By Kelly Bullock
Restaurant managers expecting an increase in business during the Queen’s visit to Ottawa were disappointed by the meagre customer turnout.
“It wasn’t that busy. I was kind of disappointed. Normally when there’s people up on the Hill we get a lot more activity,” said Karen McDeramad, general manager of Yesterday’s Restaurant on Sparks Street.
Many downtown restaurants had extra staff working to prepare for a large lunch crowd the day the Queen attended ceremonies at Parliament Hill and the War Memorial.
Jeff O’Reilly, general manager of Darcy McGee’s Irish Pub on Sparks Street, said he was also prepared for a spike in business.
“We brought in extra staff as we have in the past with Remembrance Day ceremonies. Usually when there’s a ceremony at the War Memorial we get in more people,” he said.
O’Reilly blames the miserable weather for the smaller than expected turnout. “The weather obviously hampered people coming out. With TV you can watch the Queen a few feet away without getting wet,” he said.
While many people may have watched the ceremonies on television, about 4,000 people braved the gusty wind and pouring rain to get a glimpse of the Queen in person.
Despite the bad weather, drenched spectators attended both the multi-faith Thanksgiving ceremony held on Parliament Hill, and the tribute to the Unknown Soldier at the War Memorial.
Robert Fairfield, general manager of the Mexicali Rosa’s on Rideau Street, said the three-day weekend might have been the culprit behind the smaller turnout.
“Maybe more people would have showed up if it were a weekend in the summer,” he said.
Michael Gibson, general manager of Blue Cactus Bar and Grill in the Byward Market, offered another explanation for the small crowd.
“I’m not a fan of the Queen myself. I don’t think very many people are,” he said.
“Her visit had no bearing on us whatsoever. People didn’t talk about her or ask about her. You wouldn’t even have known she was here.”
Though customer turnout wasn’t the greatest, some restaurants did get more business than usual. The Rideau Centre’s Elephant and Castle Restaurant was a little busier because of the Queen’s visit.
“For us being a British pub helped,” said Steve Watson, assistant manager. “We got a few Royal watchers. We’d always want more but we did get some extra business.”
O’Reilly said Darcy McGee’s had a little more business as well but he still wished the weather had been better.
The Queen spent two full days in Ottawa over the Thanksgiving weekend.
She wrapped up her 12-day tour in Ottawa after spending another full day attending a banquet and tree planting ceremony at Rideau Hall.