SAULT STE. MARIE — A Sault Ste. Marie business owner said she created a new community effort to support downtown viability during the Christmas season and beyond.
Meghan Hanna, manager of Prim Aesthetics, said she founded “Spirit of the Sault” last week to get the community more involved in building the character and vibrancy of the downtown district for the long term.
The effort came as the city went into a second holiday season in a row without a Downtown Development Authority director, according to the script.
“It’s been a blessing and a curse, I would say. We have really relied on ourselves and showed what we can do individually but we know we are better together so that’s what really helped fuel any of these downtown initiatives,” Hanna said.
In early 2024, when there was no Downtown Development Authority director, other business owners started a Facebook group called “Downtown Sault Cooperative” to promote downtown, according to the script.