Tariff war has Canadian restaurants with American names caught in the middle

Restaurants and bars in Vancouver with American names, like Portland Craft on Main Street, are taking a tariff war hit.

The Canadian owners of Portland Craft on Vancouver’s Main Street have seen a 20 per cent drop in business since the tariff war started with the United States.

They figure potential customers assume the pub and eatery named after a U.S. city, is owned by Americans.

“We’re concerned about the people that don’t know, and they don’t know that this is Canadian, and that we actually support what’s going on,” said co-owner Andrew Harris.

Portland Craft opened in 2012 to showcase imported craft beer from areas like Oregon, and in recent weeks has been switching its taps to local brew.

“They’ve come in and asked if we’re still carrying American beer on tap,” said co-owner Gillian Nixon, adding how their staff in particular have been dealing with skeptical customers who want to buy local.

Some employees have suggested that the owners re-name the business.

“I’ll be dead honest, I’m pretty anti-what’s going on, and we would definitely consider it, and change up the concept a little bit,” admitted Harris.

He said he’s certainly not the only restaurant struggling with a U.S. identity.

The Canadian owner of Memphis Blues Barbecue on Commercial, who has been switching-out bourbon for local whiskey and rye, hopes the public remembers that this dispute is not with the American people.

“I don’t hate Americans. I don’t hate America. We hate one guy, and his administration,” said owner George Siu.

Big chains like Boston Pizza and Montana’s have also been reminding customers, that despite their names, they are Canadian companies.