Why aren't people flocking downtown? Government thinks it's because the storefronts are just not appealing enough, will spend your money to fix it
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Eligible small- and medium-sized businesses located in the area bordered by Portage Avenue to the north, Hargrave and Donald streets to the east (excluding Canada Life Centre), St. Mary Avenue to the south and Vaughan Street to the west can now apply for grants of up to $200,000 each.
Projects from businesses that are locally owned, bring new or “underserved” goods and services downtown, fill previously vacant storefronts, extend operating hours, face Graham Avenue and/or create “new street-facing activity” will be given priority.
Grants could pay for lighting, signs, windows, entrances, accessibility upgrades, landscaping and some interior improvements visible from the street.
“We want businesses to thrive in the downtown, so now there is incentive to make an investment in their storefronts and in their spaces to attract more customers,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham.
After the announcement, some Graham Avenue business owners shared mixed views about the idea.
The owner of Bison Books said a former bus corridor along Graham brought thousands of people to the area each day until Winnipeg Transit removed it in June 2025.
“It’s left this area in a bit of a no-man’s land,” said Aimee Peake.
Peake said ample summer construction is now snarling traffic and eliminating parking spots, making it harder for even the most loyal customers to visit her store. In that context, she said storefront improvement grants miss the mark.
“Telling us that they want our businesses to look prettier when I don’t own this building is ridiculous. If you were going to give us some kind of relief to help offset the damage … then that would be one thing. But making the front of my business more appealing is not going to bring more customers to the street,” said Peake.
She would prefer money be spent to attract more businesses downtown, bring back more bus traffic or provide direct financial support to companies affected by the loss of the transit corridor.
The owner of Other Places Books, which opened on Graham earlier this month, likes the idea of storefront grants.
“It’s certainly something I’d look into. I certainly support the idea of having more foot traffic on Graham (Avenue). That’s something that would be good for us,” said Didi Chanoch.
Chanoch, who uses they/them pronouns, said their support is tied to the general idea, noting exact details of the program will determine how successful it is.
“The nicer the street is, the street-facing stores, the likelier people are to see this as a place to shop,” they said.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Mayor Scott Gillingham (left) and Downtown Winnipeg BIZ CEO Kate Fenske at the press conference announcing new funding for downtown businesses on Tuesday. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Mayor Scott Gillingham (left) and Downtown Winnipeg BIZ CEO Kate Fenske at the press conference announcing new funding for downtown businesses on Tuesday.
When asked about concerns over scarce foot traffic along Graham Avenue, Gillingham said a late June change now brings the D19 Winnipeg Transit route closer to Graham. Its path now passes through Kennedy Street and Graham, as well as Vaughan Street and Graham, stopping about 50 metres from Graham, the mayor’s office said.
“I want to thank business owners who continue to invest along Graham Avenue. We’re going to continue to work on this until it gets stronger,” said Gillingham.
The mayor stressed “exciting” redevelopments of Portage Place and the former Bay Downtown will help revitalize the city’s core, including Graham.
Meanwhile, safety concerns continue to create challenges for some downtown businesses.
On Monday, a co-owner of Boujee Restaurant told the Free Press he no longer plans to rebuild, after three fires ripped through the Main Street building since October. Kanish Sood said repeated crime and vandalism instead convinced him to move on.
I eigh on in the business owner’s opinion but property (owner) is doing … but I know that right behind that property, Railside at The Forks has remarkable investment happening, with multiple buildings going up, which means there will be hundreds of residents living within a stone’s throw of that property. I think that property is prime for the right development,” he said.
CentreVenture Development Corporation and the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ will help the city and province review applications for the storefront grants, which will continue until the money runs out. Deadlines to apply are set for Sept. 30, Dec. 31 and March 31, 2027.