Montreal restaurants happy to leave brutal 2023 behind, worry about 2024
The Quebec Restaurant Association says 2023 has been a disastrous year with sales down, bankruptcies up and restaurants and bars feeling the pain of inflation in more ways than one.
Brasserie Le Saint Bock has been a mainstay of St. Denis Street in Montreal's trendy Plateau neighbourhood for almost two decades, but the past year has been brutal.
"Overall it was the worst year I've had in my 18 years," said owner Martin Guimond.
During the summer, the weather was erratic and things did not get any better in the fall.
Guimond said it's been a struggle to pay the rent and even his staff.
"In the bank account now, I'm at like minus $20,000," he said.
Restaurants have been struggling with the rising cost of living. not only do their clients have less money to spend, but the restaurants themselves have to pay higher costs for food and staff.
"We have seen an increase of 25 per cent of the staff wages," said Guimond
Traffic is also an issue.
"My own family, I ask them do you want to come to Montreal to see and they just tell me, 'No it's too hard, too hard to cross the bridge, too hard to find a parking,'" said Guimond.
The issue is finding profit in an industry where every dollar counts.
"Our margins are razor thin," said Guimond. "When you have a margin of two to four per cent, you cannot have less sales."
Petros Taverna owner Ted Dranias said he stays ahead by working harder to find deals.
"When your supplier sends you a shelf of tomatoes at $32.50 and you pick it up for six bucks, it makes a big difference," said Dranias
Even by hustling for deals, many restaurants still struggle, and in January, many will have to pay back government loans from the COVID-19 pandemic.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Security guard shot, critically injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.