‘I’m not a politician, so I don’t have the answers … It’s gotten to the point where you can’t brush it under the carpet anymore,’ says Dunlop Street West restaurant owner
Depending on who you ask, Dunlop Street east and west of the Five Points feels like two different places, as downtown Barrie deals with widespread open drug use while city council moves towards a zero-tolerance policy.
The public will get a chance to voice their thoughts on Wednesday night during a meeting about proposed updates to clarify and expand Barrie’s zoning bylaw. These changes aim to eliminate illegal activities, such as drug use, in retail areas including downtown.
Standing just inside his store, the owner of Dunlop Convenience Centre, located next to Memorial Square on Dunlop Street East, peeks around the corner to check if anyone is close by.
A short distance away sits an older homeless man with shaggy hair on a concrete ledge in the square. He’s picking at what’s left of a flattened cereal box.
The store owner welcomes news of the new policy and mentions that he feels much safer in the area than he did before.
The shop owner believes there’s always more work to be done but says “it’s been good right now.”
Sitting in Memorial Square is Suzanne, 68, who uses a wheelchair and has lived in Barrie her whole life.
Behind her are four middle-aged individuals-two men and two women-sitting together under a small tree near the Vimy Urn Wall. This wall holds an urn containing “sacred” soil symbolizing Canadian soldiers who died in the Battle of Vimy Ridge back in 1917.
This seems to be a popular spot for some drug users as they’re often seen there.
Suzanne lives nearby on Blake Street.
Savoring some time outside under the midday sun in the square as summer approaches, she mentions that safety isn’t quite as much of an issue now compared to last year. Still, she does feel vulnerable when she’s downtown.
“I try not to come down at night because you never know who’s lurking there,” she told Barrie Today.
On another note, Steve Koussiouris, who owns Town and Country Steakhouse located on Dunlop Street West between Mary and Toronto streets, shares that he hasn’t noticed much improvement regarding safety where he is. He often thinks his part of downtown’s main street isn’t treated with enough seriousness compared to its eastern counterpart.
The ongoing open drug use right outside his restaurant has impacted his business “big time,” he told Barrie Today outside his eatery on Tuesday.
A few feet from him sits three people huddled together against a pharmacy window trying to conceal their drug use. Nearby is another man slumped over his belongings appearing unconscious.
A bit further along is Taylor, a young woman struggling with severe addiction issues and homelessness. She also drifts in and out of consciousness regularly found there most days.
Taylor, suffering from severe drug addiction, drifts in and out of unconsciousness after using drugs on Dunlop Street West in Barrie. | Kevin Lamb/Barrie Today
“We’ve had customers (who have said) they love the restaurant but we’re not coming downtown because of what is going on. They told us that point blank,” Koussiouris said.
Koussiouris appreciates that city officials are taking steps with this new zero-tolerance policy.
“I’m glad they’re trying. I’m glad they are talking,” Koussiouris said. “I’m not a politician, so I don’t have the answers … It’s gotten to the point where you can’t brush it under the carpet anymore.”
Your parents opened this restaurant 53 years ago?
Koussiouris agrees that there’s been noticeable differences between both sides of Dunlop Street over time:
“It’s been like that since I’ve been a little kid – forever and ever,” Koussiouris said.
“I don’t blame them. It’s nice down there. You have waterfront access along with Meridian Place-it looks beautiful! The west end always feels neglected though-that’s how we feel,” he added sadly.
Sushi and Tree-a small takeout place next door to Five Points Theatre-has faced its own challenges throughout its three years running.
Heesun Hur carefully prepares sushi rolls alongside her husband at their front counter while their business currently lacks customers.’Thinking about relocating crosses their minds occasionally; however Hur expresses gratitude for all those loyal customers who’ve stuck around despite everything happening nearby.
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Heesun Hur carefully prepares sushi rolls alongside her husband at their front counter while their business currently lacks customers.’
