The ripple effects from the pending closure of the Alpine Bakery continued to spread this morning as both the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce and City of Whitehorse officials weighed in.

In a statement emailed to the Star, the chamber stated “it was deeply saddened to learn of Alpine Bakery’s temporary  closure announcement yesterday. They are a leader within our business community.

“This unfortunate shutdown could have been prevented,” the chamber said.

“While we recognize the value of research and reporting in  understanding the complexities surrounding 405 Alexander (the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter), we maintain our unwavering conviction  that swift intervention is needed.” 

The chamber wrote in the statement that that “in the reports to the Yukon government from House of Wolf & Associates and Vink Consulting,  recommendations were provided surrounding the issues of safety and security in the area.

“These  recommendations need to be elevated and actioned to address long-standing safety concerns.

“As  evidenced by this recent closure, this action can’t wait any longer. We have heard from other member  businesses in a very similar position.

“Discussions and advocacy have been done and government  intervention with resources and funding is required to move the safety action items forward,” the chamber said.

“This is not only for our business community but for the safety of clients, staff, and the public.”

The bakery has been a downtown institution for almost 40 years.

City officials, meanwhile, said the city “is aware of the announcement by Alpine Bakery and that it will be temporarily closing its doors.

“We are hopeful this announcement truly is temporary, as even a temporary closure is a loss to the customers and patrons of a longstanding business community staple.”

Another business owner also commented on the issue.

“We (the business owners in the vicinity of 405 Alexander Street) are certainly not opposed to support for those in our city who are vulnerable,” the business owner said.

“We have heard a series of promises from bureaucrats and politicians, all of which have added up to absolutely no action in this regard. In fact, we have been continuously gaslit.

“We deal with everything from sexual and verbal harassment to criminal behaviour. We all pick up needles, garbage, clothing and human feces on a regular basis,” the business owner added.

“Our property is damaged. Our employees feel unsafe. And residents have no peace in their own homes.

“While I understand and support the intent of this shelter,  continued inaction by significant players such as YG has damaged businesses and made the lives of residents very difficult.”

Representatives of Connective (formerly the John Howard Society), which took over managing the shelter from the Yukon government in October 2022, have not been available to comment on Alpine’s closure, which will happen Oct. 7 and which could be permanent.

A Yukon Party government chose the location for the shelter, which replaced a smaller facility across Fourth Avenue formerly managed by the Salvation Society.

The NDP said Wednesday the Yukon Liberals’ “inaction at the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter has alienated neighbourhood businesses and residents while hurting shelter users.

“Concerns related to the shelter have prompted Alpine Bakery, a mainstay in the community for decades, to temporarily close in October.

“The Yukon Liberals need to take action,” said Whitehorse Centre MLA Lane Tredger.

“Another government-commissioned report came out this year identifying concrete solutions offered by local businesses, residents and shelter users.

“Unfortunately, we’ve heard or seen no change on the ground. The Liberal government has concrete solutions at its fingertips,” Tredger added.

“I want to see a safety officer program put in place. I want the Liberals to act on the recommendations made by residents and local businesses – now.”

Premier Ranj Pillai plans to meet with bakery owners Walter and Sylvia Streit on Friday afternoon.