Questions and concern.
If business owners and merchants straddling the heart of G-8 city don't have one, they'll have the other, and now more than ever following the violent melees in Halifax Saturday.
"That definitely causes concern when it's so close and with such similar issues," said Richard White, executive director of the Downtown Calgary Association.
White and scores of city core merchants are expecting to meet with representatives of the G-8 summit claims department for a Q&A volley regarding their bottom lines this week.
Some owners fear Calgary's noose-tight security plan may adversely affect their business, while others share concerns that peaceful protests may turn awry -- and very costly.
"People have questions still, and as it gets closer, when you see things like Halifax, people have concerns," White said.
At least 31 activists were arrested, and one was injured, when a downtown Halifax protest capping a two-day summit of G-7 finance ministers turned violent.
Some protesters hurled bottles, and possibly a fire bomb.
RCMP responded with tear gas and stun guns.
While it has drawn enough concern for some to consider closing shop for the June 26-27 summit, White said that's exactly what downtown Calgary's 4,000 shop owners shouldn't do.
"If people feel uncomfortable, stay at home, but we're saying that we should be business as usual as much as possible," he said.
Fabio Centini is more than a little nervous about the upcoming G-8 summit following yesterday's clash in Halifax.
The conflict is just one more reason Centini, owner and chef of a stylish Italian gourmet restaurant in the Telus Convention Centre, will make sure he is present at Wednesday's meeting.
"We are definitely part of the whole fiasco, we are right in the middle of it," said Centini, owner of Centini's located at the southeast side of the Telus Convention Building on 8 Ave .
"I watched what happened in Halifax and it made me a little concerned."
Centini hopes downtown businesses will be told the federal government will pick up the tab for whatever damages their insurance policies won't cover including lost sales if his restaurant is forced to close.
But, he isn't hopeful this will happen.
G-8 officials have, however,said there will be compensation paid to those business owners who rightly deserve it.
Even though he is concerned, Centini is hopeful the G8 won't leave him with extra expenses.
"I've been talking with the police officer in charge (of the G-8) and he made me very comfortable," Centini said.
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