In a troubling trend for Edmonton’s downtown, at least six restaurants have permanently shuttered their doors since June, prompting urgent warnings from local restaurateurs. Industry veterans, including Maheik Bhasin, who formerly managed Khazana, an Indian restaurant that enjoyed a 28-year run, attribute the closures to a combination of persistent construction disruptions and complex navigation issues for pedestrians and vehicles alike.
A String of Closures
Khazana was among the first to announce its closure this summer, citing significant challenges posed by extensive construction projects in the area. As Bhasin explained, the restaurant found itself cut off from vehicle access, leading to a drastic decline in foot traffic. “The whole planning, or lack of planning, needs to be revisited,” she stated, reflecting on the confusion created by detours. “We used our savings to entertain city projects,” she lamented, illustrating the financial strain these conditions imposed.
Following Khazana’s closure, five more establishments — Greta Bar, kb&co, Kommune, Bündok, and PlayWright — have all declared they will cease operations. Bhasin remarked on the desolate state of downtown, noting, “It’s really discouraging to see. It looks like a ghost town.”
The Challenges of Operating Downtown
Chris Decock, owner of Greta Bar, announced his establishment on 109 Street would close, attributing the decision to a myriad of issues affecting the downtown’s business landscape. In a heartfelt letter, he expressed that “no single decision brought us here,” highlighting a myriad of factors, including tax increases, patio fees, and ongoing construction, that combined to create a hostile environment for businesses. He poignantly described the situation as “death by a thousand cuts,” emphasising how each decision made it progressively more difficult to operate in the city centre.
The Downtown Revitalization Coalition has echoed these sentiments, pointing to safety concerns and disruptive construction works as major deterrents for potential patrons. Coalition member Cheryll Watson stated she has been warning city officials for years about the negative repercussions of prolonged construction and inadequate planning. “Right now, we have businesses that have their access impacted for months — if not years,” she said, questioning how these businesses are expected to survive under such conditions.
Proposals for Improvement
In light of these challenges, Watson has called for urgent reforms in construction planning and better integration of safety measures. The Coalition’s recommendations released in April include deploying transit and peace officers alongside the Edmonton Police Service, ensuring consistent visibility in high-priority areas, and establishing a 24-hour crisis response facility. She insists that the impacts on restaurants are symptomatic of broader issues affecting the entire downtown area, stating, “We have an economic crisis downtown.”
Tom Girvan, the City of Edmonton’s director of downtown economy, acknowledged the painful reality of local businesses closing. However, he emphasised the city’s commitment to supporting economic growth, noting that millions have been allocated to encourage private investment in the downtown area. “This includes the Downtown Action Plan Fund, which will invest $3 million in community-led projects,” he detailed, alongside other initiatives designed to boost vibrancy and safety in the downtown core.
A Bleak Outlook
Despite the city’s initiatives, many local business owners remain sceptical about the efficacy of these measures. Bhasin expressed her disillusionment, stating, “It feels like nobody cares here. And at this point, why would people want to live in Edmonton?” Her concerns represent a growing frustration among those who believe the current trajectory will only lead to further economic decline and a diminished sense of community in the heart of the city.
Why it Matters
The wave of restaurant closures in downtown Edmonton serves as a stark warning about the fragility of urban economies facing compounded challenges from construction and planning failures. As local businesses struggle to survive amidst an environment increasingly perceived as inhospitable, the city must reconsider its approach to urban development and safety to avert a deeper economic crisis. The health of downtown Edmonton is not just a local concern; it reflects broader trends affecting urban centres across North America, where the vibrancy of public spaces is critical to community wellbeing and economic sustainability.
