Downtown Disarray: Two Edmonton Businesses Shut Down as Traffic Plummets!

In a troubling turn of events for Edmonton's bustling downtown, two beloved local establishments have closed their doors, directly citing a staggering decline in customer traffic as a major factor.

The Italian Bakery's Hardship

The Italian Bakery, an iconic spot in Chinatown that had only recently reopened after a fire, is now facing its latest hardship. The ‘Now Open’ sign has been replaced with closed shutters, raising questions about the future of such cherished local businesses. Co-owner Rosaly DeVenz lamented the multifaceted challenges they face, which include escalating property taxes, mounting social disorder, and a significant drop in foot traffic. “The shift to a work-from-home model has drastically impacted our business,” DeVenz pointed out, underscoring the struggles faced by many business owners in the area.

Filistix's Closure

Adding to the woes, Filistix, known for its vibrant food culture, is also closing its downtown restaurant. Co-owner Ariel Del Rosario echoed the sentiments of his fellow business owner, explaining, “The appetite for people to come back to the office in this area is slim to none.” This marks a troubling trend for downtown establishments, which heavily rely on office workers for daily patronage.

Downtown Business Landscape

The Edmonton Downtown Business Association has reported that office vacancy rates have stagnated in the past five years, with many businesses feeling the repercussions of evolving work habits. Puneeta McBryan from the association highlighted the disparity in traffic across different areas of downtown, stating, “No two areas of downtown are alike.” She noted that some streets, like 104th, have far fewer vacancies compared to others.

A Response from Local Government

Area Councillor Anne Stevenson acknowledged the shift in work culture, noting that many workers are spending fewer days in the office. In response to these changes, the city is actively looking to encourage more foot traffic downtown. “We’ve actually hosted more festivals in 2024 than we did before the pandemic,” Stevenson revealed, with plans to continue this trend into 2025.

Call to Action

As Edmonton navigates its post-pandemic landscape, the challenges facing local businesses are evident. With changing work dynamics and decreasing office attendance, the community must come together to support local enterprises to prevent further closures. Will more businesses join the ranks of the shuttered, or can revitalization efforts bring back the vibrancy of downtown Edmonton? Only time will tell.