'We just want to break even': Businesses on Victoria Row opting to stay open later throughout winter
'It's too hard to go longer than two months without work,' says restaurant manager
Residents of Charlottetown might notice there's more to do on Victoria Row this winter — the popular tourist destination normally shuts down after the warmer months, but some businesses are opting into stay open later in the winter season.
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New arrivals
In its first winter on Victoria Row, Kuriosities will keep its doors open all year.
"We have a really good, supportive following. They keep us going all winter long," said Kuriosities store owner, Kimberly McIntyre.
MacIntyre moved her store to Victoria Row in April, and said while there's less foot traffic in the colder months, winter is actually her busy season.
"Winter months are our production months, where we're getting everything made for the summer season so that we're prepared. So we're pretty busy in the winter actually," said MacIntyre.
'P.E.I. is a really special place'
Staff at Receiver Coffee Co. said the shop has chosen to stay open all year long since it first opened on the row two-and-a-half years ago.
"Business has actually been amazing this year," said Tristan Gray, one of the store operators. "We've seen a really big increase in people coming to the shop this year, even over last year."
Gray said he would eventually like to see even more shops choose to stay open past the summer months.
"P.E.I. is a really special place because you get to build what you want to do, because if you don't, nobody else will," he said.
Feast or famine
Other restaurants like John Brown's Richmond Street Grille have chosen to stay open until Jan. 1. for the first time
"Normally we close after Thanksgiving," said operations manager Jeff Sinnott.
Sinnott said the restaurant has been booked every weekend from November to Christmas but has been slow during the weekdays.
"It's like feast or famine," he said. "We just want to break even."
He said the restaurant chose to stay open to support the employees that work there.
"It's too hard to go longer than two months without work," said Sinnott.
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