Edmonton cafe worries new pit from LRT construction on Stony Plain Road will deter customers

When a pit appeared about a month ago in front of a west Edmonton café, the owner thought it would be the death of their business.

This is one of many struggling businesses amid LRT construction on Stony Plain Road, as potential customers navigate a maze of hurdles to get here.

“We had to take a long detour back, and then we saw this, and initially we thought, ‘Oh – is it still open?’” said Parth Patel, who is visiting from Toronto

It was their love of good chocolate and coffee that inspired Nadia Andrade and Victor Duarte to start Ch Cafeteria in 2020.

First came COVID, and then four years of construction on Stony Plain Road. Now, the big hole.

“Oh my god, once again. Here we go,” said Andrade.

They got really worried, putting up bright neon letters in the windows to make sure everyone knows they’re still open.

“We were not sure if we were going to make it. If it looked like we were closed, what were we going to do? We started being really slow for that first week,” Andrade explained.

Construction company Marigold is on a new schedule, partially or fully closing some intersections along the valley line route.

In one case, Ch Cafeteria was surrounded by closures on both sides.

“Even if they’re not closing our intersection, these people are not getting here. They have to do a big hoops and loops to get to us,” said Andrade.

They took to social media to call for neighbours and friends to visit.

“They just really look after the people in this community, and I think that’s why they’re able to survive,” said Herman Hordal, a regular customer.

“Good thing that we can walk here, because I don’t know how you can drive here.”

The Stony Plain Road Business Association says smaller businesses are being hit harder, especially where they rely on people walking in off the street.

“I think because of COVID, because of supply chain, because of over four years of construction now, the businesses that had a little bit of elasticity or cush, that cush is gone. They’re like bone on bone now, and I think that’s painful,” said Todd Janes, the executive director of the Stony Plain Road Business Association.

Janes hopes the next council will reconsider grants for businesses impacted by major construction.