Restaurant run by the author has shut down in Yakutsk, while a well-renowned liquor store has emerged instead.
In the heart of Yakutsk, a new establishment offering beer, vodka, and snacks has opened on Lermontov Street, near a residential building. However, the city's alcohol landscape is undergoing a significant shift, with several respectable establishments closing their doors this year.
Amidst this trend, representatives from the catering industry have pointed to a multitude of factors contributing to the closure of establishments, including inflation, high utility tariffs, and high-interest rates. Yet, informal or semi-legal venues, colloquially known as "pouring spots," continue to expand, operating with less oversight and exploiting enforcement gaps.
City authorities claim that around 70 "pouring establishments" will be closed due to increased area requirements. Yet, the expansion of these spots is occurring under the guise of fighting for sobriety. The "PivoRub" network, for instance, has grown to around 16 locations in Yakutsk.
One establishment that has survived several anti-alcohol campaigns is "Balyksyt." Despite the challenges, "pouring houses" are expanding in Yakutsk, with some now situated in residential courtyards. The oldest "pouring house" in the city has reopened after reconstruction, adding a second floor to its area.
Economic and business pressures, regulatory focus, and enforcement gaps are key factors driving this situation. Respectable establishments, with higher operating costs and stricter regulatory requirements, might find it harder to sustain operations under Yakutsk's economic conditions. Anti-alcohol measures often target formal businesses, but informal venues can meet demand more flexibly, despite official policies against excessive alcohol consumption.
Yakutia's harsh climate, economic conditions, and historical context also play a role. Informal alcohol sales fill gaps in supply or affordability, making it challenging for anti-alcohol policies to curb demand or informal distribution networks.
Despite the closure of several establishments, including the "Republic" restaurant, known for its author's cuisine, the city's authorities have set a minimum area of 75 square meters for serving halls for alcohol trading near residential buildings. However, this measure does not seem to have affected "pouring establishments" in the city.
Alexander Arinosov, co-chairman of the Yaroslavl branch of "OPORA RUSSIA," argues that increasing the required area will not effectively combat "pouring establishments," but rather harm normal, legal businesses.
The future of Yakutsk's alcohol landscape remains uncertain, with the dual trend of formal establishments closing down while informal sales increase. Yet, amidst these challenges, there are glimmers of hope, such as the chef of the "Republic" restaurant receiving a certificate for training in the "Chef 2.0" course at the Higher School of Gastronomy of the Siberian Federal University.
- Economic factors, such as inflation, high utility tariffs, and high-interest rates, and regulatory pressure are driving the closure of formal establishments in Yakutsk, while informal venues, known as "pouring spots," continue to expand despite enforcement gaps.
- Despite the minimum area requirement for serving halls for alcohol trading near residential buildings, the growth of informal alcohol sales in Yakutsk, through establishments like "pouring houses," remains a challenge for authorities aiming to curb excessive alcohol consumption.
