Banff seniors treated to delivery of high-end meals as shuttered restaurant gives back to community - Action News
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Banff seniors treated to delivery of high-end meals as shuttered restaurant gives back to community

With Banff shut down to outsiders, its tourism and visitor economyhas been "decimated" according to local MLA Miranda Rosin who says the mountain town is experiencing up to an 85 per cent unemployment rate as businesses react to ordered closures and self-isolation directives.

About 5,000 people have lost jobs in mountain town

a picture of a snowy road with a mountain in the background
Normally bustling Banff Avenue is quiet on a Friday afternoon in April. The mountain town reliant on tourism and visitors has seen disproportionate layoffs and business closures. (Dale Einarson/Banff & Lake Louise Tourism)

With zero tourism or visitors, Banff's economy has been "decimated" by a nearly complete shutdown of its businesses. But even after laying off nearly 90 per cent of its staff, one restaurant is giving back, providing high-end comfort food to those in need.

The mountain town is experiencing up to an 85 per cent unemployment rate as businesses and people react to ordered closures and self-isolation directives, according to MLA Miranda Rosin.

"That entire economy has really crumbled in the last couple weeks," said the provincial representative for Banff-Kananaskis. "To not have any tourism or any visitors has completely decimatedevery business in town."

But in the close-knit community, even hard-hit businesses are trying to helpneighbours.

The Grizzly House, an iconic lodge-style building on Banff Avenue, had to lay off 56 employees many of them long-term staff keeping just eight as the restaurant closed its doors.

The Grizzly House in Banff had to lay off 56 employees when it closed its doors on March 17. The iconic fondue restaurant on the town's main drag is now delivering 50 meals every two days to vulnerable people in the community like seniors. (Francis Hopkins )

The restaurant has been serving its famous fondue for more than 50 years, and onMarch 17, general manager Francis Hopkins had to close the doors and say goodbye to staff.

"People raised families while working here," said Hopkins.

Determined to make the best of a bad situation, the GM and ownerwent to the town to see how the GrizzlyHouse and its fully functional but idle kitchencould help.

The Town of Banff provided Hopkins alist of 50 people, many of them seniors, who would benefit from a comfort food meal delivered every other day.

Sunday night's supper included roasted pork with stuffing and apple sauce, mashed potatoes and glazed carrots.

Hopkins says they are feeling the love.

"It's amazing for us, we feel almostselfish for howuplifting and positive it is," says Hopkins.

Staff at the Grizzly House in Banff pack comfort food meals (two metres apart) to deliver to locals, many of them seniors. (Francis Hopkins)

Restaurants, ski hill,hotels and other businesses in Banff have laid off about 5,000 people, according toLeslie Bruce president and CEO of Banff Lake Louise Tourism.

The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, one of the town's largest employers,laid off 75 per cent of its staff 400 employees.

"This has had an unbelievable, unimaginable impact on people," saysBruce.

With the community facing an economic shutdownpeople like Bruce are turning their minds to what a rebuild will look like.

Bruce says travel is a force for goodconnecting people and she feels strongly, it will come back. But the new culture around connection and physical contact could have long term effects on places like Banff.

"How do we rebuild trust, how do we feel safe to travel, how do we feel safe to share a meal or a cup of coffee again?" says Bruce.

"It's not just going to be flipping a switch or turning the tap back on, we're going to have to figure out what's the best way to do this."

Local legend helicopter pilot Jim Davies receives a meal from the Grizzly House team. On the menu that day was wild game sausage, pasta, bean salad, a fresh bun and apple crumble. (Francis Hopkins)

'Elk poop on every sidewalk'

Banff typically attracts about four million tourists a year.

Right now, without visitors anda population of less than 10,000 and ordersto stay home, the community, according to Rosin is "completely desolate."

"It looks like a ghost town."

But there is an increase in some foot or hoof traffic.

The townsfolk say deer, elk and other wildlife are taking over Banff's main streets.

"There's elk poop on every sidewalk," says Hopkins.

Hopkins says he fully intends to re-open the Grizzly House and hire back his staff.

"It's not the right time for the people of Alberta to come here rightnow but we look forwardto welcoming them back;we can't wait for them to come back when the time is right."