inspiration for me. That’s why I’m always keen to take part in events like this. I think we need to make sure that it reaches an even wider audience over the next few years,” he enthusiastically points out.

Spurred on by its driving forces, which are multiplying exchanges and collaborative ventures, the District Central continues to stand out as a territory of the future for businesses looking to realize their development vision, regardless of their field of activity.

Watch the video recap of Le Grand Défilé District Central held on September 19, 2023.

Written by Paul Gilbert

Throughout his career, Paul Gilbert has completed a wide variety of editorial mandates for leading agencies and businesses in the corporate and cultural sectors. After starting out with Équipe Spectra, this versatile communicator acquired solid expertise in public relations and event production. He has also held positions as a senior communications advisor at La Presse and strategic advisor to the President of the Commission scolaire de Montréal.