Seeking greener pastures Parking, security, traffic concerns fuel former plant hub’s move from Osborne Village: Verde Candle Bar co-owner By: Gabrielle Piché Posted: 6:45 PM CDT Monday, Jul. 15, 2024

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An Osborne Village plant shop has uprooted — decrying a lack of foot traffic, parking and support — for a more pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood.

In its move, Verde Plant Design will change business models — transitioning to Winnipeg’s first candle bar — and land at Academy Road.

“It’s time to move on,” said Dominika Dratwa, co-owner of Verde Candle Bar (formerly Verde Plant Design).

She considered exiting the hub near Confusion Corner for more than a year. Verde, which sold plants and held plant-related workshops, rented space at 218 Osborne St. since January 2020.

The past four years brought small-business challenges beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, Dratwa relayed.

First, customers stressed about parking. There’s no loading zone in front; finding a spot in the back was “like winning the lottery,” she said.

There’s also been an increased focus on crime in Osborne Village. Last week, the Manitoba government announced it would spend $1 million to extend a police program curbing retail and violent crime in hot spots, including the central Winnipeg neighbourhood.

Verde clients had expressed fear about visiting the area, Dratwa said. That worry, coupled with a concern about finding parking, likely kept customers away, she added.

“Osborne traffic is a huge problem,” Dratwa said, noting she wishes vehicles were slower on the busy road. “I wouldn’t want to walk a child down Osborne.”

The Osborne Village Business Improvement Zone released a guiding document last year for the strip’s future. Dratwa wishes more of the recommendations were implemented, such as introducing more street parking.

She recounted a lack of foot traffic near Confusion Corner, echoing Unique Bunny beauty supply store, which left the Village last year.

But the main reason for switching the business model, Dratwa said, was because she and her daughter (and business partner) fell in love with candle making and sought a change.

The right time came as the Osborne Village lease expired and Verde inked a deal for 484 Academy Rd.

“I’m over the moon,” Dratwa enthused. “(Candle making) is such a positive, fun experience. We wanted to put all of our focus on that.”

She’s aiming to open Aug. 10. The site will accept walk-ins wanting to pick scents and create candles Thursdays through Sundays. A 8.5-ounce candle with a burn time of 50 to 60 hours runs $50, Dratwa outlined.

More in-depth candle-making sessions will be available through pre-bookings. Body oil and bath salt creation will be offered, as will previous Verde workshops such as winter wreath making and moss art.

Pre-made candles will dot a retail section of the store.

Dratwa estimates she’s held workshops with hundreds of people over the past decade. They’re on the itinerary for some workplace wellness days.

“It’s definitely a big decision for us to make,” Dratwa said of the transition, adding she feels the plant sales chapter of Verde is, for her, finished.

Verde will be missed, said Zohreh Gervais, executive director of the Osborne Village BIZ.

“I hope that they will come back at some point,” she commented. “They were a lovely addition.”

Meantime, calming traffic through the Osborne strip is “an ongoing discussion,” Gervais added. The City of Winnipeg voted against adding a scramble intersection at Osborne Street and River Avenue in April, opting instead for a pilot project.

Gervais hopes the pilot will take place in the Village. She’s advocating for pedestrian-focused changes such as a reduced speed limit, more street parking and sidewalk widening.

“We’re going to have so many more pedestrians in the area very soon,” Gervais underlined.

Two new apartment blocks are set to open in Osborne Village later this year. Further, the opening of two restaurants in the former Basil’s location — both by popular chefs — should draw customers, Gervais predicted.

Meantime, the Osborne Village BIZ has been implementing every document recommendation within its control, Gervais continued.

It includes creating an active transportation network with other business improvement zones — bike lanes are currently being built on River Avenue — and adding lighting and signage to public areas.

There’s been an uptick in foot traffic, especially with the opening of Small Mercies’ European-style courtyard and Cleocatra Café, Gervais said.

However, not all entrepreneurs are seeing the clientele.

“I’m watching … there’s hardly anyone walking,” said Sadhana Malhotra, co-owner of Silver Skies. “Why? It’s July. It’s nice outside.”

“We have excuses for every day,” added Ashok Malhotra, Sadhana’s husband and partner at the gift shop. “Today’s not bright, today’s raining … It’s the weekend for folk fest.”

The couple opened the shop near Verde Plant Design roughly 1 1/2 years ago, after leaving Osborne Village in 2022.

They’d exited because of recurring crime and were hesitant to return. Still, they did, and the three-block difference has brought a drastic reduction in theft, though not an eradication, the Malhotras stated.

They’re hopeful the coming arrival of apartment tenants will boost business. An overall higher cost of living could be the reason why people aren’t shopping, they speculated.

Parking is an issue in Osborne, Sadhana said.

To neighbouring entrepreneur David Moxley, it isn’t. “People that are need-driven find a way here,” said the owner of Moxley’s Rentals.

The city has been focused on supporting Osborne-area businesses with their most prominent concern: security, Coun. Sherri Rollins said. Increased police and Sabe Peace Walker patrols have helped with a feeling of safety, Rollins and Gervais stated.

Businesses moving to the area and upcoming commercial space in the new apartment blocks challenge the trope Osborne Village is “somehow not succeeding,” Rollins stated.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com