COVID-19 restrictions, Edmonton won’t be living up to its nickname of festival city.Cancellations of big events have had a huge effect on local businesses.
According to the Old Strathcona Business Association, Fringe would normally bring business to the Whyte Avenue area to the tune of $800,000 through foot traffic alone.
Edmonton’s Fringe Festival hosts telethon to keep event running Block 1912 Cafe owner, Ruby Kaur, said this time of year there would be huge line ups, people looking for a coffee and a snack, or at the art hanging on the cafe walls.
Instead this year, the cafe sales are down by at least 50 per cent.“It’s a big concern,” Kaur said.“Festivals that happen in the summer, we depend on them a lot.“There is a lot of foot.