A damaged store front window along Robson Street in Vancouver June 23, 2011.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail
Small businesses that are struggling to cover insurance premiums or other repair costs resulting from riot damages can now apply for up to $7000 from a relief fund co-ordinated by the Vancouver Economic Development Commission.
Contributors to the fund, called the Vancouver Restoration Fund, aim to raise $150,000 to help about 55 downtown Vancouver businesses that suffered damages to windows, doors, furniture, fixtures and equipment during the Stanley Cup riot on June 15.
Both Vancity and Telus have contributed $50,000 each, while sports merchandise store The Fan Zoo is hoping to raise the same amount from selling #DEARVANCOUVER: I LOVE YOU T-shirts. To The Point Tattoo will be donating a percentage of its revenues to the fund.
"Vancouverites were in need of a way to come together and show their pride and appreciation for their city," said Bobby Atwal, president of The Fan Zoo in a statement. "This is about supporting the businesses that serve all of us in the downtown core and in many cases they missed watching playoff games themselves while they served us."
Businesses can go to vancouvereconomic.com for details about applications and donations.