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BYOUR CITY WE'RE ON UNIVERSITY AVENUE; YOU CANT GO WRONG’ Continued from page 3 Gladiator Burger location — the first outside the GTA—at the base ofa new api tower at Albert Street may University Ave- nue in Waterloo. The mouth-watering menu, featuring succulent smash burgers, can sell it- putation, and forahim said he plans to stay open until aay am. a weekends growing stucent wept, tion. "Most of this used to be bungalows," he recalled, referring to the residen- tial towers being devel- oped along Albert Street, much of it with commer- cial space at ground level. 'I know the area very well and the potential of 80,000 students, and this is a great spot," he said. "We're on University Ave- nue; you can't go wrong. With many students still not back in town and the slower summer season still in effect, new staff are taking time to settle in and gear up for the fall rush. Other brand-new food spots kitty-corner to Glad- iator Burger will soon in- clude Doughbox Pizza and Chick’nCone. Over in the University Shops Plaza, an Indian Sweet Master and Hakka Nation are moving into the space for- merly occupied by East SCAN OR US OUT ON O Bill Jackson/ Metroland Numerous restaurants are opening in Waterloo's university district while many others are struggling to survive. Side Mario’ 's. The new facades are reason for < optimism, de- spite a recent Restaurants Canada report that says half of its members na- tionally are on brink of failure. Though there are signs of struggles locally, too. "Lobster Burger Bar Waterloo has made the dif- fenlt decision to close its doors pe! tive. Priday, Augu: reads a letter posted inside MOVE! Don't miss out on 6 weeks of theatre fun and friends! the university plaza loca- ton pagina’ the ¢ Mongo- rill), thanking pa- tans. for their support over the past two years. Pita Factory, a longtime tenant of the pla- za, has also shuttered per- LEARN! Performing and technical arts classes for ages 8 - Adult. manently. Requests for comment from both former restau- rants weren't returned im- mediately; however, Je- ingir Zaidi, manager at Rooster's Fried Chicken and More, said it's been a struggle for him and his in COVID-19 pandemic re- strictions were one thing, but high inflation and sky- osts have af- purchasing power of everyone, includ- ing many well-to-do uni- versity students who are also subject to higher rent living increases, he said. Zaidi, an entrepreneur ral busi- ld chise Auta was ea Towated be. tween two high schools in Mississauga. "People are not willing to spend, which is a similar situa- tion over here." Zaidi noticed some es- tablishments that in- creased the price of menu e since come down to boost sales, but the rising cost of food ant staffing makes it tough to juggle margins inimum wage is set to incroaee in October, Zaidi noted, and the bottom lines of many small busi- nesses have been further stretched as emergency implemented measures during the pandemic, such 3 i) B re ME i) ae FI 8 28S 3 g 9 0 Business Account ice BA), enter ré face in 2023 rival the ‘chal. lenges we faced in 2020," e Restaurants Canada report states. “Before the pandemic, * only 7 per cent of the in- ® z jsnény en | efoluo.y: cent today, and only 5 per cent reported ‘just break- ing even' compared to 18 per cent today. Overall, 84 per cent of restaurants re- port lower + profitability to- day 19." Ac cording to the ree port, 70 per cent of Canat ans are visiting full- an vice restaurants less fre- more money into his busi- ness, opening a second spot in the university pla- za, in addition to his Bel- mont Village location. _ Raj id. family recipes made with only the freshest of ing! dients and spices, Raja ave won't compromise our quality for price," he added, noting that busi- ness has been good so far, with many customers coming from the broader col imumnunity, not just stu- STORY BEHIND THE STORY: New restaurants are preparing to open their doors in Waterloo's university district this fall. o'9]D1UOIYDOOLLE}2M