Front Street businesses say demolition hurting their bottom line

Demolition of the western half of New Westminster’s Front Street parkade is well underway. And as the concrete tumbles down, some businesses are watching their profits do the same.

“The last two days we’ve done virtually no sales. Traffic in downtown New Westminster is so terrible that customers are just not coming to town,” says Wine Factory owner Harm Woldring.

The Wine Factory is among a few businesses located directly beneath the parkade. The structure is being scaled down in favour of a new development and more greenspace. The work started in early February and is expected to last until July.

READ MORE: Front Street businesses brace for six-month disruption

“This is normally our best time of year – February and March. I just looked back in the books last night, and it’s down,” says Antique Alley Movie Props owner Craig Ruttle.

While Front Street is closed, most of the neighbouring Frontage Road is still open – meaning drivers can access the businesses. The city has put up signs but Ruttle claims they’re not effective.

“The signage isn’t very good, especially coming off Marine Drive. The first sign you see is facing the wrong way.”

“I sold $120 in two days. Normally, we need $1,000 a day to keep the doors open. We’re in a similar situation as the Cambie merchants,” says Woldring.

In 2009, Vancouver merchant Susan Heyes was awarded more than half a million dollars by the B.C. Supreme Court for having Cambie Street in front of her store ripped up to build the Canada Line. But that compensation was overturned on appeal, with the higher court ruling there was no way to build the line without construction.

The City of New Westminster’s Blair Fryer says he doesn’t think a temporary tax break for affected merchants has been discussed.

“Not that I’m aware of. That would be something that would have to be discussed with council,” he said.

The city claims some neighbouring businesses – including a coffee shop – haven’t suffered.

Cold comfort for Woldring, who fears he’ll have to close permanently by the end of March.