When the COVID-19 pandemic reached Vancouver, restaurant owner Angela Du watched as a steady stream of tourists on Robson Street vanished at the worst possible time. Du was hopeful a federal rent subsidy program would at least help cover her rent of more than $20,000 on one of the best-known streets in Vancouver. Du says Ebisu has been a tenant in the 1200-block of Robson Street for 14 years. Du isn't the only business owner dealing with this problem, said Teri Smith, executive director of the Robson Street Business Association, which represents about 150 businesses in the area. Some businesses on Robson Street have already closed, and there's a real possibility more could follow.

Source: CBC News August 28, 2020 02:26 UTC