From the Archives: Only the Name’s Been Changed

In this announcement from the October 1978 OSCAR, Larry McDonald reports on a new name in the neighbourhood.

What’s in a name? In this case $150.00. At least that’s what it means to Mr. Stuart Heibein of Scotia Place whose slogan, “Bank Between the Bridges” is the new name for the Ottawa South stretch of Bank Street.

The Ottawa South Businessmen’s Association, working in co-operation with the community association, held a contest to come up with a name for the shopping area on Bank Street between Lansdowne Park and Billings Bridge.

The contest was publicized through OSCAR and a poster campaign. Prize money was put up by local merchants. Over thirty entries were received.

The onerous task of deciding upon a winner was taken on by two members of the association (Brian McAteer and John Manson) and two representatives of the merchants (Al Celloto of Lewis Motors and Allan Lamb of Tallmire’s).

Rumour has it that all entries containing the identifying tag of “Ottawa South” were rejected because the merchants feared that some confusion existed in the shoppers’ minds as to just where Ottawa South is (how far south is South?!). The winner will be presented with his check at a special gathering on October 12 [1978]. From now on if you shop in this area, you will be shopping at “Bank Between the Bridges.”

Originally published in the October 1978 OSCAR. 

Note the name lives on in the weekly e-newsletter ‘News Between the Bridges’.