Restaurateurs making it on 104th Street: Downtown’s buzziest neighbourhood poses risk

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Restaurateurs making it on 104th Street: Downtown’s buzziest neighbourhood poses risk and reward
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/enter...265/story.html

Interesting article.

[GreenSPACE]

Good indepth look by Liane.

[Gizmo]

I'm happy that some entrepreneurs are taking the risk and I applaud them.
It's people like that who will make down town a fun place to go down to.
I've already checked out Rostizado and can't wait to check out more new restaurants.
I'm tired of the chain places like Joey's and Earl's. Plus it's nice to support local business'.

[ajs]

This might be the best article I've read since the launch of the Insight section.

[Chmilz]

I'm excited about the seafood bar. I hope they do it up right.

[ajs]

Maybe you know Chmilz -- according to the article restaurant food costs are 10% higher in Edmonton. Why? Just a general overheated-Alberta-economy thing or something specific?

[IanO]

Labour, transport, inflation.

[Chmilz]

Maybe you know Chmilz -- according to the article restaurant food costs are 10% higher in Edmonton. Why? Just a general overheated-Alberta-economy thing or something specific?

For the most part. We're "off the beaten track" so transportation costs to get food here is higher, and distribution costs within Alberta are through the roof. Basic labour in warehousing and delivery drivers is approaching $20.00/hr here, while it's closer to minimum wage in the rest of the country. The entire vertical here is expensive. That food distributor in town pays the pickers more, the drivers more, the sales people more, all the admin staff more. The manufacturer/vendor pays their local sales and admin staff more.

If it involves people, and food is extremely labour intensive, it costs more here.