Edmonton’s 78th Ave breweries seek entertainment district status

The Edmonton City Council is reviewing bylaw which could create a new entertainment district on 78 Avenue.

If approved, traffic will be closed and people will be able to eat and drink alcohol purchased from participating businesses while walking on the street. 

“Doing something that will be easier, that we can host to the community more frequently,” says Etianne Lecours, engagement manager at Shiddy’s Distilling and Sea Change Room, some of the businesses seeking the status.

As part of the corridor on 78th avenue, locally known as happy beer street, they are re-branding calling it “70 gr8 Ave.”

Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack is on board.

“It’s been successful on Rice Howard Way,” Knack say. “I’ve heard no issues since we’ve been doing it there, lets keep it going and the more businesses that want to do this, we should find ways to be supportive and saying yes, so I’m looking forward to saying yes to Happy Beer Street.”

If the bylaw is passed, the city will allow for traffic closure in the area between 99 Street and 100 Street at designated times. 

Business owners in the area already have plans in motion in anticipation of the bylaw passing. 

“The first event I think we have on the calendar should it pass is an adult book fair with the folks from Audrey’s Book Shop,” says Cole Boyd, Owner of Ben Stick Brewing.

The entertainment district will also enforce limitations to ensure public safety. 

“We will have staff there as always, as well we will have extra security to meet the ratios and then at each end of the street we will have to have security personnel there to make sure that the alcohol open and being consumed on the street doesn’t leave the entertainment district,” Boyd says.

The mayor feels confident that the bylaw will be passed in a week. 

“If the committee supports it unanimously — which my guess the committee will support this unanimously. I doubt the council even selects; it will just get approved as part of the overall motion,” Knack said.

Local businesses say the proposed bylaw will open the doors to more community involvement and opportunity. 

“To be able to work with the community on the street and to be able to work all together without extra steps of getting even a special events license,” says Lecours. 

— With files from Sasha Pietramala