March 28, 2024

What the Canucks’ elimination means for downtown businesses

The Executive Director of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association says even though bars and restaurants won’t have the same crowds now that the Vancouver Canucks are out of the playoffs, they will continue to do well.

“There will still be fans that will go and watch hockey, but not certainly in the same numbers that we had, or would have had had we continued into the other rounds.”

Charles Gauthier says he doesn’t think anyone counts on that business–it’s considered extra.

He says based on previous seasons, there are estimates that during a Canucks home game with bars and restaurants full, those establishments would do a total of about $ 2 million more in business per game.

Gauthier says fewer people heading to bars and restaurants may mean other types of businesses that would experience a slump during playoffs will see people coming back.

“People would just defer purchases instead of buying you know, new clothes, they may decide, I spent the money last night at the bar.  You know, we’re all working on budgets.”

Gauthier says there were some businesses that suffered during last year’s playoffs, and during the Olympics.

When asked whether elimination provides a sense of relief knowing there’s no chance of another riot, Gauthier says some businesses may feel that way, but his overall sense is that many felt confident in the City’s plan to deal with a repeat of last year.

“I think there’s mixed emotions out there, because certainly we’re not going to benefit or reap from the economic benefits of the Canucks going deep into the playoffs but at the same time, we’re not going to bear those additional costs of the police and everything else related to providing a safe environment for everyone.”

CKNW Vancouver News

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