Downtown Kitchener restaurant struggling amid pandemic, inflation

Owning a restaurant was already a difficult job before the pandemic.

Now, the aftermath of lockdowns and rising inflation have made it all the more challenging.

Ellison's Bistro on Charles Street in Kitchener is feeling the difficulties of operating under these circumstances. 

Elvis Ellison, the owner and chef of the restaurant, explained.

“With the inflation, business has really slowed down a lot for all of us downtown,” he said.

“The traffic that we used to get, we're not getting that type of traffic anymore. Basically, everyone's working from home.”

Not only does inflation pose challenges when it comes to the costs of running a restaurant, it also makes it more difficult for customers. 

“If people don't have that disposable income to spend, then they won't be coming out,” Ellison said. 

Ellison's Bistro fuses Caribbean and European foods, and Ellison said he is grateful for the community support he has received thus far.

“I just want to thank the community for standing behind us 100 per cent,” said Ellison.

“We are living in an area where the community looks after the people here.”