Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds

By Michael Reeve

RED BRIDGE FIRE

Mt. Paul businesses expect slowdown with link to downtown Kamloops now gone

Sep 19, 2024 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s unclear how long it will take for a new Red Bridge to be built as the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will need to work with both the City of Kamloops and Tk’emlups te Secwepemc to find a path forward. In the meantime, businesses on both sides of the Thompson River will be coming to terms with a new reality, as patrons will have to make a decision on whether to take the long way around to their favourite shops.

The effects of the Red Bridge fire will take time to become clear, but it’s likely businesses on the north side of the river will feel the brunt of the missing link.

“It will definitely have an impact,” said Robyn Haley, owner of Erwin’s Bakery. “It kind of takes me back to when the Daily News closed, when we were still downtown, and how that affected us. Anything that changes people’s routines impacts the businesses that are normally part of those routines and if people are able to use Mount Paul Way as part of their commute routes anymore, we may or may not see them.”

Erwin’s moved from their downtown location several years ago, but still maintained several lunch clients who no longer have quick access across the South Thompson.

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“We are exactly two kilometres from where we used to be. If you have to add the loop out onto (Highway) 5 to get here, that changes it a bit, so we will just have to see how that goes,” added Haley.

The Mt. Paul corridor is ripe with retail business, all of which are expecting a downturn in walk-ins.

“And the biggest thing is people coming off the highway, there are going to be more people coming there so people are more likely to continue driving on rather than pulling in,” added Denis Lessard, manager at The Horse Barn.

The hope is that Kamloops residents will take the extra few minutes to still visit and support the local shops.

“There is a tremendous amount of business over here and people who aren’t used to coming here are always surprised about how much retail is available over here. I always thought we should do a campaign ‘Retail on the Rez’ because there are a lot of us. And if you aren’t coming over and seeing all these incredible businesses, you could be missing a lot of opportunities,” said Haley.