As a historic and culture-rich city along the shore of Lake Ontario, Burlington has long been a hidden gem among locals, entertainment seekers and foodies alike. However, the city has seen exciting growth in recent years and word is starting to get out about its lively nightlife. 

For entrepreneurs, Burlington’s vibrant commercial core and vast potential for future growth make the city a perfect place to open a bar or restaurant. 

If you’re considering opening a small business in Burlington, here are a few things you should know about the city’s culinary and entertainment landscape. 

Overview

Burlington is quickly evolving from a suburban community to a mature city, with exciting amenities and unique cultural hubs tailored to both visitors and locals. Today, nightlife in the city centres around its vibrant and historic downtown waterfront. With some of the best bars, restaurants and entertainment venues in Burlington, this area is a first-choice destination for a night on the town.  

Burlington’s downtown waterfront has no shortage of action, and it’s only going to get better and busier as the city grows. The Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) works closely with local business owners to foster a healthy and thriving core commercial district in this area. They also host special events right along the water including concerts, outdoor movies, and other cultural festivals, which draw hundreds of locals to the area on a regular basis.

Demographics

Despite being nestled between the larger metropolitan centres of Toronto and Hamilton, Burlington maintains a distinct atmosphere and identity. While the city itself has just shy of 200,000 residents, visitors regularly come from across the Greater Toronto Area to enjoy Burlington’s amenity-dense downtown waterfront. 

The city’s recent growth and transformation aren’t a passing trend either. The City of Burlington’s Core Commitment strategy outlines a well-crafted roadmap for nurturing and supporting businesses at the heart of the city’s cultural revival. Also outlined in this commitment is a plan for attracting a greater number of young adults to the downtown core and waterfront through mixed-use development projects. In short, the future is bright for Burlington’s central commercial hubs. 

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Looking for more helpful information about owning a restaurant? Check out these posts on our blog. 

• How to Prepare Your Restaurant For Sale
• What Franchisees Should Know About Pricing and Inflation
• How to Promote Your New Restaurant Before it Opens

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Growth Ahead

As Burlington’s downtown waterfront continues to show long-term potential, both the federal and provincial governments have made commitments to nurture its growth. Most notably, this includes substantial investment in Burlington’s expanding transit system to keep residents connected to the heart of the city. Together, the federal government and province are contributing a total of nearly 10 million to support Burlington’s contemporary urbanization. 

Why You Should Invest in Burlington

With its many culinary and entertainment amenities, Burlington’s downtown waterfront is already a great place to open a business. And, as future developments continue attracting new residents and visitors to the area, the nightlife in Burlington is only going to get better.  

Not to mention, the cost of commercial real estate in Burlington is typically more affordable than in other parts of the Greater Toronto Area. As an entrepreneur, you can capitalize on this exciting growth by opening your bar or restaurant before prices go up. 

There are also plenty of localized resources to help you get your business started off on the right foot, including mentorship programs and economic support. 

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Looking to start your first small business? Explore these helpful resources from our site. 

• A Beginner’s Guide to Buying Commercial Real Estate
• Southern Ontario Small Business Success Stories
• Sign Up For Personalized Commercial Listing Alerts

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Working With a Local Expert

If you’re interested in opening a bar or restaurant in Burlington, you will want to work with a local hospitality real estate agent. Not only can a hospitality agent help you find the perfect commercial space for your business, but their knowledge of localized market trends can ensure you invest strategically. Plus, their unique insights and industry connections can support your entrepreneurial goals long-term. 

Looking to open a bar or restaurant in Burlington? We can help. Let’s chat.