What do we do when a place that is loved by many closes down?
OK, maybe you’ve heard or seen the news/IG post: The award winning, featured on “You Gotta Eat Here”, awe inspiring restaurant Chartiert is closing.
Full Goodbye post:
https://www.dinechartier.com/chartier-events/au-revoir-et-merci-beaucoup
So how do I really feel? When I wrote my first draft of this article, it was very pretty, professional and to the point – let’s all talk and figure out what we can do about this. That first draft didn’t make it through editing though, and that process unleased my anger. You see, I’m already sad and frustrated about yet another restaurant, café, or coffee shop closing down in the community every other week. And in some weeks, it feels like more than one. But this was a BIG one. And to my collaborator/editor on this article (Jason), I did a little rant. And he’s like, "Yes, there’s your passion! Now, put that down!" ~editor's note: By “little rant” her flare up was so severe that she had to go for a walk and I barely escaped with my life.
So what do I want to say? I want to say that there are so many amazing places out there that seem to be doing everything right. Like Chartier in Beaumont. I’m totally sure THEY did everything right, but did I do enough? Is that part of my frustration: guilt? Could I go there all the time? No. When I was in Beaumont, did I go there? Yes, but it is definitely a destination if you don't happen to live in Beaumont; it’s a beautiful, delicious destination, and I enjoyed every bite I ever had from there but still, it almost feels like them doing all the “right things” (like being extra supportive of their staff’s mental health, supporting the local economy by buying from local farmers, producers, and supporting so many artisans, doing tasteful social media and courting legacy media) was punished in the end. Think about it: a big chain restaurant (with faceless corporate backing) **Ahem, cough cough Boston Pizza** doesn’t have to do anything to support the local economy – yet they still have a line out the door. Why?
Then I think worry about my favorite local place here in E-town that I support all the time – if that place, Culina-to-Go, were to close down, I would probably sit on Brad Lazarenko’s doorstep and cry every day. (Don’t worry, Brad, I won't do that!) It’s because places like his mean so much to me that I know to all the people who supported Chartier from the beginning, it was more than just a restaurant. Look at the outpouring of support coming in now; there are stories about celebrations, anniversaries, new beginnings – all celebrated at their special restaurant. Along with just the everyday "I just want to have a great meal in a great atmosphere" reminiscence. That love and appreciation and sorrow at the loss: even that’s community.
So what do we do, now? As Jason and I were chatting about this, I said, "But really - what can we do? I don’t control the loans, the interest rates, the carbon tax, or the expense of food costs rising, or the city of Edmonton’s insane bureaucracy and foolishness when it comes to business licensing red tape. I only control how I spend my dollars."
But there is more. When I support a place, I not only go there all the time, but also I tell everybody about it – as evidenced in this podcast clip below from my conversation with Fab Channer. Anyone who knows me knows where to find me – I'm going to be at one of these places mentioned in the clip. And I post about it on social media, and I tell other people about the great and amazing things that they can enjoy at these locally owned places. Above all, I actively make it a point to schedule my meetings or events at these places, so that I can share all the awesome places in Edmonton’s small business community with more people.
BUT…Is it enough? Not always. I’m one person, and I am deliberately choosy where to will spend my dollars; I want to see them benefit local establishments. I want to see these places survive and thrive – not just have a good run for a couple of years, struggle for a couple of years, and finally cut the cord and close down when the burden becomes too much.
So why am I angry? I think maybe I’m more sad and frustrated than angry. We were talking earlier about how many places have closed down in the last five years – honestly, it's staggering. Some of the places didn't last very long (Arde, Caffiend) yet some of them were long-term (Care-it Deli downtown and Hamptons) and part of the community but both kinds are sorely missed. That’s what we're really striving for with The Food Explorer Podcast and all its side projects: Creating Community.
So as Chartier has the final end date when they are closing, and they put together some ideas together that they would love for everyone to do in this last six weeks they’re open. I'll put a screenshot of the Instagram post here. I think we can all do some of these things, and maybe some of us can do all of these things. I know I'll be ordering some baked goods, and I will probably make the drive out to Beaumont.
So, dear readers, I ask you: Do you have other ideas or initiatives that you can share that would serve to strengthen and support small local businesses? What’s your solution? Is there one sure thing that can be done to make sure our small business community can survive and thrive? I have so many questions, and I don’t have anything but ambiguous answers at the moment. And hope.
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