'Not an easy decision': Chinatown's Italian Bakery to close for good due to safety concerns

After 64 years in business, the Italian Bakery in Chinatown is closing its doors for good.

The bakery has endured lots of hardship over the years but Rosaly DeVenz, the owner of the Italian Bakery, told CTV News Edmonton on Monday they did their best to persevere.

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"We did try, but we're losing business … it's not an easy decision because I know this not only affects us – it affects the community," said DeVenz.

The business began after DeVenz's parents moved to Edmonton from Italy. They even lived on the top floor of the building.

In 2020, the building suffered extensive fire damage after an arson destroyed the building. Plans to rebuild were underway. After being closed for nearly four years due to renovations, the regulars "found other places to go," according to DeVenz.

"We came back after the fire, we rebuilt, and we wanted to build in this community again, because we were hoping that us rebuilding would be able to revitalize the neighbourhood a little bit," said the bakery owner.

"This is our community, and my parents were very strong willed and wanted us to build here again, because this is our home."

It only took 13 months after the grand re-opening for the bakery to call it quits.

"Things have gotten worse. I feel like there's got to be a solution somewhere. I don't know what that is. That's not my forte, but there's got to be supports," she said.

She and longtime employee Lauren Ackland believe the social state of Chinatown was one of the main reasons for the closure.

"(The neighbourhood) drastically changed for the worse," said Ackland. "You're stepping over people. There's drug paraphernalia all over the ground. There's human remains all over the ground. There's graffiti everywhere. It's sad. It's sad because Chinatown used to be happy and loud … it's a ghost town."

Ward O-day'min Coun. Anne Stevenson said the closure speaks to the house and health crisis Edmontonians face, adding how the city is investing on cleaning up the neighbourhood and making it more safe for the community.

"What we need to do is … continue to do our part around cleanliness, safety, and advocating to the provincial and federal governments to address those underlying causes," the councillor said.

She also mentioned how the city's "responsive resources have gotten better" for Chinatown, including the increased presence of peace officers and outreach centres in the area and the $15 million city-funded Healthy Streets Operations Centre pilot project that ended last year.

"I think perception is always different (from) reality," Coun. Stevenson said. "Businesses are doing phenomenal work. They are doing everything that a business should be doing, but they're still running up against these broader issues."

As for the Italian Bakery building, DeVenz said they are now focused on the next steps.

"I'm hoping to lease it out to somebody. But If I wanted to sell this, who's going to buy (it)? Who's gonna buy six lots in this neighbourhood? It's unfortunate, but who's going to do that?" she said.

While Chinatown will miss the Italian Bakery's offerings, the Beverly location is still operational and ready for customers to come through the door.

With files from CTV News Edmonton's Amanda Anderson.