A Queen Street business is pivoting from its brick and mortar location to exclusively online – and the owner lays part of the blame on the city for extensive construction in recent years that has lowered foot traffic.
Wood, Resin & Lye owner Mike McAdams said the construction, paired with reduced parking and laneways through the winter, contributed to his decision to close up his storefront this April.
“I had both customers and vendors that I have in store telling me they haven't been downtown in months because of construction,” McAdams said.
“People were having to constantly be rerouted so they avoided the entire Queen Street, including my block.”
Some construction work also led to certain transit routes temporarily changing, which even made getting to work a hassle for McAdams.
“I had to either walk four additional blocks before the downtown, or get off near the plaza and walk back,” he said.
“It was a super inconvenience for a lot of it, but people were actively avoiding the downtown because of it.”
With less foot traffic, far less customers made it into his shop.
“Queen Street has always been that if you're driving, you could blink and miss something, but if you're walking, you're going to explore everything,” he said.
As a result, his business took a substantial financial hit. He’s filed a claim against the city for revenue loss – a process that’s still ongoing – and made the decision to move his business online.
Other factors contributed to the decision, as well, such as fears about the cost of goods climbing amid the trade war with the U.S.
“We’re getting the website back up and running. We're going to . . . have a pickup location or delivery,” he said.
“We do have a regular client base that we don't want to just up and abandon, but also we're going back to doing vendor shows as often as possible.”
With house-made soaps, candles, bath bombs, and other products, Wood, Resin & Lye also stocks goods from dozens of local artisans and vendors – ranging from maple syrup, honey, and hot sauce, to jewellery, local coffee, and more.
“It's one of those things that – we as a business – if we expect local support, we give it as well,” he said.
However, McAdams said some vendors pulled their wares amid foot traffic woes during construction season.
Though the business is moving online for now, McAdams said he hopes to move it back into a brick and mortar location again in the future. He still has plans to offer new lines of products, resin tables and charcuterie boards, and classes on soapmaking in the future.
In a social media post, McAdams said his products will be sold at a reduced price before the store closes in mid April.