Some downtown Ottawa business owners say they’re relieved they’ll be able to reopen this week after being forced to shutter their doors during a weeks-long protest that was rife with traffic disruptions, inaccessible streets and, most recently, police checkpoints.
“We’re feeling really excited, big sighs of relief here,” said Sarah Chown, managing partner of the Metropolitan Brasserie, located at the corner of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive, an intersection where convoy participants blocked the roads for much of the past three weeks.
Chown said the restaurant stayed open for takeout throughout most of the pandemic but had to close during the first two weeks of the protest because
