Toronto's downtown core has been struggling to return to its former self after the pandemic, with many businesses barely surviving or closing due to reduced foot traffic. The shift to remote work has left office buildings and streets empty, affecting local businesses that rely on daily commuters. According to Daniel Safayeni, vice-president of policy at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, bringing back pre-pandemic foot traffic levels is crucial to keeping the city's economic engine running.

Safayeni, along with Claudia Dessanti, founded Hearsay Toronto, a startup that aims to connect professionals with valuable insights and downtown networking opportunities. Their newsletter and LinkedIn presence have already gained significant traction, with an estimated reach of 8,300 people and an 80% open rate. By providing curated content and promoting local events, Hearsay Toronto is helping to make in-office days more purposeful and encouraging people to support local businesses.

The efforts of Hearsay Toronto come at a critical time, as trade wars and economic uncertainty threaten the city's economy. With the buy-local movement gaining momentum, the startup's mission to support local businesses has resonated with its subscribers. By promoting local businesses and encouraging people to buy local, Hearsay Toronto is helping to create a more vibrant and resilient downtown core. As Safayeni notes, "What we're seeing now is almost a more emboldened, patriotic sense from the community to support local businesses and come downtown to buy local."