VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 downtown retail vacancy rate remains low compared to the rest of Canada due to the support received from the community, but rent pressures arenB次元官网网址檛 making it easy.

According to Jeff Bray, CEO of the Downtown Victoria Business Association, the downtown retail vacancy rate was around 11 per cent. Meanwhile, Edmonton and Winnipeg downtowns both had vacancy rates higher than 30 per cent last year.

B次元官网网址淐ompared to other places in Canada, we have fared well, but that doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean that there isnB次元官网网址檛 work that needs to be done here to make sure that our downtown doesnB次元官网网址檛 just survive, but it actually thrives,B次元官网网址� said Bray.

Although VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 vacancy rates are low compared to others across the country, in 2019 vacancy rates were B次元官网网址渁round 4 per cent,B次元官网网址� according to Bray. B次元官网网址淪o, obviously, as a result of COVID, we saw some business closures, people retiring and obviously during a pandemic, other people are not necessarily looking at that point to open up new business,B次元官网网址� added Bray.

Erin Sabiston, owner of Violette Boutique, moved locations during the pandemic. On Sept. 1, 2020, the store opened on Johnson Street after operating on Government Street for 10 years.

B次元官网网址淚 think that is honestly one of our biggest challenges and has consistently been since we opened is just rent,B次元官网网址� said Sabiston. B次元官网网址淩ent is just the biggest suck. You have to prioritize it above everything else. It basically goes like rent, paying our employees, and then putting our money into the inventory, and it is so hard when we know we can grow the business, we know we can increase our revenue by putting more money into inventory.B次元官网网址�

The rent is so expensive, Sabiston said, it B次元官网网址渋mpacts us as business owners in terms of questioning whether or not it is worth it to have a business in downtown Victoria.B次元官网网址�

Sabiston recently opened a new Violette Boutique location in Oak Bay. She understands the second location wonB次元官网网址檛 have the same foot traffic it does downtown, but sheB次元官网网址檚 willing to make that sacrifice for the decrease in rent.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not the same sort of traffic per se, but the sales-per-square-foot rate is sustainably less than what we pay for on Johnson Street.B次元官网网址�

This is also a risk Sabiston is willing to take, knowing the loyalty of the shoppers at her stores.

B次元官网网址淪ummer, we definitely had a lot of foot traffic from tourists, but really overall, itB次元官网网址檚 the support from the local community that has driven the business from the very beginning,B次元官网网址� added Sabiston.

Bray agreed with the small business owner.

B次元官网网址淥ne of the things that Greater Victorians have been so great at has been supporting local and most of our businesses in downtown Victoria are independent small and medium-sized businesses,B次元官网网址� he said.

Sisters Georgia and Jamie Bullbrook, who live in Victoria, were on Johnson Street near Violette Boutique and were spending the afternoon shopping at local businesses.

B次元官网网址漌e love our city and the businesses that make it unique,B次元官网网址� said Georgia. B次元官网网址淭he holidays especially is an easy time to support locals and spend time downtown.B次元官网网址�

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