Thursday, April 24, 2025

We’re taking a look at the impact this weather is having on restaurants. For a lot of local restaurants in Hamilton, the frigid conditions and falling snow mean a slow day. Restaurateurs we spoke to say major storms like this mean a hit on their bottom lines.

To say its been a bad winter is an understatement. The snow and cold just don’t seem to want to let up. And for some restaurants around town, the frigid conditions spell trouble – with business dwindling during major storms – like today.

Several restaurant managers on Locke and James Streets said they’ve barely seen any customers. Many were planning on shutting down early — and some didn’t even open at all. Of course, they are all blaming the terrible winter weather.

Experts are calling this season one of the most brutal winters in the last 20 years. But the constant snow and cold isn’t just bad news for your lifestyle. Conditions are also hurting the resturant business.

Steven Solduk is the head chef, Bistro Parisean. “It’s been terrible. I mean, there is no business, people can’t get around — can’t get on the street — can’t park. Difficult for everybody.”

Hamilton’s popular restaurant area — Locke Street — was practically a ghost town Wednesday with many eateries closing their doors early or not even opening at all.

Erik Kekes-Marshall is chef at The Courtyard. “If you go out on usually a beautiful day, it’s very busy — people are walking around — cars are buzzing. You look outside right now, it’s like a barren wasteland.”

The lunch rush was practically non-existent for some establishments.

Erik said. “The office guys, they don’t really want to come out in this weather — they stay closer to their office right.”

And zero customers means some eateries are paying the price — by losing money.

Steven said. “It’s probably a thousand dollars a day — moderate guess, sure. It’s very dramatic.”

It’s hardly patio season with weather like this, but spring is only a few days away and soon the patios will be full up.

But the weather doesn’t mean doom and gloom for everyone. West Town Bar & Grill actually saw a rise in customers today.

Brandon Stanicak is owner of West Town. “Some of our busiest nights are snowstorms – I think another thing is a lot of places shut down so we end up being busier.”

With the long and hard winter almost over, many restaurant owners are hoping that business will pick up soon.

No wonder the restaurant scene was dead today. Hamilton actually hit blizzard criteria – thats at least 4 hours of wind, at a minimum of 40 kilometres an hour with visiblity less than 400 metres.

On that note, just a reminder that the first day of spring arrives Thursday, March 20th — that’s in 7 days.