Vancouver patio restaurants

Good morning! 

I sent out an email over the weekend about an AI-generated news site in Surrey that was pumping out fake news. I wrote that this poses an existential threat to our society — if anyone can setup a website and generate stories in a day, how can we trust anything we see online, in our local communities?

There’s no easy solution. But I do think one answer is what we’re doing here at the Lookout. And that is trust: trusting the journalists and trusting the publication. Because the trust you place in us is, and I don’t say this lightly, the single most important thing we have at the Lookout. Without it, the Lookout doesn’t work.

So let me be clear if you missed my Sunday email — the Lookout does not ever use AI to write our journalism. Not now, not ever. The future of local journalism is not AI stories, or clickbait content. It’s journalists like Nate meeting and interviewing, developing and writing local journalism.

As a reader-funded publication, we don’t pump out fake stories to generate page views. Our funding comes from people like you becoming members.

And with that long intro, let’s get to today’s newsletter.

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout founder and managing editor

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WEATHER

Monday: 4 🌡️ 1 | ❄️

Tuesday: 3 🌡️ 1 | ❄️

Wednesday: 4 🌡️ 2 | ❄️

RESTAURANTS

Vancouver’s revamped patio program offers relief for restaurants ahead of FIFA World Cup crowds

Story by Julie Chadwick. Read the story online here.

As Vancouver restaurants continue to navigate rising costs and a challenging business landscape post-pandemic, the city’s newly updated summer patio program could provide a small but welcome boost.

Among the changes are a reduction in private patio permit renewal fees from $1,080 to $513 for large patios, no permit fees for small private patios and no increase to public patio permit fees. Businesses that upgrade a curbside patio to make it more accessible and safe could also get a one-time permit fee refund.

The city is also encouraging business owners to get their patio applications in this month if they want it approved in time for FIFA World Cup celebrations in mid-June.

“I think FIFA is coming faster than anybody expected, and suddenly we're going, gee, it's less than 100 days around the corner,” says Ian Tostenson, British Columbia Restaurant and Food Services Association (BCRFA) president and CEO. “I think everybody started feeling that we're a little bit behind schedule on some of the preparations.”

It’s been a bit harder to interpret and understand exactly what FIFA wants, because their organizing committee likes to run things directly, whereas with the Olympics, there was a committee that was chaired locally and the events were planned for years in advance, says Tostenson.

In any case, Tostenson said the patio changes are a welcome help amidst a turbulent time for the restaurant business. In September, Tostenson called a meeting of all members and stakeholders of the restaurant, hotel and tourism industry across B.C. to talk about critical labour shortages he describes as a “crisis issue for the industry.” He estimates there is a shortage of approximately 10,000 to 15,000 cooks and chefs across the province’s 15,000 restaurants

This is due partly to changes in the federal government’s temporary foreign worker program that means work permits are not being extended after two years, so businesses like restaurants end up losing qualified staff like chefs that take time and effort to train. These shifts in the industry especially hit the “ma and pa” restaurants harder than the bigger corporate locations, says Tostenson, who adds that it has had a negative impact on the culinary arts school enrollment as well, which in turn affects restaurants.

Add to that the rising costs of food and rent, and slower sales, it’s not surprising that a report out from Restaurants Canada last month showed that 44 per cent, or nearly half, of the country’s restaurants are operating at a loss or just breaking even. Those numbers stand out even more when contrasted with the only 12 per cent in 2019 that were in that situation.

Local chef Jim Romer, who runs two burger restaurants in the Vancouver area and one on Vancouver Island, has seen some of these challenges firsthand. About a year and a half ago, he had to close his Romer’s Burger Bar in Kitsilano after 14 years, and then had to close his Port Moody location as well. 

“Costs got too high, you know, rent. Sales leveled up a little bit, but then your labor costs and food costs are just climbing out. And I could only price the menu so high,” he says. “There's a laundry list of items that really impact the restaurant business.”

With a goal of serving gourmet high-end burgers, there’s also pressure to keep what he calls the “operational excellence” and general quality high, to ensure people are happy with what they’re spending money on, he says.

“You have to be great at all things, right? Each day, every day, from the time the guest hits the front door to the time they leave, you have to be great,” he says. Though he sold the one business that had a patio, he thinks any reduction in permit fees will be a help for restaurants, who often shoulder costs no one thinks of, like getting a plumber out to unplug a sink drain in the middle of a shift. 

Many of these establishments will hopefully get a welcome break with all the FIFA excitement and extra business from tourists, and the patio spaces will play an important part, says Tostenson. 

“The soccer fans are really passionate,” he says. “They will actually travel with their teams from LA to Seattle to Vancouver.” 

An estimated 350,000 fans are expected to watch the seven matches scheduled at BC Place.

“A lot of the changes that are happening right now are in response to FIFA, to make sure that we get as much economic impact as we can from it,” he says. The BCRFA have launched their own initiative, Taste the Beautiful Game — BC Style to highlight and showcase local food, beers and wines to tourists in Vancouver as well as invite people in to watch the games in their TV viewing areas. 

Patios bring “incredible energy” to Vancouver’s streets, stated Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, and the revamped program is part of the city’s “ongoing commitment to support Vancouver’s business community.”

Other changes for this patio season include a simple, quick application process for ground-level businesses that want to set up storefront seating at no permit cost, which is extra seating against the front of the building where there is space on the sidewalk. 

Businesses can now also apply to extend their patio hours to 1 a.m. provided they meet certain requirements like having up-to-date insurance and no patio complaints for the last 12 months.

Vancouver’s summer patio season runs from April 1 to October 31.

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THE VANCOUVER NUMBER

$1.79

That was the average per litre gas price as of Friday. Costs have steadily grown since America attacked Iran, and gas prices are expected to only get worse in the coming weeks. [CityNews]

THE AGENDA

👎 While not as tough as some of the news Mayor Ken Sim has faced this month, Vancouver city staff have recommended that council drop the mayor’s motion to turn some of the city’s reserves into Bitcoin, in part because they say it would be illegal. It’s part of a bunch of motions that staff are asking council to de-prioritize to reduce spending and increase staff resources. Read more. [CBC]

🏉 Canada’s women’s rugby sevens team unfortunately, did not advance to the playoff round over the weekend, but did place fifth with a pair of wins yesterday. The coach has framed the team this year, which won gold at the Paris Olympics, as a “framing year” to rebuild the team. Read more. [TSN]

❌ Nighttime drivers, be aware – the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge will be closed in the evening from now until March 17, with the eastbound lane closed and only one westbound lane open. Most of the closures will be from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Read more ($). [Vancouver Sun]

🌉 And the same goes for the Granville Bridge until early April, with the south ramp closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday to Thursday. Read more. [Urbanized]

📈 Unless your friends and family have accommodation lined up, chances are they’ll be asking to stay at your place, as hotel prices continue to skyrocket during FIFA, with many prices more than doubling or tripling. Read more. [Urbanized]

💸 If you’re wondering how the region’s North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant cost overruns grew to $3.86 billion, you aren’t the only one, including the mayors of the City and District of North Vancouver, who are calling for a public inquiry into how it happened, and the cost-sharing formula for those cost overruns. Read more. [Vancouver Sun]

EVENT GUIDE

Vancouver International Wine Festival | Various spots around Vancouver | Now until Mar. 14 | The biggest wine festival in the west, say hi to our Lookout team who will be attending | Tickets various prices

Francesco De Carlo | Biltmore Cabaret | Mar. 10, 8 p.m. | One of Italy’s most established stand-up comics, with a Netflix show | Tickets $41

BC Home and Garden Show | Vancouver Convention Centre | Mar. 12-15 | Largest home and garden show in Vancouver | Tickets $14

Vancouver Story Slam | 2434 Main St. | Mar. 12, 8 p.m. | 10 storytellers share short stories competing for a prize | Tickets $10 (cash)

Canadian Psycho | Firehall Theatre | Mar. 31-Apr. 12 | Music, video and satire, this solo show explores our obsession with crime thrillers | Tickets $20

East Van Hotdog Eating Championships | Royal Canadian Legion Branch 179 | Exactly as it sounds, plus music and karaoke all night | Mar. 13, 7 p.m. | Tickets $7

Big Dylan - a Tribute to Bob Dylan | The ANZA Club | Mar. 14, 7-11 p.m. | Come see Big Dylan perform a variety of Bob Dylan’s music | Tickets

Teen Angst Night | Fox Cabaret | Mar. 14, 8 p.m. | Performers get up on stage and share their most embarrassing stories from their teenage notebooks | Tickets

Learn How To Fix A Flat Bike Tire | West Point Cycles | Mar. 15, 9:30 am | Literally exactly as it sounds | Tickets $5

Capturing Vancouver Through the Lens | 725 West Georgia St | Mar. 15, 2 p.m. | Interactive street photography class | Tickets $25

Submit your event and it could appear here and reach 30,000+ Vancouver locals.

SPORTS

A busy week for the Canucks, but the now the hard work begins

What happened: It was a busy few days in the lead-up to the trade deadline for the Canucks, as hockey’s worst team (bad) unloaded many of their existing players to stock up on drafts (good). 

Breaking it all down: The team traded many of their veteran players who’ve been a fixture of the team, including Quinn Hughes, Kiefer Sherwood, Tyler Myers, Conor Garland, Lukas Reichel and David Kampf.

• The team picked up Zeev Buium, Liam Öhgren, Marco Rossi, Cole Clayton, and most importantly, a first-round pick in 2026 for a total of two this year, as well as two second-round picks and multiple second-round picks in the coming years. 

While the team was trying to trade Teddy Blueger and Evander Kane, the team was unable to move free-agent-eligible players by the deadline. While there were rumours floating around about Brock Boeser, Drew O’Connor, Jake DeBrusk, and Elias Pettersson, the team ultimately did not move them. 

What they’re saying: Those who follow hockey closely gave the team middling grades. The Athletic rated the moves a C+, noting that the team didn’t really get enough returns for what they traded, but on the bright side, they now have a clear direction.

• The Province’s Patrick Johnston called the team’s moves competent, though Canucks would’ve liked to secure a third-round draft pick this year. He rated the team’s overall efforts with a B. 

What’s next: The team has finally acted decisively to move on from the roster that just wasn’t working. They’re now much younger and are positioned to pick up a potential franchise-altering player in the draft. Let’s all hope next season is better than this one! 

NEW VANCOUVER JOBS

Discover your new dream job in Vancouver:

• Chief of staff at lemonly

• Senior manager, business and economy at City of Vancouver

• Head of communications, West Vancouver Memorial Library at District of West Vancouver

• On air announcer (radio) at Corus Entertainment

• Manager, social media at Arc’teryx Equipment

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• If you live in Kitsilano, you know this Italian restaurant. But I still had to write about how exceptional the meal was.

• Congrats to Vancouver’s own Ada Li who was selected to join an ocean restoration project to help restore B.C.’s kelp forests. [Vancouver Sun]

• This lucky guy got to ride with dolphins while kiteboarding in English Bay. [Vancouver is Awesome]

• The Straight has put together a handy art guide for the spring.

• Want to have your announcement featured? Learn how here.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Someone managed to capture this shot at Jones Park. The person who captured the photo called it grungy chic, and I agree.