The Pulse: Nov. 20, 2025

The Sabor Group is continuing its expansion in downtown Edmonton, opening The Atrium over the recent summer and planning to open Roca by Sabor in 2026.

The expansion is anchored by an enduring hope that the Sabor Group's owners have for downtown to return to its former 1980s self.

"We had the pleasure of growing up in a downtown that was thriving," Sabor Group co-owner Christian Mena told Taproot of that time.

"We were downtown every day to hang out," co-owner Lino Oliveira added. "It was very safe. We worked in a restaurant called Bones that used to be next to the space where Sabor is now, so it feels like a privilege to own a business where we spent a lot of time as kids."

Sabor Group operates Sabor and Bodega downtown, in addition to six other Bodega locations in the Edmonton area and one in Calgary. In August, the duo launched The Atrium, located on the main floor in the newly renovated Revillon Boardwalk Building at 10310 102 Avenue NW. Sabor is housed in the same building complex, but The Atrium has a completely separate kitchen.

Sabor Group had been approached by Allied Properties, the building's owner, about the idea of operating a full-service café and bistro in the refreshed space (the building has since changed hands and is now owned by Armco Capital). The concept aligned with Mena and Oliveira's ambitions to add a more dynamic events space to their business portfolio.

"We were constantly getting requests to host weddings and other events for years," Mena said. "The idea of having other people catering in the space didn't appeal to us, so we jumped on the idea."

The Atrium allows groups to host a private event with a minimum spend, but without the more significant expense of buying out Sabor at a 200-person rate for an evening.

Mena suggested The Atrium could significantly benefit downtown. "Just from the event space, we're going to bring in thousands of people. For Christmas, 15,000 people will come to this space alone."

Added Oliveira: "A lot of people who have come have been to Sabor or the area before, but are coming from the outskirts of town. We want them to leave happy and bring other people back."

• Paths for People, Mayor Andrew Knack, and Coun. Michael Janz called for safer infrastructure as Edmonton has recorded 31 traffic fatalities in 2025, including 11 pedestrian deaths, the highest count since 2016. The rise in fatalities is being attributed to factors like poor infrastructure and the provincial government's removal of photo radar. Knack is advocating for a dedicated traffic safety team and reiterated the City's Vision Zero commitment to eliminate fatalities by 2032. Alberta's Transportation Ministry noted its $13-million traffic safety fund.
• Edmonton detected its seventh case of Dutch elm disease since August 2024, with a tree in the Glengarry neighbourhood testing positive after an October inspection. This marks the city's first new case of the disease since July 2025. The infected tree was removed, along with others within 20 metres, and enhanced monitoring is now in place in the area, extending the existing Killarney protocol zone. Edmonton has about 90,000 elm trees. Suspected cases of the disease can be reported to 311.
• Edmonton Transit Service will implement winter service changes starting Nov. 30, affecting various bus and school special routes. Bus bay reassignments will occur at Century Park Transit Centre for Routes 712 and 713. New On Demand Transit stops will serve Aster and Tamarack, while service ends in Gariepy and West Jasper Place. Detours for the Low Level Bridge continue until Dec. 15, and the Wellington Bridge until fall 2026.
• The City of Edmonton and the Otipemisiwak Métis Government marked Métis Week at City Hall on Nov. 19 with a proclamation and cultural performances honouring Louis Riel and Métis heritage. Mayor Andrew Knack praised the Métis community's contributions, while Otipemisiwak President Andrea Sandmaier highlighted the two governments' growing partnership, strengthened by a 2024 cooperation agreement. The event featured traditional music, dance, and remarks from community leaders.
• City council rejected a bid to upzone a corner lot in Mayfield near 163 Street and 109 Avenue, voting unanimously against allowing a taller, higher-density infill project. Although the site sits on a transit route where added density is normally encouraged, Coun. Reed Clarke said the location didn't fit the intent of the zoning policy. Council emphasized that the owner can still build up to 10 units on the property, and Clarke added that the decision shows this council won't automatically approve every infill proposal.
• The Alberta government will close supervised drug consumption services at Edmonton's Royal Alexandra Hospital in mid-December 2025. The Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction plans to replace these services with a Rapid Access Addiction Medicine clinic, stating hospitals should support treatment and recovery, not "perpetuate addiction." Chris Gallaway, executive director of Friends of Medicare, warned the closure would "lead to more harm," criticizing the move as an ideological approach in the midst of a drug poisoning crisis. Edmonton's George Spady Centre and Radius Community Health and Healing Centre will continue to offer supervised consumption services.
• The City of Edmonton is accepting applications for the 2026 Community Investment Operating Grant, offering $968,750 to eligible organizations. Edmonton-based organizations primarily focused on social services, amateur sport, or active recreation can apply for the funding by Jan. 14 at 1pm. In 2025, 170 organizations received this funding.
• The family of 13-year-old Eric Omeasoo is seeking a judicial review, attempting to overturn the decision by the Edmonton Police Service and Crown prosecutors not to charge Michael Lucier, who stabbed Omeasoo to death at the MacEwan LRT station on Feb. 5. Police determined Lucier acted in self-defence after an altercation during which a group Omeasoo was with confronted Lucier and his partner about smoking drugs. Omeasoo's family alleges "abuse of process," citing "disconnects" in how his body was handled and discrepancies in the autopsy report.
• The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees announced that 16,000 licensed practical nurses and health care aides will go on strike at 8:30am on Nov. 22. AUPE President Sandra Azocar stated the strike, stemming from a 9% wage dispute and inadequate staffing, will affect Alberta Health Services facilities across the province, potentially postponing elective surgeries. While 78% of staff are deemed essential, 22% will participate in the walkout. Covenant Health is not affected by this action.
• The Alberta Medical Association warns the province is "stepping into the examination room" by using the notwithstanding clause to shield laws affecting transgender youth from court challenges. The legislation limits gender-affirming care, restricts sports participation and requires parental consent for school pronoun changes. Medical groups say the move undermines evidence-based care, while Premier Danielle Smith argues it's needed to avoid lengthy legal battles and to protect children. Federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser has also raised concerns about the Alberta government's increasing use of the clause. The Alberta Teachers' Association, still frustrated after the government used it to impose a contract last month, says the pattern is demoralizing.
• A new report from Alberta Auditor General Doug Wylie found that the province's attempt to privatize community lab services through a 2022 contract with Dynalife wasted more than $100 million. The report details a lack of due diligence by the Ministry of Health and Alberta Health Services, obstruction of information, and destruction of evidence. The contract, intended to save money and involving Dynalife, a major Edmonton and northern Alberta provider, was cancelled due to service issues. The province then purchased Dynalife for nearly $100 million in 2023, absorbing it into Alberta Precision Laboratories, with taxpayers incurring $125 million in incremental costs from abandoned procurements since 2013.
• The Edmonton Elks have re-signed defensive back Kordell Jackson and defensive lineman Noah Curtis, the team announced Nov. 19. Jackson, a versatile starter who delivered 78 tackles and a team-leading 11 pass breakups last season, remains under contract through 2027. Curtis, who missed 2025 with a training-camp injury but posted six sacks in 2024, returns on a deal that extends to 2026.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• National Housing Day 2025: Innovative Housing Solutions starting at 8:30am online
• The Tyee & Taproot Edmonton Meet-Up starting at 5pm at Rocky Mountain Ice House
• Hunter's Moon: A Sovereign Syndicate Adventure – Launch Party starting at 5pm at Edmonton Unlimited
• Behind the Campaign: Edmonton's Mayoral Messaging starting at 5:30pm at Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)
• 25th Annual Truffle Dinner with Fattoria dei Barbi starting at 6pm at Sorrentino's (Downtown)
• How to Pick & Validate Your Business Idea starting at 6pm at Edmonton Unlimited
• Arts Exchange: Art as a Reflection of Identity and Community starting at 6:30pm at Art Gallery of St. Albert
• Watching the World burn... and how to cope with grace starting at 7pm at Arcadia Brewing Co.
• JJ Shiplett starting at 8pm at The Aviary

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Nov. 23: Rise for Jamaica at Union Hall
• Nov. 27: Talk Money: Make Your Investment Plan Work for You at Yorath House
• Nov. 27: Nerd Nite Edmonton #90: Space, Community, and Alternate History starting at 7:30pm at Fringe Theatre Arts Barns

Visit the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.

Test your crossword prowess and deploy a little of your Edmonton knowledge. Complete the puzzle.

Know someone who would love to start their day with The Taproot Mini? Encourage them to subscribe to The Pulse.