Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club: Playful Apparel Online
Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club (OTLBC) is known as one of the hidden gems in Ottawa, Ontario. It’s been part of the community for decades. OTLBC launched an online store in 2021, taking inspiration from the club’s history and applying it to an online apparel store. The apparel is designed so you can be super comfortable and stylish while playing sports.
In 2021, the Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club celebrated its 140th anniversary, making it one of the oldest sports clubs in Canada. The OTLBC is located in the heart of Old Ottawa South between Brewer Park and the Rideau River. A beautiful natural setting they use to provide a complete summer experience including tennis, swimming, beach volleyball, dining, and relaxation.
The ShopHERE powered by Google program helped OTLBC to launch the online store with a vibrant user interface. “Play in Style” is the tagline for their activewear and accessories, giving OTLBC members stylish, comfortable, and functional apparel. The online store has allowed the brand to grow and thrive in a digital environment.
The OTLBC online store was created to bring the brand closer to their members and their welcoming and inclusive community. The products are for everyone who enjoys the club and wants to show their support. When you purchase from the OTLBC online store, you are supporting their non-profit organization.
“That means all the support we get helps us keep the legacy alive for future generations.”
Along with activewear, their catalogue includes beach towels, insulated bottles, and performance caps, as well as fun additions like a puzzle of the Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club grounds. All the items on the website were designed by the in-house team members of the Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club. No matter how often you play tennis or beach volleyball, or if you simply enjoy swimming occasionally, you will find something that reflects your taste.
“The OTLBC product line was created to give people the ability to carry a little piece of the club with them.”
OTLBC took inspiration from other successful businesses in their network to create the current business model. The business is a fun twist for the historic club. Seeing the success of other businesses alike, led OTLBC to grow their brand and foster the success of their business to date. This successful business model helps generate amazing feedback that has a growing effect on both the OTLBC and OTLBC’s product line that’s available online.
Throughout the ShopHERE program, the OTLBC team was assisted by an eCommerce Coordinator who helped them turn their vision into a reality. OTLBC’s marketing manager, Alia Qureshi, found the process quick, efficient, and fairly simple.
“Over the long history of our beloved club, this is the first time we can proudly present our own official store, available for everyone to visit from wherever they may be.”
They have opened up merchandise for sale to a wider audience and increased attention to the club. Alia’s advice to other business owners is to think outside the box, create a business model with a better chance of thriving in an online environment, and take pointers from other businesses who are already running and successful.
Don’t forget to visit the new Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club (OTLBC) shop here.
To sign up for about ShopHERE powered by Google program and get support building your own online store, click here.
Digital Main Street was created by the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) with direct support from the City of Toronto. DMS is also supported by a group of strategic business partners, including Google, Mastercard, Shopify, Meta, Intuit QuickBooks, Square, Lightspeed, Ebay and Canada Post.
Continued investment from the Province of Ontario, through the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (MEDJCT) has allowed the ongoing expansion the Digital Main Street Platform in order to support more businesses going digital across Ontario.
