REGINA — The sound of construction on 11th Avenue isn’t just noise — it’s costing businesses.
As part of a multi-year revitalization project downtown, road closures, blocked sidewalks and reduced foot traffic have left local shops and restaurants, like The Cure Kitchen + Bar, struggling to stay afloat.
“We’ve seen a slowdown, of course, [and] less traffic,” said Kelly Cairns, co-owner of The Cure Kitchen + Bar.
Cairns said their business is noticing fewer customers in the evening when people either Uber to and from a location or park their vehicle in front of stores.
“What I’m hearing is that some people are just avoiding that whole area,” said Cairns, referencing drivers who tried accessing the area.
Along with road closures, Cairns said one sidewalk that accessed their restaurants was blocked off as of yesterday for construction.
“We don’t really know what’s going to happen [regarding construction],” said Cairns.
Cairns also said the city and SaskPower send out emails but don’t disclose the specific work being done.
As construction on 11th Avenue has been ongoing since 2023, The Cure Kitchen + Bar has worked around its hours to stay afloat.
Cairns said the restaurant has stopped opening on Sundays and will be closed for an entire week in July, as summer is their quieter months.
The restaurant also doesn’t have an option to move since its lease continues for two more years.
With construction impacting businesses, SaskToday reached out to the City of Regina for comment.
“We understand the impacts that construction can have on local businesses. In an effort to minimize disruptions, crews are working increased hours with multiple crews working at the same time,” said city officials.
Regina mentioned they’ve been working with the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District (RDBID) to ensure there is access to local businesses.
The city also plans to promote the area with a “Visit 11th Ave Businesses” campaign.
As for Cairns, she hopes this work can lead to more housing development downtown.
“We’d like to have more people living nearby or staying [at a hotel] nearby.”
The 11th Avenue Revitalization Project is expected to be mostly completed by 2026, with additional landscaping work occurring in 2027.
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