Downtown – ZWWBusiness

Pair of Cape Breton businesses soon to close downtown Sydney storefronts

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SYDNEY, N.S. — A pair of Charlotte Street businesses have announced plans to close their Sydney storefronts this month.

On Jan. 6, Port City Grocery co-owners Kat Gouthro-Burke and Devon Burke released a statement via its Facebook account. They announced Port City would close its doors later in January, an announcement they said was unexpected for them.

Two days later, Lillian Company made a similar announcement via social media that it would soon close. A later post stated the physical store would open every Friday and Saturday for the rest of the month — the last day being Jan. 27.

Lillian Company, which makes clothing, candles and other decorative items, said it plans to continue making items for online sale or in other stores.

Lillian Company owner Faith Johnston Gray and husband Rob Gray accept a Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce award in 2022 for “favourite place to shop.” The store will close its physical storefront on Charlotte Street on Jan. 27. Johnston Gray said the birth of her daughter has led her to shift plans for the business, which will remain open online. CONTRIBUTED/FAITH JOHNSTON GRAY – CONTRIBUTED/FAITH JOHNSTON GRAY

Shifting focus to online

In the store’s online statement, owner Faith Johnston Gray said the closure wasn’t a result of a lack of support.

“Rest assured, our brand ‘Lillian Company’ remains firmly in place. Soon, you’ll spot our products in stores across and beyond the island!” it said.

Johnston Gray told the Post the birth of her daughter nine months ago was a major reason behind the physical store’s closure, adding motherhood and the responsibilities coming with the store felt like two full-time jobs.

“When I’m home I feel guilty for not being at the store. When I’m at the store, I feel guilty for not being home. With that, we knew it was time for a change and are excited for the future,” she said.

Opening in 2021, the physical store includes a collection of items from other Cape Breton-based businesses, alongside Lillian Co.’s in-house products.

Over time, Johnston Gray said her business has plans to keep involved in the small business community and help promote other vendors as her Charlotte Street store had. She hopes

Business owners in Downtown Eastside say tent removals did little to improve sense of safety

Some Downtown Eastside business owners say the recent removal of tent encampments has done little to increase foot traffic in the area or improve their sense of safety.

A number of small business owners in the Hastings-Crossing neighbourhood say they are speaking out in hopes of saving their livelihoods, mental health and bringing about substantive changes to their area.

“I feel like it’s clear it’s been neglected,” said Linda Ly.

In 2015, Ly opened Onyx Nail Salon on Abbott Street, just off East Hastings Street. She says the area has declined considerably since, particularly during the pandemic.

WATCH | Safety concerns remain in Downtown Eastside, say business owners:

Downtown Eastside businesses say tent removals did little to improve safety

One month after tents were removed from Vancouver’s East Hastings street, businesses near the centre of the Downtown Eastside say little has changed, and in some cases, believe the decampment has made things worse.

She says worries for her and her all-female staff’s safety more than ever, and keeps her doors locked at all times.

“I’ve got spat on,” said Ly. “The [female staff] got chased here.”

Shortly after tents were formally removed on April 5 and 6, she says a naked man chased one of her employees into the salon and kept rattling the door after she ran inside and locked it.

Ly says she wants governments to move quicker in helping people struggling with mental health and drug use, and not just focus on cosmetic changes like removing tents.

Rasa Shadmani says more people have been camping in front of her pizza shop since tents were removed in early April by the city of Vancouver. — Rasa Shadmani says she often works alone and is worried about the disturbances and thefts at her pizza shop just off East Hastings Street. (Gian Paolo Mendoza/CBC)

Her neighbour, Rasa Shadmani, who owns Tanoor Pizza, is pushing for similar action.

Since tents were removed, she says more people have been camping and sleeping outside her front door.

She tries to help and offer food, but she says she finds most people are rarely hungry. Instead, she believes they need support in other ways.

“They need their space to live, they need home,” said Shadmani.

Shadmani adds that people experiencing mental health and drug use episodes end up in her restaurant at least four times a week.

It leaves her barely able to sleep, she says, worried for her employees and spending nearly all her waking hours at work.

CBC's Lien Yeung speaks to Justin Hall who sets up shop daily along Abbott Street near East Hastings to sell his wares. — CBC’s Lien Yeung talks to Justin Hall, who sets up shop daily

‘A big inconvenience for everybody’: Queen Street closure disruptive, downtown businesses say

A closure of a section of Queen Street downtown is disruptive and it could reduce pedestrian traffic in the normally busy area, business owners and workers say.

Ultimately, the closure of four blocks of Queen Street, from Bay to Victoria streets, for 4.5 years could reduce business itself, the business people said.

The closure, which began on Monday, is due to construction of the future Queen station of the Ontario Line. The station is one of 15 new stations on the line that will stretch from Exhibition Place to the Ontario Science Centre.

Metrolinx, the provincial transit agency, says the closure applies to drivers and cyclists but not to pedestrians. Downtown businesses remain open. TTC detours are in place. Metrolinx has promised business owners that pedestrian traffic will continue as usual.

At least one convenience store owner is concerned that the closure could force him into bankruptcy, while one business worker said the closure is already making people late for appointments. A business association says the full impact of the closure is not yet known.

Salim Merchant, a franchisee of the INS Market, a convenience store on the southwest corner of Victoria Street and Queen Street East, said he bought the franchise in November 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the closure is another hit to his business.

“I thought that I might make some extra bread and butter for my family, but even it’s hard to get bread and butter for me,” Merchant said on Monday.

Merchant said he gets 50 to 70 customers per day now that some office workers have returned downtown, but the closure makes him worried about the future.

“We are using our own capital — investing and investing — but we are getting nothing from the business now,” he said.

“I’m only seeing one door open and that is going to a bankruptcy. I don’t see any other doors in front of me. We are not getting any single cent of relief on the rent. How are we going to survive?”

WATCH | CBC’s Julia Knope explains what you need to know about the closure:

How to navigate the Queen Street closure

Starting May 1, Queen Street between Bay and Victoria streets will be closed to traffic until at least 2027. Julia Knope breaks down how you can get around.

For Jonel Franco, a barber at Urban Philosophy Men’s Grooming on Richmond Street East,

Downtown business association launches programs, grants to revitalize Edmonton’s core – Edmonton

The Edmonton Downtown Business Association is working with partners including Avison Young, the University of Alberta, the city and province to support business growth, retail and dining in the core.

On Monday, the DBA announced three programs: the Downtown Retail Project, the Downtown Patio Grant and Business Adaptation and Revitalization.

The programs include a total of $1.8 million in funding for downtown businesses.

Downtown Retail Project

Applications are open for this program that will help remove barriers and reduce risk for opening physical storefronts in the downtown core.

Up to six retailers will receive up to $250,000 each to help offset the costs of building out a new downtown location.

Businesses will also receive three months’ free rent, marketing and other operational supports once stores are up and running.

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Downtown Edmonton looking up: business association

It’s a partnership with commercial real estate advisor Avison Young, which will lead site selections, lease negotiations, permitting, store design and builds for six successful applicants. Avison Young will also help retailers retain tenants and landlords.

“When we talk about downtown vibrancy, high retail vacancy and a lack of shopping options are among the most frequently brought up frustrations from downtown residents, visitors, workers, and business owners,” DBA executive director Puneeta McBryan said.

“We’re committed to help bring back a much-needed fresh and diverse retail mix to downtown Edmonton and support business owners who see the potential of our downtown by removing some of the high start-up costs and financial risk, which are often a barrier to entry.”

Click to play video: 'Converting empty office space in downtown Edmonton to residential units'

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Converting empty office space in downtown Edmonton to residential units

The provincial government provided funding through the Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development. The City of Edmonton will also provide funding through the provincial government allocation towards downtown vibrancy efforts.

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“We are proud to support this creative initiative led by the Edmonton Downtown Business Association that will attract more retailers to Edmonton’s downtown core and ensure it continues to thrive as the economic and cultural heart of the city,” UCP Minister Brian Jean said.

Interested businesses and property managers can read more about the project and apply online. Applications are due May 31 and applicants will be chosen June 15.

Downtown Patio Grant

Restaurants, bars and cafes within the DBA borders can apply for this grant.

Up to $5,000 is available per business, per