As Winnipeg’s roads undergo a massive overhaul this summer, local business owners find themselves navigating a challenging financial landscape that threatens their survival. The extensive reconstruction of major corridors has created a perfect storm of customer access issues, revenue losses, and mounting frustration among the city’s entrepreneurial community.
“It’s like watching your livelihood slowly disappear behind concrete barriers,” says Megan Chen, owner of Riverside Café on Pembina Highway, where construction has reduced traffic to a trickle. “Our daily sales are down nearly 60% since April. At this rate, I don’t know if we’ll make it to fall.”
The city’s ambitious $155 million road renewal program—the largest in Winnipeg’s history—aims to address decades of infrastructure neglect. However, the simultaneous work on multiple major arteries has created unprecedented disruption across commercial districts. According to a recent survey by the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, nearly 68% of affected businesses report revenue declines exceeding 30% compared to previous years.
On Portage Avenue, where lane closures have transformed a bustling thoroughfare into a maze of detours, business owners have banded together to demand action. “We understand infrastructure needs improvement,” explains James Morrison, who operates a family-run hardware store. “But the city’s approach shows little regard for small businesses. They’ve essentially cut off our customer base without any mitigation strategy.”
The economic impact extends beyond immediate revenue losses. Many businesses report laying off staff, reducing hours, or depleting savings to weather the construction storm. At Yesterday’s Books, a 25-year fixture in the Exchange District, owner Diane Friesen has been forced to let go of three part-time employees. “These aren’t just statistics—these are people’s livelihoods,” Friesen emphasizes.
City officials maintain that short-term disruption is necessary for long-term gain. “We recognize construction creates challenges,” states Michael Thompson, Winnipeg’s Director of Public Works. “However, these improvements will ultimately benefit businesses through better infrastructure and increased safety for customers.” The city points to its business access program which provides signage indicating that establishments remain open during construction.
For many owners, however, such measures fall woefully short. “Signs saying ‘businesses open’ mean little when customers physically cannot reach your door,” argues Liam Walsh, whose family restaurant has seen weekday lunch service drop by nearly 75%. “We need concrete financial support, not just plastic signs.”
Economic experts warn that the construction impact could have lasting consequences on Winnipeg’s commercial landscape. “Small businesses typically operate on thin margins,” explains Dr. Elizabeth Knowles, an economist at the University of Manitoba. “Extended periods of significantly reduced revenue can force permanent closures, particularly for newer establishments without substantial reserves.”
Some business owners have gotten creative with survival strategies. Karma Coffee has implemented a “construction special” delivery service, while others have increased online presence or created pop-up locations in unaffected areas. However, these adaptations rarely compensate for lost walk-in traffic.
The situation has sparked calls for policy changes. The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce has proposed a construction impact relief fund and tax deferrals for affected businesses. “Other cities have implemented similar programs,” notes Chamber President Kyle Morgan. “Without intervention, we risk losing the small businesses that give our neighborhoods their unique character.”
As fall approaches, many owners are left wondering if they can hold out until construction concludes. For Winnipeg’s commercial districts, the question remains: will the improved roads ultimately lead to thriving business corridors, or will they simply provide smoother routes past the empty storefronts of those who couldn’t survive the transition?
