Escoba Bistro is Closing Down

[troutman]

I find parking is much worse downtown and beltline, than Kensington. I avoid the former or take my bike.

You can always park free near the Shell station, if you don't mind walking a few blocks.

[calumniate]

Maybe they'll turn Escoba into a really nice trail mix and granola shop?

[polak]

Originally Posted by calumniate

Maybe they'll turn Escoba into a really nice trail mix and granola shop?

It'll probably be a National.

[northcrunk]

Originally Posted by calumniate

Maybe they'll turn Escoba into a really nice trail mix and granola shop?

Vegan bicyclist cat cafe

[Coach]

You guys know the train goes right through Kensington, right?

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by MattyC

You guys know the train goes right through Kensington, right?

Going right through Kensington doesn't help at all, it needs to stop right in Kensington to be of any use

[puckedoff]

I'm also in the camp of having moved regular business off of 8th street due to the parking issue. Sure there is a parkade, but I used to park for free, and without having to circle the block and nearby streets to find a spot.

[rain_e]

He is still responsible to pay the property taxes. He either has the opportunity to lease out the space and make a profit or sell the building.

[troutman]

You have to sell plenty of booze, because there is no margin on food.

[rain_e]

Originally Posted by troutman

You have to sell plenty of booze, because there is no margin on food.

You don't think there is margin in selling pizza's and donairs? They do better then most people.

[Peanut]

Re: kensington parking. It's free before 9, and after 6. And on Sunday's. There's also a myriad of ways to get there without driving, if you really want to spin or check out the shops but avoid paying for parking. And yyc Marda is better anyways.

Re: Escoba. Lunch was their bread and butter. Too bad they have to close but not surprised sales are down with the number of layoffs. Also that end of downtown wasn't great even during boom times. It's basically just Nexen and Husky in terms of the oil companies isn't it?

[CaptainCrunch]

If I was a business owner and I saw that kind of increase in my business tax alone and looked at what's coming cost wise with the carbon tax and utilitiy and food cost increases, and I'm already losing tons of money.

Yeah, I'm closing and moving out of the province.

[polak]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

If I was a business owner and I saw that kind of increase in my business tax alone and looked at what's coming cost wise with the carbon tax and utilitiy and food cost increases, and I'm already losing tons of money.

Yeah, I'm closing and moving out of the province.

There's no escaping carbon tax. Every province either has it, or has it in their immediate plans.

Add in that Alberta still has very low business tax (especially for small businesses) you'd probably be moving to more expensive jurisdictions anyways but with a less wealthy customer base

[troutman]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Yeah, I'm closing and moving out of the province.

Where are taxes less?

[CaptainCrunch]

Where have we seen such radical increases in a short period of time?

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Where have we seen such radical increases in a short period of time?

You'd rather move to a more expensive, less business-friendly province because there has been an increase in taxes but we're still among the most competitive?

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

You'd rather move to a more expensive, less business-friendly province because there has been an increase in taxes but we're still among the most competitive?

That'll show those fat cats in Washington Edmonton.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

You'd rather move to a more expensive, less business-friendly province because there has been an increase in taxes but we're still among the most competitive?

Depends. Taxes is just one part of operating expenses. If another province or jurisdiction has higher taxes, but their other costs (ie. rent, food costs, wages, etc.) are lower, then absolutely you may consider going there even if taxes are higher. The point is not that taxes are high, its that they've risen exponentially year over year, which can often sink businesses. Who plans for double digit tax increases?

[secol]

Originally Posted by East Coast Flame

I walk by that place every day and there is literally no difference between the parking pre and post bike lanes.

http://imgur.com/BGiRLjK

I found a google picture before the bike lane. Seriously? That is half the parking? What a BS quote totally designed to rile up all the anti-SPENDSHI crowd...looks like it's working too.

huge difference. the other side of the street used to be all parking. also after the bike lanes about a quarter of the parking on the side in your picture was taken away (close to the intersection in front of chicago chophouse). across the street in front of watermark less than a block away also used to be all parking on 8th ave, as well as 5th st to the north and south of 8th ave

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Where have we seen such radical increases in a short period of time?

Didn't corporate taxes go from like 6% in 1992 to 12% in 1993?