Testing the Waters: A New Pop-Up Plaza at 26th & Main
You’ve told us how much you love the public plazas at 14th & Main and 21st & Main, and the numbers agree! These spaces have been a tremendous success, benefiting nearby businesses and providing a welcoming place for residents and visitors to pause, connect, and enjoy Main Street.
Now, the Mount Pleasant BIA is excited to announce we’re testing a new public plaza at 26th & Main with a 3-day pilot project.
What’s Happening?
From Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 20, we will be transforming the 200 block of E 26th (between Main Street and Watson St) into a pedestrian-friendly space, complete with picnic tables, pop-ups, and plenty of room to relax.
Whether you’re hanging out with friends, enjoying a book, grabbing a coffee or lunch from a nearby café, or soaking up the sun while people-watching, there’s something for everyone.
Pop-Up Activities All Weekend
In true Mount Pleasant fashion, we’re bringing some of our favorite elements from our other plazas to this pop-up weekend:
🍔 BBQ with Heritage Restaurant and The Main
🥟 Pop-up samosas and iced chai with Sula Indian Restaurant
🍰 Sweet treats from Trafiq
🎶 Live music throughout the weekend
🍬 Free cotton candy
🎨 Face painting for kids (or the young at heart)
🎺 A brass band concert with “Cookin’ with Brass” on Sunday to close out the weekend
Why Accessible Public Spaces Matter
Accessible public spaces are vital for fostering healthy, connected communities. They provide:
✅ Places for neighbors to meet and connect
✅ Opportunities for local businesses to thrive with increased foot traffic
✅ Spaces for families to relax without spending money
✅ A more human-scale, walkable environment to enjoy Main Street
By creating spaces for people to gather, linger, and engage, we strengthen the connections between local businesses, artists, and residents.
Come By, Stay Awhile
The 26th & Main Pop-Up Plaza will be pet-friendly, family-friendly, and completely free. Bring your coffee, your dog, your favorite book, and your neighbor to help us test the waters for a more vibrant, people-first Main Street.
We can’t wait to see you there!
📍 Where: 200 block E 26th (between Main & Watson)
📅 When: Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 20
💸 Free and open to everyone
The Mount Pleasant BIA team will be on site all weekend, and we’d love to see you! Stop by to say hello, share your feedback (or compliments – we love those) about the neighbourhood, and get to know the team working to make Main Street even more vibrant. Come meet us while enjoying the plaza!
