Waitresses at a formerly topless restaurant in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve have been told to cover up after the City of Montreal won a recent court battle.
Since Restaurant des Princesses d'Hochelaga at 4970 Hochelaga opened in 1998, servers offered their clientele a lot more than scrambled eggs – they served food topless.
The city has been trying to cover the servers up since 2004. It won an appeal decision in Quebec Superior Court in 2010, because erotic establishments aren't permitted in the area.
"The city said that I didn't have the proper zoning to have a topless restaurant," said owner Raynald Morissette.
The restaurant has always had a permit to serve food, said Morissette, but that area in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve is not zoned for erotic shows.
Morissette says there are no shows, simply attractive women serving food.
Both the borough of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and the City of Montreal would not comment Wednesday.
The restaurant had its liquor licence reinstated this month after it was lost in 2008, because they were serving clients alcohol without food.
Morissette said between both decisions his business has lost over $200,000, half of which went to legal fees.
Servers said they are also feeling the pinch with the new rules; some say their tips have been cut in half.
"Before, when it was topless service, we made more money because there were more customers, especially tourists," said one waitress who is studying to be a dental hygienist and did not want to reveal her identity.
Many patrons say both they and the servers want to restore the topless breakfasts.
"They should do what they want to," said customer Juan Gomez, a 35-year-old factory worker who has frequented the restaurant for four years. "They make more money if they do that, and I support them if that's the motive."
Morissette said he is throwing in the towel on his legal battle. He will not appeal the court's decision on his waitresses' attire… or lack thereof.
