Broadway eatery may not survive subway construction closure: BIA

It looks like ongoing Broadway Subway construction in Vancouver may soon claim another victim.

Neil Wyles, executive director of the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association (MPBIA), tells 1130 NewsRadio Italia Bella Bar & Grill on Broadway at Manitoba may not survive the four-month closure at Main and Broadway.

“I’m hearing they’re having some really difficult times. [The owner] told me he hadn’t had anyone through the door in days.”

Four days to be exact.

“That’s brutal, because those sales are gone, and that’s never coming back. As opposed to a retailer, where the product is still on the shelf and you can sell it again, food doesn’t work like that. It’s extremely difficult for a restaurant not to have anyone in days,” Wyles said.

“And this business isn’t alone. There are a number of restaurants along this strip that are experiencing the same kind of difficulties that if people can’t get to them, they’re not seeing the traffic through the door.”

“Any impediment for your customers to get to you is a big deal.”

Wyles adds the owner has had to let go of at least half a dozen staffers.

He adds that in addition to a lack of parking, there have been concerns around the signage of the closure, which he feels is keeping away even the most loyal of patrons. He describes customers and business owners as “losing their marbles” over all the traffic changes in the area.

“We’ve seen some additional signage go up, some ‘No lefts, no rights.’ As this diversion started, people were finding their way around it, going through different roads, and some additional signage has been put up because of complaints, so now it’s even more difficult to get there,” he said.

“It’s these little things that [my members] are grasping onto. It’s been difficult for the neighbourhood. The impact has been immense. There were thousands and thousands of people going across this intersection. Where did you think they were going to go? Any impediment for your customers to get to you is a big deal.”

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Wyles points out people have been going down side streets and back lanes to get where they need to go, but he isn’t sure how much longer customers will continue to do that.

“It’s the merchants that are going to pay the price. Just think about it in your own travels. How far will you go? How desperately do you need this today? The parking issue has become big.”

The BIA says its members are stressed out, and as for what’s next, Wyles says they wait for help.

“I’ve got my fingers crossed that maybe there’s something in this provincial budget for some support. We’ve reached out to the federal government. We’re looking under every rock to find some help for these people.”

After some pressure, Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth held a closed-door meeting with some business owners late last month. A subsequent meeting was held with Housing Minister Christine Boyle, adds Wyles, who informed them she had spoken with Farnworth and Finance Minister Brenda Bailey.

“At the end of the day, we were asking for some no-interest, low-interest loans for these businesses to get through this period. We did emphasize to the government this was at no cost. It’s a loan… these loans get paid back.”

Following the meeting with Farnworth, the minister confirmed there would be no direct compensation given to businesses.

In an earlier email to 1130 NewsRadio, the Transportation Ministry said, “Consistent with all ministry projects that improve British Columbia’s transportation infrastructure, the province does not provide compensation for disruptions arising from construction.”

Despite that, Wyles remains hopeful.

The Broadway Subway Project is delayed by two years, expected to be operational by 2027, and it’s at least $127 million over budget.