The Marda Loop BIA represents over 170 businesses that are the soul of Marda Loop: where life connects.
The Marda Loop BIA works to promote, improve and enliven the Marda Loop business district. Come to Marda Loop and find everything you need.
The Marda Loop BIA represents over 170 businesses that are the soul of Marda Loop: where life connects.
The Marda Loop BIA works to promote, improve and enliven the Marda Loop business district. Come to Marda Loop and find everything you need.
The name Marda Loop comes from two significant South Calgary landmarks. The word “Marda” comes from the Marda Theatre (1953-1988), which was founded by Mark and Mada Jenkins. “Marda” was created by the merging of the founder’s names. The word “Loop” comes from the streetcar that made rounds through early Calgary’s downtown and outlying areas. It travelled as far as 34th Avenue and 20th Street, before “looping” back to the City Centre. After 1950, it was replaced by a trolley bus that went down 33rd Avenue to a turnaround loop near 22nd Street.
It wasn’t long before the area became known as Marda Loop and, though both the trolley and the theatre are long gone, the name and the history are still an important part of the area.
Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) are business organizations that work to improve and promote a district. They are established by City Council in response to an initiative by businesses in a specific area. All businesses within the boundary are automatically members of the BIA.
There are 15 BIAs in Calgary. Marda Loop BIA was one of the first, established in 1984. There are thousands of BIAs and like organizations in North America and worldwide.
The BIA is governed by a Board of business reps who are elected by members at an Annual General Meeting. The board sets the BIA’s budget, which is mostly funded by an annual levy on businesses that is administered by The City of Calgary.
The BIA communicates on everything from promotional opportunities to road work to business support programs. Email is how we keep our business members informed. Make sure you are on our email list and please read our emails – don’t let them go to the junk or Spam folder! Contact info@visitmardaloop.com
Get in touch if you are interested in learning more about the BIA Board or one of our Committees, or about any of our programs below:
Getting back to events post-COVID
A direct email connection via a public newsletter to the local market/community members.
Status: Launched
Marda Heritage Project to better tell the Marda Loop story in our marketing, beautification, and community engagement efforts. In collaboration with community stakeholders. Status: Launched
Participate in Main Streets planning and prepare for construction expected 2023-24
Bob van Wegen, Executive Director – bob@visitmardaloop.com
Mike Bruni, Board President (Bruni Law)
Whitney Titheridge, Vice President (Crabapple Clothing)
Nova Kane, Treasurer (ATB Financial)
Mike de Jonge, Secretary (Marda Loop Brewing)
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