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Winnipeg Free Press
28-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
West Broadway ‘gut punch'
A thief beat the rush, breaking into a West Broadway fashion boutique before opening day. The Winnipeg neighbourhood is one of several lacking support while other areas see increased security measures, the local business improvement zone asserted. '(It's) a gut punch,' said shop owner Lennard Taylor. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Local designer Lennard Taylor outside his new business address Friday. The location was broken into this week, but Taylor hopes to spin the event into something positive. He's been in the process of moving his eponymous shop, Lennard Taylor Design Studio, to a storefront at 67 Sherbrook St. from an Exchange District space. On Tuesday, the entrepreneur spent 14 hours transferring his sculptures and artwork. He kept his phone silent for a solid night's rest, Taylor said — and read an alarm notification upon waking. Around 2:40 a.m. Wednesday, somebody stole his business computer, cash box, iPad and other machines. He estimates roughly $10,000 worth of goods was taken. 'It hurts a lot because I'm just going on a brand new move, my money's really tight right now,' Taylor said Friday. He recalled going through the motions — feeling violated, embarrassed, taken advantage of. He meditated. Ultimately, the entrepreneur settled on aiming for positivity. He's created a raffle for charity and plans to lean into community events on his shop's front lawn. 'It dawned on me that it's not about me,' Taylor said. 'It's about the community as a whole and caring for our society and what (we're) doing as a society to influence our world.' Break-ins are common enough in the neighbourhood to warrant a West Broadway BIZ grant for security measures. Mike Williams used it to purchase shutters for Korner Stop, his convenience store. 'The best investment I ever made, ever, was having shutters on all my windows and doors,' Williams said. 'That's paid in dividends.' He's clocked a change in crime over the past 45 years. Back in the 1980s and '90s, hold-ups involving weapons seemed to be more common. Now, shoplifting and break-ins have taken the lead, he said. He blames methamphetamine addictions. 'I've seen the good, the bad, the ugly. And right now, I can tell you, it's ugly,' Williams said. 'It's not just here in Winnipeg — it's happening everywhere.' Nearby, Decadence Chocolates implemented exterior shutters following break-ins around 2022. There haven't been issues of the kind since, said employee Lauren Willems. Still, shoplifting occurs. Addicts, too, are around, Willems noted. 'It's really unfortunate that they're not getting the help that they need and are having to resort to things like this,' she said. 'I sympathize and empathize, but we also put a lot of money and work into what we're doing here. 'We'd like that to be respected.' The West Broadway BIZ introduced its safety and security grant during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 50-50 cost-shared program, which is ongoing, has paid out some $19,000 to eight companies. 'We do what we can to support our members,' said Eric Napier Strong, West Broadway BIZ executive director. 'But there's kind of a limit to what we can do to support public safety.' He's calling for a 'broader view' of safety because businesses across the city are affected. Government has announced increased patrols for targeted zones including Osborne Village, Exchange District and West End. West Broadway has seen a 275 per cent increase in cases of shoplifting of $5,000 or under, year-over-year, for the 12 months ending in March. The 30 cases are an 11 per cent jump above the five-year average, per Winnipeg Police Service data. Break-and-enter reports declined almost 40 per cent over the five-year average. (Ruwis' Hair, Beauty & Nails and Bistro Dansk, a nearly 50-year-old company, are among the West Broadway businesses who haven't experienced break-ins.) 'I think that many of the smaller BIZ zones are … feeling a strain,' Napier Strong said. 'They're all looking for more innovative public safety solutions coming from government.' The West Broadway BIZ counts 107 member businesses. As long as people are suffering on streets, crime will persist, Napier Strong said, adding more housing is needed. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Mayor Scott Gillingham said he's 'frustrated' when he hears of business break-ins. The city has been making significant investments in public safety, he added, citing police officer hires, a new chief focused on foot patrols and the Safe Winnipeg Initiative, where police and various agencies co-ordinate to tackle crime. 'We have more to do to make our community safer,' he said. An investigation into the theft at Lennard Taylor is ongoing, the Winnipeg Police Service confirmed. No arrest had been made as of Friday. For now, Lennard Taylor will continue selling clothing on its front lawn until it gets final permits for its store. It doesn't yet have an opening date. Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
13-06-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Summer safety plan gets more money, to start earlier in 2025
The Downtown Community Safety Partnership is ramping up foot patrols to protect and police residents and visitors, including wildfire evacuees who've sought refuge in Winnipeg, as part of its now-annual summer action plan. The Manitoba government has earmarked $500,000 for the initiative. The office of Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham is contributing an additional $50,000. The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ has also pitched in with $25,000. Representatives from all three organizations made the announcement at The Forks on Friday. This year's summer action plan will officially launch on June 17 with a focus on criminal detection, community engagement and mental health and addictions supports. It is scheduled to span 16 weeks, up from the inaugural 12-week initiative in 2024. 'Downtown is buzzing with new developments, big crowds at Sea Bears and Goldeyes games, summer festivals and Portage and Main reopening in a few weeks,' Mayor Scott Gillingham said in a news release. 'To keep that momentum going, we've got to make sure people feel safe. Investing in the Summer Action Plan will put more patrols on the street, connect more people to support and make downtown safer for everyone.'
Winnipeg Free Press
11-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
West End, Osborne Village business owners welcome word of more police foot patrols
With more beat cops ready to hit the street Friday, crime-weary West End business owners are hoping the result is a safer neighbourhood for them and their customers. The 12 new recruits are the second instalment of the provincially funded cohort, doubling the dozen officers first announced when the Manitoba government made its retail anti-crime program permanent in November. Regular foot patrols checking in on businesses has made a difference, said West End BIZ Executive Director Joe Kornelsen. MATTHEW FRANK / FREE PRESS Mayor Scott Gillingham meets with West End business owner Michael Paille, owner of Cobra Collectibles, to discuss safety concerns. 'Our members really appreciated that relationship-building aspect,' he said earlier this week, while touring the neighbourhood and meeting business owners with Mayor Scott Gillingham. 'I think the neighbourhood, overall, likes to see the human faces of law enforcement.' A West End BIZ survey of 54 businesses on Sargent and Ellice avenues last July found 67 per cent of the owners felt safer with regular police foot patrols. The West End, Exchange District and Osborne Village were the focus of the Winnipeg Police Service retail theft crackdown last year. Kornelsen said the dedicated patrols in the West End began a year ago and continued through the winter months. Michael Paille, owner of vintage video game and comic book shop Cobra Collectibles on Sargent Avenue near Furby Street, has had to deal with graffiti, shoplifting and assaults in the decade he has been in business. Although he has 60 cameras inside and outside the building, Paille said he doesn't feel safe staying open past 6 p.m. 'There's a lot we deal with, whether it's thefts or individuals trying to sell illegal stuff outside,' he said. 'It's harder to stay open with the way the streets are. But the main thing is to just fight it day by day.' Paille said he feels safer when he notices patrols in the area, and he'd like to see more police boots on the ground. Osborne Village BIZ executive director Zohreh Gervais said foot-patrol officers returned to the neighbourhood Tuesday and business owners were pleased to have a regular police presence again. WPS didn't respond to Free Press questions about where the graduating officers will be patrolling and how regular the patrols will be scheduled. On the neighbourhood walk, Gillingham touted the new Safer Winnipeg Initiative, which he announced during his March State of the City address. The plan will put police and the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service under one umbrella, along with other groups, including the Downtown Community Safety Partnership. Gillingham said the strategy will boost resources, data collection and communication to improve emergency responses. Wednesdays Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. 'Rather than having the overlaps and the gaps, let's do a better job of co-ordinating so our downtown is safer and businesses get the help they need,' the mayor told reporters. There's no timeline for the plan's launch, but Gillingham said two city staff members have begun co-ordinating among various groups. The initiative is intended to be implemented citywide, but there will be an initial focus on central neighbourhoods, because that's where community safety groups — such as Bear Clan Patrol — operate, said Colin Fast, the mayor's spokesperson. He said consultations for hiring a public-safety adviser, also announced in March, are still underway.
Winnipeg Free Press
06-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Moving trucks off Graham Avenue part of proposed revamp
A new proposal would slow down traffic on parts of Graham Avenue and redirect trucks to other streets. A report calls for city council to reduce the speed limit on Graham to 30 km/h from 50 km/h between Vaughan and Carlton streets and remove the full-time truck route designation. 'Graham Avenue is going to become a very focal point for downtown. It's going to become an area that will be activated … It's going to become a much more people-oriented, populated, activity-oriented street and that's been part of the downtown plan,' said Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of public works. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES 'Graham Avenue is going to become a very focal point for downtown,' said Coun. Janice Lukes. She noted Winnipeg Transit's new primary network will move most transit service off Graham later this month, clearing the way for change. She expects a speed limit reduction would take a couple of months to implement. Lukes said the traditional reliance on the avenue as a key bus corridor, with some sections not even open to cars, means the changes shouldn't create much commuter delay. The new rules should support a growing number of downtown residents, she said. 'Downtown has to have neighbourhoods. It's not just, go there, leave there. We're putting a lot of housing in (that area),' said Lukes. Mayor Scott Gillingham said changes to Winnipeg Transit create an opportunity to transform the avenue. 'It's almost like Graham Avenue is a blank slate and it can be reimagined (to become) something really different and invigorating,' said Gillingham. The city's key downtown vision, CentrePlan 2050, calls for an overhaul of Graham, suggesting it could become a cycling connection and open space. Gillingham said he'd like to see a pedestrian mall on the avenue and believes any driver delay from the changes would be limited. 'When it's such a short street, when you drive 30 km/h as opposed to 50, the difference on three or four blocks is seconds,' he said. Shifting buses elsewhere and reducing the speed limit could make the area easier to access, said one business owner. 'Having cars added to Graham, I do think that's probably a good idea and helpful for the local businesses. I think it was fairly chaotic having just buses ripping up and down Graham Avenue… As a general rule, I support speed reduction … I think having a calmer Graham Avenue is a good thing,' said Graham Bargen, co-owner of the Thom Bargen coffee shop at Kennedy Street and Graham Avenue. However, Bargen said he is concerned limiting truck traffic would create an obstacle for deliveries. Wednesdays Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. 'That will be an added challenge. We're a coffee roaster and we receive pallets of coffee… we do need to be able to get product in and out,' he said. In a written statement, the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ expressed support for the changes. 'We believe these changes on Graham support the overall plan to improve safety, connectivity and vibrancy downtown. We're looking forward to the transformation of this street into a pedestrian-friendly hub, where people can gather and connect,' wrote Kate Fenske, chief executive officer of the BIZ. X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne PursagaReporter Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne. Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
14-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Office vacancy rate decreases, foot traffic up as businesses stabilize needs post-pandemic: Downtown Winnipeg BIZ
Despite being a Wednesday, the line-up at Mondays Cafe was growing. Derick De Leon had already grabbed his cup. It's a twice-weekly treat for him — find a downtown coffee shop, buy a drink and do some computer work. He was ahead of the 10 a.m. rush. Near him, a cohort of women gathered for their regular chat; office workers sporting lanyards trotted by with coffees. De Leon has watched downtown get busier in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pedestrian traffic is up nearly 30 per cent year over year, according to a Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone report highlighting 2025's first quarter. Office vacancy has dropped slightly, and though there was a net loss of businesses, it's largely due to eateries leaving Portage Place mall pre-redevelopment. The restaurant loss is temporary because a new food hall is set for the site, the BIZ underscored. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Mondays Cafe co-owner Morgan McCurdy BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Mondays Cafe co-owner Morgan McCurdy Mondays Cafe is one of six new companies to open in the city's core between January and March. 'I like the vibe,' De Leon said, considering downtown as a whole. Mondays Cafe has become his go-to. Tara Meneer, the hub's co-owner, sat at a table steps away. She and daughter Morgan McCurdy launched their coffee shop at the end of February. 'It's a great business model, to take over a closed Starbucks,' Meneer said with a laugh. 'So many people just expect it to be a coffee shop.' Starbucks exited 305 Broadway two years ago. The ground-floor space sat empty, at the base of an office tower, until Mondays Cafe arrived. By Meneer's retelling, McCurdy wanted to start a coffee shop. The 27-year-old had worked in hospitality but had never been an entrepreneur; her mother, 54, owns a couple of gas stations. The two paired up. Meneer wanted to ensure there was foot traffic, so she looked downtown near office buildings. In recent years, the Winnipeg core has lost street-level businesses. Entrepreneurs would often cite a lack of foot traffic as a challenge; office staff stayed home during the pandemic. But Mondays Cafe has been busy. White collar workers account for most of the customer base, Meneer said. There's a morning coffee rush, then a lunch rush, then a post-lunch coffee rush. Her business is nestled among office towers. Weather and days of the week influence foot traffic. 'This Friday will probably be slow,' Meneer forecast. 'People will take that as a work from home day and extend their (Victoria Day) long weekend.' Vacancy rate decreases Downtown Winnipeg and Vancouver logged the largest decreases in office vacancy rates of major cities nationally, per the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ first-quarter report. (It uses CBRE data.) The local vacancy rate was 18.2 per cent at the beginning of the year, down from 18.7 per cent at the end of 2024 and 18.6 per cent one year ago. Across Canada, downtown office markets seem to be stabilizing, said CBRE Winnipeg's managing director. It's been five years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Paul Kornelsen said: 'Organizations just have a bit of a better handle on what they need in terms of office space.' Companies have figured out their workflows. As a result, the CBRE has noticed more activity — firms looking to trade spaces, upsize or downscale. The numbers won't reflect this for another year, given transaction time, Kornelsen noted. Buildings connected via tunnel or skywalk and higher-quality structures tend to be more popular in downtown Winnipeg, Kornelsen said. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The core's ground-floor vacancy rate has stagnated around 32 per cent. Eleven businesses closed in the area between January and March; seven of those were in Portage Place. True North Real Estate Development acquired Portage Place mall last year and has publicized its intent. A planned food hall is expected to have a 'net positive' on business creation, the Downtown BIZ report reads. Whether former eateries will return to the Portage Place locale is still being determined, said Kate Fenske, BIZ chief executive. Mondays Cafe and a new Empty Cup at Hargrave St. Market both replaced previously vacant coffee shops, Fenske noted. 'When you do have coffee shops setting up, it shows that there are people in the neighbourhood,' she said. 'The daily activity is there to support coffee shops.' Clothing stores Aym Fashion and Weekend Vintage Winnipeg, Fête Jockey (an event company) and Abel Grocery Store and Bakery also opened over the last quarter, the BIZ reported. Entertainment such as Winnipeg Jets NHL playoff games and whiteout street parties has drawn thousands in the past weeks. Fenske is preparing for thousands more: the Canadian Elite Basketball League championship, among other events, is being hosted in the city this year. Safety, however, remains a concern, Fenske said. She's in talks with the provincial and city governments about reimplementing the Downtown Safety Action Plan this summer to boost security — and its visibility — on the street. She's also heard from businesses beginning to see U.S trade war-induced price increases on their imports. Melanie Bernadsky, owner of Freshcut Downtown, still welcomes more residential customers than office workers. Pre-pandemic, white collar staff consumed most of her clientele. '(It's) never really come back,' Bernadsky said, adding she's excited for the completion of a nearby apartment block at 185 Donald St. Paula Baert has worked downtown every weekday for years. Vehicle traffic can feel like 2019, she said. In the summer, though, there hasn't been the same street food presence, she added. 'It would be nice to see the people and all the vendors out.' Meneer recalled questioning herself days before opening Mondays Cafe. Now, amid the busy operation, she considers the gig 'pretty amazing.' 'You know, sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone is good.' Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
