A store in Montreal’s Côte-des-Neiges-NDG borough, that’s been operating for over 70 years, says it’s closing its doors because a new bus lane has hurt business.
The city installed reserved lanes during rush hour on Queen Mary in November of 2022.
Back then, merchants worried aloud that their customers wouldn’t be able to find parking. Now they say their fears have become reality.
“Everything has dropped off at least 25 per cent,” said Barbara Vininsky, owner of Jack and Jill.
Vininsky takes pride in selling what’s trending in the world of kids.
“The customers, they’re like my friends. I have a relationship with them,” she lovingly said.
The business has taken various forms since her mother opened it in 1945, but she says now its storied history as a storefront is over. She’s closing in a few months, in large part because she claims a reserved bus lane implemented on Queen Mary Road in 2022 has been bad for business.
During the afternoon rush when parents would drop in with their kids, the parking spots right in front of the store are eliminated to facilitate public transit mobility.
“When they can’t find a parking spot, they just keep going, so you lose all that business,” she said.
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Back when it was announced, Vininsky and others petitioned against the lane. The Punjab Canteen restaurant says it has hurt them, too
“It’s been a very big loss in our business,” said chef Manjeet Kumar.
Kumar said customers have received parking-related fines, and sometimes delivery drivers just don’t pick orders up at all because there’s nowhere to stop.
“I don’t think it reduces parking, they’re just going to have to look for it,” said public transit user Marlene Miolich. “There’s lots of side streets here and buses are imperative.”
When Vininsky announced the closure online, dozens of sad comments poured in.
“I’m very sad because I have to find another job,” said Hazel Young, who has been working at Jack and Jill for 23 years.
Snowdon city councillor Sonny Moroz said he had shopped at Jack and Jill as a child.
“My sister bought all her Beanie Babies there, and to lose it is to lose a landmark institution on an important commercial artery,” he said.
Moroz voted in favour
