No ‘festival city’: How one Edmonton business is dealing with COVID-19 cancellations

Editor’s note: This story originally stated the Edmonton Fringe Festival brings in $800,000 worth of business to the Whyte Avenue area. However, the festival brings in about 800,000 people to the area, not dollars. The article has been updated. We regret the error.

Thanks to COVID-19 restrictions, Edmonton won’t be living up to its nickname of festival city.

Cancellations of big events have had a huge effect on local businesses. According to the Old Strathcona Business Association, the Edmonton International Fringe Festival would normally bring about 800,000 people to the Whyte Avenue area through foot traffic alone.

Block 1912 Cafe owner, Ruby Kaur, said this time of year there would be huge lineups, people looking for a coffee and a snack, or at the art hanging on the cafe walls. Instead this year, the cafe sales are down by at least 50 per cent.

“It’s a big concern,” Kaur said.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“Festivals that happen in the summer, we depend on them a lot.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Festivals that happen in the summer, we depend on them a lot.

“There is a lot of foot traffic, lots of people come in,  it’s our busiest time (of year), but this time nothing major is happening and it’s really affecting us.”

Explore Edmonton is promoting staycations, encouraging locals to visit new areas in the city, but it won’t be enough to make up for the festival shortfall.

“We estimate the festivals, over the summer season will have lost about $36 million, which is a huge amount and we’re just hopeful that we are going to be able to start promoting again outside of Alberta,” Explore Edmonton’s Meredith McLennan said.

“We have a series of campaigns right now encouraging Edmontonians to explore their own backyards and to stay local, our campaign is called ‘no passports required.”

3:16 Coronavirus: Canadian health officials warn of potential “fall peak” of COVID-19

Block 1912’s social media manager Kai-lee Worsley said they are trying to increase foot traffic. They started a project to support local underprivileged youth and are showcasing art pieces by young people.

“I think people are still trying to find that sense of community somewhere and it’s really beautiful that the art has been selling even in through tough times,” Worsley said.

While the project won’t make up for the loss of festivals, it’s a start. The hope is local businesses can make it through to next year, when hopefully festivals can go ahead once again.

“Businesses are taking a really hard hit right now, especially if they are local and if they are small,” Worsley said.