The Pulse
June 2, 2026

Essentials

11°C: Periods of rain. Amount 10 to 15 mm. Wind north 30 km/h gusting to 50. High 11. UV index 1 or low. (forecast)
Rainbow colours: The High Level Bridge will be lit rainbow colours for the launch of Pride season. (details)
2-0: Canada's men's national soccer team defeated Uzbekistan in a friendly match at Commonwealth Stadium on June 1. (details)
7:35pm: The Edmonton Riverhawks play the Victoria HarbourCats at Wilson's Group Stadium. (details)

Milos Cvijanovic holds up two bags of bread inside Brio Bakery

As founders exit, new owners seek to keep food faves growing

June 2, 2026
By Sharon Yeo

What does it take to keep an Edmonton food institution not only alive but thriving? The owners of Brio Bakery seem to have found the recipe, and the founders of Jack's Burger Shack hope their successors do, too.

Almost three years after acquiring Brio's Wîhkwêntôwin location in August of 2023, Milos Cvijanovic and Mateja Jelecevic have opened a second bakery on Whyte Avenue. Expansion wasn't in their immediate plans, but they got an offer they couldn't refuse. Longtime fans Paul Blais and Shawna Lindberg from the Blais Realty Group had purchased a building at 9614 82 Avenue NW and wanted Brio to be a part of the space.

The Mill Creek location opened at the end of April, and it has received a positive reception so far. "Lots of regulars are happy they don't have to cross the river anymore," Cvijanovic said. "But there are also a lot of new faces. Many people heard about us and now have the chance to come."

Brio was founded by Todd Barraclough and his wife Sian, who transitioned from being farmers' market vendors to running a storefront bakery in 2019. Cvijanovic said Todd loved baking bread but did not enjoy running the business itself. "They saw a few people who inquired about the business, and I guess we were a good fit," Cvijanovic said.

Buying an already operating business appealed to Cvijanovic, who had done the same in 2015 with a catering company called The Second Chef. That business's vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted him and his wife to diversify, and Brio's existing fandom was attractive.

"The idea behind owning an existing brand is there is no startup cost of building it from scratch, especially one like Brio with an established clientele," Cvijanovic said. "You need less capital to start something, but you would need to promote it to bring it to where you want it to be."

When Brio first changed hands, some regulars were concerned. "Customers were scared of new owners," Cvijanovic said. "They were worried about nothing being the same. But then they said, 'You guys are doing the exact same thing.'"

Tu Le is hoping for a similarly smooth transition with Jack's Burger Shack. He's confident in what the restaurant he started with his brother Ninh has to offer, and he still strongly believes in the Edmonton market.

"Someone could take it to the next level," Le said. "I see what's happening in the city right now. If it was 10 years ago, if I was 10 years younger, we would have four more Jack's. I believe that Edmonton could be a food destination. There is untapped potential here."

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Headlines: June 2, 2026

June 2, 2026
By Mariam Ibrahim

A torrential downpour on June 1 flooded a section of Yellowhead Trail in Edmonton, causing its westbound lanes from 97 Street to 124 Street to close. Motorists faced significant delays and were urged to find alternate routes. Mayor Andrew Knack highlighted the importance of the city's $1.6 billion flood mitigation program, which was initiated in 2019. Knack said the city's stormwater system had effectively managed the deluge.
Edmonton city council is considering ending 15-minute free parking and introducing higher fees in busy areas. Proposed changes include charging at attractions like the Muttart Conservatory and Fort Edmonton Park, which could double annual parking revenue to $10.4 million by 2028. Mayor Andrew Knack highlighted concerns about subsidizing "free" parking through property taxes. Adjustments in EPark zones and city-owned lots downtown and in Old Strathcona may align prices with demand while staying below private lot costs. The proposals will be reviewed on June 9.
Edmonton will host the 2027 World Triathlon Multisport Championships from July 16 to 25, 2027, welcoming elite and age-group athletes from over 60 countries. The event will feature competitions in six disciplines, including duathlon and cross triathlon. Antonio Arimany, president of World Triathlon, praised Edmonton as a key partner due to its history of hosting successful multisport events. Stephen Bourdeau of Edmonton's local organizing committee highlighted the city's passion for sport and commitment to delivering an exceptional event.
The City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Community Foundation launched the $2 million Faith Lands Affordable Housing Incentive to support faith-based charities in exploring affordable housing developments on their properties. The initiative offers up to $135,000 for pre-construction work such as feasibility studies. Supported partly by $1 million from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, this program aims to ease financial risks and unlock new housing opportunities. With about 9,000 faith buildings potentially closing this decade, the initiative is designed to preserve community spaces and address Edmonton's future need for nearly 39,700 affordable rental units by 2031.
The City of Edmonton is encouraging residents to host block parties to strengthen community ties during June. These events can be organized on streets or local green spaces. The city provides planning tips, templates, and logistical support such as permits and traffic control. Residents interested in road closures should apply three weeks in advance.
A new four-way stop installed at Maple Road and 12 Street in southeast Edmonton's Maple Crest neighbourhood was removed after creating significant traffic congestion. The stop, installed on May 29, aimed to improve safe access for residents, but instead caused lengthy backups. Coun. Jo-Anne Wright said the City of Edmonton removed the signs for reassessment. Maple Crest residents frequently experience traffic issues due to CN trains blocking its entrance, a problem the City didn't address with $11 million in road upgrades in 2022.
Edmonton's Alphonso Davies is set to captain Canada in the FIFA Men's World Cup on home soil. Originally from a Liberian refugee camp, Davies grew up in Edmonton before making his professional debut at 15. Now a star at Bayern Munich, he has won multiple titles, including a UEFA Champions League. Despite missing training due to a hamstring injury, Davies joined the Canadian team in Edmonton ahead of the friendly against Uzbekistan on June 1.