The proprietor of a gelato shop near the Olympics Village feels trapped by a mega-event city officials promised would bring nothing but dollar signs.
“This is a small family business,” Mario Loscerbo, president of Mario’s Gelati Inc., told the Tyee. “My losses are already way over what we could sustain, its totally impossible for us to continue on.”
His business sits at 88 East 1 Avenue, nearly inside the athlete’s village. By Loscerbo’s account, the city promised him only a one month disruption when it began tearing up his street last March.
Instead, construction lasted until September. Road closures drove away business. Planks crossed deep ditches that used to be a sidewalk.
Loscerbo claimed construction crews damaged a neon sign and broke some decorative glass blocks. He estimated his sales took a $1 million beating.
Meanwhile, organizers assured him business would more than recover during the Games.
“They said, ‘you’re gonna make so much money,’” Loscerbo said.
Right now, road closures and heavy security make that seem unlikely. Talks with organizers have been unproductive, he said. Loscerbo plans to sue the city and VANOC for leading him to the brink of financial ruin.
“I’m just locked in now,” he said. “I feel like I’m in a prison. My store is like a morgue.”
Legal action wouldn't be unprecedented. Construction of the Canada Line caused massive disruptions for Cambie Street businesses.
One merchant won $600,000 in damages last year, though an appeal will likely be heard in April. Forty other Cambie Street businesses recently filed a lawsuit.
Loscerbo stressed he’s not against the Olympics. Despite everything, he’s excited for them.
“I’m happy that a lot of other business benefit from it, but I cannot absorb these losses,” he said.
Geoff Dembicki reports for the Tyee.
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Frank
2 years ago
Liberals stomping on small business
I guess the Liberal bagmen didn't collect enough coin from this guy.
Political donations of a sizable amount would make this problem go away.
crankypants
2 years ago
Who knew
I am flabbergasted to learn that an ice cream shop has sales that top $1 million, let alone have one take such a hit and still be a viable business.
I feel sorry for what he has been put through and I'm sure we will hear many more such stories before the 5-ring circus leaves town to sink it's talons into fresh prey.
Fiat lux
2 years ago
Wealth can not be created,
Wealth can not be created, and costs can not be cut, only be transferred on others, the environment and the future.
Somebody has to pay for all "wealth creating" and "cost cutting schemes". The purpose of economic and ideological theories is to figure out how to transfer and who will bear the real costs.
When schools are closed, it is the children and the parents. When executives steal multimillion salaries it is stolen from the pockets of their employees and the public, causing distress, poverty, homelessness, pollution, sickness and worldwide terrible suffering and the yearly deaths of tens of millions.
The Canada line and now this Olympic rackets are prime examples of cost transfers on others in business losses, huge inconvenience to the public etc.
Now try to explain this simple , obvious and history old fact to our so called "economists" and politicians and all you'll get are empty stares and more hot air, trying to cover up their idiocies and
crimes against humanity.
Ed Deak.
Skywalker
2 years ago
I guess they lied
"...organizers assured him business would more than recover during the Games."
BC Boy
2 years ago
Visit his store
Amazing that people comment, and there's no action to get more people to his store.
Will go there myself. Why don't you?
Turn a negative into a positive people.