Some downtown businesses are using the downtime created by the pandemic to their advantage by renovating or expanding while the doors are closed to the public.
Some are hoping the new offerings will help to attract more people to downtown once the economy begins to open back up, likely in the next few weeks.
Marty Williams, executive director of the Downtown Guelph Business Association, says he is aware of a number of restaurants and clubs in Guelph’s downtown that are going to have a new look when the province reopens in the near future.
“Some people have taken the opportunity that was forced on them,” said Williams. “I think there will be some new fun and interesting things when we actually get back to whatever normal is going to look like.”
One downtown property that will see the most change is the Albion Hotel at the corner of Norfolk and Macdonell Streets. The longtime bar has been a fixture of Guelph’s nightlife for generations but is currently closed for a complete gut and restoration, says new owner Tommy Gofton.
He acknowledges that not everybody is going to like it, but Gofton said it is not going to reopen as the same concept it has been for decades and the second floor will be used mostly for office space.
“I just realized the right thing to do would be to refresh and renovate and come up with an incredible idea as to where to go and think of new profound,” said Gofton. “As the person who was given the opportunity to own such a heritage piece, I think it’s my responsibility to restore it and make it something historical.”
When it reopens the new Albion main floor concept will be what Gofton calls a world-class cafe, decorated like a 1920s style speakeasy, with the left side decorated like the west coast L.A. of the period and the right side like New York.
Gofton was in negotiation to purchase the Albion for some time and the sale was set to close on March 17, the same time most of the province closed down. He ended up taking possession of it in July.
Much of the restoration of the first floor has been completed.
"We are replacing walls and ceilings and we just finished restoring the stone on the first floor — repointing it and cleaning stone work — so it is actually back to the way it was in the 1800s,” said Gofton.
He expects the first floor could reopen to the public by August.
On Wyndham Street near Douglas, Buon Gusto recently expanded its dining area by taking over the adjacent jewellery store. The work is complete and ready for diners, but the plans for the expansion were in the works prior to the pandemic.
“It’s integrated well into the existing restaurant and it will be lovely,” said Williams.
Williams said a new Italian restaurant is expected to open a little further south on Wyndham Street in a newly renovated storefront by Tony Di Battista, who owns a number of other downtown businesses, including the Western Hotel.
Frank and Steins on Wyndham Street has been renovating its dining area and added a performance stage. It is also revamping its kitchen and partnering with Onyx Nightclub upstairs, said Onyx co-owner Bilay Badoe.
Onyx has been keeping itself afloat throughout the pandemic by live streaming events and offering small in-person performances during the brief period it was allowed last year.
“To us it wasn’t just about how to bring money in, but it was also about how can we support artists and the techs to people who build the stages. The music industry is way deeper than people think,” said Badoe. “We wanted to be able to continue telling stories and showcasing artists.”
One of the most difficult things to deal with, said Badoe, has been the short notice given by the province every time regulations changed.
“They don’t give you a heads up or anything. As soon as it happens you have to pivot,” said Badoe. “All you can do is plan as best you can, adapt to it and cross your fingers.”
The new partnership with Frank and Steins will allow Onyx to share the kitchen downstairs, giving it more flexibility for food offerings when they are allowed to reopen.
“There is a big crunch on nightclubs and music venues right now where you need a kitchen,” said Badoe. “We always knew we were going to expand, it’s in our business plan.”
The Cornerstone on Wyndham Street pivoted during the pandemic by adding pizza to its menu, said manager Sydney Coles.
“The pizza menu as well as the online grocery delivery market allowed us to do. that,” said Coles of the pivot opportunity. “Pizza has really helped our business and offering more take-out food than our traditional menu.”
The exterior of the building is currently being worked on and the sign is expected to be replaced in the near future.
“The landlords of the building are redoing the facade, as well as of the two businesses next to ours,” said Coles.
Williams said he hopes people will migrate back downtown to check out the new and existing offerings as soon as the province opens up restrictions. Barriers have already been put up downtown in expectation of the return of outdoor dining.
“Economically speaking, we have had enough. It’s going to be a tough slog back for a lot of people. There have been some pretty deep holes that have been dug,” he said.
