Retail space leaving on Pelissier Street

By Nate Hinckley

Pelissier Street has seen many retailers set up shops under the parking garage since it was built 1979.

Some store owners have been successful with their businesses while others have moved away.

On Nov. 28, 2016, Windsor’s city council revisited the issue of the Pelissier parking garage and the retail space under it. Councillors voted 7 – 4 in favour of changing the retail space into parking space. Retailers under the parking garage were given six months notice to vacate their locations.

The city has owned the garage since 2003. The proposed overhaul will cost the city $1.8 million.

But just how important is retail space on Pelissier Street?

Debi Croucher, executive director of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association, feels there is hope for the street.

“There’s a lot of life that’s come back onto Pelissier Street,” said Croucher. “There’s a tremendous amount of opportunity.”

Retailers located under the parking garage that are looking for a new location include the the Windsor Pride Community Education and Resource Centre, and Youssef Hair Boutique.

Neelam Sharma is the owner of Little India, a store selling clothing and jewelry. It has been at its Pelissier Street location for two years. She says business is good but thinks

maybe putting in a grocery store would help bring more people into the downtown area.

“Maybe it’s a grocery store, maybe it’s a passport office. We need something to bring

the members of the public to the street,” said Sharma. I’m in favour of more parking to

get more accessibility to the street.”

Hello Beautiful Custom Fashion and Bridal Boutique’s owner Harmony Peach said she thinks there is no need for more parking on the street to convert the retail spaces.

“We do not need any more parking downtown. It’s ridiculous,” said Peach

The parking garage currently has 349 parking spaces and will have 50 new spaces added.

The quest now is for the displaced retailers to find a new location.