Toronto’s Astoria Kebab House, a beloved Greek eatery serving the city since the 1970s, has become a symbol of resilience as Canada’s small businesses fight to survive strict COVID-19 restrictions. With dine-in services banned under Toronto’s latest lockdown, general manager Angelo Koutis reveals revenue has plunged 70-80% – forcing staff layoffs despite government subsidies.
\"We’re burning through savings just to keep the ovens on,\" Koutis told MyGlobalNews, highlighting the precarious balance between operational costs and dwindling takeout orders. While municipal support covers some utilities and property taxes, many owners say it’s insufficient against mounting debts.
The struggle reflects broader trends: Over 60% of Canadian small businesses report pandemic-induced revenue declines exceeding 30%, according to recent CFIB data. Foodservice and retail sectors – employing 2.4 million nationally – remain most vulnerable as restrictions persist.
As Astoria experiments with family meal kits and virtual cooking classes, Koutis remains cautiously hopeful: \"We’ve survived recessions before, but this… this tests everything.\"
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
