By Matt Fetinko

Nightlife establishments may need daytime income to remain viable in Prince George

Oct 16, 2020 | 4:12 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Another hit to nightlife in Prince George as Alibi’s Show-lounge has announced it is closing. The announcement comes following stricter restrictions on that type of establishments in an effort to reduce COVID-19 transmission. However, it could be an eye-opening closure as to what establishments need to do in order to remain viable during and post-COVID as well.

“One of the biggest trends you see with places having the hardest time is the ones who don’t have much of a food service program. That really allows you to operate throughout the daytime as well in order to make money and have the place viable through most of the day as possible,” Eoin Foley, President of Downtown Prince George, said. “Downtown is still the place for nightlife, it just looks a little different than five or ten years ago when bigger places were the places to go to late at night. Now you’re seeing places that need that food service operation to be able to stay viable through the other portions of the day.”

Alibi’s is the third club establishment in Prince George’s downtown to fall on hard times over the last year; following in the footsteps of Sonar, which underwent changes to their business model before shutting down as a club, and Lambda Cabaret, which is in the process of selling. Despite this trend, Zorawar Saini is still expecting the reopen the Generator sooner than later. He said they have advantages like greater floor space, a mezzanine, and close conversations with the Province prior to its reopening, which should result in a successful relaunch of the once-popular spot.

“We are considering all reasons why some of these places are having to shut down and definitely we have solutions. My belief is we cannot stop living and entertainment is a part of our life,” explained the new Generator owner.

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Foley believes it’s a waiting game for many nightlife establishments to see how we will bounce back post-COVID. Aside from the pandemic other factors that could impact success include insurance rates and other costs of business.