'We can’t close': Edmonton businesses fight to stay afloat during peak of fifth wave
In a normal year January tends to be a slow month for businesses following the holidays. But, at the height of a fifth wave of COVID-19 with a highly transmissible variant, many are questioning how they’ll survive the next couple of months.
“We in the restaurant industry are affected beyond words,” Glenn Quinn, co-owner of Tzin Wine & Tapas, said.
“People are just not ready to come back to restaurants right now based on what’s going on.”
So much so, Quinn told CTV News Edmonton reservations are down 67 per cent.
“That’s a huge number,” he exclaimed.
“We’re stuck now. What do we do? We can’t close because we may never open again so we have to open and hope that nobody contracts the virus.”
“Everyone’s just trying to do the right thing and that’s resulting in serious disruptions to business,” Puneeta McBryan, executive director at the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, added.
Quinn and his wife have been in business for 15 years. He said he feels fortunate because they’re “established,” but not everyone in the community can say the same and that’s concerning.
“So we can keep going but what do you do? Do you use your savings to keep going? When do you decide you don’t want to do that anymore?”
“These business owners have put their heart and souls in their businesses and it would be a real shame to see this fifth wave be the end for some of them,” McBryan added.
While everyone has a lot to consider these days, McBryan said businesses “desperately” need help from Edmontonians right now.
“It’s now or never,” she said. “If we’re not getting that support for our businesses right now then when things get back to normal and you get back into your usual routine of coming downtown, your favourite businesses might not be there anymore.”
“The hope is that we’re at the tail end of Omicron.”
For a guide to downtown shopping and eating, click here.
With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Alison MacKinnon
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.