One of Whitehorse’s most treasured culinary icons will be closing its doors – potentially for good – on Oct. 7.

Silvia and Walter Streit, the owners of the Alpine Bakery, say the drastic move comes as a result of their struggles to keep the business open as the atmosphere in the neighbourhood has declined.

“The Alpine Bakery has been a Whitehorse institution for nearly 40 years, and for 30 years in this extraordinary log house that is a bit of a landmark,” the couple wrote in an emailed to the Star today.

The statement is also posted on their website and Facebook page. 

“We bought the bakery more than eight years ago and have been running it for almost seven years. Unfortunately, in the last six years since the shelter (for the homeless) opened, the government has been unable to find a solution to the ruinous conditions for businesses as well as protect residents (we live in an apartment above the bakery) from the unhealthy living conditions around the shelter.

“Both have increasingly led to significant health complaints for my wife and me, mentioned here only: permanent sleep disturbances, no rest, exhaustion syndrome, psychological stress, increasing migraine attacks, anxiety.

“By the way, we got absolutely no compensation for the cost of repairs and daily cleaning, nor for lost revenue.”

Walter spoke to the Star this morning to further explain his perspective.

He said the problems with the emergency shelter are the biggest part of the problem the business is facing.

“Do you know how many meetings I’ve been to over the last six years about the shelter?” he asked.

“We live upstairs, so it’s a 24/7 thing for us.”

Walter said the business has been losing an increasing number of customers over the last few years.

People are more reluctant to come to the bakery for lunch, he said, or just a coffee break.

He said he’s also lost employees due to the situation.

“For the bakery to re-open, the government has to make bigger changes with the shelter,” he said.

In the letter sent to the Star, the couple goes on to say they’ve been trying to arrange a deal where some of their employees would take over the business – without any success, due to the challenges presented by the location. 

“Our recent attempts to transfer the business to some current employees of the bakery have failed. These individuals feel that the current situation involving the shelter and YG’s inactions pose too great of a risk to the future success of the business,” the couple wrote in the email. 

“Therefore, with a heavy heart, we have no choice but to temporarily close the bakery until the framework conditions are significantly changed by the government in the coming months.

“Otherwise, we feel compelled to sell everything, including building and land, to take care of our personal health and have a calmer and healthier retirement. We deeply regret that we are forced to make this decision.”

Reaction on social media was swift.

Thomas Brewer suggested “we flood Alpine with business from now until Oct 7th showing them we’re not scared of the lowlifes next door and we support and cherish independent small business.”

It’s hardly the first time that business operators in the area have expressed their concerns about the shelter.

In July 2022, city council heard from a man who works in the area.

David Jennings told council that since the Yukon government took over the former Centre of Hope shelter from the Salvation Army in January 2019, there’s been more on-site alcohol and drug consumption.

People do not feel safe around the shelter, said Jennings.

He said he works in the area and was assaulted 2 1/2 months ago, adding he’s had clients ask him to walk them to their vehicles.

A greater RCMP presence, officers on foot patrol using a soft hand approach, would help, he said.

The goings-on at the shelter cause visitors and tourists to stay away from the neighbourhood, he said.

Jennings said a greater effort by authorities to have a meaningful presence in the area would not only be a benefit to the clientele who use the shelter, but to the neighbourhood and surrounding businesses.

Several of those businesses have suffered vandalism and harassment of their customers since the shelter opened.

Premier Ranj Pillai sent a message to the Streits early this afternoon.

“I’m so sorry to hear about this latest challenge that you and your business are facing. The temporary closure of Alpine Bakery will be a tremendous loss to your customers, and to the community that has relied on your business for bread, pastries, and coffee for the past several years,” the premier wrote.

“I had hoped that the work we have done together, alongside other members of the business community, the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce, the RCMP, and other community partners, including CYFN (Council of Yukon First Nations) and Connective (who have operated 405 Alexander since October 2022) would have made life in downtown a bit less hectic, but I understand from your email and from our previous communications that this is not your lived experience. For that, I wish to offer my sincerest apologies.”

The government “recognizes and takes seriously the ongoing needs and concerns that residents, business owners, and 405 Alexander users and staff are facing,” the premier added.

“Fundamentally, I believe that Whitehorse can be a place for people from all walks of life. While our individual struggles may be unique, I believe that as a community we can overcome the legacies of colonialism, social injustice, and poverty that are all too prevalent here and across Canada.”

The environment around the shelter “is a complex one,” Pillai wrote.

“Many members of the Whitehorse community rely on the shelter and its services. Members of the government of the day have acknowledged that the placement of the shelter was not ideal.”

A Yukon Party government chose the location for the shelter.

“We have received two independent reports that offer recommendations on how to improve 405 Alexander’s safety and effectiveness, and are working collaboratively with CYFN and Connective to implement their recommendations,” Pillai wrote.

The premier has proposed a meeting with the couple for Friday afternoon “to discuss these latest challenges with you and how the Government of Yukon can support you and your business during this difficult time.”