Businesses depending on students to survive take another hit as schools return to online learning

Mohammad Emami's Nannaa Persian Eatery in Westdale Village depends on students to survive but, because of COVID-19, he's not sure when they'll be back eating at his restaurant.

"We chose to be in the heart of Westdale because of its proximity to McMaster University," Emami says. "Our business, like many others in the Westdale area, depends on the student population to survive and thrive so it has certainly been challenging to navigate with less students around."

Emami says that when the pandemic first started his business was fairly new. He says "the pressures of this pandemic on our restaurant, like many others, have been significant. We were a fairly new business when the pandemic first started so it really stunted our growth."

Mohawk College confirmed in a statement that their current projection is an increase of students with some in-person learning components from 78 per cent to 98 per cent upon returning in February, within their 12,000 student population. That means fewer students around to spend money at businesses around campus.

Student says online learning is 'isolating'

Chris Lowes, co-owner of Mahtay Cafe in St. Catharines, says the return to school in person in the fall made things feel normal… almost.

"With the return of some students it's felt not quite normal, but somewhat normal," Lowes said. "We're right across from the [Brock University] campus, so there's been an influx of students at the cafe, almost like a mini study hall and hanging out in groups. University students bring a ton of energy and enthusiasm to the whole area, so it's nice to have that back, but it was markedly noticeable that there weren't as many students."

And now it's not clear when students, like Felix Hu, will be back.  Hu, a second year Health Sciences student at McMaster University, says "doing classes online is an isolating experience."

He says "I was looking forward to an in-person winter semester, but now with all the uncertainty I just trust that the university will do what is right to minimize COVID cases."

Tracy MacKinnon, executive director of the Westdale BIA near McMaster University, said "We noticed a large number of students not living in the [Hamilton] area, but the positive thing is that there's so many more people realizing how important local shopping, local eating and local support for businesses is the best for your community." 

She says "We missed the students, but we're hopeful we'll see them in January."

Meanwhile, Emami at the Nannaa Persian Eatery in Westdale, knows that might not happen.

He says "at the end of the day, the ideal case is as many people staying healthy as possible. As much as we want students to come visit us at the restaurant during this period . . .  what we don't want is to go one step forward and two steps back."