a rack of skis and snowboards in a store.
a pair of glasses sitting on top of a display case.
an office cubicle with red and white cubicles.
a table topped with lots of different types of indian food.
Get to know the Bells Corners BIA

Who We Are

bells corners b.i.a. map

The Bells Corners BIA is non-partisan, not-for-profit organization governed by a volunteer Board consisting of senior leaders from the business community located in this area. The BC-BIA’s leadership as well as our members actively participate in many boards, forums, and opportunities to engage and champion the area. As an organization, we are focused on co-creating a growing and vibrant Village in the Greenbelt.

Our agenda reflects the priorities of our members, which is to advance the prosperity and economic competitiveness of Bells Corners by building partnerships to create a dynamic and sustainable area that is the place to invest, work, learn, connect, and play. We are committed to energizing a dynamic business environment that benefits and enhances all aspects of our growing community including public safety, transit and transportation, investment, growth, sustainability, livability and education and training.

The BC-BIA engages all three levels of government on behalf of our members and we produce surveys, research, strategic and placemaking events with the goal of contributing to the positive growth of our community.

Get to know the Bells Corners BIA

Who's a Member?

Owners of business property within the highlighted areas, or commercial tenants of those properties, are members of the BIA. Businesses outside those regions and home-based businesses are not members.

Member businesses are charged a special levy on their rent/property taxes to contribute to the BIA, which then carries out street beautification and public events on their behalf to promote Bells Corners as a business or shopping area.

Get to know the Bells Corners BIA

Who We Are

bells corners b.i.a. map

The Bells Corners BIA is non-partisan, not-for-profit organization governed by a volunteer Board consisting of senior leaders from the business community located in this area. The BC-BIA’s leadership as well as our members actively participate in many boards, forums, and opportunities to engage and champion the area. As an organization, we are focused on co-creating a growing and vibrant Village in the Greenbelt.

Our agenda reflects the priorities of our members, which is to advance the prosperity and economic competitiveness of Bells Corners by building partnerships to create a dynamic and sustainable area that is the place to invest, work, learn, connect, and play. We are committed to energizing a dynamic business environment that benefits and enhances all aspects of our growing community including public safety, transit and transportation, investment, growth, sustainability, livability and education and training.

The BC-BIA engages all three levels of government on behalf of our members and we produce surveys, research, strategic and placemaking events with the goal of contributing to the positive growth of our community.

Get to know the Bells Corners BIA

Who's a Member?

Owners of business property within the highlighted areas, or commercial tenants of those properties, are members of the BIA. Businesses outside those regions and home-based businesses are not members.

Member businesses are charged a special levy on their rent/property taxes to contribute to the BIA, which then carries out street beautification and public events on their behalf to promote Bells Corners as a business or shopping area.

Discover Great Local Businesses in Bells Corners

a group of people posing for a picture in front of a christmas tree.

About Our Community and Our Expertise

Our mission is to champion the business success of our members by promoting Bells Corners as a vibrant and healthy commercial, retail, residential and entertainment district, and attracting more people to live, shop, work, and gather.

The word “member,” in the daily business of the Bells Corners BIA, means people – a dedicated team of business owners. Much of our mandate is realized through our dedicated eight member board of management, comprised of members who volunteer their time and expertise.

Our Board is united under a common vision: to ensure that the Bells Corners community grows, prospers and succeeds as a vibrant, positive area.

Shop local banner on pole

About Our Community and Our Expertise

Our mission is to champion the business success of our members by promoting Bells Corners as a vibrant and healthy commercial, retail, residential and entertainment district, and attracting more people to live, shop, work, and gather.

The word “member,” in the daily business of the Bells Corners BIA, means people – a dedicated team of business owners. Much of our mandate is realized through our dedicated eight member board of management, comprised of members who volunteer their time and expertise.

Our Board is united under a common vision: to ensure that the Bells Corners community grows, prospers and succeeds as a vibrant, positive area.

 

YOUR COMMUNITY. YOUR BIA.

Meet the Team

The Bells Corners BIA is run by local business owners just like you
YOUR COMMUNITY. YOUR BIA.

Meet the Team

The Bells Corners BIA is run by local business owners just like you. Here is our board for the 2022-2026 term:
GET INVOLVED

How to Participate

The board election for the 2022-2026 term was at the February 2023 AGM. The board is in place roughly concurrently with the city council term. Please accept our invitation to get involved with the BIA’s activities and events, as well as events organized throughout the neighbourhood. Volunteers are always needed, and your perspectives, ideas, and feedback are essential and welcomed. Your input can make a difference in shaping the BIA's future, even if it's not through a board position until the next election.

Stay connected through this site, our Facebook page, and watch your mail in January for notice of our next all-member AGM. Thanks for helping to make Bells Corners a great place!
DOING BUSINESS HERE

General Resources

Employment and Training

A Brief History of Bells Corners

an old map of the city of bells corners
A portion of the 1879 Belden map of Nepean Township showing the area of Bells Corners.

About Our Community

Bells Corners is a suburban community in west Ottawa that us older than Canada itself. The location was selected because it was the midway point between the town of Bytown (now Ottawa) and the military settlement at Richmond. A road west led to the Hazeldean neighbourhood in neighbouring Goulbourn Township.

In 1832 the commercial strip consisted of several taverns and shops that catered to both the locals and travelers.

In 1841 the Carleton County Agricultural Society began holding its annual exhibition in Bells Corners an annual event that continued for 54 years before it was eventually moved to Richmond and continues to this day as the Richmond Fair.

In 1850 Bells Corners had a population of 70 and became a part of Nepean Township.

The Great Fire of 1870

In 1870 a fire destroyed most of Bells Corners. Started August 17, 1970 by workers burning bush for the Central Canada Railroad near Amonte soon lost control of the fire. It was a windy day and there had been no rain for several months so the fire spread quickly destroying not only Bells Corners and Carleton County but reached as far as Rochesterville (now Little Italy) and would likely have destroyed Ottawa if not for the decision dig a channel and then flood the area by opening the St Louis Dam. The flood created a 270 meter wide moat that protected Ottawa from the fire but Bells Corners was not as lucky. The oldest building in Bells Corners today– Hartlin’s Hotel– was built in 1870 after the fire.

Shop local banner on pole

Modern Bells Corners

The transformation from a rural community to suburban neighbourhood began in the 1950s with the development of Lynwood Village. Lloyd Francis and Donald Sim brought in Bill Teron in 1958 to build an entire subdivision and by 1960 four hundred families were living in Lynwood Village.

Development in Lynwood Village continued in stages until 1966. Today there are 1700 homes.

Development in west Bells Corners known as Westcliffe Estates began in 1969. The first homes were built by Assaly Construction with subsequent homes being built by Minto and Campeau. The community grew to 2000 homes by 1986.

The third major development in Bells Corners was Bellwood Estates which is a mobile home park consisting of 256 homes that was opened by Ken Hughes in 1959.

a group of people standing outside of a brick building.

Hartin’s Hotel — 1993 Robertson Rd

Currently the home of the East India Company, the building at 1993 Robertson Rd was built in 1870 by David Hartin a farmer and businessman in 19th-century Goulbourn Township. Originally the building was a hotel strategically located at the junction of Robertson Road and Old Richmond. Over the years the building has been home to a bank and several different restaurants — in 2014 it was designated a heritage building by the City of Ottawa. The building is the oldest building in Bells Corners.

Feather flag advertising the Bells Corners Market

Become a Vendor

To get started as a vendor, please complete this short form. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

The fee is $25 per Sunday, payable to Bells Corners BIA.

Be prepared to bring everything you need for your display. We set up at 10:30am and run until teardown at 4:00pm.

Keep it family friendly! Displays intended for a 19+ audience won’t be allowed.