While tech experts were quick to praise the new BlackBerry phones unveiled Wednesday as able to compete with Apple and Android devices, the markets were less kind to the newly-renamed BlackBerry, with the company’s share price falling in both Toronto and New York.

But in Waterloo Region, the atmosphere around the company formerly known as RIM remains largely positive.

A BlackBerry 10 launch party was hosted by Communitech in Kitchener. About 250 people attended, including local politicians and tech workers – and they liked what they saw.

“I think BB10 is going to be successful, and I’m glad RIM’s back,” said Rawbi Thring, who works for a company that helps BlackBerry with marketing.

Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran agrees, saying BB10 will put Waterloo Region and Canada as a whole on the global technological map.

“This is going to really solidify our place as a technological go-to country,” she said.

Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr agrees, saying BlackBerry 10 ended up exceeding his expectations.

“I have great hope for the BlackBerry being around for many, many years to come,” he said.

But it’s not just the tech sector and the politicians who are once again enthused about the future of Waterloo Region’s largest employer.

Jay Taylor is the co-owner of Morty’s Pub in Waterloo. He says a healthy BlackBerry means healthy business for Morty’s and other local shops and restaurants.

“They impact our community in so many meaningful ways,” he said.

Morty’s was one of several local restaurants to offer discounts to BlackBerry users and employees Wednesday. Another was Mambellas, which is located not far from BlackBerry’s main campus and even served up waffles with blackberry sauce to mark the day.

“I have to support them. Eighty per cent of my walk-in traffic is RIM employees,” owner Tina Brisbin told CTV.

“We don’t want to see them falter. There’d be a lot of lost jobs, and I think the economic factors after that would be devastating.”

More than 150 BlackBerry banners were hung around Waterloo Region after the launch event wrapped up. Skating parties were scheduled to run Wednesday night in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge, weather permitting.