Lunar New Year has arrived, but not the financial bump that Asian restaurants in Burnaby have normally seen pre-pandemic.
For the third year in a row, the pandemic has gouged a hole in the industry’s takings – the Asian restaurant industry was the first to suffer from COVID-19, even before it was officially declared a pandemic.
The NOW spoke with management at several Asian restaurants in Burnaby and they shared their frustrations with restrictions that have meant a steep drop in bookings or others getting cancelled due to limits on the number of diners in one group.
“We’re down at least 50% from before the pandemic,” one owner told the NOW. “It’s too bad because things had been picking up in the fall before Omicron blew everything up. I don’t really understand the restrictions because other areas are allowed more people. Things just feel inconsistent in how they are applied. We’ve been struggling for years now and we were hoping to see a big splash at what is traditionally a busy time of year.”
Many local Chinese companies prefer to host annual parties at some big eateries, but all big parties have been cancelled due to the new restrictions.
Some local restaurants have fared so bad they have closed forever - the most recent being Pearl House Taiwanese restaurant in Edmonds.
William Tse, association director of the BC Asian Restaurant Café Owners Association, said the Burnaby restaurant struggles are not isolated.
“I recently have visited many local Asian restaurants and most of them have seen a notable revenue loss over the Lunar New Year,” said Tse.
“Some restaurants are insanely quiet that I can even have a whole table to myself. However, I had to make a reservation at least a month in advance to secure a table pre-pandemic. It’s unbelievable to see the contrast.”
Tse encouraged more people to try to do take-outs at their local eateries.
“The worst times also bring out the best in people. It’s time for us to support each other, especially our local business owners.”
Canadian restaurants were actually experiencing a post-pandemic renaissance before Omicron. OpenTable data showed the number of diners seated were close to and on occasions exceeding pre-pandemic levels in late summer and fall 2021. Labour Day weekend saw seated diners from online, phone and walk-in reservations spike at almost 20% higher than the same period in 2019.
A survey of OpenTable restaurants in November 2021 indicated 70% of restaurant owners and managers were approaching 2022 with optimism, reporting increased demand for reservations and increases in diner spending.
“OpenTable data shows Canadian restaurants saw a decline in seated diner numbers in January,” said Matt Davis, Canada country director with OpenTable. “We also know from the fall, that Canadians are eager to dine out when they feel confident.”
- With additional reporting by Nono Shen, Richmond News
