At least six downtown Edmonton restaurants have closed since June, with owners citing years of construction projects, poor planning, and declining foot traffic as key factors.

Maheik Bhasin, former operations manager of Khazana, described the closure as a result of blocked vehicle access and confusing pedestrian detours caused by nearby developments like O-day’min Park and the Valley Line LRT.Other closures include Greta bar, kb&co, Kommune, Bündok, and PlayWright.

Owners emphasize that cumulative challenges—such as rising costs, limited parking, and safety concerns—have made operating downtown increasingly difficult.

The Downtown Revitalization Coalition warns that inadequate construction planning has exacerbated the crisis, with businesses struggling to adapt to prolonged disruptions.City officials acknowledge investments in downtown development but stress that each business faces unique circumstances.Bhasin urges policymakers to reconsider project planning to prevent further closures, highlighting a broader economic crisis affecting the area.