The interim head of the Old Strathcona Business Association says hospitality businesses along Edmonton’s Whyte Avenue are benefiting from strong event-driven traffic, while some retailers are feeling pressure from rising costs.
Andrea Donini, the association’s interim executive director, said special events are playing a significant role in supporting restaurants, bars and the area’s nightlife venues.
“Our nightlife economy is going at quite a clip,” she said, adding that hospitality businesses are “generally doing quite well,” especially ahead of the holiday season.
Retailers, however, are reporting mixed results.
Donini said some businesses saw the beginning of Christmas shopping just recently while others experienced stronger sales in November.
She said retail operators “are feeling a little bit more of a pinch,” pointing to tariffs, increased costs for bringing in products and higher expenses tied to city infrastructure and taxes.
Despite concerns about vacant storefronts, Donini said the observed vacancy rate on Whyte Avenue has remained steady. She estimated the overall vacancy rate at about 20%, though much of that is tied to second-floor and office space rather than retail.
Large, visible properties contribute to the perception of higher vacancies, she said, citing the former Army & Navy building and the Princess Theatre as examples of prominent sites still awaiting redevelopment or sale.
She said redevelopment challenges, heritage considerations and the scale of some buildings can create hesitance among prospective tenants. At the same time, she noted that new mixed-use and residential projects are underway, which she expects will “add to our vibrancy at street level” over time.
Donini described Whyte Avenue as a distinctive shopping district with a strong local customer base.
“There isn’t anything else like it in the city,” she said. “There’s a unique ambiance that really is a draw and always will be.”
She added that the area benefits from “a very supportive surrounding community” that values shopping local, along with property owners who are open to diverse business ideas.
Events and arts activity remain key contributors to the district’s appeal, she said.
Old Strathcona has long been known for theatre and cultural programming, and Donini said the volume of activities listed on the association’s website demonstrates how frequently people are drawn into the area.
“Every single one of those events brings people into the area to visit a restaurant, stop at a café before a show, or pick something up as they go by,” she said.
Events provide “tremendous” exposure for businesses and are an important part of maintaining area vibrancy.
Donini described the district as welcoming and familiar to visitors.
“It’s such an old haunt kind of place,” she said, adding that there is “something for everybody.”
There are about 600 businesses within the Association’s geographic area.
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- Edmonton’s Whyte Avenue Seeing Vacancies as Optimism Grows for Future Vibrancy Post-Pandemic [Interviews]
