The hospitality industry has taken a hard hit during the nearly two-year-long COVID-19 pandemic, but The City of Barrie is hoping to ease that pressure for its locals and visitors alike.
It allows for anyone receiving a ticket in paid parking areas and is restricted to takeout, to buy food from local restaurants in favour of cancelling the received ticket.
The idea came from a friend of Councillor Gary Harvey, who brought the project up to city staff in the bylaw department. Although the program started in April 2021, it took off this month after gaining popularity on social media.
When asked about the expectations for the new program he said the end goal is to allow the municipality to support the restaurant sector as much as possible, as the city itself is restricted.
Councillor Gary Harvey of Ward 7 for the City of Barrie. Photo credit: Emma Sharpe
“This was just a very unique idea that my friend came up with to assist the local businesses in a positive way during those times that they’re not able to do indoor dining – which really hinders the amount of money that they’re able to make just to make ends meet,” said Harvey.
With constant on and off again closures in Ontario, some restaurants have had to make the difficult decision of letting staff go.
For local businesses, the move provides a sense of relief just as the Ford Government announced it will be allowing restaurants to reopen again at half-capacity starting Jan. 31.
Stefano Agostino, the owner of P_ZZA had opened two new locations just 10 months before the first COVID lockdown.
He said the biggest struggle local business owners have right now is the nearly deserted main strip.
Owner of P_ZZA Stefano Agostino and employees Allison and Yesha continue to stay positive as restrictions loosen. Photo credit: Stefano Agostino
“A lot of the time it’s due to people saying, it’s very difficult to find parking just to go in and out of the businesses. They’ll come out to find that they have a parking ticket on their car when they were maybe just five minutes inside a business,” said Agostino.
He believes the courtesy of not having to pay for parking at a mall should also be extended to the parking outside businesses like his.
The new program allows those visiting, as well as residents, to purchase food from a local restaurant at the same amount or greater than the issued parking ticket.
Emailing the picture of both the ticket and receipt to enforcement services will have the ticket cancelled.
This new program does not include accessibility or fire routes.
Councillor Harvey said he thinks other municipalities would benefit from a similar program.