'Mind blowing': Restaurant owners worry scheduled roadwork will dampen much-needed terrace season income
It's still a little chilly to sit for a bite or a drink on a Montreal terrace, but planned roadwork has some restaurant owners in the Southwest borough worried their patio season is already over.
After two and a half years of COVID-19 restrictions, things were just starting feel like normal at the Burgundy Lion on Notre Dame St. But then, news came which the owners could hardly believe.
“It’s mind blowing,” said Paul Desbaillets, the bar’s owner, describing his feelings after learning the borough plans to rip up the road between Vinet St. and Atwater Ave.
The work is expected to last 12 weeks, and that means terraces won’t be able to open normally as the warm weather arrives
"Everybody in Montreal knows that the terrace season for restaurants and bars is such an important piece of its income,” he said.
The city says the work can’t wait. Officials told CTV the pipe which runs under the road supplies drinking water for the area, and it’s almost 100 years old.
Desbaillets fears the work will keep people away from the neighborhood.
“We all know, as Montrealers, there’s nothing more uncomfortable than looking at a street and seeing it all torn up,” he said. “You start to feel like ‘maybe I just won’t go to that neighbourhood,’ so it doesn’t just affect us with our terrace, it also affects all the local merchants.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cyclist issued fine for striking four-year-old girl crossing the street
A cyclist turned herself in and received a fine after striking a four-year-old girl who was crossing the street to catch a school bus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Dutch contestant kicked out of Eurovision hours before tension-plagued song contest final
The Netherlands' contestant in the Eurovision Song Contest was dramatically expelled from competition hours before Saturday's final of the pan-continental pop competition, which has been rattled by protests over the participation of Israel.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
'We have no judge for you': Man's assault charges dropped weeks before trial due to lack of judges in Toronto
A man who was accused of sexually and physically assaulting a woman had his charges dropped in April, just weeks before he was set to stand trial in Toronto, due to a lack of judges in the region.
Protest encampment cleared by Edmonton police early Saturday morning
A protest encampment set up on the University of Alberta campus was cleared early Saturday morning by Edmonton police.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.
Tips to make a house or apartment safe and accessible for older adults living at home
Here's a summary of tips from the U.S. National Institute on Aging and AARP, which offers a free room-by-room guide with practical suggestions for older adults living independently.