Montreal restaurant owner says ongoing construction forced him to temporarily close his business
The owner of a popular Indian restaurant on Montreal's Saint-Laurent Boulevard says he has been forced to temporarily shut down his business because of ongoing construction right outside his doorstep.
Simar Anand says the roadwork is hurting business at Darbar, a family-run restaurant for more than 25 years.
On a normal day, the kitchen is bustling with activity.
"There’d be a lot of peeling happening in one area, a lot of chopping happening in another area, a lot of cooking on the pots there," Anand said at his restaurant Tuesday.
But now, it's silent. He temporarily closed the business two weeks ago.
"On July 11, I came to the restaurant, and all these sidewalks and all these streets were dug up," he said.
RESERVATIONS 'CANCELLED'
Because of that, he says his sales took a hit at an already challenging time.
"When they see that they’re going to be sitting out on the patio and dealing with jackhammers and all these loud noises, they’re not going to want to come," he said.
"And I’ve been seeing that day in and day out, more and more of our reservations are getting cancelled."
It's been especially difficult for Anand, who took over the restaurant two years ago after his father — known affectionately to friends as Babu — caught COVID-19 and died.
"I want more and more people to know about my dad, about his story, about the restaurant, but in order for us to do that we have to be open."
Simar Anand, second from right, with his family and a drawing of his father, known affectionately to many as Babu. (Source: Simar Anand)
After two pandemic years, it would have been his busiest month. The closure means his staff have had to find other work to make ends meet.
Belgin Odyakmaz worked at Darbar as a dishwasher.
"I’m a single mom with two kids so I depend on this income to feed my family and pay my bills," Odyakmaz said.
Since the restaurant closed, she has been doing odd jobs, but said it's not enough.
"The construction is supposed to last a couple more months so I’m just borrowing money to pay my bills until I can start doing those extra hours again," she said.
Simar Anand's father, Babu. (Source: Simar Anand)
Workers are replacing lead pipes under the road and construction is expected to stretch into September.
The city says it is aware the construction is an inconvenience, but that a lot of projects had to be put on hold during the pandemic, and that the work in front of the restaurant can only be done during the summer.
In a statement, the city told CTV News that certain work must now be carried out in order "to maintain our infrastructure in good health and to prevent the risk of water main breakage to avoid flooding."
It added that city officials asked him to remove his terrasse before the work started, but that it was not possible since his supplier was not available. The statement said it would proceed with the construction work and if the terrasse needs to be removed, the city would cover the cost.
Anand said he plans to reopen as long as he can retain staff through the summer in order to continue his father's legacy.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.