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After tough year, loss of White Rock pier has businesses on edge

Click to play video: 'White Rock businesses not immune to storm damage'
White Rock businesses not immune to storm damage
WATCH: The City of White Rock says it will take between $5 and $6 million and at least eight months to repair its iconic pier after it was ripped in two in December's destructive windstorm. But as Julia Foy reports, businesses say the cost of the damage extends beyond the landmark tourist attraction – Jan 12, 2019

Samantha McQuade says the past two years have been difficult for Primo’s Mexican Grill, which sits along the White Rock strip above the iconic pier.

“It has been very trying and I don’t think any business down here would tell you any different. It has been absolutely impossible,” she said.

The devastating storm on Dec. 20 tore apart a section of the pier and sent piles of logs and debris along the beachfront, closing most of the popular promenade.

The storm followed a tumultuous year when soaring rents, disruptive construction projects and a loss of public parking hit local businesses hard.

WATCH: White Rock pier repairs to take months, City says

Click to play video: 'White Rock pier repairs to take months, City says'
White Rock pier repairs to take months, City says

Several are closed up and down the Marine Drive community.

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The White Rock Business Improvement Association is asking the city for some relief.

White Rock Coun. Helen Fathers confirms the idea of free parking for the winter and the reduction or removal of patio taxes for restaurants for 2019 will be considered on at Monday’s council meeting.

In the meantime, McQuade is hoping the public will come to the rescue.

“Please come out and support these businesses if you would like to see us lasting through the summer,” she said.

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