Closed since Nov. 24, the City of Nanaimo stated it is not entertaining the possibility of purchasing the now-closed 7-Eleven on Terminal Ave. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

closed

‘It has definitely had an impact:’ ongoing challenges sees businesses flee Nanaimo neighbourhood

Dec 1, 2022 | 5:10 AM

NANAIMO — Following several key business closures in Nanaimo’s Newcastle neighbourhood, relief doesn’t appear to be in sight to fill vacant store fronts left behind.

On Thursday, Nov. 24 the longstanding 7-Eleven convenience store shut down permanently on Terminal Ave at Townsite Rd. leaving behind a blank, boarded up building and a disposal bin sitting near the front door.

Karen Kuwica of the Newcastle Community Association said the business’s departure left a mark.

“It feels like a loss when amenities and services that you frequent for convenience and walkability (vacate), especially for seniors or low-income that are living in the neighbourhood.”

The property, owned by Calgary based Imperial Oil, informed NanaimoNewsNOW it is currently doing environmental assessments to inform next steps for the site’s future.

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Repeated requests to 7-Eleven’s media department for comment were not returned.

Kuwica conceded local impacts related to the unhoused congregating in the area and social disorder has altered the local business climate.

“It has definitely had an impact on the businesses and their ability to stay open and provide services for the rest of the community. There are ongoing problems at the 7-Eleven and previously the Husky.”

The exodus of 7-Eleven a few blocks north of Nanaimo’s downtown followed a pair of other notable business closures in recent years.

An October 2020 human caused fire at the Husky gas station just north of the Pearson St. bridge led to its eventual demolition early this year.

The business also contained a convenience store and previously housed an attached restaurant.

White Spot’s Terminal Ave. location shut down in the summer of 2021 when the restaurant chain elected not to renew its lease after occupying the space for decades.

The owner/operator of Midland Tools, located across the street from now-closed 7-Eleven, is retiring at the end of the year, while tarps will be sold from the store in the new year.

Concerns around crime, social disorder and not feeling safe elevated to the forefront for people in the Newcastle area in recent years.

A vast majority of local residents in one of six community safety audits last year weren’t satisfied with their level of personal safety and believed crime had become more common in the Newcastle area in recent years.

Nanaimo RCMP crime statistics in the Newcastle neighbourhood between 2016 and 2020 revealed sharp increases in most areas of reported crimes and incidents of concern, including shoplifting, disturbances and suspicious occurences.

Nearly 80 temporary supportive housing units located at 250 Terminal Ave. have been in place since late 2018 after a large tent city encampment just south of Port Place shopping centre was dismantled.

The existing temporary housing is intended to be replaced on the B.C. Housing owned site by a 50 unit permanent supportive housing facility at a yet to be determined date.

Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce CEO Kim Smythe hopes stability comes to the Newcastle area to provide a more business-friendly environment.

“It’s a private sector issue, so it all comes down to dollars and cents in the end — what makes sense for my business? Am I going to be able to make a go of that, or am I going to be facing some of the same challenges the previous folks had?” Smythe said.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes