Chef Steve Brochu has permanently closed PlayWright, his restaurant inside Edmonton's Citadel Theatre, citing relentless construction on 99 Street, building deficiencies, and mounting financial pressures. He stated unequivocally that if he could go back in time, he would never have opened the business.
Construction blamed for disrupting business
Brochu pointed to six months of jackhammering, boarded-up windows, and blocked access as a primary cause. 'Yes, absolutely,' he said when asked if the road work affected his fortunes. 'No, we did not know the city was going to be doing that, and it was six months of jackhammering and boarded-up windows and a massive disruption to our business, with very little financial support from either the city or from the Citadel.'
The construction prevented Brochu from opening a planned patio, which he had hoped would boost revenue during warmer months. He had arranged with the Citadel to catch up on late rent payments, and was current by May 2026, but cash-flow issues returned in June, leading to a lockout.
Rising costs and building problems
Beyond construction, Brochu cited soaring food and supply costs. The building itself posed challenges: he reported toilet water dripping into the dining area and other deficiencies. 'We can’t win with the city, we can’t win with the building, either,' he said.
PlayWright opened in June 2024, part of a three-venture expansion that included MilkCrate in Epcor Tower and GhostLight coffee kiosk. Two years later, all three are closed. MilkCrate shut in November 2025 due to the financial drain from PlayWright, and GhostLight is winding down.
Landlord changes and lease issues
When PlayWright opened, the Citadel Theatre was its landlord. In September 2024, the Citadel's lease expired and a new agreement transferred operations and maintenance to the city. Under that deal, the Citadel pays utilities and tenant improvements, plus a $100,000 annual contribution, with rent set at $1 per month for 10 years.
Brochu said the building needed significant repairs, and that neither the city nor the Citadel disclosed the planned road construction when he negotiated the lease. 'The frustrating thing is the Citadel and the city knew, as I was negotiating the lease with them, and they didn’t disclose it,' he said. 'I know it is public information. I didn’t think to look at road construction, because who would? Yes, the street now looks good. I’m standing on it right now. I’m sure, in 30 years Edmonton will look fantastic, but it just wasn’t the right place or time for us, and we did our best.'
Broader impact on downtown Edmonton
PlayWright's closure adds to a pattern of downtown restaurants struggling amid ongoing construction. Earlier in 2026, Downtown Khazana Restaurant closed, with a city councillor lamenting 'years of ongoing construction.' A liquor store owner reported $200,000 in lost business due to similar road work. Brochu's experience underscores the challenges small businesses face when infrastructure projects disrupt customer access without adequate compensation.
