Barrie's Memorial Square may sizzle this summer

Barrie Advance

Although Memorial Square is covered in snow and cold winds blow along Dunlop Street, Downtown Barrie is warming up for a flavour-filled spring and summer.

If you want to taste the area youre visiting, a lot of times its the street food (you buy). In Thailand, its the street vendors you go to. Its the same in Mexico, said Downtown Barrie BIA managing director Craig Stevens.

The BIA is pitching local restaurants on the idea of setting up shop in the Memorial Square area this summer.

Whether local eateries serve new, easy-to-eat items selling for $5.50 from a truck or one of a series of carts, they could expand their menus and their reach, Stevens said. Tara could do a naan wrap, he suggested. Youd get something good to eat in a cool environment, but it has a direct tie-back to the restaurants (downtown).

You want more flavour and more variety? Sometimes you fell like (having) a naan wrap, a fish skewer or a taco.

Stevens said hes asking restaurants if theyd like to set aside time for the street-food initiative, which would add more healthy and creative options to the fries, poutine, hot dogs and sausages that have been enjoyed downtown for many summers.

Memorial Square is the spot. Well reach out and see what will work best, he added.

The BIA is also meeting with city centre revitalization co-ordinator Janet Foster this week to discuss patios. It proposals the patios open April 15 and close Oct. 15.

Barrie introduced the seasonal patios two years ago. The number of participating businesses grew from nine the first year to about 15 last year.

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Barrie's Memorial Square may sizzle this summer