Wellington Street in Montreal’s Verdun borough is booming, with cheerful shop facades lining a district bustling with pedestrians.
With a commercial vacancy rate the local business association pegs at about six per cent, the street, named “coolest in the world” by Time Out magazine in 2022, is a success story in the city’s battle against the empty storefronts that plague many of Montreal’s main arteries.
Marie-Ève Girard, spokeswoman for the local business association, said Wellington Street benefited not only from a surge of tourists after the Time Out rankings but also from aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led Verdun residents to explore their local streets.
“To spur even more demand, Girard’s group rents out a formerly vacant storefront one month at a time to entrepreneurs who want to test the neighbourhood’s retail environment.”
The situation isn’t the same everywhere, however. Across Montreal, the vacancy rate for storefronts sits at 13.1 per cent, according to the city’s open data portal — down slightly from 15 per cent in 2019, when the administration launched public consultations on the issue.
Many streets have reported fewer empty stores after upgrades to make them more attractive. On the other hand, downtown has struggled from the loss of foot traffic because of the rise in pandemic-influenced remote work — something all major cities are facing.
Representatives of several local business development groups, known as SDCs, are reporting drops in vacancy rates, even as high inflation and talk of a recession threaten their post-pandemic recoveries.
Even St-Denis Street, long plagued with empty storefronts, has seen its vacancy rate fall from 24 per cent in 2020 to about 16 per cent, according to the general manager of its SDC.
The city has brought in new rules requiring owners of vacant buildings to register them with the city, and to uphold higher maintenance standards or face fines. The business association groups welcome the rules but say it’s unclear whether the city will enforce them.
While the heads of business groups are proud of the work done to reduce vacancy rates, they warn that a tough economic climate, municipal tax hikes, a lack of commercial rent control, and the timelines to repay pandemic-era business loans threaten to reverse the progress.
Luring in-person customers in the days of online shopping requires not just goods for sale, but the creation of a unique experience, Vaillancourt Laliberté said.
“Our street is doing well, but we are always keeping vigilant,” Girard said.
SDCs across the city work with their local governments to host events, including a comic arts festival on St. Denis and an outdoor sugar shack and giant puppets on Wellington. In Ville-Marie, artists, businesses, and non-profits can request a permit to temporarily occupy a vacant store.
FAQ
- What is the vacancy rate for storefronts in Montreal?
- The vacancy rate for storefronts in Montreal is 13.1%.
- Which street in Montreal is experiencing a boom in business?
- Wellington Street in Montreal’s Verdun borough is experiencing a boom in business.
- What factors contributed to the success of Wellington Street?
- Wellington Street benefited from a surge of tourists after being named “coolest in the world” by Time Out magazine in 2022. Additionally, aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as residents exploring their local streets and a surge in enthusiasm for buying local, contributed to its success.
- What are some challenges facing downtown Montreal?
- Downtown Montreal is facing challenges due to the loss of foot traffic caused by the rise in remote work during the pandemic.
- What measures has the city of Montreal taken to address vacant buildings?
- The city of Montreal has implemented new rules requiring owners of vacant buildings to register them with the city and uphold higher maintenance standards or face fines.
Conclusion
While some areas of Montreal, such as Wellington Street in the Verdun borough, are experiencing a boom in business and lower vacancy rates, downtown Montreal continues to struggle with vacant storefronts. The city has implemented measures to address this issue, but challenges remain, including the impact of remote work on foot traffic and economic uncertainties. Despite these challenges, community efforts and innovative solutions, such as temporary permits for occupying vacant stores, are helping to revitalize commercial areas and foster economic recovery. Vigilance and continued collaboration between local businesses, government authorities, and community organizations will be essential in addressing these challenges and creating vibrant, thriving neighborhoods in Montreal.
