Just over a year since the Italian Bakery revitalized its Chinatown branch following a devastating fire, the ‘Open Now’ signage is once again hidden behind closed shutters. The establishment ceased operations this past weekend, a decision triggered by a confluence of challenges as revealed by co-proprietor, Rosaly DeVenz.

According to DeVenz, the bakery’s closure is attributed to increasing property taxes, rising social disorder, and significantly lowered patronage from the downtown area. “The shift to remote working has dealt a significant blow to our business,” DeVenz revealed.

This decrease in foot traffic is also the reason behind Filistix’s decision to shut down its downtown eatery. Ariel Del Rosario, a co-owner at Filistix, expresses a bleak outlook on the prospect of people returning to work in the area, describing it as “almost nonexistent.”

The Edmonton Downtown Business Association, however, asserts that office occupancy rates have remained relatively stable over the past half-decade. Puneeta McBryan, a representative of the association, points out that different regions within the downtown area attract varying levels of traffic.

Anne Stevenson, a local council member, acknowledges the shift in work patterns, with more individuals spending fewer days working from physical offices. Nevertheless, she states that the city is committed to driving more foot traffic downtown to compensate for these changes. The council member cited the increase in downtown festivals in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, with plans to continue this trend into 2025.

This article is aimed at those with an interest or potential investment in the downtown business landscape, offering insights into the current challenges and potential future developments.