Edmonton restaurant owner estimates $20k in lost sales during road closure

The owner of an Edmonton restaurant is fed up with downtown construction.

Part of 99 Street along the Citadel Theatre is currently closed, cutting off sidewalk access to the Playwright — a restaurant that opened last summer.

Steven Brochu is the owner of the restaurant and says on a typical busy Saturday or during a show, they get around 40 to 50 customers during lunch and 120 during dinner.

“We thought it would be a really good fit for our little creative group of people to start expressing ourselves, and it was a unique opportunity that we want to explore,” said Brochu.

But he’s already feeling the pinch of the downtown revitalization construction. Since the end of April, the city has closed the sidewalk and street for short-term streetscaping.

“This will improve pedestrian experience, provide safer connections for those who walk, cycle, and drive. And encourage walkability and support overall downtown vibrancy,” explained Sam El Mohtar, the transport delivery director for the City of Edmonton.

Brochu knew about the construction, he says it is needed. But feels the timing is cutting into patio season.

He estimates the Playwright will lose $20,000 over three months, so he is deciding to launch a fundraising campaign to support his business.

“There’s going to be a lot of events and rentals here at the Citadel Theatre in June, there is a lot of foot traffic in the downtown core especially during lunch hours, especially office workers started to come back, and we’re just afraid that we’re going to miss out on that,” said Brochu.

The Citadel, also concerned about access to the theatre, especially for those with limited mobility.

“If we’ve got older patrons or folks that are experiencing challenges with accessing our building through the street and drop-offs with DATS, or if curb cuts aren’t available that is a major concern for us and it is something that the city is taking very seriously,” said Jessie Van Rihn, the executive director of the Citadel Theater.

The city does provide signs for businesses, showing they are still open and directing to alternative access. But city council recently voted against financial support during multi-year disruptions.

“You know, I think examples like this are the reason to think about that and the potential to support businesses that are impacted by construction,” said Anne Stevenson, the councillor of Ward O-day’min.

The city expects the streetscaping to be done by the end of the construction season, which is in October.

Brochu is hoping customers will still navigate through the disruption.