VANCOUVER Moose’s Down Under has been saved from closure, at least for this month, thanks to the generosity of people online. The Aussie-themed restaurant in downtown Vancouver has become a home away from home for Australian expats for 25 years, but the pandemic has hit the business hard. Owner, Corina Aquino says the restaurant’s sales are down to about $300 a day, which is about 25 per cent of what business was pre-pandemic. “Luckily I’ve got a good landlord that’s told me not to panic about the rent but eventually I’ll have to pay him back,” Aquino told CTV News. “If this goes on for much longer I don’t even know if I can afford to pay him back.”
Moose’s Down Under has been around since 1995, and thanks to a GoFundMe launched by a longtime customer, it will still be around for some time longer.
Owner Corina Aquino told Dished Vancouver that she was “humbled and so touched with the outpouring of love and support” the business has received, reaching its $20,000 goal to stay afloat during these tough times thanks to the fundraiser.
“I now have enough money to pay the majority of this month’s bills. With the government possibly closing indoor dining until after the May long weekend, I hope to be able to carry on with takeout and deliveries,” says Aquino.