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
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.