Downtown Kelowna restaurants petition city hall for earlier closure of Bernard Avenue

Photo: City of Kelowna

Restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes already hurting from previous closures are feeling the pinch again after new provincial health orders put a temporary halt to indoor dining to stem the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases.

In an effort to keep the lights on and keep staff employed, some downtown establishments have lobbied city hall to push up the date for the closure of Bernard Avenue.

A letter to the city accompanied by signatures from 16 businesses in the lower two blocks of Bernard asks that the closure, slated for July and August, be extended to run from Thursday, May 20 through Sunday, Oct. 3.

The campaign was organized by Brad Filleul, owner of Cantina del Centro, to try and increase business in the downtown core and stimulate economic activity slowed by COVID-19.

The sooner the better for everyone struggling downtown.

"We'd like to see it start tomorrow if possible. But, there's a lot of things the city needs to do potentially as far as roadwork to be able to get to that point," Filleul told Castanet News.

"We've closed down our indoor dining now, and all we're left with is patio and takeout. Everyone is different, but I only have two tables on the patio. I've gone from a full restaurant to only two tables and takeout."

Of the 16 names on the petition, Filleul says only one is a non eating or drinking business, but adds those businesses he did speak with did feel the same way.

"We stand together in that everyone kind of has the same outlook that we need to drive more economic activity to the downtown core. Everyone signed with the idea of being able to extend the Bernard Avenue road closure.

"Everyone is on the same page in wanting to drum up more business."

While businesses are hoping to get relief, and soon, the city is trying to figure out how best to do that given the more urgent economic climate.

"We are just beginning those discussions now on whether the opening date can be moved up while still delivering our overall plan that was delivered to council a couple of weeks ago," said event development supervisor Chris Babcock.

He says moving up the opening to perhaps the May long weekend would require some extra work on the city's end.

"I think what we're looking for, and what everyone is looking for, is an experience that everyone can be proud of and happy with.

We want to make sure anything we do as far as planning goes is done correctly and thoroughly to ensure success."

Babcock also isn't sure whether a possible change of date would require approval from city council.

He hopes to have further clarity within a few weeks.

Are you a restaurant operator that has a patio open for dining in Kelowna? Let us know at [email protected] and we will include you in a directory that we are publishing later this week.