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Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
10 Defunct Restaurant Chains From The '90s That Should Have Stuck Around Longer
The '90s were a radical time that we'll never get back. Along with legendary rap icons, cable sitcoms, and a slew of popular snacks unique to the decade that we'd like to taste again, casual restaurant chains helped define the vibrant culture of the transformative period. But what once thrived in the era of dial-up internet and boy bands has since faded away. Throughout the '90s, casual dining chains started popping up in cities and suburbs like the creatures in the arcade game Whac-a-Mole. Characterized by kitschy themes and traditional American fare, these establishments set themselves apart from restaurants of prior decades, partly due to baby boomers desiring a shift from the sleeker feel of mid-century modern that dominated interiors until then. But what worked then no longer applies today. In 2024, 20 restaurant chains that thrived at the tail end of the 20th century filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. To survive the streamlined, almost corporate feel of the modern-day restaurant, businesses must adapt. Companies that value fresh food over mass production, incorporate technology into their service, and overall cater to the preferences of the younger generations will have an easier time staying afloat. Unfortunately, the window of opportunity has permanently shut for some eateries that were (and still are) loved. Read more: 8 Restaurants That Were Once Frequented By Al Capone In 1990s New England, there was a place families could go to enjoy a steak, mac and cheese, or loaded baked potatoes under a talking animatronic buffalo and moose busts. The rustic Canadian-themed steakhouse was full of funky, out-of-the-box details, like a birthday song about kissing a moose and Timber the Talking Christmas Tree, who informed customers of random facts about nature in the country of pine trees and maple syrup. It was just the sort of kitschy-themed '90s restaurant that everyone raved over at the time. Sadly, it couldn't keep up with a changing industry. Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse opened in Rhode Island in 1992, with about 30 restaurants across New England, along with states like Pennsylvania and Georgia, during its peak success. Its legacy started dying down when, in 2010, the business filed for bankruptcy, forcing the shutdown of several of its locations. The remaining restaurants slowly started closing one by one over the following years, with the last one closing its doors in 2016. Buffet chains were so undeniably '90s, and Fresh Choice was one of the many that made an epic mark in the industry before eventually fading into gastronomical oblivion. Sure, it was known for its signature health-conscious food choices, but there was something special about its soft and fluffy muffins that you could eat all day. The buffet made it a point to prepare its meals in front of its customers, proving the freshness it reputed itself for. It sold its quality, locally-sourced items for just $5.99 for lunch and $7.49 for dinner, a steal considering there was no cap on how much you could fill your plate with. The brand began in Sunnyvale, California, in 1986, spearheaded by two brothers with a vision for health-focused dining but no prior managerial restaurant experience. Their passion outshone their lack of experience, and their business expanded from coast to coast with over 48 restaurants by the late '90s. However, it overplayed its hand, opening too many locations and losing profitability. Over time, its success declined, and by 2012, the chain shut down all of its restaurants. Now, it's just one of a handful of forgotten buffet restaurants of the 1990s. La Petite Boulangerie never quite made it as one of America's biggest bakery chains. Still, it boasted a mini-empire with over 140 locations at the height of its success, including in California, Colorado, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Translating to "The Little Bakery" from French, the casual breakfast chain served fresh French-style pastries like croissants as well as delicious warm baguettes. Its sweet aroma and saccharine selection of treats won the hearts of many in the 1990s, but unfortunately, the sugary craze died down, and the popular breakfast chain disappeared at the turn of the century. A lot of drama went down before the chain reached peak success. La Petite Boulangerie was born in 1977 in San Francisco by Food Resources Inc., starting off with two bakeries before it was bought by the food industry giant PepsiCo in 1982. However, the partnership turned sour when Food Resources sued PepsiCo for allegedly misleading them about sales and profit potential in 1986. The chain shifted hands to Mrs. Fields' Original Cookies, Inc. in 1987, then Interwest Partners in 1993, and Java City just a year after. Java City successfully ran the business throughout the decade, selling the company to Cucina Holdings, Inc. in December 2000, where it was promptly shuttered. As to whether IHOP is really an international chain, the famous breakfast joint is named the International House of Pancakes because it serves the sweet breakfast food globally. It's a titan of its culinary genre, but in the '90s, it had some stark competition in the form of The Royal Canadian Pancake House. But while its misleading name inferred the chain was from Canada, it actually opened in New York City back in 1989, with its name as an ode to its overall Canadian theme. It opened various locations across NYC and even made it to Miami Beach, but never Canada. RCPH, as its loyal customers called it, was known for its behemoth pancakes that, according to Amanda Cohen of Eater New York City, had to be flipped with a snow shovel (very Canadian) and taken home in a pizza box. While that might be an exaggeration, so was the size of RCPH's servings. Other famous menu items of the chain included Womlettes, a giant waffle topped with an omelet, and Canadian Crackers, composed of waffles with eggs and loads of melted cheese. The Royal Canadian Pancake House had a good run before closing down in 1998 despite its cult following and quality food. In fact, it wasn't a decline in popularity that forced its shutdown but rather its investment banker, who was reported by the Securities and Exchange Commission for ethical violations. Now, its chocolate chip cornbread will forever exist only in our memories. '90s chain restaurant Roadhouse Grill didn't know it would have a relatively short run as a business when it first launched in 1992. At its peak, the business had about 85 restaurants in states like New York and Florida. Known for its artful wall murals and American fare, the casual dining restaurant defined the '90s-style culinary experience. But its success abruptly ended shortly after the decade closed. In 2007, the company was forced to file for bankruptcy a second time when a $1.3 million loan from MCF Development fell through. It was the nail in the coffin for MCF Development, which already owed about $5 million in overdue rent in 2002. The company was forced to liquidate and abandon all the capital equipment in its restaurants, and the abrupt closure came as an unpleasant surprise to both employees and customers, who were blindsided by the impending failure of the company. Despite it all, some locations were able to weather the storm, and in 2002, the company officially exited bankruptcy. But the relief was short-lived because a Florida hurricane severely affected some of its restaurants just two years later. Duffy's Holdings stepped up to the plate by purchasing 85.5% of the business; however, it almost immediately abandoned ship when realizing how dire its financial situation was. It handed the stock over to Willie's Roadhouse Grill LLC like a hot potato, and Willie's, which couldn't handle the heat, fell quickly back into bankruptcy. It shuttered all of its restaurants by 2008. One location reopened in 2009 under the name "Buffalo Roadhouse Grill," but it closed in 2020 due to the pandemic. Shopping malls are a relic of the recent past, and China Coast was a key part of its retail-centric culture. If you ever frequented your local mall in one of the eight-plus states it was located in, chances are you tasted this fast-casual restaurant's savory sesame chicken and noodles. Nestled among other vanished mall food court restaurants like Orange Julius and Blimpie, this Chinese restaurant chain, known for its turquoise pagoda, offered shoppers a place to refuel in between visits to FYE and Limited Too. In the 1980s, Chinese food grew to become the most consumed international cuisine in the U.S., according to the National Restaurant Association. In response to high demand, China Coast opened in 1990 in Orlando, first as a standalone, full-service fast casual spot before integrating itself into mall cafeterias. Its menu, which was curated by Chinese-American biologist-turned-chef Terry Cheng, was designed with the western consumer in mind, featuring an Americanized version of the country's cuisine. One newspaper stated that China Coast was "to Chinese food what the Olive Garden is to Italian or Red Lobster is to seafood." It made sense, considering the chain was owned by General Mills, which owned all three establishments. But unlike Olive Garden, which had virtually no competition, China Coast faced stark rivalry that it failed to beat. By 1995, all 51 locations of the chain were permanently closed. People in the '90s loved a hearty chain buffet. These establishments were affordable, convenient, and provided a sense of comfort in the sense that no matter where in the country you found yourself, you could always rely on tasting the same bottomless dishes in the same rustic-themed ambiance. But like the drying chicken under the heat lamps, Old Country Buffet didn't last. For better or worse, it's now on the list of the many chain buffets that you'll never see again. In its golden era, Old Country Buffet boasted around 650 locations. Though it opened in the '80s, it defined the '90s with its nostalgic homestyle vibe that attracted families with low prices (kids ate for just 50 cents with each year of age). It was just as loved as competitors like Golden Corral, but it didn't stand the test of time due to a combination of poor management and inconsistent quality control. Things started to go sour when the comfort food chain first got sued in 2014 for salmonella, but that was only the beginning of the business' woes. Its parent company, Fresh Acquisitions, which once dominated the buffet chain domain (owning big-name locales like Furr's, Hometown Buffet, and Ryan's, along with the California-centric meat lovers restaurant, Tahoe Joe's Famous Steakhouse) was forced to file for bankruptcy in 2021 after the pandemic hit. This caused the once-thriving Old Country Buffet to cease its operations forever. Just because Don Pablo's was a chain restaurant doesn't mean it lacked in quality. Specializing in flavorful Tex-Mex fare, the dining destination served scratch-made salsa and warm, house-made tortillas with its sizzling fajitas that rapidly became a crowd favorite across the nation. But while the business rode the '90s nachos and tacos bandwagon, it earned its achievement as the U.S.' second-biggest Mexican chain, just behind Chi Chi's, for its fun and wholesome service, just as much as its hearty and spicy dishes. The Tex-Mex eatery made its debut in 1985 in -- you guessed it -- Texas. After a few years, Don Pablo's reached the summit of its success with a total of 120 restaurants spread across Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, Texas, Maryland, Michigan, and Oklahoma. Then, in 1995, the little Lubbock franchise launched by DF&R Restaurants was sold to the industry giant Apple South, owner of the wildly successful American dining chain, Applebee's. In what was, in hindsight, a bad business move, Apple South eventually changed its name to Avado Brands and dropped Applebee's to focus solely on the expansion of Don Pablo's. The company filed for bankruptcy twice in the 2000s while facing growing competition from emerging fast-casual spots. It clung on to the remnants of its former empire as its restaurants continued shuttering, but even with a change in ownership, the place that introduced the masses to the bold flavors of Tex-Mex said its final farewell in 2019. In a sea of themed dining chains in the U.S. like Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Hard Rock Café, All Star Café is often forgotten. Back in the '90s and the aughts, however, it made waves with its whimsical sports motif that included baseball glove-shaped booths, athletic collectibles, and more than enough screens to watch the game of the moment. As the brainchild of Planet Hollywood, the funky restaurant started off strong, opening its first location in Times Square in 1995 and featuring 70 TV screens, around the same time that so many other chains were launching. Shortly after, other hotspot destinations like Cancun, Las Vegas, and Disney World got their own venues. But with a bland and unoriginal yet overpriced menu consisting of your standard burgers and wings, the establishment didn't have much to offer beyond its aesthetics. In the '90s, patrons were willing to overlook flavor for vibe, but what worked in the final decade of the 20th century no longer resonated with customers as the years progressed, and in 2007, the sports restaurant's final location in Orlando shut down. Sadly, Koo Koo Roo has been a part of the defunct '90s chain restaurants club since its extinction in 2014. Stepping foot in one of these spots in its heyday, with lines around the block, you would have never guessed its impending fate. Since 1988, it had marketed itself as a healthy fast food option, specializing in flavor-rich chicken with a Middle Eastern flair that was low-calorie, fat-free, and cholesterol-free. The idea was a hit, and the company expanded from California to New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Canada. But a competitive market and menu changes that didn't resonate with customers ultimately caused its demise. According to a little birdie, there will be a return of the mac (and cheese). The Koo Koo Roo website is officially up and running again, but for now, it's only selling merch and nothing edible. The restaurant is set to open one location back in its original LA stomping grounds. Fairfax-based real estate developer Daniel Farasat, who grew up on the chicken and nutritious yet delectable side dishes, stated in an interview with Los Angeles Magazine that he's set on resurrecting Koo Koo Roo because "restaurants are an integral part of the fabric of a neighborhood," especially this one, that resonated with the hearts and taste buds of millennials from coast to coast. Read the original article on Chowhound.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘People are canceling reservations.' Canadian tourists rethink Florida trips due to Trump
Canadian tourist Jacqueline Robert smiles and clutches her shoulders in a warm embrace in the courtyard of Richard's Motel in Hollywood. She looks a visitor in the eye and exclaims, 'The sun!' And on a toasty 80-degree morning in late March, in the courtyard of the Canadian-themed universe Richard Clavet has built for the French-Canadian community from Quebec, a glorious 'The sun!' says it all. A group of mostly French-speaking snowbirds, like Karen Hopper, 69, bounce in a pool for an Aqua Zumba class led by Canadian-American instructor Jennifer Morris. Couples, like Hopper and Gary Cherneski, 76, of Leamington, Ontario, met here, at this string of nearly 10 colorful Hollywood hotels and motels all bearing Clavet's first name. There's Richard's Hotel. Richard's Motel. Richard's Pet Friendly Motel. Richard's Motel Studios — all strung along South Federal Highway just south of Young Circle. But, this season, business is off, and there are fewer Canadians spending money in South Florida. The Trump administration's mercurial policies are creating tension and uncertainty. Threats of tariffs on Canadian products, talk of new registration requirements for Canadian travelers, or even annexing the country as the 51st state, are making many Canadians reevaluate if they want to spend their money in the United States. 'I got one guy that had a $1,000 deposit. You know for sure he's coming. He gave up his deposit,' Clavet said. 'And it's not like he decided not to come. But, just to protest, he said he was going to Cuba instead.' After years of growth, Canadian tourism in Florida is reversing course, tourism officials say and initial data indicate. Passenger arrivals from Canada at Miami International Airport are down this year, three weeks into March. Demand for flights from Canada to South Florida has fallen about 20% compared to a year ago. 'Visit Lauderdale is deeply concerned about potential travel restrictions on our tourism industry,' said Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale, Greater Fort Lauderdale's official marketing organization. The area annually gets about 1.1 million Canadian tourists, she noted. Canadians love South Florida from its beaches to boardrooms. Hotels and motels in Broward County at this time of the year usually brim with tourists from the United States' longtime ally to the north. This year, something is out of the ordinary. The Sunshine State, long a welcoming winter escape for Canadian sun worshippers like Robert, who hails from Saint-Jean in Quebec, is feeling the brunt. 'It's a strange time,' said Sophie Lalonde, chair of the Canada-Florida Business Council. 'We've always been friends,' but 'all of a sudden, Canadians are not welcome.' READ MORE: Prices on all vehicles 'will undoubtedly go up' after Trump auto tariffs, experts say Clavet's South Florida enclave is worlds removed from the ostentatious White Lotus hotel chain of streaming television fame. But this mini-Canada in South Florida, and the global U.S.-Canada relationship, is facing a season's worth of high drama since President Donald Trump's second non-consecutive term to the White House began in January. His executive orders and domestic and international policy changes — including slapping a 25 percent tariff Wednesday on imported cars and car parts — have whipsawed Canada, Mexico and the European Union, traditional U.S. allies. The impact is felt in the community Clavet has built in Hollywood over 35 years. 'It's terrible,' said Clavet, 60. 'People are canceling reservations left and right. They're not booking. We should be super, super busy right now and we're just basically seeking American business,' he said. He adds the unthinkable: 'I think we need to give up on the Canadians.' Clavet, who arrived in Florida from Quebec in 1985, is torn. 'I would say my heart is on both sides of the border. I think it's terrible what's going on in Canada right now,' said Clavet, who opened his first motel in 1990. 'I guess it depends on how you're looking at things right now. Right now, there's like a mass movement from the Canadians and they're all identifying together as against the U.S. And they're cutting their flights coming down this way.' Clavet nods toward Roger Quesnel, a fit 84-year-old golfer seated in the motel's courtyard, chatting away with other Québécois. Quesnel is from Magog in the Eastern Townships region of Quebec, and Clavet identifies him as his mother Nicole's 'lover.' 'Love-her,' Quesnel corrects, emphasizing the second syllable. Both men laugh. The French-only speakers among them don't understand the language but they recognize the mirth. They smile at the kinship. Most of Clavet's guests at the motel on this steamy March morning say they are staying — and coming back. Hopper and Cherneski are the rarities here. They are from Ontario but don't speak French. Nevertheless, for three years they've been coming to Richard's after fielding recommendations. Since 2012, they've wintered in South Florida seeking warmth, Cherneski said. She's semi-retired. He's retired. They've found a community here. 'The majority in this place are French. But it doesn't matter to us,' Hopper said, moments before splashing in the pool for Aqua Zumba. 'I just like how friendly everybody is to us. How accommodating they are to us even though there's a language barrier. We seem to get by. We've been here three months,' she said Thursday. 'We're going home Saturday.'' Concerned about the administration's new policies, they plan to abide by the new laws and return, they say. 'We're booked for next year. We see the same people. We come the same time every year and the same people are here. We've made lots of good friends here,' Hopper said. Quesnel, the golfer, has wintered in South Florida since the 1960s, living in condos on the ocean, condos on golf courses, condos 'everywhere,' he said. He'd come for visits with his late wife, who died in 1967, and always came back. Retired at 61, Quesnel has been traveling to Clavet's quirky Canadian community every winter for the eight years he's been dating the personable owner's Mom. He also comes to play golf at the nearby Orangebrook Golf and Country and dine at the Hollywood Flanigan's — both magnets for Canadian tourists, he said. At least, they were. 'This winter, we've seen less Canadians in both places,' Quesnel said. 'And the month of March, it really died. There's no wait if you want a table compared to the past years. In my activities, I see less French Canadians. Yeah, it's up to the jury to say. Of course, the low dollar is a very big percentage of that. 'Since November, I think that the political relationship is not too good to encourage Québécois to come down,' Quesnel said. 'My own son-in-law, I've been asking him four times to come down for a week, room and board included, and do the golf with me. There's no way he wants to come down here and spend money for Trump. 'God willing,' he'll brave it next year to stay at Richard's cozy rooms, Quesnel added. 'I'm 84 but I'm a real snowbird, as you define.' Broward tourism officials are increasingly worried not everyone will tough it out like Quesnel. 'Canada has long been one of our most valuable international markets, with Canadian visitors contributing significantly to our local economy, supporting thousands of jobs, and fueling our vibrant hospitality sector,' Ritter, the Visit Lauderdale president, wrote in an email to the Herald. They 'show great respect and love for our community' and 'their presence enriches our local culture,' she said. But Ritter is expecting her region to take a hit in the coming months. 'Our tourism industry thrives on open borders, accessibility and strong international relationships,' she said. When comparing airline schedules on March 25 against what they had planned for on Jan. 31, airlines flying between Canada and MIA reduced seat capacity 13% in April, 17% in May and 15% in June. The reductions are even bigger for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport: an 18% drop in seat capacity in April, 19% less in May and a 25% decrease in June. That's according to data by Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Nationally, the number of flights from Canada to the U.S. are also down, though not as much as the Florida traffic: an average of 4.4% fewer seats in April, May and June. Through March 23, 5,405 fewer travelers had arrived on flights to MIA from Canada — a 4% decline from the same period in 2024, according to Greg Chin, communications director for Miami-Dade Aviation Department. Local businesses have witnessed the decline. Francois Grenier has owned the Dania Beach Dairy Belle since his parents started the charming eatery in the area in 1998. Dairy Belle caters to French-Canadian tourists with its menu mix of Canadian favorites like poutine along with cheeseburgers, hot dogs and ice cream specialties. Grenier, a Canadian-American who has lived in the U.S. for 33 years, found a busy location at the Meadowbrook Square mall five years ago at 312 E. Dania Beach Blvd. 'The current economic situation, especially with the Canadian dollar being very weak, a lot of Canadians are not coming as long or they're not coming at all. So we've seen a little decline, but nothing drastic,' he said. 'But it was a little bit slower this year,' he added, citing several factors: the political situation, falling Canadian dollar, and Florida's rising costs. 'The cost of living here in Florida, the rentals, all of that went up. I'm not worried because we have a very stable business. We do target the Canadians in the winter months. But we have our local clientele in the summer.' Danny Hamas, who until 15 years ago ran the eatery Pôle Nord on the Hollywood Broadwalk, has seen business slip this season at the Canadian-themed Mammy's Cantine food truck he's run on Clavet's property since selling his Broadwalk restaurant. The blistering reports on television news has stoked fears on both sides of the North American continent. 'It's slow,' he said, as he dished a plate of poutine to a customer outside the window of his food truck. 'The TV news is no good. The people, they don't want to come.' Canada was the state's number one source of foreign tourists for the past two years. In 2023, about 3.2 million Canadians visited the Sunshine State, a 20% increase from 2022, outpacing the 18% growth rate the rest of the world provided. That growth continued into 2024. Preliminary data shows 3.3 million Canadians visited Florida last year, up by 1.2% compared to 2023. All state data comes from Visit Florida, the state's tourism marketing arm. The increase is significant because although the number of visitors was 20% less than 2019 levels, 'this marks the closest that Canadian visitation has come to pre-pandemic levels,' Visit Florida wrote in a Feb. 14 report. In some ways, the damage from reduced Canadian interest is not yet evident. In the fourth quarter of 2024, about 742,000 Canadians visited the state, a 6.7% increase from the fourth quarter of 2023. That was part of a record high – 33.1 million - fourth-quarter tourists in the state, according to Visit Florida. But that was before President Trump took office on Jan. 20. And Canadians enjoy Miami-Dade County as well. About 296,000 Canadians spent at least one night in the area in 2023, 18% more than in 2022, according to the Greater Miami Convention Center & Visitors Bureau. The number of Canadians trailed only Colombia and Brazil. The organization did not have figures for 2024. The tourism decline is spilling over to the business traveler. The Canada Florida Chamber of Commerce held a long-planned event in Miami-Dade County in late March. The group, which promotes trade and investment between the two places, scheduled a trade mission to coincide with eMerge Americas, three days ahead of eMerge's annual conference on March 27-28. The trade mission was supposed to help Canadian businesses expand in Florida or Canadian investors find promising start-ups in AI, robotics, and the defense industry. CEOs, executives and entrepreneurs were coming from Canada. Yet, many changed their minds at the last minute. About 20 Canadians still came but at least another 15 who signed up pulled out, said Lalonde, chair of the Canada-Florida Business Council and an organizer of the trade mission. 'A lot of people with strong interest called and asked to have their names be taken off [the trip],' she said. That included some who own property in Florida and have long-standing ties to the state. 'It's too hard to tell for this season' if there's been an impact, said Stephen Fine, president of Snowbird Advisor, a Toronto-based travel firm. Many snowbirds started heading south last October, before the 2024 U.S. presidential election was held. And, so far, he has seen 'little evidence of snowbirds heading back early.' Fine, a regular traveler to South Florida, said he is starting to hear some Canadian snowbirds say they won't return to Florida next winter. 'We won't have a good gauge until next season,' he said. But the signs are ominous, says Visit Lauderdale's Ritter. The number of Canadians saying they will skip the state 'is expected to grow over the coming months based upon what the Canadians are saying they will do.'
Miami Herald
31-03-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
‘People are canceling reservations.' Canadian tourists rethink Florida trips due to Trump
Canadian tourist Jacqueline Robert smiles and clutches her shoulders in a warm embrace in the courtyard of Richard's Motel in Hollywood. She looks a visitor in the eye and exclaims, 'The sun!' And on a toasty 80-degree morning in late March, in the courtyard of the Canadian-themed universe Richard Clavet has built for the French-Canadian community from Quebec, a glorious 'The sun!' says it all. A group of mostly French-speaking snowbirds, like Karen Hopper, 69, bounce in a pool for an Aqua Zumba class led by Canadian-American instructor Jennifer Morris. Couples, like Hopper and Gary Cherneski, 76, of Leamington, Ontario, met here, at this string of nearly 10 colorful Hollywood hotels and motels all bearing Clavet's first name. There's Richard's Hotel. Richard's Motel. Richard's Pet Friendly Motel. Richard's Motel Studios — all strung along South Federal Highway just south of Young Circle. But, this season, business is off, and there are fewer Canadians spending money in South Florida. The Trump administration's mercurial policies are creating tension and uncertainty. Threats of tariffs on Canadian products, talk of new registration requirements for Canadian travelers, or even annexing the country as the 51st state, are making many Canadians reevaluate if they want to spend their money in the United States. 'I got one guy that had a $1,000 deposit. You know for sure he's coming. He gave up his deposit,' Clavet said. 'And it's not like he decided not to come. But, just to protest, he said he was going to Cuba instead.' After years of growth, Canadian tourism in Florida is reversing course, tourism officials say and initial data indicate. Passenger arrivals from Canada at Miami International Airport are down this year, three weeks into March. Demand for flights from Canada to South Florida has fallen about 20% compared to a year ago. 'Visit Lauderdale is deeply concerned about potential travel restrictions on our tourism industry,' said Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale, Greater Fort Lauderdale's official marketing organization. The area annually gets about 1.1 million Canadian tourists, she noted. The intrusion of politics Canadians love South Florida from its beaches to boardrooms. Hotels and motels in Broward County at this time of the year usually brim with tourists from the United States' longtime ally to the north. This year, something is out of the ordinary. The Sunshine State, long a welcoming winter escape for Canadian sun worshippers like Robert, who hails from Saint-Jean in Quebec, is feeling the brunt. 'It's a strange time,' said Sophie Lalonde, chair of the Canada-Florida Business Council. 'We've always been friends,' but 'all of a sudden, Canadians are not welcome.' READ MORE: Prices on all vehicles 'will undoubtedly go up' after Trump auto tariffs, experts say Hollywood's Canadian community Clavet's South Florida enclave is worlds removed from the ostentatious White Lotus hotel chain of streaming television fame. But this mini-Canada in South Florida, and the global U.S.-Canada relationship, is facing a season's worth of high drama since President Donald Trump's second non-consecutive term to the White House began in January. His executive orders and domestic and international policy changes — including slapping a 25 percent tariff Wednesday on imported cars and car parts — have whipsawed Canada, Mexico and the European Union, traditional U.S. allies. The impact is felt in the community Clavet has built in Hollywood over 35 years. 'It's terrible,' said Clavet, 60. 'People are canceling reservations left and right. They're not booking. We should be super, super busy right now and we're just basically seeking American business,' he said. He adds the unthinkable: 'I think we need to give up on the Canadians.' Clavet, who arrived in Florida from Quebec in 1985, is torn. 'I would say my heart is on both sides of the border. I think it's terrible what's going on in Canada right now,' said Clavet, who opened his first motel in 1990. 'I guess it depends on how you're looking at things right now. Right now, there's like a mass movement from the Canadians and they're all identifying together as against the U.S. And they're cutting their flights coming down this way.' Clavet nods toward Roger Quesnel, a fit 84-year-old golfer seated in the motel's courtyard, chatting away with other Québécois. Quesnel is from Magog in the Eastern Townships region of Quebec, and Clavet identifies him as his mother Nicole's 'lover.' 'Love-her,' Quesnel corrects, emphasizing the second syllable. Both men laugh. The French-only speakers among them don't understand the language but they recognize the mirth. They smile at the kinship. Most of Clavet's guests at the motel on this steamy March morning say they are staying — and coming back. Hopper and Cherneski are the rarities here. They are from Ontario but don't speak French. Nevertheless, for three years they've been coming to Richard's after fielding recommendations. Since 2012, they've wintered in South Florida seeking warmth, Cherneski said. She's semi-retired. He's retired. They've found a community here. 'The majority in this place are French. But it doesn't matter to us,' Hopper said, moments before splashing in the pool for Aqua Zumba. 'I just like how friendly everybody is to us. How accommodating they are to us even though there's a language barrier. We seem to get by. We've been here three months,' she said Thursday. 'We're going home Saturday.'' Concerned about the administration's new policies, they plan to abide by the new laws and return, they say. 'We're booked for next year. We see the same people. We come the same time every year and the same people are here. We've made lots of good friends here,' Hopper said. Quesnel, the golfer, has wintered in South Florida since the 1960s, living in condos on the ocean, condos on golf courses, condos 'everywhere,' he said. He'd come for visits with his late wife, who died in 1967, and always came back. Retired at 61, Quesnel has been traveling to Clavet's quirky Canadian community every winter for the eight years he's been dating the personable owner's Mom. He also comes to play golf at the nearby Orangebrook Golf and Country and dine at the Hollywood Flanigan's — both magnets for Canadian tourists, he said. At least, they were. 'This winter, we've seen less Canadians in both places,' Quesnel said. 'And the month of March, it really died. There's no wait if you want a table compared to the past years. In my activities, I see less French Canadians. Yeah, it's up to the jury to say. Of course, the low dollar is a very big percentage of that. 'Since November, I think that the political relationship is not too good to encourage Québécois to come down,' Quesnel said. 'My own son-in-law, I've been asking him four times to come down for a week, room and board included, and do the golf with me. There's no way he wants to come down here and spend money for Trump. 'God willing,' he'll brave it next year to stay at Richard's cozy rooms, Quesnel added. 'I'm 84 but I'm a real snowbird, as you define.' Concern for Broward tourism Broward tourism officials are increasingly worried not everyone will tough it out like Quesnel. 'Canada has long been one of our most valuable international markets, with Canadian visitors contributing significantly to our local economy, supporting thousands of jobs, and fueling our vibrant hospitality sector,' Ritter, the Visit Lauderdale president, wrote in an email to the Herald. They 'show great respect and love for our community' and 'their presence enriches our local culture,' she said. But Ritter is expecting her region to take a hit in the coming months. 'Our tourism industry thrives on open borders, accessibility and strong international relationships,' she said. Fewer flights When comparing airline schedules on March 25 against what they had planned for on Jan. 31, airlines flying between Canada and MIA reduced seat capacity 13% in April, 17% in May and 15% in June. The reductions are even bigger for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport: an 18% drop in seat capacity in April, 19% less in May and a 25% decrease in June. That's according to data by Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Nationally, the number of flights from Canada to the U.S. are also down, though not as much as the Florida traffic: an average of 4.4% fewer seats in April, May and June. Through March 23, 5,405 fewer travelers had arrived on flights to MIA from Canada — a 4% decline from the same period in 2024, according to Greg Chin, communications director for Miami-Dade Aviation Department. Local businesses have witnessed the decline. Francois Grenier has owned the Dania Beach Dairy Belle since his parents started the charming eatery in the area in 1998. Dairy Belle caters to French-Canadian tourists with its menu mix of Canadian favorites like poutine along with cheeseburgers, hot dogs and ice cream specialties. Grenier, a Canadian-American who has lived in the U.S. for 33 years, found a busy location at the Meadowbrook Square mall five years ago at 312 E. Dania Beach Blvd. 'The current economic situation, especially with the Canadian dollar being very weak, a lot of Canadians are not coming as long or they're not coming at all. So we've seen a little decline, but nothing drastic,' he said. 'But it was a little bit slower this year,' he added, citing several factors: the political situation, falling Canadian dollar, and Florida's rising costs. 'The cost of living here in Florida, the rentals, all of that went up. I'm not worried because we have a very stable business. We do target the Canadians in the winter months. But we have our local clientele in the summer.' Danny Hamas, who until 15 years ago ran the eatery Pôle Nord on the Hollywood Broadwalk, has seen business slip this season at the Canadian-themed Mammy's Cantine food truck he's run on Clavet's property since selling his Broadwalk restaurant. The blistering reports on television news has stoked fears on both sides of the North American continent. 'It's slow,' he said, as he dished a plate of poutine to a customer outside the window of his food truck. 'The TV news is no good. The people, they don't want to come.' Canada and Florida's ties Canada was the state's number one source of foreign tourists for the past two years. In 2023, about 3.2 million Canadians visited the Sunshine State, a 20% increase from 2022, outpacing the 18% growth rate the rest of the world provided. That growth continued into 2024. Preliminary data shows 3.3 million Canadians visited Florida last year, up by 1.2% compared to 2023. All state data comes from Visit Florida, the state's tourism marketing arm. The increase is significant because although the number of visitors was 20% less than 2019 levels, 'this marks the closest that Canadian visitation has come to pre-pandemic levels,' Visit Florida wrote in a Feb. 14 report. In some ways, the damage from reduced Canadian interest is not yet evident. In the fourth quarter of 2024, about 742,000 Canadians visited the state, a 6.7% increase from the fourth quarter of 2023. That was part of a record high – 33.1 million - fourth-quarter tourists in the state, according to Visit Florida. But that was before President Trump took office on Jan. 20. And Canadians enjoy Miami-Dade County as well. About 296,000 Canadians spent at least one night in the area in 2023, 18% more than in 2022, according to the Greater Miami Convention Center & Visitors Bureau. The number of Canadians trailed only Colombia and Brazil. The organization did not have figures for 2024. Business travel affected The tourism decline is spilling over to the business traveler. The Canada Florida Chamber of Commerce held a long-planned event in Miami-Dade County in late March. The group, which promotes trade and investment between the two places, scheduled a trade mission to coincide with eMerge Americas, three days ahead of eMerge's annual conference on March 27-28. The trade mission was supposed to help Canadian businesses expand in Florida or Canadian investors find promising start-ups in AI, robotics, and the defense industry. CEOs, executives and entrepreneurs were coming from Canada. Yet, many changed their minds at the last minute. About 20 Canadians still came but at least another 15 who signed up pulled out, said Lalonde, chair of the Canada-Florida Business Council and an organizer of the trade mission. 'A lot of people with strong interest called and asked to have their names be taken off [the trip],' she said. That included some who own property in Florida and have long-standing ties to the state. Worries about next year 'It's too hard to tell for this season' if there's been an impact, said Stephen Fine, president of Snowbird Advisor, a Toronto-based travel firm. Many snowbirds started heading south last October, before the 2024 U.S. presidential election was held. And, so far, he has seen 'little evidence of snowbirds heading back early.' Fine, a regular traveler to South Florida, said he is starting to hear some Canadian snowbirds say they won't return to Florida next winter. 'We won't have a good gauge until next season,' he said. But the signs are ominous, says Visit Lauderdale's Ritter. The number of Canadians saying they will skip the state 'is expected to grow over the coming months based upon what the Canadians are saying they will do.'
CBC
12-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
British parliamentarian calls on the U.K. to rally around Canada, throws poutine party
As a political stuntman, the antics of British politician Ed Davey could fill a highlight reel. The leader of the U.K.'s Liberal Democrats has bungee-jumped off a giant crane to rally voters, shovelled sheep manure on a Welsh farm to protest tax hikes for farmers and tumbled off a paddle board to underscore the risk of raw sewage in British waterways. But now, with U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff war in full flight, Davey is trying to rally British voters to a new cause: supporting Canada. For his latest political stunt, on Wednesday, Davey burst through a Canada flag at a Canadian-themed pub in central London and invited local media to dine with him on a menu of Canadian poutine, Beaver Tails and Canadian beer. "I want to make sure that people know that British people stand with Canada," Davey told CBC News at the impromptu event at the Maple Leaf pub in Covent Garden. "President Trump is behaving recklessly, irresponsibly and to treat Canada, one of its closest allies ... this way is beyond appalling." Davey, 59, led the Lib Dems, as they're known, to their best electoral showing in almost a century in last year's election, winning 72 seats and vaulting the party into a solid third place in Parliament. His unconventional, attention-getting stunts were seen as one of the keys to getting voters to engage with the party's campaign. "I think if President Trump gets away with this type of behaviour, whether it's Canada or anyone else, frankly, it's going to harm everybody in the world," said Davey as he dug into a plate of poutine. "I think we have to choose," he said. "We have to be behind Canada." In Parliament, Davey has repeatedly voiced support for Canada, referring to Trump as a "playground bully." On Wednesday, Davey demanded British Prime Minister Keir Starmer immediately fly to Canada to stand in solidarity with its key Commonwealth partner. In his response, Starmer demurred, calling Canada "an important ally" whilst emphasizing Britain's desire to negotiate an economic deal with Trump that avoids punitive trade measures. Trump's 25 per cent tariffs on all U.S. steel and aluminum imports — including from Britain — kicked in on Wednesday. The measure could potentially affect roughly five per cent of British exports, making them more expensive for U.S. consumers, according to the BBC. While Starmer says he is holding off on any retaliation for the moment, the European Commission on Wednesday said it would impose counter-tariffs worth $28 billion US on many goods. "We're very keen to work with our European colleagues, but we're as keen to work with our Commonwealth colleagues, too," said Davey. "And I think there's strength in numbers and I think it sends a very, very big sign." On his last overseas visit as prime minister, Justin Trudeau met with King Charles to discuss what was termed: issues of "sovereignty." While Charles has not spoken publicly about the friction between Canada and the U.S., British media reports have suggested the King is very concerned. In one of his recent public appearances, Charles was seen wearing his Canadian medals on his military uniform; he also planted a Canadian Maple Tree on the grounds of Buckingham Palace to celebrate Commonwealth environmental initiatives. On Wednesday, King Charles bestowed a ceremonial sword upon Gregory Peters, Usher of the Black Rod of the Senate of Canada, according to a news release from Buckingham Palace. And at the ceremony at Westminster Abbey marking Commonwealth Day on Monday, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, was dressed in red and white. Canada's High Commissioner to Britain Ralph Goodale told CBC News he believes the shows of Canadiana were intentional and aimed at showing political support. "Nothing happens by accident with the royal family," he said. Still, most of the support coming Canada's way has largely been symbolic. As with Starmer's measured answer in Britain's parliament to Davey's question, many foreign leaders have been careful not to offend or alienate the unpredictable U.S. president. "I've been really impressed about the way the Canadian governments, whether it's Trudeau, and now Carney, have been strong against Trump," said Davey. As for his first foray into Canadian poutine, Davey quipped that the fries smothered with gravy and cheese curds looked "super healthy."
CBC
12-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Buying Canadian is a matter of pride for shoppers. For major grocery chains, it's an opportunity
Social Sharing The Buy Canadian movement has arrived in the country's major grocery stores. You've probably noticed labels with bright red maple leafs, prominent displays stacked with Canadian products or promotional flyers that tout homegrown items. "All the best things have always been made here. All we had to do was look," proclaimed a recent Buy Canadian-themed commercial from supermarket giant Sobeys, one of several supermarket giants trying to prove its Canadian bona fides to consumers amid a tariff war with the U.S. Shoppers just want it to be easy to find Canadian products right now, and some are willing to scour labels or seek out the items themselves — but that could get old, quick, said Tandy Thomas, an associate professor of marketing at Queen's University. Grocery stores to the rescue: "That is going to be imperative to the longevity of this," she said. "Because if it is hard, if every decision requires three minutes in the grocery aisle to really try and decipher the labels, consumers won't be able to do that. It's too big of an ask." The country's major food retailers have all rolled out new marketing strategies in recent weeks to meet a newfound demand for Canadian products — and with price hikes in play, they're betting on a reputational reset after years of contention between shoppers and consumers came to a boiling point last year. Loblaws priming shoppers for tariff price hikes Loblaws is priming its shoppers for pricier groceries as the trade war plays out, announcing this week it will add a triangular "T" label to store items that it says will be costlier due to tariffs. As soon as the tariff goes, so will the price hike, according to the company's website. CEO Per Bank explained in a LinkedIn post last week the company would be doing more to highlight Canadian products in-store, in promotions and on flyers, and that shoppers would have the option of swapping an item for a Canadian-made version in PC Express, the company's online delivery platform. The company is also "offering points for Canadian products," but it's unclear if those products now qualify for a higher PC Optimum points reward than they did previously. CBC News reached out to Loblaws for an interview and a statement and did not hear back. Spokespeople for Sobeys (which shares parent company Empire with FreshCo, Safeway and IGA) and Metro did not grant CBC News an interview, but said they were putting more effort into highlighting local and Canadian products and making them more visible to customers in-store, online and in marketing material. But they're not always getting it right. A recent CBC News investigation found a Sobeys in Nova Scotia had labelled its house brand maple syrup with a red maple leaf, but hadn't done the same for other Canadian maple syrup brands. The same investigation found other discrepancies, like a maple leaf on products by brands owned by foreign companies, but not on brands wholly owned in Canada. WATCH | U.S.-made items with Canadian maple leaf perplex shopper: U.S.-made items with maple leaf symbols perplex pro-Canada shopper 5 days ago Duration 2:21 The Canadian Food Inspection Agency told CBC News in an email it had seen "an increase in complaints related to country of origin claims on food labels or in advertisements" over the past month, indicating some savvy shoppers have become more conscious of labelling mishaps. After a total of five complaints made between November and January, 23 complaints were made in February alone. A spokesperson for the agency, which regulates food safety and labelling, said it's reviewing the complaints but that it's too early to tell if any of them violate Canada's food laws. A reputational reset after summer boycotts Some retailers are probably relieved they'll get a break from being the subject of consumer anger after inflation-induced boycotts were directed at Loblaws, Sobeys and Metro last summer, said Tim Dewhirst, a professor and senior research fellow in marketing public policy at the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph. The Buy Canadian movement represents an opportunity for major grocers "to be seen as good corporate citizens," he said, especially as focus shifts — for some, but not all — from one boycott to another. "In a lot of ways, people's anger has been diffused or redirected towards American brands, but more in particular, the decisions and threats coming from President [Donald] Trump and his administration," he said. But Dewhirst also pointed out consumers have a long memory. When inflation was soaring two years ago, shoppers accused major grocers of price-gouging during an affordability crisis. Their executives denied it, but experts told CBC News at the time inflation would give them cover to hike retail prices. Several readers have written to CBC News recently saying they're concerned that grocery retailers will capitalize on tariff-related costs, and increase prices more than necessary. "With geopolitical tensions and the threat of tariffs and so on, it's expected that would lead to an increase in prices," said Dewhirst. "And we have observed in the past, especially [due to] the lack of competition that there is among the grocers in Canada, that there are opportunities potentially for price gouging or allegations of profiteering." Calgary grocer takes a different approach Mike Soufan, owner of Calgary grocery wholesaler Freestone, said a small portion of his clientele have asked to be directed to Canadian products while shopping in his store. But he has no plans to launch a marketing blitz to highlight those products — he'll leave that to the grocery giants, he told CBC News. "A lot of people ask if it's a Canadian product, 'I'm not buying U.S.,' but I think they're in the minority. Other people don't care. They only care about the price," he said. WATCH | How affordable is patriotism at the grocery store?: Can you afford to be patriotic when grocery shopping? 4 days ago Duration 4:09 As trade uncertainty continues between Canada and the United States, many Manitobans are trying to buy more Canadian products. But how affordable is patriotism at the grocery store? CBC's Matt Humphrey finds out. Soufan said he plans to share the cost of the tariff with his supplier and his trucking company to keep prices low for consumers. The store imports produce from the U.S. and other countries like Mexico and Peru, in addition to sourcing products domestically, and he's more worried about importing food with a weak Canadian dollar than he is about a tax on goods. He acknowledged he would have to bargain with suppliers and cut expenses in the store to make up for a 25 per cent tariff. But he said he wouldn't join the major grocers in their Buy Canadian marketing push. "I'm not playing that game," he said. "I'll let people make their choice."
