Women hope their personal touch helps revitalize downtown cores

HALIFAX – More and more empty storefronts seem to be dotting downtown Halifax and downtown Dartmouth, and it’s something two local businesswomen want to change.

Uplifting Properties is a real estate development company and partnership between Wendy Friedman, the owner of Biscuit General Store, and lawyer Claudia Chender.

“The idea is we want to buy commercial properties in downtown Halifax and downtown Dartmouth, places we feel we can help along the way, and find local independent businesses to occupy them,” Friedman said.

The women say their company isn’t just about profit but being passionate about where they live.

The pair just purchased their first building, the former Fisher’s Stationary on Portland Street.

Their goal is to nurture new businesses and inject new energy into the two downtowns.

“We’re already had a lot of interest from various people and businesses. We’re just trying to meet with people and form relationships and see what would be good fits,” Friedman said.

“In general, our idea is to be nurturing and working with and renting to businesses that really bring life to the street, to the communities,” Chender said.

Chender said the venture is different than larger scale investment currently seen on both sides of the harbour and that gives them a personal touch.

Chender adds that they are embracing businesses from all different types of industries, ranging from food to retail shops.

The women’s focus is local, and they’re bringing to the table their commitment to both downtown Dartmouth and downtown Halifax.

“It’s where we live. We’re residents of the downtown core and both of us always have been. Selfishly we want to see the city that we want to live in continue to emerge,” Chender said.

The pair is quick to say they did not come up with this real estate investment idea but they believe they bring a unique human element to it.

“It’s two people doing their best, starting a project and risking some things. I think that seems to be exciting to people. It’s certainly exciting for us,” Chender said.