Flood recovery in Mission boosted as major restaurant reopens

One of the biggest restaurants in Calgarys Mission district is finally back in business six months after it was swamped in the June flood.

Wurst opened its doors at Fourth Street and 25th Avenue S.W. on Wednesday after extensive renovations.

The German restaurants downstairs beer hall was inundated with almost four metres of water.

So all of these beautiful tables, that we were able to salvage ... pretty much the only thing we were able to salvage in this whole entire basement, were floating, said manager Chris Rosamond.

Rosamond said it's great to be back, but he and the owners are also thinking about what they need to do to avoid damage in the next flood.

We're talking to our insurance. We're talking with our landlords and we're talking with different consultants on figuring out what we need to do so this doesn't happen, because if it happens again, I will be devastated, he said.

Earls and the Joyce on 4th were also badly damaged in the flood. They are both set to reopen early next year.

On the other side of the street, gift shop Krickets reopened in September, but owner Dan Faassen said its important for all the businesses to get back up and running.

Our business is kind of small say compared to Earl's. Once they see those big ones opening then they just know everything must be getting back to normal.

Mhairi ODonnell has been working hard to get her business, Mission Diner, ready to reopen. But finding tradespeople for a relatively small job was challenging, she said.

But she cant afford to stay closed any longer.

If we dont open Friday, and make enough money to pay rent for next month, I will lose this place, she said.

ODonnell said the mood among business operators on Fourth Street is upbeat these days.

The flow has come back to the street. A lot of people werent coming to flood-affected areas. Its getting better.

Hayley Miller said shes starting to shop in Mission again. Honestly I avoided the area until I knew things were starting up again.