The stress is still so palpable among restaurant owners as the summer season draws to a close. Although they were surprised by more traffic than expected during the beautiful season, traders now fear the worst with the arrival of autumn as it means the closure of the terraces.
These terraces that allowed restaurateurs to get their heads out of the water after a disastrous spring due to containment. For the most part, at least, since others "lucky" could fall back on delivery or take out orders.
It should be remembered that several municipalities in the province have banned several sections of the street for cars in order to allow their merchants to offer more space on the sidewalks to enjoy beverages and snacks.
In addition, the hot weather and the many beautiful days of this summer 2020 like no other have encouraged people to go out. Not to mention the closing of the border with the United States, which has forced Quebeckers to stay here and to really encourage locally.
But now, back to school is a thing of the past, the sun is setting earlier and earlier and the mercury is on a downward trend! Here are some reasons why consumers stay at home. Not to mention a comeback in confirmed cases of COVID since the beginning of September, which makes many people shudder, and teleworking, still in fashion this fall, directly affecting city centers where several small establishments rely on this midday traffic.
Among other things, the situation is worrying for tenants, who have resorted to several loans to survive while Quebec was on hiatus. Not to mention the dollars invested to meet the health standards imposed by the government ... and suddenly, a decrease in the capacity to receive in the dining room and on the terrace.
To help this sector of the economy, the Association des restaurateurs du Québec wishes to see the government extend the assistance measures and propose new ones. Tax holiday? Sale of alcohol on deliveries made by a platform like Skip?
