Good Earth Coffeehouse is closing its Uptown Shopping Centre location in Saanich, the company has announced in a Facebook post.
The location, which has been an Uptown mainstay since 2012, will close its doors Nov. 20.
Other locations around Victoria will remain open, but those who love to grab a cup of coffee while shopping will have to opt for a different shop.
Stephen Park, who works for Good Earth Coffeehouse, said one main reason for this location’s closure was the rent prices.
Park also said that employees who operated in that shop do have the option of moving to a different location, so the closing of the Uptown cafe won’t result in joblessness.
Kristy Lowes, who works for Uptown, said that while she can’t speak to the exact reason Good Earth Coffeehouse decided not to renew the lease, businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic are still working to bounce back.
Other shops in Uptown said that while rent, in general, is high in Greater Victoria, Uptown is in line with market value and the benefits of being within a centre make it worth it.
“I was downtown for 15 years and moving to Uptown was the best business decision I’ve made,” said Kylee Weber, owner of Meraki Boutique. “It’s a community of amazing, supportive people.”
With free parking, less traffic and staff dedicated to maintaining the grounds and organizing events, Weber said Uptown is more accessible and affordable than having a location downtown.
She did express disappointment that Good Earth Coffeehouse is leaving.
“Small business is a tough go at the best of times,” Weber said.
Good Earth Coffeehouse’s other locations include Capital Park, Mayfair Shopping Centre, Village Walk at Oak Bay and an upcoming location at Bay Centre, among others.
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