THUNDER BAY — The downtown Fort William business community has said a symbolic goodbye to the Victoriaville mall, marking what’s expected to be its last holiday season open to the public.
Planned around the BIA’s annual Christmas tree lighting, the “Farewell to Victoriaville” holiday fair invited residents, vendors, and community groups to gather at the mall on Friday afternoon and evening.
“We thought this was a perfect opportunity to say farewell to Victoriaville and invite people to come inside and have one last look, see the businesses, and maybe even meet with us and discuss the transition plan,” said Katrina O’Neill, treasurer of the Fort William BIA.
The demolition of the mall and reconstruction of Victoria Avenue as a thoroughfare represent the end of an era, but also an exciting opportunity to revitalize the downtown, O’Neill said.
“Obviously, people have memories,” she said. “I remember when Victoriaville went up. I remember being part of some of the Christmases that were held here. So it’s that good and bad, you know — you’re sad, but you’re happy.”
“I think the BIA is looking forward to what those opportunities are for transition and change. When Victoriaville was put up, it splits our district in half … [The reconstruction of Victoria Avenue] is going to allow that flow-through.”
Preparatory work for the demolition of the mall, which will involve a phased deconstruction, is expected to begin in May.
While the event drew several vendors and dozens of attendees for a celebration Friday, organizers reported it was also marred by a hateful reaction by some to the inclusion of a children’s storytime event featuring local drag performers.
On Thursday, the BIA posted on Facebook that “we unfortunately have been the subject of hate and anger” about the event.
The organization said it had notified police of receiving “hateful calls.” At least one police officer was present at the mall on Friday.
“We want to assure you that we will NOT be changing any of our programming or activities in any way,” the BIA responded in a social media post. “HATE HAS NO PLACE HERE!”
Performers and leaders in the queer community said they appreciated that gesture of support for an event that was meant to build representation and inclusion in the community.
“I’m so glad the [Fort William] BIA has decided to put drag in their Farewell to VictoriaVille, because it’s definitely meaningful,” Rainbow Collective president Jason Veltri.
The storytime events are received enthusiastically by children and youth, he said. He also called them important.
“The queens that read to them are fun, they’re outlandish, they’re inclusive,” he said. “They’re telling stories that are written by queer artists, trans artists. Those are the stories we need to tell to not only educate youth about what drag is and what queer culture is, but that’s it’s okay to be different, it’s okay to be you.”
“What I will say is our organization, along with Thunder Pride … We will be more proud, we will be more out, and we’re going to push this issue even further to ensure the safety and acceptance of queer, trans, and two-spirited people in our community.”
Performer Mz. Molly Poppinz, who entertained a crowd at the mall’s food court with holiday songs and readings of several children’s books said the reaction showed the need for more events like Friday’s so future generations will grow up accepting difference.
“The overwhelming feeling that was expressed online was coming from a deep place of misinformation and a lack of education — which is why we have storytime with drag queens, which is why we read books … about accepting children exactly as they are,” she said.
