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Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- 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.
Winnipeg Free Press
08-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Manitoba retailers see ‘turning point' in fight against shoplifting
Shoplifting numbers have shot up in Winnipeg, but retailers are encouraged things are getting better. While the Winnipeg Police Service annual statistical report shows incidents of shoplifting jumped to 8,530 last year from 6,047 in 2023 — a 41.1 per cent change — John Graham, the Retail Council of Canada's government relations director for the Prairies, said there's a reason for that. 'We believe it is a reflection of higher reporting rates by some retailers after seeing positive actions by police,' Graham said Wednesday. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES John Graham, the Retail Council of Canada's government relations director for the Prairies, says retailers are now more likely to report shoplifting incidents. With other types of crime down, including violent and other types of property crime, Graham said, 'we are seeing encouraging details. 'We're not out of the woods, but it is a turning point we are seeing.' As a result, Graham said, an enforcement campaign, initiated more than a year ago to focus on retail thefts and violence, should continue. As part of the campaign, police encourage retailers to report all thefts so officers can identify where the problem areas in the city are, so resources can be allocated there. At a news conference announcing the crime stats Wednesday, police said the campaign may not be permanent and could be reduced if crime levels drop. 'There's still an unacceptable level, in retail stores, of people undeterred by the consequences, but, overall, we think there is a growing lowering of crime,' Graham said. 'We are encouraged… the momentum we have seen is because of a better coordinated response. What we are doing is working and we need to continue it. 'Now is not the time to take the foot off the pedal.' Munther Zeid, co-owner of the Food Fare grocery chain, said his staff has been reporting all shoplifting incidents. 'We've seen a drastic drop in bulk quantity thefts of 10 or 20 or 30 items,' Zeid said. 'But we still have people filling up their baskets and walking out. MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS FILES FoodFare owner Munther Zeid says "bulk" shoplifting has dropped drastically. 'Shoplifting is down, but not as down as we would like… And where meat and cheese were bulk items taken, because they could easily be sold by them, it's now mostly the other ones who take it to use it themselves — that shoplifting continues.' Kate Fenske, CEO of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, said safety remains a concern. In the downtown area, property crime dropped 13.2 per cent from 2023 to 2024, while violent crime went down 4.7 per cent. 'Many downtown businesses are still dealing with vandalism, theft and erratic behaviour,' Fenske said in a statement. 'As the weather warms up, and we head into a busy season of events downtown, it's critical to increase visible presence and add more eyes and ears on the streets.' Fenske said the BIZ is asking the provincial and civic governments to fund the Downtown Safety Action Plan this spring and summer 'to help create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone who wants to experience downtown.' MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Kate Fenske, CEO of Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, says safety is still a key concern. Last summer, the province, mayor's office, and Downtown Winnipeg BIZ spent $435,000 to increase summer patrols by the Downtown Community Safety Partnership, allowing them to work overtime and conduct more than 700 wellness checks. Seven opioid poisonings were reversed in June alone. Kate Kehler, the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg's executive director, said overall the crime report 'is good news,' but questions remain. 'I can see why downtown businesses are applauding this approach, but we see a rise in crime elsewhere across the city, so if police are focusing on one area, then does crime go elsewhere?' Kehler said. She said the restorative justice approach used by community-based organizations has helped reduce property crime. 'I know some people still think that is a soft-on-crime approach, but it is proven to be more effective in reducing crime. 'We still want to see far more investments into community and fighting poverty.' Kevin Rollason Reporter Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press . He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press . He has served as the Free Press's city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin. Every piece of reporting Kevin 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.
