The 3 Brewers is a welcome addition to the Centretown restaurant scene.
The emergence of a growing restaurant marketplace in Centretown has observers noticing an increase in growth in other sectors of the area’s business landscape as well.
The opening of establishments such as Burgers on Main and 327 Wine Bar, both on Somerset Street West and the arrival of the much-anticipated The 3 Brewers on the corner of Bank and Sparks streets, has secured Centretown’s position as the premier destination for Ottawa foodies.
This has many people hoping these new establishments can bring a financial boom to other businesses as well.
Gerry LePage, executive director of the Bank Street BIA, says this is a trend he is very happy to see.
“We’ve been noticing this more and more,” LePage says. “New restaurants in the area and excitement over the ones to come – the opening of Fauna, across from the Whalesbone on Bank Street comes to mind – have really increased people’s attraction to the area. Increased competition ultimately leads to consumer benefit and people want to go where they’ll benefit the most. Right now, that’s Centretown and that means better results for all businesses, not just the restaurants and bars.”
Somerset Coun. Diane Holmes says she has noticed the same emerging trend. She points to The 3 Brewers, a microbrewery-restaurant where the brewers work within sight of diners, as one establishment that is playing a pivotal role.
“That street corner used to be a quiet block,” she says. “Now look at it. The area north of Gloucester Street can do with a lot more traffic, especially at night. We’re seeing these restaurants attract that traffic so I think it will definitely help other businesses in the area.”
LePage relates the emergence of this trend with a surge in Centretown’s development. He says that not only has there been a number of new and soon-to-open restaurants, but the new condominiums going up also serve as kindling for the fire of Centretown business.
“All the new development has been a response to favourable market conditions,” he says.
“Many of the condo dwellers will be double income families with no children, a perfect demographic for the restaurant business.”
Holmes agrees, saying that hundreds of more residents can only add to the surge she is already witnessing.
“I spoke to many businesses over the holidays and they had a very good Christmas financially,” she says.
“I think in time, as the current trend continues, we’ll see a lot of increased interest and success in Centretown.”
Even though the new development projects will introduce a new market to the area, perhaps the biggest asset to Centretown’s businesses will be the restaurant industry’s ability to attract non-residents.
As he sips a brewed-on-site pint at the glass-encased 3 Brewers, Nic Minty, a Gloucester resident, says he could see how the trend was growing.
“I live in Gloucester, so I don’t come downtown too often,” he says.
“But I lived in Montreal for a few years and The 3 Brewers is really popular there, so when I heard one opened up here in Ottawa I was pretty excited.
"It’s my second time here already. The first time I came I brought my girlfriend and we ended up doing some shopping in the area afterwards. I wouldn’t have even been downtown if it wasn’t to come to the restaurant.”