Waterloo food businesses thrive post-pandemic recovery

Five years ago, Canada implemented stay-at-home orders to combat COVID-19. Restaurants were considered essential but faced strict rules. Many had to quickly find new ways to serve customers. Before the pandemic, restaurants were thriving. However, in 2020, sales dropped by almost 30%. A survey later revealed that more than half of restaurants were losing money. Thousands of businesses closed for good, especially independent ones. From 2019 to 2023, independent restaurants saw a loss of about 3,100, while chain locations grew by 1,100. Now, in the Waterloo region, restaurants are recovering. By the end of 2024, there were more restaurant licenses than in 2019, with a 30% increase in Waterloo alone. Fran Adsett, who owns Frannie's, adapted by offering drive-thru pickups and creating meal kits with local produce. Community support played a huge role in her resilience. She is also planning to reopen her roadside produce center this summer. Lou Gazzola opened his cookie bakery, Sweet Lou's, just before the lockdowns. With fewer customers on-site, he switched to delivery and extended his hours. Gazzola also supported local first responders, which helped build a loyal customer base. Chefs Kirstie Herbstreit and Jody O'Malley faced a big setback when their cooking classes were canceled. They quickly moved their classes online, creating meal kits for customers. This shift allowed them to reach a larger audience and adapt their business model for the future. These stories show how local food businesses found creative ways to survive during the pandemic and are now thriving again.