Exasperated by crime, Steve’s Music store leaves Rideau Street

The opioid crisis and rising crime in Ottawa are forcing the iconic Steve’s Music store to abandon its premises at 308 Rideau Street, where it had been located for 42 years.

For the store manager Steve’s MusicDaniel Sauvé, activities on Rideau Street are no longer viable.

It is not the [consommateurs] which are the problem. That’s what it attracts around… It attracts a criminal element. It was a bit like the last straw that broke the camel’s back.he explains.

Whether it’s drug dealers, whether it’s criminals who came to steal equipment, at a given moment, these are not businesses that we had before in the neighborhood.

The manager of the emblematic institution admits to having himself witnessed a scene of violence.

It wasn’t even hidden, it was criminals who came in, took a guitar from the hook, [ils] didn’t even try to hide the fact that he was stealingexplains Mr. Sauvé.

As a security measure, the store manager decided to lock the store door even during opening hours.

We sell dreams here, we sell music. So having to deal with that, it’s just not pleasant at all. It’s stressful for everyone, it makes for some really bad days.

Rideau Street: the scene of a transformation intense?

For her part, the general director of the Regroupement des gens d’affaires de la capital nationale (RGA), Pascale de Montigny Gauthier, indicates respect the decision to move from the store.

According to her, the work on Rideau Street, the convoy of truckers in winter 2022, as well as the increase in crime could explain the exodus of certain merchants from downtown Ottawa.

Homelessness is a social problem, the opioid crisis and the current difficult economy require the concerted effort of several stakeholders. Not just the City.

For his part, the mayor of Ottawa, Mark Sutcliffenoted share the concerns of downtown Ottawa merchants.

We work together to find solutions, we work with community serviceshe adds.

The owners of Steve’s Music prefer to keep the precise location where the business will move a mystery. However, they assure that the premises will be located in an easily accessible location in Ottawa.

This is the store I’m coming from, the others are too far… But I hope they won’t be too far from downtown Ottawaconfides Paul Poirier, a customer of the store Steve’s Music.

With information from Rose Nantel and Félix Pilon