Another business has fallen victim to the Broadway Subway Project

Another business has fallen victim to the Broadway Subway Project.

The Greek closed its doors this week, citing construction delays and ongoing disruptions that have made it impossible to keep this location going.

When construction first began, the Broadway Subway Project was slated to be completed in 2025. That date has now been pushed back to 2027, and business leaders predict the once-bustling Broadway corridor will be a ghost town by the time the project is finished.

“I stopped counting when it was 80 businesses, 80 for-lease signs, 80 places that were papered up,” said Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association executive director Neil Wyles.

“What’s the point? This will be seven years, and these businesses didn’t plan for that. There’s no help coming. Zero.”

On the west end of Broadway, Akbar’s Own Indian Cuisine is barely hanging on. Owner Dhan Singh says his restaurant is pretty much empty on a daily basis due to the construction at Broadway and Cypress.

Five years ago, he says, the restaurant would be packed for lunch. Now, he says, they are lucky if they get a few walk-ins.

“It’s blocked. Nobody can see us,” Singh said. “How can people survive? Three people working inside, one in the front, four people working — and only four customers.”

He says the restaurant is locked into a 10-year lease, but he is unsure how much longer it will survive.

“Our business is only 10 to 20 per cent,” said Singh.

“We still don’t know when we are going to be done. It’s very hard — not just for me, but everybody around.”

While neither the province nor the City of Vancouver is offering financial support to businesses impacted by the construction, the city says tax relief programs and additional parking spots have been made available.

— With files from Ben Bouguerra.