Quote:
Originally Posted by Riverman
American chains are generally better, for example Mary Browns vs. Popeyes. I was excited for Mary Browns coming to our town, what a disappointment.
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I see, Mary Browns is decent but I haven't been to Popeyes yet. I understand people want predictability and consistency and American chains are good at delivering that.
It's just very disappointing to see unfair economic advantages being given to companies that have no interest in investing in Winnipeg. The City and Province spent $22 million (of tax payer money) on tax breaks to bring these American chains to Winnipeg, which will only make it harder for local businesses to survive. For comparison, the City of Winnipeg spends only $2.5 million per year fixing sidewalks and bike lanes throughout the entire city. I live in Osborne Village and there are so many sidewalks that are crumbling so bad that I frequently see people in wheelchairs struggling to roll over them.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/subsidies-retail-commercial-1.4109357
Kenaston Common already has lots of vacant commercial properties, especially north of Lindenwoods Dr. These American companies are only in Winnipeg for short term profits, they will likely leave Winnipeg (or at least their location in Seasons of Tuxedo) after less than 20 years. Then the City of Winnipeg is left paying for a bunch of services (roads, water and waste, etc.) to vacant properties (vacant properties that they recently "attracted" to Winnipeg through tax breaks).
For example, one of my favourite restaurants growing up was Lovey's BBQ on Marion St. However, they went out of business about 5 years ago now, probably due to increased competition from other BBQ restaurants in Winnipeg. And the only other BBQ restaurants in Winnipeg are Montana's, Famous Dave's, and Tony Roma's, all of which are American chains. It's hard not to feel frustrated that some of the best local restaurants we have here in Winnipeg are being driven out of business by chain stores.
I used to work at the IHOP in Seasons of Tuxedo. I would always encourage my friends and family not to go there, and thankfully none of them ever did (they actually listened to me for once haha). Instead, I recommended local breakfast restaurants like Wannabee's Dinner or Red Top Dinner. The owner of the Winnipeg IHOP lives in Alberta and owns about 5 other IHOP's in Western Canada. He only visits Winnipeg about twice per year, I can guarantee you none of the profits from that IHOP are being reinvested in Winnipeg.
Anyways, not trying to shame people for eating at the restaurants they like. I'm just frustrated that the City of Winnipeg gives economic advantages to chain stores instead of local businesses, when it should be the other way around.
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