'System failures': Starbucks to close its doors amid recent violence in Osborne Village
The long-standing Starbucks in Osborne Village is set to close its doors next week – it comes one day after a man was attacked next door.
The organization confirmed to CTV News Winnipeg the closure will begin on May 6. While Starbucks says the closure is temporary, there has been no indication how long it will last.
“We would like to thank you for being part of our store community; you are the heart of who we are at Starbucks,” a sign on the front door of the coffee shop reads. “We are very thankful to have played a role in your daily routine and that you have shared these moments of your life with us.”
The manager of the store was not able to speak to CTV News, deferring comment to the brand’s communications department.
A spokesperson for Starbucks told CTV News this decision was made after 'careful consideration.'
The spokesperson did not give any specific reasoning behind the closure, and told CTV News they have no additional details to share at this time.
Man attacked outside Liquor Mart: police
Area residents and advocates believe the closure has something to do with several violent incidents in the Village.
On Wednesday evening, a man was attacked while inside the vestibule of the Liquor Mart, right next door to the Starbucks.
Police said one man was arrested after a confrontation with officers outside the store. He was charged with assault by choking, suffocating or strangling.
It's the latest in several violent incidents that have hit the Village.
Just last month, police say a woman was stabbed at a bus stop near the River and Osborne intersection, and in a separate incident nearby a man was seriously assaulted.
In February, police said a 26-year-old man was stabbed at the Osborne Transit Station, and last November there was a triple stabbing at the Shoppers Drug Mart.
'These are truly system failures': BIZ says
"The level of violent incidents that are going on, these are truly system failures," said Zohreh Gervais, the executive director of the Osborne Village BIZ.
"These are not things that business owners and businesses are meant to be dealing with."
She said while local businesses and residents have taken it upon themselves to address crime, with initiatives like the SABE Peace Walkers – it’s a responsibility Gervais says shouldn't fall on their shoulders.
"I'm not sure how we got to the point where it was expected that the BIZ zone with our tiny little operating budget that is meant to plant flowers and beautify the neighbourhood somehow became responsible for public security – like, that's insanity," Gervais said.
"I really hope that this provides a sort of alarm bell to the government to step up and actually start really dealing with these issues, because they are escalating and they are escalating quickly."
Provincial public safety strategy coming this fall
Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said the province is taking steps to deal with public safety, most recently hosting a Public Safety Summit in Winnipeg.
"We spent the day talking about solutions," Wiebe said, adding this will help inform a public safety strategy set to be released this Fall. "(It) will give you a better sense of how we can work together, what some of the solutions are, and how the provincial government can play a greater role in keeping our community safe."
Area councillor Sherri Rollins said she has had discussions with the premier and the mayor about the safety concerns in Osborne Village.
"I really would like to see more finely grained community policing in Osborne village," she said. "I've heard from businesses who are concerned with response times when incidents do happen… and the level of community policing that sometimes they don't feel as exists in the village."
Address the root causes of crime, resident says
Dianne McConnell says she's sad to see Starbucks close its doors. In the roughly six years she's been living in the area, she's seen several businesses close-up shop.
If something isn't done soon, she fears more businesses will leave the Village that is already peppered with empty store fronts and for-lease signs.
"We need to look at the homelessness crisis, we need to look at the addiction crisis. And we need to actually solve the problems that are actually creating the crime around the area," she said.
A notice posted on the River Avenue Starbucks door informing customers of its impending closure is pictured on May 2, 2024. (Danton Unger/CTV News Winnipeg)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Unruly passenger' forces WestJet flight to make emergency landing in B.C.
A WestJet flight heading to Calgary had to make an emergency landing in northern B.C. Monday due to an incident involving an 'unruly passenger,' Mounties say.
The double-level airplane seat is back. This time, there’s a first-class version
It’s the airplane seat design that launched a thousand memes and kickstarted a media storm. And now the double-level seat is back – only this time, with a twist.
Three people shot to death in tiny South Dakota town; former mayor charged
Three people were shot to death in a small South Dakota town, and a former law officer who once served as the town's mayor is charged in the killings.
Debunking the 'anti-sunscreen' movement: Doctors say TikTok trend is dangerous
Dermatologists are sounding the alarm about misinformation from the anti-sunscreen movement, saying not wearing sunscreen can cause cancer and other problems.
Poilievre Conservatives offer to help Trudeau Liberals pass foreign interference bill
Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party is offering to help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government pass a piece of legislation aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada.
Ont. university says professor fired over 'unethical' sexual relationships with students
An associate professor at McMaster University has been fired after its board of governors found that he engaged in 'unethical, inappropriate and in some instances exploitative' sexual relationships with students.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.
'Irrefutable evidence': integrity commissioner finds Parole Board member sexually harassed 'several' employees
There is 'irrefutable evidence' a member of the Parole Board of Canada sexually harassed multiple employees, without adequate disciplinary action from management, according to a report by Canada's Public Sector Integrity Commissioner.
'Son of Sam' killer Berkowitz denied parole in 12th attempt
'Son of Sam' killer David Berkowitz, who set New York City on edge with late-night shootings in the 1970s, was denied parole after his twelfth board appearance.