Downtown Barrie merchants could be getting a boost in curbside pick-up business.
City council will consider a direct motion Monday night to convert four additional parking spaces for pick-up, in addition to the eight spots already in place, stretching from Maple Avenue to Mulcaster Street, near Dunlop Street.
“There are many local, small businesses struggling right now in our city. We should be rallying around them and supporting them as much as possible,” said Coun. Keenan Aylwin, who represents the city's downtown.
“The Downtown Barrie BIA has requested these additional curbside pick-up spots to accommodate businesses that are relying on pick-up and take-out during the provincial stay-at-home order. It’s critical that we work with our stakeholders like the BIA to find ways to support local businesses in this difficult time,” he added. “I appreciate the BIA coming forward with this positive initiative to help out some of the struggling businesses who are doing their part to keep our community safe by staying closed to in-person service.”
Due to the pandemic, downtown businesses continue to find conditions exceptionally difficult — as they must rely on curbside pick-up as a primary revenue source, according to city staff.
Bill Loiselle owns BJ’s Records and Nostalgia on Clapperton Street, which sells CDs, records, collectibles and memorabilia, as well as repairs and sells refurbished vintage electronics. He said the four extra curbside pick-up spots won’t make much difference to his business.
“Everybody who comes here is just pulling up to the first empty spot (on Clapperton) and we’re just meeting them at the door,” said Loiselle, who takes orders on Facebook and by telephone, as well as listing his new arrivals on Facebook.
While sales actually increased at BJ’s in the latter part of 2020, that hasn’t been the case so far this year because of the lockdown.
“As soon as they made us close the doors, that was it,” Loiselle said. “In January, we were down 75 per cent and in January we usually do alright.”
He said the mixed messages from governments don’t help, either.
“Shop local, but stay home,” Loiselle said. “I can see the confusion. But once things open up, it (business) will come back.”
The Business Improvement Association (BIA) asked for the additional curbside pick-up spots within the BIA boundary; they would feature free parking for 10 minutes to allow for the pick-up of goods, food, etc.
The additional curbside pick-up locations would be determined jointly by the BIA and city staff, including bylaw enforcement, to ensure the spots are distributed evenly throughout the downtown core in a manner that supports current health protocols, and traffic movement.
These four additional curbside pick-up spots would be used until the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit area returns to the Orange-Restrict Level as identified in the provincial COVID-19 response framework, or the opening of the downtown patio program.
The provincial lockdown, which includes a stay-at-home order, means most stores and restaurants can only be open for curbside pick-up. These restrictions are in place until at least Feb. 9.
The BIA came to the city requesting the additional curbside pick-up spots, by temporarily modifying the downtown curbside pick-up pilot program.
Premier Doug Ford is expected to announce details on reopening Ontario’s economy next week; the province's current state of emergency is set to expire on Tuesday.
Ford and his cabinet met Friday to discuss the government's options surrounding the emergency order.
