Vancouver Island restaurants opening amid troubled times
The kitchen of Victoria’s Ugly Duckling Dining and Provisions restaurant hums like a well oiled machine, even though it's only been open for a month.
Its owner, Corbin Mathany, is a chef who's always wanted to run his own restaurant.
“If not now, when?” he said Thursday, acknowledging the challenges of opening a new restaurant, especially now.
“I think you can always find an excuse to hold off and not pursue the dream."
Mathany is well aware of the labour shortage afflicting the industry, so he's paying staff a so-called thriving wage – at least $20 per hour – plus equally splitting tips between cooks and wait staff.
“It’s made a huge difference for us. We've had no trouble hiring,” said Mathany.
The restuarant's opening coincides with the high profile closing of others in the area, including Agrius, Cora and Oak Bay‘s The Marina Restaurant.
Inflation and labour shortages are among various headwinds hammering small businesses.
Jeff Bray with the Downtown Victoria Business Association says foot traffic is down with many people still working from home, and vacancies at retail spaces are higher than they’ve been in a decade.
“It’s up to 10.19 per cent. We're into double digits,” said Bray “There is a level of nervousness this year, where it was a level of optimism last year coming out of the pandemic.”
Mathany says despite the odds, he likes his chances.
“To bring a little magic into people's lives and delivering on our promises, I truly believe that our crowd will find us and stick with us,” he said.
In Nanaimo, Mod Pizza is also forging ahead despite the current business hurdles.
Its owner Andrew Smith says a few months in, the restaurant is thriving.
“It’s been fantastic, a lot of great community support,” said Smith Thursday.
He credits that early success with community engagement, including hosting fundraising events with non-profits, like schools.
“We’re about more than pizza. We want to make a difference in the lives of the communities that support us,” said Smith.
He’s confident that that support will stick around.
“In a few years, I see us still being here, still serving pizzas, and still trying to make a positive impact in our community,” he said.
Back at the Ugly Duckling, a dream is what opened their doors, and Mathany is optimistic that hard work in hard times will keep them open.
“I think we're on our way to swanship,” he said with a laugh.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
LIVE SOON Honda expected to announce Ontario EV battery plant, part of a $15B investment
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Honda executives are expected to announce today that the Japanese automaker is building an electric vehicle battery plant in Alliston, Ont., part of a $15-billion investment.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.