Out of all the Burnaby business survival stories I’ve been following during the COVID-19 pandemic, the one I am perhaps pulling for the most involves Crystal Mall.
The city’s biggest Asian business centre has faced all of the same challenges as other businesses during the pandemic, plus one big one.
Way back in February – feels like a century ago – Crystal Mall was the subject of a “despicable” rumour, to quote one of the mall’s food court vendors, about the virus going around the mall. It wasn’t true, but that didn’t stop irresponsible people from spreading it all over social media.
Things got so bad that members of Burnaby council and B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix made a “goodwill” visit in February to counter the rumour.
“Ever since the outbreak of the coronavirus, there had been rumours that a person with a confirmed condition had visited Crystal Mall,” said a news release at the time. “Though such rumours had been cleared by the B.C. health minister and the B.C. top health officer … mall merchants are still suffering a great loss of business as a result of the unscrupulous widespread of coronavirus-related rumours.”
The rumour basically killed Lunar New Year celebrations at Crystal Mall, a huge money-maker for these businesses. Imagine cancelling the Christmas shopping season.
In response, a Crystal Mall food court vendor contacted me to unleash her fury about those who have spread these false rumours. I’m keeping her name private for fear of reprisals.
“I don't think the rumours that started all of this mess can rewind itself, but we do have high hopes that by next month all will be better,” wrote the vendor. “I don't wish scorn on anyone who dared to produce strong rumours, but at the same time, it is a despicable act.”
But that was then and this is now. Flash-forward to last weekend, when I dropped by Crystal Mall’s food court for my regular shopping trip.
It was busy. Like, really busy in the mall. Not as busy as if the pandemic didn’t exist, but busier than I’ve seen the place since the start of 2020.
There were long – and socially distanced – lineups at most of the restaurants in the food court. Nearly all of the restaurants have reopened, although a couple appear to have been shuttered forever.
Business was brisk and most of the staff I spoke with said things are better than they have been in months.
One reason is the support from the community, which has rallied around the businesses. Apart from the “goodwill” visit referenced above, local MLA Anne Kang has been raising awareness about the businesses. She recently visited with federal NDP Leader and Burnaby South MP Jagmeet Singh, speaking to individual business owners about their struggles and spreading the good word.
It’s this kind of publicity that helps show people that Crystal Mall is open for business and is a safe place to shop and eat.
A big reason why I feel so safe there is because not only do they socially distance, follow floor stickers and sanitize their hands, but nearly everyone who works and shops and eats there wears a mask. I think I saw two people out of hundreds and hundreds not wearing a mask.
Go to most other businesses in Burnaby and I doubt you’ll see that high of a percentage. You certainly won’t find any customers whining about how their personal freedoms are being destroyed by a piece of cloth.
So, I sat down and had some noodles and bubble tea before heading home with a pile of Hainanese chicken rice and those yummy chilled duck wings that help sustain me through working from home.
If you’re looking for a safe place to shop and eat, maybe check it out.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
