Milton seniors are finding it harder to shop for clothes. Several stores have closed, including Alia-Tanjay in 2020, Peggy’s in 2024, and Northern Reflections last year. This has left fewer local options.
Milton has 23,521 seniors, about 15% of the population. Some struggle to find places to shop.
“I don’t think there’s a store in town for older women,” said Judi Greenfield Bonnar, who lives alone in downtown Milton and shops online. She stays active by volunteering with the Legion and the Optimist Club.
For groceries, the only store within walking distance is Shoppers Drug Mart in Carriage Square. “I wish there was somewhere closer,” Bonnar said. The last downtown grocery store, Quality Greens, closed in 2006.
“If we want to buy something, we have to go to Burlington now,” said Rob Hewlett, who calls himself and his wife Brenda “working seniors.” He believes staying active is important.
“The key for seniors is to get out and get involved,” said Hewlett, a member of the Legion and the Optimist Club. The couple plans to join the Milton Seniors’ Activity Centre, which offers card games, lunches, and live music. “There’s a lot for seniors to do if they look for it,” he added.
Diane Miller, who lives in rural Milton with her husband Jim, agrees. “I’d like to do more things in town,” she said, but she feels Milton has changed.
“There’s too much traffic, and drivers are impatient,” she said. “It makes seniors uncomfortable.” She suggests adding pathways or more traffic lights in busy shopping areas.
Transit and Affordable Housing Are Issues
“Rural seniors can’t get into town without a car,” Miller said. The town has a program, Milton Access+, for people with disabilities, but regular buses don’t reach rural areas.
“We need better transit,” Hewlett said, noting that Burlington lets seniors ride for free, while Milton charges $4.25 per ride or $60 for a monthly pass.
“The biggest issue for seniors is the cost of living,” Bonnar said. A report from Community Development Halton shows that over 7,000 older adults in Halton live in poverty, earning less than $26,503 per year. In Milton, 635 women and 400 men fall into this category.
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