Beverage business leaving Osborne Village

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This article was published 04/01/2024 (1000 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After nearly a decade, a beverage business owned by MLA Obby Khan is leaving Osborne Village.

Green Carrot Juice Co. has not renewed its lease in the Village strip, Khan confirmed in an email.

“It was simply a business decision,” he wrote without elaborating.

The move follows Unique Bunny, a beauty shop with an eight-year presence in the area. Unique Bunny exited last month; it still sells at three locations across the city.

Green Carrot Juice Co. will continue operations on Corydon Avenue, in Winnipeg’s airport and at the Goodlife Fitness in the Refinery District.

Verde Plant Design, a neighbour along the strip, might make a similar move out of the area.

“I’m not surprised that people are leaving,” said shop owner Dominika Dratwa. “We are also considering that option.”

There isn’t enough foot traffic, she stated. She blamed a lack of parking. Crime in the community has been an issue, she added.

“It is a live in it, and work and play somewhere else kind of neighbourhood,” she said.

Dratwa expressed skepticism at the new residential buildings being erected off the busy street — more people nearby doesn’t guarantee customers.

“It has been a very difficult year and a half,” she said. “I think you’re going to see a lot more ‘For Lease’ signs.”

The Osborne Village BIZ’s executive director has a rosier outlook: already, Green Carrot Juice Co.’s spot has been taken by a quick-service restaurant, she said.

“There’s quite a few things that are coming in the next, say, six months that I’m super excited about,” Zohreh Gervais added.

She couldn’t name the company opening in the outlet, which still bears Green Carrot’s signage, or pinpoint when the change will occur. The property manager didn’t respond to questions by print deadline.

Another “beloved” food hub is slated for the strip, Gervais teased. The BIZ is making maps outlining parking in the area.

Some businesses in Osborne Village, like Starbucks and Little Sister Coffee Maker, remain busy, Gervais maintained, adding that turnover in communities is normal.

Green Carrot Juice Co. first opened at 132 Osborne St. in 2014. Khan became business partners with entrepreneurs Johnny Kien and Tina Jones; their venture was tied to a massive cold press juicing fruits and vegetables, a Free Press profile details.

Since then, the company has sold its drinks in fitness centres across the city and opened three more locations.

In 2022, Jones and Company Wine Merchants (which Jones is president of) sued Khan and Green Carrot Juice Co., alleging the latter failed to repay the wine company more than $560,000 in financial support.

Khan and his business submitted a statement of defence, calling the initial claims “rife with false and reckless allegations.” The file hadn’t been updated as of Wednesday.

Khan, a former Winnipeg Blue Bombers player, already owned restaurant Shawarma Khan when he co-launched Green Carrot Juice Co.

He co-launched GoodLocal, an online and retail shop filled with local products, with a business partner in 2020. The company received a $500,000 grant to expand its warehouse, delivery services and website, to assist local companies’ sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. The money from the provincial government was distributed through the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce.

Chuck Davidson, the chamber president, stated earlier this week the government money was tracked and accounted for.

Khan’s three businesses continue to operate as he represents Fort Whyte in the legislature.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com