Pandemic-strapped downtown restaurants celebrate return of Jets hockey
Puck drop for the start of the Winnipeg Jets preseason at the Canada Life Centre isn't just exciting news for hockey fans but for restaurants in the downtown area too.
Across the street from Canada Life Centre, Browns Socialhouse is getting ready for its first Jets rush in almost two years.
Justin Guest, the restaurant's general manager, said events like Jets games feel like a return to normal.
"It's a big part of our atmosphere to really cater to this type of market, and these events, so we're really looking forward to it," Guest said.
COVID-19 has taken a toll on restaurants and bars in the downtown area, and Sunday's Jets game is the first game since March of 2020 that the general public can attend.
Guest said he's expecting a big turnout.
"We're going to see a few hundred today. I think it's a really exciting crowd who want to get out. We want to get as many as we can in here within limits as long as we can continue to be safe."
Jazlyn Hrem, a bartender at Browns Socialhouse, continued to work during the lockdowns but said it's hard to get by without people coming to dine in.
"[For] people working in the industry, of course, tips are a large part of what they look forward to every shift, so going without that is tough."
Hrem said Sunday's Jets game will be a boost for servers in the downtown area.
"You definitely look forward to all the events, whether it's Jets games, concerts, anything like that, so a big event downtown like this is super important."
The Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservice Association said COVID-19 has financially decimated downtown restaurants due to the lack of people in the area.
Shaun Jeffrey, the association's CEO, said Jets games returning to downtown and bringing thousands of people with it is a step towards recovery for restaurants in the area.
"It's definitely a win/win for everybody, and it's a good way to start to raise the spirits of those downtown operators and staff that have maybe missed out on Manitobans [not being] able to come downtown."
Jeffrey said that having a thriving downtown with events creates more active business in the area.
Guest believes the downtown restaurant industry is on the way to recovery.
"I am looking forward to seeing the heartbeat of downtown Winnipeg return. I believe it has to do with the return of the Winnipeg Jets first."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.