Marissa Galko

Marissa Galko is a reporter with the Ottawa Business Journal. She is a graduate of Carleton University’s bachelor of journalism and humanities program with experience covering a range of topics from business and politics to fashion and music.

The patio at Zak's Diner in the ByWard Market. Photo provided by Zak's Diner.

Ottawa restaurant owners cry foul as rising patio fees eat into bottom lines

Ottawa, Insider Only Top Stories

David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, speaking with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe at the Mayor's Breakfast networking event on April 22, 2025. Photo by Mark Holleron.

Get ready for more turbulence ahead as election looms, pollster tells Ottawa business crowd

Ottawa, Insider Only Top Stories

The Senate Tavern on Wellington. Photo provided by Austin Gough.

The (extra) Sens Mile: Where else in Ottawa do Senators fans like to cheer on their team?

Ottawa, Sports and Entertainment, Top Stories

With the Ottawa Senators making the NHL playoffs for the first time since 2017, the “Sens Mile” on Elgin Street is up and running and

Brigil donates a historic $1 million to Centraide Outaouais. From left to right: Cédric Tessier, executive director of Centraide Outaouais; Kevin Desjardins, living environment designer at Brigil; Jessy Desjardins, vice-president of development and design at Brigil; Noëlla Beausoleil, director of philanthropic development at Centraide Outaouais; Gilles Desjardins, president and founder of Brigil; and Sébastien Fugère, chairman of the board of directors at Centraide Outaouais. Photo provided.

Brigil founder Gilles Desjardins and family donate $1M to Centraide Outaouais

, Top Stories

The president and founder of Gatineau-based real estate company Brigil has donated $1 million to Centraide Outaouais. Gilles Desjardins and his family announced the donation

The Red Apron at 410 Gladstone Ave. was broken into on Saturday night. Photo from TripAdvisor.

Red Apron co-owner says break-ins just one symptom of a larger problem in Centretown

Ottawa, Retail, Top Stories

One Ottawa business owner whose store was broken into on Saturday night says the incident is a “symptom to a problem” in the community. Jennifer

Christina Ballhorn (left) and Bridget Remai (right) are the owners of Flock Boutique on Wellington West. Photo provided by Christina Ballhorn.

With buy Canadian in vogue, Flock Boutique owners ready to welcome Ottawa shoppers

Ottawa, Retail, Top Stories

The ongoing trade war has had a silver lining for Bridget Remai and Christina Ballhorn. And it’s that people are flocking to their Ottawa clothing

One Lazy Day: Young Nigerian Prince Ikpesu embarks on journey to create ‘downtime’ clothing

Ottawa, Top Stories

A young entrepreneur is trying to ease into the Ottawa fashion space with the launch of his leisure clothing brand. Lazy Day founder Prince Ikpesu,

Abbis Mahmoud is the founder of Dreammind Group, which runs several hospitality establishments across Ottawa. Photo from Dreammind Group website.

From Grey’s Social Eatery to Strathmere Country Retreat, Abbis Mahmoud’s empire expands

Ottawa, Sports and Entertainment, Top Stories, Tourism

Abbis Mahmoud’s reach into Ottawa’s hospitality industry only continues to grow. The founder of Dreammind Group runs several establishments in the nation’s capital, from the

Mathieu Grondin, Ottawa nightlife commissioner. Photo provided by the City of Ottawa.

Industry officials highlight work done by nightlife office, commissioner at city committee meeting

Ottawa, City Hall, Insider Only Top Stories, Tourism

Obā is an immersive retelling of the history of Earth, coming to Arbraska Laflèche Park this fall. Photo provided by the Trekking Group.

Owners of Arbraska Laflèche Park invest $2.6M to make Outaouais an ecotourism destination

Ottawa, Top Stories, Tourism

Swinging in a cocoon, checking out a bat cave, experiencing a “forest immersion.” These are the three new attractions being offered at Arbraska Laflèche Park,