Preparing for the Return of Students
September marks one of the busiest stretches of the year for Kingston. As students return to Queen's, St. Lawrence College, and RMC, downtown becomes busy with move-in weekends, new faces, and a steady rise in foot traffic that lasts well into the fall. Here's what's happening over the next few weeks so your business can prepare for it.
Move-In Dates
Queen's, St. Lawrence College, and RMC are all welcoming students back over the next few weeks, and the traffic patterns are worth planning around. Between the students returning and their parents staying to visit through the weekend, you can expect increased foot traffic downtown during the following move-in dates:
Queen's University: Friday, September 4th and Saturday, September 5th.
St. Lawrence College: Saturday, September 5th and Sunday, September 6th.
Royal Military College: First-year cadets arrive Saturday, August 22nd.
A few other dates to note for returning Queen’s students:
Orientation Leaders return (mandatory) — approx. August 30th, ~1,000 students
Upper-year students — most return August 30th to September 4th, as the majority of summer rental leases end August 28th.
Labour Day Weekend
Monday, September 7th is Labour Day — if you plan to be open, make it known to the crowds. Clear signage and a social media post can help you capture the extra foot traffic from those choosing to spend their weekend downtown.
Home Opener Dates
Home openers mean friends and family flooding back into Kingston to cheer on our teams — and that's a built-in opportunity for pre-game dinners, shopping, and post-game celebrations downtown.
Queen's University
Soccer (Men's & Women's) — Sunday, September 6th
Football — Saturday, September 12th
Royal Military College
Soccer (Men's & Women's) — Saturday, September 5th
St. Lawrence College
Men's Soccer — Friday, September 11th
Women's Soccer — Sunday, September 13th
Be Prepared
With one of the largest populations returning to our city, these dates present an opportunity for businesses to benefit from the heightened activity. Most students will arrive with their families, many of which may be visiting Kingston for the first time. It’s important to welcome the new and returning students and their families, while making the process as smooth as possible for you and your team. Below are some tips and suggestions for preparing for move-in day:
Showcase your offerings and provide a warm welcome to Kingston's newcomers.
If you’re a restaurant or café, be prepared for an influx of new customers on those days.
If you own or manage a business that supplies materials vital for people moving in, stock up!
Prepare for potential challenges by planning ahead and ensuring your business is well-staffed and stocked.
Important Note: The LaSalle Causeway will be closed on Monday, September 7th from 6am-10pm. Plan accordingly for staffing, deliveries, and customer travel.
Whether the faces are new or returning, downtown is ready to welcome our student population back. Here’s to a busy and welcoming season in Downtown Kingston!
by Julia Nash
